5 Best Sights in Sauðárkrókur, North Iceland

This Sauðárkrókur attraction, enhanced by VR technology, presents an immersive exhibition based on the legendary and bloody chapter of Iceland’s history known as the Age of the Sturlungs (1220–1264), which marked the end of Iceland’s independence. At the on-site restaurant Grána Bistro, you can fill up on good local food.

With sheer vertical drops on all sides, Drangey rises sharply out of the sea, creating one of the region’s most iconic images. To the south of the island is a remarkable sea stack named Kerling ("old woman" in Icelandic) and farther east is the island Málmey. Besides hosting a legion of diving birds (puffins, guillemots, and auks), Drangey was once the home of legendary Saga hero Grettir, who spent the last three years of his life there in exile. The remains of his turf house can still be seen on the island.

This legendary bathing hot spot at the end of Route 748 was constructed with natural stone. The area has excellent views of Drangey Island and is a superb place to relax after a long hike while watching a sensational summer sunset. Changing facilities and showers are available for a small fee next to the pool. There’s also a campsite and a small café.

Legend has it that a small lake on top of this landmark mountain occasionally produces magical wishing stones, but the real treasure is the glorious views from the top, where you will also find a cairn named Unicorn (Einhyrningur). Access to the marked hiking trail leads from Skógarhvammur off Route 745. The mountain also has a skiing area ( www.skitindastoll.is) during the winter.

Climate change, global warming, and other issues affecting the Atlantic puffin population are issues covered at this excellent museum, which also features the taxidermied corpse of an unfortunate polar bear that found its way to Iceland in 1986. They also have footage of whales and a sensational 360 VR experience of the northern lights and the vertigo-inducing cliffs of Drangey Island.