Húsavík
Þéttbýlisstaðir

Discover Iceland

Húsavík

Wish list
I've seen it
Population · 20262,403 residents
Settlement typeTown
Postal code640
Elevation10 m above sea level
Recommended stay4 hours

Húsavík is a town in Norðurþing municipality on the north coast of Iceland on the shores of Skjálfandi bay with 2,182 inhabitants. The most famous landmark of the town is the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907. Húsavík is served by Húsavík Airport.

Income is derived from tourism and fishing, as well as retail and small industry. Until recently, Húsavík was the export harbour for silica that was extracted from nearby lake Mývatn.

According to the Landnámabók ("Book of Settlement"), Húsavík was the first place in Iceland to be settled by a Norse man. The Swedish Viking Garðar Svavarsson stayed there for one winter around 870 A.D. When he left the island in spring of 870, after a winter's stay, he left behind a man named Nattfari and two slaves, a man and a woman, and they established a farm here. The name of the town means "bay of houses", probably referring to Garðar's homestead, which may have been the only houses then in Iceland.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BAsav%C3%ADk

Known for

Whale watching, Husavik harbour, museums and access to Myvatn and Dettifoss

History

Trading-post rights1950

Local services

Grocery store
Fuel station
Restaurants
Café
Accommodation
Camping
Swimming pool
Pharmacy
Health care
EV charging
Harbour
Airport
Public transport
Tourist information
Source Last verified: 9. September 2026

Ratings and reviews

Húsavík

Bærinn er vinsæll áfangastaður ferðamanna.

Frequently asked questions