Húsavík, Iceland
Húsavík at a Glance
This little fishing village is known for its whale watching cruises in the Skjálfandi Bay, where white-beaked dolphins, minke and humpback whales are often seen. In summer, they offer evening cruises under the midnight sun.
Besides the whale watching, Húsavík has a lot of other things to offer. With its colorful houses, picturesque harbor and spectacular view of the ice capped Viknafjöll across the bay, its setting is one of the most dramatic on the north coast.
It's also home to the award-winning Whale Museum, which features displays on all the whale species found in Iceland, including skeletons and a library and video collection. There's also an exhibition devoted to Keiko, also known as “Free Willy,” the killer whale, which was captured off Iceland in 1979.
Worth a visit is also the natural history museum, which is one of the best local museums in Iceland. The town's pride and joy is the stuffed polar bear, which arrived on the island of Grímsey in 1969 after drifting over from Greenland on pack ice. Here, you'll also be able to look at 16th century weapons, books and paintings and a Bible that was printed in 1584.
The town's large, cross-shaped church, which was built in 1907, is very impressive and a must-see when visiting Húsavík. It features a Middle Eastern architecture and a painting of Lazarus behind the altar.