Peacefully cruise past the sleepy towns that line Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in north Iceland, and you’ll get a sense of the laid-back lifestyle on the edge of the Arctic Circle. As you see the colourful buildings get busier, you’ll know you’re approaching the capital of the north, Akureyri. Here you’re spoilt for choice with museums, galleries and the city’s own botanical gardens (the northernmost in the world!) to explore.
From the picturesque villages and the Viking-built farms that surround the fjord, colossal mountains tower at 1,000 metres high and make for a stunning backdrop. Perhaps you’ll also be lucky enough to glimpse the amazing wildlife that inhabit the waters below, where humpback whales sightings can make for spectacular holiday moments. Harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, orcas, blue whales and fin whales have also been known to pop up amongst the bobbing puffins from time to time. Pack your binoculars and you might find a walk on deck delivers one or two surprises on a holiday in Icelandic waters!
