Húsavík
Húsavík is a town of approximately 2,500 inhabitants in North Iceland. It is the whale watching capital of Iceland, with whales sighted on over 95% of trips during the summer. Additionally, it gained some fame when it used to house the (in)famous Icelandic Phallological Museum, which has since moved to Reykjavík.
Get in
[edit]
By plane
[edit]You can get to Húsavík by car or by bus. The nearest domestic airport is Húsavík airport about 5 min drive to town, operated by Ernir. There is also an airport in Akureyri (about 1 hour by car).
By bus
[edit]Strætó connects Húsavík with Akureyri with a bus one to three times a day. The bus is number 79.
Get around
[edit]Like most Icelandic villages, Húsavík is easy to cover by foot. There is no public transport.
See
[edit]- 1 The Exploration Museum, Héðinsbraut 3 (In town centre), ☏ +3544642328, info@explorationmuseum.com. Closed as it is being renovated into a Eurovision museum as of June 2021. The Exploration Museum is dedicated to the history of human exploration, from the early explorers to the exploration of space. The main exhibition room features photographs and artifacts from the Apollo Astronaut Training near Húsavík in 1965 and 1967. Other exhibition rooms feature the history of Viking exploration, Arctic explorers and a timeline of exploration history. 1000 kr.
- 2 Húsavík Whale Museum, Hafnarstétt 1, ☏ +354 414 2800, +354 866 7020 (Mobile), info@whalemuseum.is. June, July & August: 08:00 – 18:30 daily; April, May & September: 09:00 – 16:00 daily; October to March: 10:00 – 15:30 weekdays (closed between 12:00 – 13:00); Other times by arrangement. Adults: 1300 kr.
- 3 Húsavíkurkirkja. This wooden church built in 1907 is probably the most recognisable landmark of the town.
- The Icelandic Phallological Museum, which used to be here, has moved to Reykjavík.
Do
[edit]Whale watching
[edit]Húsavík is one of the main destinations for whale watching in Iceland. The species that can be seen on the tours include blue whale, humpback whale, minke, fin whale, harbour porpoise, white-beaked dolphin, and rarely orca. Whale watching season is April through October.
Dress warmly for whale watching voyages, especially during colder months and even during warmer months. It generally feels much colder and windier on the water and it can be difficult to take shelter against the weather. Warm socks and gloves are especially helpful.
Tour companies will typically provide wet-weather gear that can be worn over your outfit, so a rain jacket and pants are not needed, but it's advisable to wear waterproof shoes.
Be careful taking photos on the boat. It is very easy to drop a phone or camera overboard. Use a tether or strap to prevent accidents.
If you are susceptible to motion sickness, consider proactively taking motion sickness medicine and research strategies to manage motion sickness while underway.
- 1 Gentle Giants, 640 Húsavík, ☏ +354 464 1500, info@gentlegiants.is. April-November for whale watching. Whale watching, puffin watching, sea angling and other tours, depending on the season. ISK 10990 (adult), ISK 5990 (children 7-15), free for children 0-6 for a 3-hour tour.
- 2 North Sailing, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland, ☏ +354 464 7272, fax: +354 464 2351, info@northsailing.is. March-November for whale watching. Be aware that winter voyages can be extremely cold. Whale watching, puffin watching and other tours, depending on the season. 11,300 ISK and upward for a 3+ hour tour.
Horse riding
[edit]Apart from whale watching, horse riding is another good option for tourists passing through the town of Húsavík. It's a good opportunity to come across the rugged Icelandic breed and also get to do some sightseeing on horseback at the same time.
- 3 Saltvík Hestamiðstöð. Horse riding tours are offered at Saltvík farm, about 5 km from Húsavík.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Gamli Baukur (on the waterfront in an old wood building). They have an excellent selection of fish, soups, and salads. Downstairs is the small restaurant and upstairs a lively, little bar.
- Salka, Garðarsbraut 6 (A green house right by the main road.), ☏ +354 464 2551. Restaurant/pizzeria, where is also possible to taste puffin.
- Naustið, Naustagarður 2 (A yellow house by the harbour), ☏ +354 464 1520. Nice and simple seafood restaurant.
- Pallurinn (Behind the Gentle Giants ticket center), ☏ +354 496 1440. An interesting tent restaurant where they grill whole lambs. Very nice food with reasonable prices. Only open during the summer season.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- [dead link] Húsavík guesthouse (Gistiheimili Húsavíkur), Laugarbrekka 16 (five minute walk to the harbour and one minute walk to the swimming pool), ☏ +354 463 3399. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: noon. A friendly guesthouse, built in 1947 and renovated in 2009. Open all year. Breakfast is served from 07:30 to til 10:00. Wireless Internet access in all rooms. Double/Twin room with breakfast from €85.
- Kaldbaks-kot cottages, Kaldbakur (2 km south of Husavik town), ☏ +3544641504. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 1200 metres from the centre. Eighteen new cottages built of timber logs is 18-25 square metres, with all facilities (WC, shower, kitchen, TV, radio, refrigerator, kitchen utensils, toaster, stove, etc.) Big terrace. Beautiful view. Very private and convenient. From €90.
- Guesthouse Arbol, ☏ +354 464 2220, fax: +354 464 1463. Asgardsvegi 2. A small cozy guesthouse with 8 rooms near the waterfront. Prices vary from 8,800 kr. (single bed room) during off season to 10,600 kr. (single bed room) during peak season and includes breakfast. Bathrooms are shared but very clean and towels are provided.
- Húsavík Cape Hotel (Hótel Húsavíkurhöfði), Höfði 24 (five minute walk to the harbour and two minute walk to the swimming pool), ☏ +354 463 3399. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. 16 room hotel at Húsavík Cape, with view over the town and Skjálfandi bay. Double/Twin room with breakfast from €150.
- Fosshotel Husavik, ☏ +354 464 1003. Ketilsbraut 22. A well-equipped hotel in the centre. Single and double rooms, as well as superior "whale-themed" rooms. Restaurant/pizzeria and bar facilities. Internet access in the lobby.
Connect
[edit]The public library offers internet access on public terminals at reasonable rates, and a free internet connection for those traveling with laptops.