Húsavík, Coastal fishing town in northeast Iceland
Description
H úsavík is a coastal fishing town on Skjálfandi Bay in northeast Iceland. The harbor stretches along the waterfront with docks for trawlers and tour vessels facing the open bay.
History
Garðar Svavarsson built the first permanent settlement in Iceland here around 870. The site later developed into a fishing port with whaling traditions that continued into the 20th century.
Culture
The Icelandic name means „house bay‟ and refers to shelters built by early seafarers who found refuge along the shore. Local residents maintain close ties to the ocean through fishing traditions and seasonal whale watching activities that shape daily routines.
Practical
The town sits along the ring road in the northeast and can be reached by small airport or overland route. Accommodations cluster near the harbor and provide starting points for whale watching tours that work best in calm weather.
Did you know?
The local whale museum displays complete skeletons of different whale species sighted in the bay. Some specimens reach lengths over 65 feet (20 meters) and hang from the exhibition hall ceiling.
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Goðafoss
41.2 km
Krafla
46 km
Ásbyrgi
38 km
The Astronaut Monument
512 m
Eyjafjörður
41.9 km
Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
39.7 km
Húsavíkurkirkja
283 m
The Exploration Museum
520 m
Húsavík Whale Museum
421 m
Laufás
36.9 km
Jökulsárgljúfur
38.6 km
Rauðhólar
38.3 km
Vaðlaheiði
47.1 km
Ásbyrgisskógur
37.8 km
The Transportation Museum at Ystafell
31.2 km
Vindbelgjarfjall
48.3 km
Kaldbakur
38.2 km
Húsavíkurfjall
1.8 km
Réttarfoss
45.4 km
Hlíðarfjall
46.3 km
Æðarfossar
7.6 km
Vígabjargsfoss
44.3 km
Phare de Tjörnes
20.2 km
Húsavík Lighthouse
1.4 km
Hjalteyrarviti
44.1 km
Phare de Svalbarðseyri
47.7 km
Phare de Lundey
8.2 km
Phare de Hrísey
48.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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