The Húsavíkurbær municipality
of 2,500 inhabitants
consists of Húsavík town
on the peninsula Tjörnes, and the
agricultural area Reykjahverfi to the
south. Húsavíkurbær is a perfect
centre for individual tourists and
groups traveling in the northeast of
Iceland. The area offers an ample
selection of easy hikes through varied
landscape, e.g. along the shores
of the bay, along the town river
Búðará where one can stroll in a
beautiful manicured park, around
Lake Botnsvatn where trout fishing
is free of charge, or up Mt. Húsavík,
417 m above sea level, where on a
clear day one is rewarded with an
excellent view north to Grímsey on
the Arctic Circle, and Vatnajökull
to the south, Europe’s largest glacier.
Húsavík, The
Whale Watching
Capital of Europe. Since 1995, Whale
watching has been
growing tremendously and is today
one of the major tourist attractions
in Iceland. Whale watching
tours are offered to Sjálfandi bay
on traditional, renovated fishing
boats. Today there are two Whale
watching companies in Húsavík.
Northsailing has been offering
whale watching trips since 1995 and
has a fleet of four traditional vessels.
Hvalaferðir was established last year
and offers whale watching trips on
one boat. The normal whale watching
tour takes around 3 hours, and
light refreshments are offered.
Húsavík Church has, since it was dedicated
in 1907, served as
a symbol for Húsavík,
regarded by many
Icelanders to be the most
beautiful wooden church in the country.
Hvalamiðstöðin - The Húsavík
Whale Center, (founded in 1998) is Iceland’s only centre dedicated
to the study and appreciation of
these mammals. A new exhibition
opened in 2002 which displays
skeletons and skulls of whales and
other whale-related items. Its aim
is to provide information about the
various species of whale in Icelandic
waters, and the history of whaling
around Iceland.
Safnahúsið – The Museum-
House in the District Culture Centre and was opened in 1980. It consists
of the District Folk Museum,
Maritime Museum (which opened in
2002), Natural History Collection,
District Archives, Photo Archives
and a Visual Art Collection.
Húsavík Swimming Pool is a
nice, year-round geothermally heated
outdoor pool, with hot pots, a
steam bath, a special warm pool, and
slides for children. It is open from
early morning until late evening.
Heiðarbær Swimming Pool in
Reykjahverfi is open daily in summer.
Heiðarbær is approximately 15
km. south of Húsavík town on the
route to Mývatn.
Húsavík – A Central Point
The Húsavík municipality is near
many of Iceland´s
most beautiful and
natural treasures
and interesting
places.
For example: The river Laxá,
Grenjaðarstaður museum, Lake
Mývatn which is
the popular tourist
resort in Iceland
with its spectacular nature and rich
bird life, Godafoss waterfall, The
Transportation Museum at Ystafell,
Hallbjarnarstaðir Fossil Museum,
National Park in
Jökulsárgljúfur with fantastic
earth formations
and powerful waterfalls,
Herdubreið (queen of
Icelandic mountains)
and Askja.
Health spa initiatives
Ideas concerning SPA oriented
travel services and its development
in Þingeyjarsýsla district have been
in the discussions stage for some
time. This has particularly involved
preparations by the Mývatn Nature
Bath association, which plans to
open facilities next summer, and
initiatives taken by the Health Care
Institute of Þingeyinga involving an
analysis of such possibilities in the
area.
It is known that the people of
Lake Mývatn region have taken
thermal baths down through the
centuries. Many tourists to the
area have experienced the power
of nature when visiting the various
chasms that are well-known bathing
sites. The best known is Grjótagjá, but since an earthquake many years
ago the water has been too hot for
bathing. In recent years the lagoon
at Bjarnarflag, which is supplied
with surplus hot water from a borehole,
has been a very popular bathing
spot. As mentioned above, next
summer a new step will be taken
when the Mývatn Nature Bath association
opens a Spa Bathing facility
at Jarðbaðshólar. This will link modern
conveniences with the area’s
culture and history.
The bathing culture (in pools)
and history of Húsavík date far back
(as in many other places in Iceland).
In regards to modern times, hot
salt-water has been used for bathing
since 1992. It originates from a
borehole at Húsavíkurhöfði. This
borehole was originally intended
for home heating, but for various
reasons it was considered unsuitable.
Bathing in hot salt-water was at
first intended for people with skin
diseases, and results were positive.
Interest in “natural spa bathing” has
steadily increased, and the facility
will be improved to accommodate
more guests without the site losing
its “natural charm.” The facility is
located just outside the town and
situated to make Spa bathing an
unforgettable experience, whether
it’s under the midnight sun in summer,
or the Northern Lights in
winter!
But this is not the only bathing
facility in Þingeyjarsýsla district.
Almost every community in the
area has a swimming pool or pool
of some kind. In addition, the landscapes
of the district are magnificent.
There are numerous natural
wonders, and many possibilities for
hiking and other outdoor activities,
whether people would like to stay
on the beaten track, or go off on
their own journey of discovery.
While the area is just beginning
to offer Spa oriented travel services,
all indications point to rapid development
over the coming years, and
numerous projects are being considered.
The Health Care Institute
of Þingeyinga has offered courses
for various illness categories, all of
which are aimed at helping people
to feel better.
The key word is diversity--and
you’ll find it in Þingeyjarsýsla district!
Useful links for
Húsavík and area
Accommodation:
www.simnet.is/arbol
www.heimsnet.is/cottages
www.fosshotel.is
www.saltvik.7p.com
www.heidarbaer.is/heidarb_is.html
Húsavík Museum:
www.husmus.is
Húsavík Whale Centre:
www.icewhale.is
Whale Watching:
www.hvalaferdir.is
www.northsailing.is
Horseback Riding:
www.saltvik.7p.com
www.heimsnet.is/cottages
Super Jeeps:
www.fjallasyn.is
Mývatn:
www.myvatn.is/eng/country
Jökulsárgljúfur National Park:
www.kelduhverfi.is
Transportation:
www.fjallasyn.is
www.sba.is
Icelandic search engine:
www.leit.is
The Health Care Institute
www.heilthing.is
Development Agency of Thing.
www.atthing.is
