Husavik Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING HUSAVIK