The fishermen town in northern Iceland was the first area in Iceland to be inhabited, according to the locals. Its name means “home bay” as a Swedish Viking made it his place of residence during Iceland’s discovery. Husavik is a small village that relies mainly on fishing and tourism for its economical prosperity. Its most charming attribute is the fact that this village has kept most of its authenticity. Visiting Husavik is like walking onto the set of a movie. In spite of its size, Husavik is a highly recommended town to visit in Iceland. Like most places in Iceland, regardless of their size, it has a thermal pool for you to soak but here are a couple of things to do while staying in the small town.
Whale Watching
The majority of tourists passing through Husavik come for the premium whale watching experience. From Husavik you can take a boat ride out to the open waters, enjoy some puffin, dolphin and whale sightings while enjoying the fact that this may be your only occasion to see the Arctic sea. Just make sure to check the weather before you go. During a storm, no boat sails out and shortly after, the whales can rarely be seen.
Museums and Landmarks
In case of rain and bad weather, visit the whale museum. It’s a fairly extensive museum dedicated to the giant creature of the sea and it is a fun visit in anticipation for the live whale.
The most famous landmark of Husavik is its Old Church. It was built in 1907 and overlooks the harbor and is located on an elevated position. You can’t miss it.
If you have time for another museum and you’re in the mood for a laugh or two, the town also hosts a small phallological museum. Many tourists come out from the little house of phalluses with a smile on their faces. It won’t take too much time and it is not an expensive experience.
Excursions
If you have a bit more time, plan a hike around Lake Myvatn. If you have a rental car at your disposal the lake is only a couple minutes away, otherwise, there are tour buses that drive to and from Myvatn. On location you can also rent bikes to do a fun tour of the area or you can simply walk and indulges in the fuming earth and incredible landscapes.
