Dark Sky Int­erna­tion­al

The eastern region of Norðurþing — Ásbyrgi, Jökulsárgljúfur, Melrakkaslétta and the surrounding wilderness — is home to some of the darkest and clearest night skies in Iceland. Thanks to minimal light pollution, vast uninhabited areas, and a tranquil landscape, these areas have a unique opportunity to become internationally recognized Dark Sky Places.

The project presents tremendous opportunities for Norðurþing, as darkness itself becomes a valuable resource rather than an obstacle. Under the dim and pristine night sky, a wide range of experiences becomes possible: visitors can enjoy stargazing and ‘star bathing,’ take guided moonlit walks, and immerse themselves in the quiet that settles when everything else falls silent. Added to this are ideas such as photography workshops, night festivals, and various outdoor courses built around nature and the calm of the night. Northern lights and the vast open landscapes could thus form the foundation of an entirely new type of tourism — one where guests come to experience the beauty and serenity of Arctic darkness.