Party with the islanders on Hrísey
The annual Hrísey festival takes place this weekend. Hrísey is a small island off the north coast of Iceland, situated around 35 kilometres north of Akureyri. Tomorrow (Friday) local residents invite guests into their homes for a cup of coffee and some biscuits (those participating will mark their houses). However, the main festivities take place on Saturday. Among the activities taking place that day is an organized trip to the beach for the children with Skralli the Clown, lazier-tag and a locals demonstrate what’s known as kite-fishing.
Meet the gentle giants
Go whale watching from the lovely town of Húsavík. The whale watching operator Gentle Giants will take you on an exciting seafaring adventure. The company boasts of a 98% success rate of whale sightings and have over 150 years of experience in seamanship. Visit their website for further information.
Stock up on woollen sweaters
“The Viking shop which is situated in the city centre offers a great selection of hand-made Icelandic woollen sweaters. They are a good investment for those traveling around the country, and whoever wears them automatically becomes Icelandic.”
Recommended by Sigurður Karl Jóhannsson, owner of restaurants Strikið and Bryggjan in Akureyri.
Cycling races around Akureyri
Hjólreiðafélag Akureyrar (The Akureyri Cicling Club) has organized three cycling competitions in Akureyri and its vicinity this weekend. Cyclists can chose between a 75 kilometre (46 mile) long road race from Siglufjörður to Akureyri tomorrow (Friday), a 10 kilometre (6 mile) long road race from Fákafell to Kjarnaskógur forest and finally a race down the steps of Akureyri church which takes place on Saturday. Those interested can sign up here.
This is the North Iceland section of Best of Iceland This Week, the only Icelandic guide of its kind. New every week.
Party with the islanders on Hrísey
The annual Hrísey festival takes place this weekend. Hrísey is a small island off the north coast of Iceland, situated around 35 kilometres north of Akureyri. Tomorrow (Friday) local residents invite guests into their homes for a cup of coffee and some biscuits (those participating will mark their houses). However, the main festivities take place on Saturday. Among the activities taking place that day is an organized trip to the beach for the children with Skralli the Clown, lazier-tag and a locals demonstrate what’s known as kite-fishing.
Meet the gentle giants
Go whale watching from the lovely town of Húsavík. The whale watching operator Gentle Giants will take you on an exciting seafaring adventure. The company boasts of a 98% success rate of whale sightings and have over 150 years of experience in seamanship. Visit their website for further information.
Stock up on woollen sweaters
“The Viking shop which is situated in the city centre offers a great selection of hand-made Icelandic woollen sweaters. They are a good investment for those traveling around the country, and whoever wears them automatically becomes Icelandic.”
Recommended by Sigurður Karl Jóhannsson, owner of restaurants Strikið and Bryggjan in Akureyri.
Cycling races around Akureyri
Hjólreiðafélag Akureyrar (The Akureyri Cicling Club) has organized three cycling competitions in Akureyri and its vicinity this weekend. Cyclists can chose between a 75 kilometre (46 mile) long road race from Siglufjörður to Akureyri tomorrow (Friday), a 10 kilometre (6 mile) long road race from Fákafell to Kjarnaskógur forest and finally a race down the steps of Akureyri church which takes place on Saturday. Those interested can sign up here.
