Things to do in Dalvik

Whale Watching Hauganes

Hauganes Whale Watching is a family owned and operated business located in the north of Iceland, just 25 minutes north of Akureyri. Hauganes is one of the oldest whale watching companies in Iceland. We have been operating whale watching trips since 1993, but we were the first to do so in 1989. Our owners and captains have worked together to grow with the team. Over the past few years, whales have been spotted in Eyjafjordur Bay, just a 10-15 minute sail from the harbour. In 2019, we had a 99% success rate in whale watching. The trip usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours and takes you through the beautiful Eyjafjordur Bay in North Iceland. On the way back from the whale watching trip, guests can also pick up a fishing rod and try the charm of sea fishing.

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal hot spring on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, set amid a stark black volcanic lava field. Its water comes from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station—after deep geothermal water is extracted for power generation, the mineral-rich residual water flows into low-lying areas between the lava, gradually forming this geothermal lagoon. The water has a high silica content, and it is this silica that gives the lagoon its distinctive milky blue color, which stands out strikingly against the surrounding black lava. Steam rises from the surface year-round, and from a distance it looks like a glowing blue sapphire in the wilderness. The signature experience at the Blue Lagoon is to visit the in-water mask bar and apply silica mud to your face, enjoying a natural mud mask. This white silica mud is formed from minerals deposited from the geothermal water; it feels fine and silky to the touch and is a bathing ritual unique to the Blue Lagoon. The hot spring area also has a sauna, a steam room, and a steam cave, where you can alternate between steam bathing and outdoor soaking to experience the shift between hot and cold. If you happen to visit on a snowy day, soak in the warm water and look up as snowflakes fall onto the black lava—the contrast of ice and fire is unforgettable. The pale blue water of the entire lagoon, wreathed in steam, together with the rugged lava landscape, creates a scene full of Icelandic character.

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Sky Lagoon

•Soak and relax in warm geothermal waters •Experience Icelandic bathing culture with the 7-step ritual •Enjoy the view from the infinity pool •Connect with Icelandic bathing traditions •Relax your mind, body and soul Nestled on a stark, stunning coastline, Sky Lagoon feels a world away from everyday life. Iceland's newest geothermal lagoon honours centuries-old bathing culture, embracing the warmth of a people tied closely to sea, sky and the power locked deep within the land. For centuries, Icelanders have trusted the calming, healing effects of geothermal water to help make them one of the happiest people on earth. Our 7-step rejuvenating Sky Ritual brings this culture to life for every guest and is included in the Sky Lagoon experience. Choose the admission package that suits your schedule and budget. Take part in the Ritual For centuries, Icelanders have trusted the calming, healing effects of geothermal water to help make them one of the happiest people on earth. Skjól Ritual brings this culture to life for every guest. Get a Sky Lagoon pass and immerse yourself in the warmth of an oceanside geothermal lagoon, where the dramatic North Atlantic Ocean stretches out before you. Take your relaxation deeper with a unique 7-step spa ritual included in the pass. Choose between the SÉR Pass or SAMAN Pass. With Sér Pass, you benefit from private changing facilities and shower cabins with signature botanical body products. With Saman Pass, you will use shared changing and showering facilities. Connect with Icelandic traditions and relax your mind, body, and soul. Complete the 7-step ritual to fully immerse yourself in Icelandic bathing traditions. Step 1 - Laug (Lagoon): Slow down and relax in the lagoon Step 2 - Kuldi (Cold): Cool down with the cold plunge Step 3 - Ylur (Warmth): Relax and enjoy the views in the sauna Step 4 - Súld (Drizzle): Refresh in a cold mist Step 5 - Mýkt (Softness): Invigorate and exfoliate with a rejuvenating body scrub Step 6 - Gufa (Steam) - Chill out in the steam room Step 7 - Saft (Juice) Taste the essence of krækiber — the crowberries that dot our lava fields.   After the experience, you can enliven your taste buds at Keimur Café and Smakk Bar. Discover and connect with the local flavors of the region.

Tvistur Horse Rental

The Icelandic Phallological Museum

The Icelandic Phallological Museum is located in the center of Reykjavik. It is one of the few museums in the world dedicated to specimens of reproductive organs, founded by Sigurður Hjartarson. This seemingly bizarre museum actually combines biological research with cultural interest, making it one of Iceland's unique popular science attractions. The collection covers hundreds of specimens from over a hundred mammal species, ranging from cetaceans, walruses, seals, and polar bears to native species like Icelandic horses and reindeer. A sperm whale specimen over one m long exudes an imposing presence, while the bone of a hamster's reproductive organ is only millimeters in size and requires a magnifying glass to see clearly. The specimens are systematically preserved in formaldehyde jars or mounted on walls. Human specimens are another highlight: the museum waited years for a suitable donated human specimen, and this story was even documented in a film; a set of silver sculptures modeled after Iceland's national handball team, which won silver at the Beijing Olympics, is also often talked about.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Vatnajökull National Park

Blue Ice Cave

The Blue Ice Cave is a natural ice cave that forms under Iceland's Vatnajökull Glacier every winter, serving as a unique and rare natural view during the Icelandic winter. The color and shape of the ice cave are ever-changing. Not only does the shape differ from year to year, but even within a single day, it can display varying shades of blue depending on the weather and light, making every cave one-of-a-kind. This mysterious blue color comes from the ice layer's special filtering and reflection of light: the denser the ice, the more thoroughly it absorbs red light, resulting in a deeper and purer blue. Sunlight refracts through the ice into the cave, illuminating the interior with a dreamlike, blue-purple view.

Eyjafjörður

Dalvík Campsite

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Northeastern Region

Akureyri church

Akureyri church is a landmark in the major town of Akureyri in northern Iceland. This Lutheran church sits on a small hill in the town center, with a long flight of stairs leading from the town center directly up to the church entrance. It was designed by the Icelandic state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. Both churches were inspired by volcanic basalt, but this one is more compact with straight, clean lines. Its twin-tower facade is often described as resembling a 1920s American skyscraper, and it was completed in 1940. Standing at the top of the stairs, you can overlook the layers of rooftops and Eyjafjörður; this is also a popular photo spot in the town. The interior of the church holds many items worth a closer look: the large stained glass window above the altar was not made in Iceland, but is an old window from Coventry Cathedral in the United Kingdom; a model ship hangs from the ceiling, reflecting the ancient Northern European tradition of offering model ships to pray for loved ones at sea; a large pipe organ with thousands of pipes is one of the highlights here; the reliefs of the life of Christ on the walls are by Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, and the baptismal font is a replica of a work by Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen. During the day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the fjord along the stairs, and on clear winter nights, visitors often come specifically to wait for the aurora; if you happen to catch a choir performance or the organ playing, feel free to slow down and step inside to listen for a while.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Iceland

Reykjavik Whale Watching

Participate in the Reykjavik whale watching activity and sail on one of Iceland's whale watching boats. Our large and sturdy whale watching boat Andrea offers you extra comfort, fantastic interiors and rest areas, large outdoor viewing decks, a safe family-friendly environment, and an onboard café and souvenir shop. Our professional guide and friendly crew will welcome you aboard, share interesting information about the different types of whales and seabirds you may hope to see during your trip, and teach you how to spot whales in the bay. With whale teeth, bones, baleen, plankton nets, and microscopes on display, this tour is also a floating whale watching classroom with educational and interactive significance.