Located an hour’s drive from Akureyri, Húsavík is, according to legend, Iceland’s first temporary settlement. The story says that a Swedish man named Garðar Svavarsson arrived in the area with another man called Náttfari. Two slaves accompanied them.

When Garðar Svavarsson departed for home, he left the other men to establish and care for a farm. Húsavík was then named after the houses these three men lived in.

Today, Húsavík is a charming fishing town highly popular with tourists. Along with neighboring Akureyri, it’s one of the best places for whale watching. It’s even home to the Whale Museum!