Have you heard of Hvammstangi Iceland? It might not ring a bell quite like Reykjavik or the Blue Lagoon, but Hvammstangi is a great stopping point on a road trip around Iceland's famous Ring Road. Hvammstangi sits right along Route 1 in northwest Iceland between Akureyri (the unofficial northern capital of Iceland) and the Westfjords.
We recommend spending one day in Hvammstangi, as well as staying the night. This peaceful, lesser travelled destination is known as the seal capital of Iceland. There's also a spectacular gorge and waterfall to visit, and it's also a wonderful place to relax while soaking up the beauty of the region.
We drove from Akureyri to Hvammstangi, which takes about two and a half hours. Of course, this is Iceland and you'll want to stop every five seconds at the side of the road to take another picture or soak up another gorgeous view. Always give yourself longer than you think to drive anywhere in the country.
Once you arrive in Hvammstangi, grab a coffee or tea at Hladan Kaffihus (at Brekkugata and Hafnarbraut). Then, it's time to go seal watching.
Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi Iceland
The main draw of Hvammstangi, Iceland are the seals. Start your trip by stopping at the Icelandic Seal Center (at Hafnarbraut, open 9am-4pm). There's a small gift shop and an information desk. This small building devoted to the area's seals is a worthwhile stop.
First, you can pick up a flyer with directions on where to find the seals. Chat with the staff working at the front desk as they are a wealth of information. We also learned the best time of day to view the seals from each point on the map.
Go Seal Watching in Hvammstangi Iceland
Hvammstangi, Iceland sits on the southwestern edge of the Vatnsnes Peninsula. There are a few areas on the peninsula that are the best places for going seal watching. From Hvammstangi, we drove a short distance to the seal watching point at Svalbarð.
From here, you can actually view seals right from the shore. There's no need to book a tour or a boat trip to see seals in northwest Iceland. For a closer look, check in town to see if there's a boat tour that you can take as there may be some local tour companies offering one. However, this isn't really necessary.
If you have some extra time here, drive around the Vatnsnes Peninsula to multiple seal watching locations. If you'd like to learn more about seal watching in Iceland, please read our blog post about going seal watching in Hvammstangi.
Vatnsnes Peninsula
In addition to seal watching, there are even more attractions to discover on a road trip around the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Stop to marvel at Hvítserkur, the Troll of Northwest Iceland. Steeped in myths and folklore, this is a 15 metre tall basalt rock stack in Húnaflói Bay. This rock is a nesting ground for many birds.
Continuing inland on the peninsula, Borgarvirki is another interesting natural attraction near Hvammstangi, Iceland. It's a 15 metre tall volcanic plug that may have been the site of an ancient fortress and battleground. If you climb to the top of this massive rock, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of your surroundings.
Want to visit Hvammstangi and Northwest Iceland...but don't have a car?
Don't fret, it's possible to take a day tour to North Iceland from Reykjavik! Take a full day Super Jeep tour from Reykjavik. You'll venture to the Kolugljúfur canyon, Borgarvirki fortress, go seal watching in Vatnsnes, visit Hvammstangi and more. Book your tour here.
Kolugljufur Gorge
After seal watching, head back south through Hvammstangi and back to the Ring Road. Just off Route 1, take Route 715 (also known as Víðidalsvegur). It will only take you a few minutes to reach Kolugljúfur Gorge, including the brilliant waterfall at this natural wonder.
It's not as well known as some of the more popular landscapes in southern Iceland, but you don't want to miss Kolugljufur. It's a massive rocky canyon with a river rushing through it down below. This is one of the best things to do in Hvammstangi, Iceland.
Like most things in Iceland, there's a tale steeped in folklore about how Kolugljufur Gorge came into existence. It's named after the giantess, Kola, as she shaped the gorge doing most of her daily activities, such as sleeping or catching fish.
Equally as remarkable as the gorge, the waterfall rushes over jagged boulders, twisting and turning until it reaches the bottom of the canyon and beyond. For more details, please read the full story on our trip to Kolugljufur Gorge and Waterfall.
Where to Stay in Hvammstangi, Iceland
We highly recommend that you stay overnight at Hvammstangi Cottages like we did. They're self service cabins right in town. The mountains and countryside serve as a spectacular backdrop. It's the combination of the perfect location and having all the amenities you need for a comfortable and restful stay.
Each cottage has a kitchenette, bathroom, and bunk beds (which we discovered seems to be a common feature in Icelandic cottages!). Justin and I cooked our meals at Hvammstangi Cottages, which helped us save money on the cost of food.
Walking Near Hvammstangi Cottages
After dinner, go for a walk in the area. Take a stroll through town, and even just beyond the property of the cottages. This was one of our favourite things to do in Hvammstangi, Iceland, beyond the main attractions.
We ran into a historic church, an adorable little bridge over a creek, and views of sheep grazing in the fields. It's very peaceful and lovely.
Want to see more photos of Hvammstangi?
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Hopefully you'll see that one day in Hvammstangi is an excellent addition to your Iceland travel itinerary. It's a great stopping point on the Ring Road as there's so many hidden gems to check out. Hvammstangi is ideal for relaxing and soaking up the natural beauty that is Iceland.
More Things to Do in North Iceland
When you travel to Iceland, don't simply stick to Reykjavik and southern Iceland. Venture north to experience the brilliant natural attractions and landscapes of this beautiful country. Here are some blog posts about North Iceland to help you plan your adventure:
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John Sathama says
I want to go to Iceland so bad.
We’re going to make it happen, the draw of seeing northern lights is too much.
Thanks for sharing!
John
Lisa says
Loved your pictures. I have been researching into Iceland a lot and have heard of this place. Did you find the cottages affordable? Also do you have a normal car or did you get a 4x4? Thanks for sharing
Lauren says
Lisa, it depends what time of year you are going. We got a 4x4 car in June but we didn't need it. We stayed mostly on the main roads and a 4x4 was not necessary. If you are going in the winter or driving more on the F Roads or to the interior of the island, then you will need a 4x4. And yes, the cottages were affordable and cozy!
JooJoobs says
I want to go to Iceland so bad.
We're going to make it happen, the draw of seeing northern lights is too much.
Thanks for sharing!
~bibi
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I always enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitat. It's great that there's a flyer to tell you exactly where to go. That gorge and waterfall are so scenic, too. I'm hoping that when I finally get to Iceland, we'll be able to stay at least a few days so that we have time to really explore.
Marc says
As always, great pictures! Honestly Iceland wasn't even on my travel radar. I need to rethink that.
Carolyn eddie says
Keep meaning to take that stopover when flying back to the states. Looks like I am going to have to go further than the blue lagoon!
Allison says
Iceland is a bucket list location for me. The landscapes are simply breathtaking. I'm pinning this for later.
Yasmin says
Going to Iceland is on our wish list for the next two years - a caravan, wild camping, nature pure. Your pictures are so inspiring! Will definately keep Hvammstangi in mind when planning the trip - thanks for sharing!
Jenn says
Doing a road trip in Iceland has been at the top of my list for a long time! Although I don't have a route planned, I definitely would like to visit Hvammstangi! Seal watching sounds amazing and staying in those cabins looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for a great post. I've pinned it for future planning!
Kalyn says
I can't wait to get to Iceland. Have you ever considered visiting Antartica? I'm hoping to get there in the next two years.
krista says
the scenery, landscape and Mother Nature in Iceland is beyond stunning! any time I see a photo of Iceland I want to instantly teleport myself there! these photos are just stunning!!