Essentials
- City
- Húsavík, Norðurland eystra, Iceland
- Population
- Approximately 2,400
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber optic; 100-500 Mbps common in residential and guesthouses
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 138 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 150 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and among the purest in the world; cold water is glacial/spring
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Siminn or Vodafone Iceland; available at local gas stations or post office (approx. 2,900 ISK for 10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Arion Banki (Garðarsbraut 18); Revolut and cards are accepted everywhere
- Accommodation
- Local guesthouses, small hotels like Fosshotel Húsavík, and Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, virtually 100% cashless; cards/contactless used for everything
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices range from 18k to 35k ISK per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Húsavík Cape Hotel or Húsavík Campground (seasonal, approx. 2,000 ISK/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Harbor area/Garðarsbraut for proximity to whale watching and restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Residential streets near the Húsavík Academic Center for a quieter vibe
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Þekkingarnet Þingeyinga (Húsavík Academic Center) at Hafnarstétt 9
- Best Cafe for Work
- Heimabakarí (Garðarsbraut 15) - Spacious bakery with good Wi-Fi and coffee
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Gamli Baukur; local municipality business meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Húsavík Community Facebook groups and local pub quizzes at Jaki
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; call Húsavík Taxi (Bifreiðastöð Húsavíkur) at +354 464 1212
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rental bikes available at Húsavík Adventures (Hafnarstétt 11)
- Best Beach Nearby
- The black sand beach at Skjálfandi Bay (not for swimming, but scenic walks)
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (flights from Reykjavik to Akureyri, then 1-hour drive)
- Top International Airline
- Icelandair, Play (via Keflavík International Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 85 connects to the Ring Road (Route 1) via Route 87
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains in Iceland; Strætó Bus Stop at Húsavík (Garðarsbraut)
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó app for regional bus tickets (Line 79 to Akureyri)
- Regional Travel
- Strætó Bus Line 79 connects Húsavík to Akureyri twice daily
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Heilsugæslan Húsavík (Health Care Centre) at Garðarsbraut 48
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths (Víkurbakki) for mineral bathing
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Húsavík Sports Centre (Íþróttamiðstöðin Húsavík) at Ásgarðsvegur 1
- Laundry Services
- Self-service facilities at Húsavík Campground or via local guesthouses
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; direct phone orders for pickup only
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Plokkfiskur (Fish stew) at Gamli Baukur (approx. 3,800 ISK)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Naustid (Ásgarðsvegur 1) offers veggie soups and seasonal salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heimabakarí for 'Snúður' (Icelandic cinnamon rolls)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Bónus Supermarket (Garðarsbraut 11) for lowest grocery prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aha.is (shipping limited) and Amazon.de (international shipping to Iceland)
- Grocery Delivery
- Netto.is offers some regional services but Bónus is the local go-to
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Harbor area; Gamli Baukur and Jaki are the primary pubs
- Local Brewery
- Húsavík Öl (Microbrewery) available at local bars
- Wine Bars
- Salka Coffee House (Garðarsbraut 6) serves a selection of wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Fish and Chips trucks at the harbor (Summer only)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Lemon (Garðarsbraut 17) for sandwiches and juices
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Whale Watching in Skjálfandi Bay; Húsavíkurkirkja (Wooden Church)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Húsavík Whale Museum (Hafnarstétt 1); Húsavík Exploration Museum
- Historical Sites
- The Museum House at Húsavík (Safnahúsið) - regional history
- Religious Sites
- Húsavíkurkirkja (The iconic green and white church built in 1907)
- Annual Events
- Mærudagar (Candy Days) festival in July
- Cultural Districts
- The Harbor Front (Hafnarstétt)
- Theater Venues
- Samkomuhúsið (The Community House) for local plays
- Local Markets
- Pop-up craft markets during Mærudagar
- Music Scene
- Live folk music and local bands at Gamli Baukur
- Street Art
- Eurovision 'Fire Saga' themed murals near the harbor
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Húsavík Academic Center
- Art Galleries
- Galleri Húsavík (Local artisan collective)
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Schoolhouse and Gamli Baukur (constructed from driftwood)
- Local Heritage
- Whaling and fishing history; connection to the Apollo 11 astronaut training
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Mývatn (45 min drive); Ásbyrgi Canyon (50 min drive)
- National Parks Nearby
- Vatnajökull National Park (Northern region access)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Húsavíkurfjall mountain trails for hiking and biking
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at Víkurbakki near the GeoSea lighthouse
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lundey (Puffin Island) accessible via boat tours
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted to designated coastal fire pits during festivals
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Garðarsbraut 70)
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvun (nearest major repair in Akureyri, 1 hour away)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Húsavík Sports Centre
- Language Classes
- Icelandic courses at Þekkingarnet Þingeyinga
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bókasafnið á Húsavík (Municipal Library) at Stórigarður 17
- Community Centers
- The Cultural House (Menningarhúsið á Húsavík)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; local youth centers have limited setups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Iceland; only charity slot machines (Gullnáman) in bars
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² ≈ 18,000,000 ISK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 380,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² ≈ 15,200,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 420,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² ≈ 25,200,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² ≈ 21,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 32,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 330,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 26,400,000 ISK)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25%
- VAT
- 24% standard; 11% for food/books
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents
- Property Tax
- Yes, varies by municipality (approx. 0.3% - 0.7%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals; 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Visa allows stays up to 180 days with no local income tax if not employed by an Icelandic firm