“Where the mountains sing through the screams of seagulls
Where the whales can live ’cause they’re gentle people”
If you are something like me, your mid-2020 concerned a LOT of binge watching. You most likely watched each new present, sequence, and film that was launched on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and so forth.
And when you, too, have been the epitome of a sofa potato that yr, then chances are high you noticed the pleasant Netflix movie “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.” Starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, the movie follows a unusual duo from Iceland as they understand their goals to compete within the Eurovision Song Contest.
And when you noticed that film, you then have been additionally launched to the little Icelandic city of Húsavík.
Husavik was well-known because the whale watching capital of Iceland effectively earlier than the Eurovision Netflix movie. But now it is also drawing guests who need to expertise Lars and Sigrit’s hometown for themselves.
An introduction to Húsavík
Húsavík is a small Icelandic city that sits on Skjálfandi Bay within the far north of Iceland. It’s residence to roughly 2300 folks, and might hint its historical past again to the very first Norseman who arrived in Iceland within the yr 870.
It is served by a small regional airport, and in any other case is roughly an hour’s drive away from Akureyri, the “capital” of north Iceland.
The city is not a big one, however there’s really a good quantity to do right here. So do not simply e-book your whale watching journey after which head again to Akureyri or on to Myvatn! Stay some time and take in the allure that Sigrit sings about within the Oscar-nominated “Husavik (My Hometown)” music.
Top issues to do in Husavik in someday
You can technically tick the whole lot off this Husavik to-do checklist in simply someday – although when you can keep in a single day, I might extremely advocate that!
Here are the highest issues to do in Husavik:
1. Go whale watching
If you need to expertise a number of the greatest whale watching in Iceland, then Husavik is the place you need to be. The city sits on Skjálfandi Bay, the place three completely different nutrient-rich ocean currents converge to assist a wide range of species of whale year-round. You can spot the whole lot from humpbacks to minke whales to even blue whales, plus porpoises and dolphins.
The whale watching in Husavik is considered a number of the greatest in all of Europe, and throughout the summer time months particularly you are nearly assured to identify one thing.
Several firms provide whale watching excursions in Húsavík, both in conventional wood boats or in RIB boats (rigid-bodied zodiaks that go quick). Tours normally final about 3 hours, and most firms will offer you a heat set of coveralls to put on.
I did this tour in a standard boat, and cherished with the ability to spend a while up within the higher part for excellent views. (And we have been fortunate sufficient to see a pair whales, too!)
If you could have extra of a necessity for velocity, a RIB tour like this is perhaps higher for you. Or, there’s one firm that gives “silent” whale excursions on a carbon-neutral boat, which is fairly cool.
Book your whale tour within the morning and get your day began early!
2. Visit the Whale Museum
Since you may already be on the harbor after your whale watching tour, chances are you’ll as effectively go to the Húsavík Whale Museum (and you will get a reduction when you present your whale watching tour ticket, too!).
This small museum packs a giant punch, protecting not solely all of the completely different whale species you may discover in Iceland, but additionally the historical past of the nation’s relationship with the marine mammals.
The museum has an enormous assortment of whale skeletons on show, essentially the most spectacular of which being a full blue whale skeleton. You’ll be in awe standing subsequent to it and realizing how large these whales really are!
3. Explore the lovable city
After that, you may spend a while exploring Husavik (town heart shouldn’t be giant, so this would possibly not take lengthy!). Get your images of the long-lasting Húsavíkurkirkja (Husavik Wooden Church), after which take pleasure in lunch close to the water.
4. Go horseback driving
This afternoon, I like to recommend occurring a horseback driving tour with Saltvik Farm, only a brief drive outdoors of city. Their “Seaside Tour” is a 2-hour driving tour that may take you right down to a black sand seashore close by of snow-dusted mountains.
You’ll get to journey an cute Icelandic horse, and have the prospect to check out their additional gait referred to as the Tölt, which is sort of like a speed-walk.
There are lot of locations to go horseback driving in Iceland, however I actually suppose the surroundings right here overlooking Skjálfandi Bay is a number of the greatest!
5. Soak at Geosea
After a morning at sea and a day on horseback, you may have earned your self a while stress-free on the thermal swimming pools at Geosea.
The infinity-style Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths sit up on a hill to the north of Husavik, as soon as once more with implausible views out over Skjálfandi Bay and its mountains.
There are three related scorching swimming pools right here crammed with mineral-rich saltwater, together with saunas and a swim-up bar. The vibe right here is sort of relaxed (and these baths are kid-friendly), and it is simple to whereas away an hour or two whereas soaking within the swimming pools – and absorbing the views.
You can e-book tickets forward, although you may typically additionally stroll up and buy tickets right here most days.
RELATED: 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Iceland Hot Springs and Thermal Baths
6. Celebrate Eurovision at Jaja Ding Dong
I can not write a publish about Húsavík today with out mentioning a spot that is embracing the city’s popular culture fame: a bar and cafe referred to as Jaja Ding Dong (a reference from the Netflix movie).
The bar totally embraces its supply materials, serving up cocktails with names like “Fire Saga” and “Double Trouble.” (They additionally serve actually scrumptious pizzas when you’re craving a type of.)
Jaja Ding Dong is related to the Cape Hotel in Husavik, and in addition provides entry to a brand new museum-style Eurovision exhibit. The exhibit covers Iceland’s historical past within the precise Eurovision Song Contest, and in addition has a room crammed with props and costumes from the Netflix movie. Entry is 1500 ISK (or 1000 ISK if you buy one thing on the bar).
Kudos to the homeowners right here for seizing on such an excellent alternative and creating such a enjoyable area!
7. Eat scrumptious seafood
If you simply need to seize drinks at Jaja Ding Dong and exit for dinner elsewhere, undoubtedly e-book your self a desk at Naustið. Here deliciously contemporary seafood dishes are served up in a comfy historic residence that is been renovated right into a restaurant.
Fun truth: the home the restaurant is in dates again to 1930, and was the primary home in Husavik to have a bath put in! The well-known tub now sits outdoors Naustið and is now used as a flower planter.
Bonus: Diamond Circle
Have you been satisfied to spend a while in Húsavík? If so, you may really use the city as a base to go to another close by websites, too, together with those who make up the “Diamond Circle.”
Sites on this in style driving route embrace the Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls, in addition to Lake Myvatn and the Hverir geothermal space. (Godafoss is 25 minutes from Husavik, Lake Myvatn about 50 minutes, and the west facet of Dettifoss is 1.5 hours away.)
Where to remain in Husavik
Everything was bought out in Husavik after I visited, so my pal Kate and I stayed in Akureyri as a substitute. But when you do need to keep in a single day in Husavik itself, listed here are some good choices:
When to go to Húsavík
You can technically go to Husavik any time of yr, however for essentially the most sunlight hours and greatest climate for issues like whale watching and horseback driving, you may need to go to throughout the summer time months (June-August), or on both facet of summer time (like in May or September).
Visiting in September or October can be not dangerous, as you may have an opportunity of recognizing the Northern Lights.
Who desires to plan a visit to Husavik now?