Reykjavík Grapevine - sep. 2019, Blaðsíða 46

The Reykjavík G
rapevine
Best of Iceland 2019
46 BEST OF ICELAND 2019
North
The reset button for the soul
Best Tour
Whale Watching
Various providers
Our panellists were unanimous: whale watching in Eyjafjördur or Skjálfan-
di Bay is the best tour North Iceland has to offer. While nothing is guar-
anteed, it’s possible to spot humpback whales, blue whales, minke whales,
dolphins, harbour porpoises and more cetacean life during a cruise on the
Arctic Ocean. Seabirds, including puffins, Arctic terns and eider ducks,
may also be seen. Boat tours are available from Akureyri, Dalvík, Grenivík,
Hauganes, Hjalteyri and the “whale capital” of Húsavík. Map square: G9
Runner Up
Askja & Holuhraun by Superjeep
Various providers
A trip to the Askja caldera and the
Holuhraun lava field in the volcanic desert
is a life-changing experience. Askja is a 50
km² volcanic crater filled with freshwater,
forming the deepest lake in the country at
217 metres. Holuhraun is Iceland’s young-
est lava field, still cooling from the eruption
of 2014-15. H14
Runner Up
Mývatn Day Tours
Various providers
Book a day trip north of the wall to Lake
Mývatn, where ‘Game of Thrones’ was
filmed. On the eastern shore, you can hike
through the lava field of Dimmuborgir to an
elf church. Krafla volcano is a few kilome-
tres east, as is the stunning Hverir geother-
mal field, where hot springs, fumaroles and
mud pools abound. G11-H11
Best Museum or Gallery
The Herring Era Museum
Snorragata 10, Siglufjörður
The only Icelandic winner of the European
Museum Award, the Herring Era Museum
in Siglufjörður is Iceland’s largest maritime
museum. One panellist described The Her-
ring Era Museum as “an amazing artwork,
where you are tele-transported to the past
and the excitement of the great herring
rush in Sigló.” Another panellist enthused,
“Awesome museum covering ‘the herring
adventures’ that made this small town one
of the richest in the world.” B9
Runners Up
Akureyri Art Museum
Kaupvangsstræti 8-12, Akureyri
Refurbished last year during its 25th an-
niversary, this world-class art gallery fea-
tures contemporary exhibitions by local
and international artists. In 2019 and 2020,
Iceland’s Venice Biennale representative
Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir (a.k.a. Shoplifter)
will exhibit work here. Akureyri Art Muse-
um is also home to A!, an annual interna-
tional performance art festival. F11
The Húsavík Whale Museum
Hafnarstétt 1, Húsavík
The Húsavík Whale Museum is the perfect
partner to the town’s popular whale watch-
ing tours. The museum emphasises North
Atlantic whale species through exhibitions
on whale evolution, biology and ecology.
There is also the option to learn about the
history of the whale industry in iceland. G9
Best Bar
R5
Ráðhústorg 5, 600 Akureyri
With an expansive selection of craft beer,
R5 is your cozy local in the North. R5 prides
itself on its high quality and professional-
ism, which shines through in the passion-
ate bar staff. Their taps pour a diverse array
of ales from Icelandic breweries. Our panel
raves that this is the “ideal place to have a
beer or wine with friends and just sit down
and chat.” Time your visit with a weekly
concert for an extra treat. F11
Runners Up
Akureyri Backpackers
Hafnarstræti 98, Akureyri
Akureyri Backpackers is full of “amazing
people and cosy surroundings” according
to our panel. With a relaxed and interna-
tional atmosphere, it’s an unpretentious
spot to enjoy a cold beverage after a long
day of adventuring. In addition to its bar,
Backpackers also has affordable accom-
modation for those seeking the hostel ex-
perience. F11
Segull 67 Brewery
Vetrarbraut 8-10, Siglufjörður
There are a variety of breweries that offer
enticing experiences, including the Beer
Spa and Kaldi Brewery. Siglufjörður’s Segull
67 is a family-owned craft microbrewery in
a renovated fish factory. While not a tradi-
tional bar or a place to shoot the shit with
locals, our panel raved about the tour and
the taste. B9
Book our recommended tours securely at
Skólavörðustígur 19
tel (+354) 552 1890
Borgartún 31
tel (+354) 552 1980
BUY DIRECTLY
FROM
THE PEOPLE
WHO MAKE THEM