Where Was True Detective: Night Country Filmed? 4 Real-Life Places You Can Visit

True Detective: Night Country tells the story of an arctic research facility in Alaska where eight male scientists go missing and signs of something horrible have happened. As the detectives investigate, they discover the case is tied to another of a missing indigenous woman. The detectives played by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis wonder if this macabre scene is manmade or supernatural. The film is shot in Iceland where the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska is recreated. Shooting in Alaska was not an option because they needed to film above the Arctic Circle. As a result, four Icelandic locations, Keflavík, Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Dalvík were chosen.

The underlying tone is one of mystery and psychological issues that grip humanity such as nature fighting back. Indeed, there are notes of horror and anxiety in the script. Iceland provides the perfect backdrop with its barren stretches of tundra and eerie blue-tinged darkness. The setting plays well into the desire to capture a mystical, but beautiful landscape to set the mood around the mystery that unfolds. Native Alaskan women serve as producers on the show providing authentic and accurate character representation. Alaskan artist Sarah Whalen-Lunn was part of the design team that created the Iñupiaq character’s tattoos, local graffiti, and signage.

Where Was True Detective: Night Country Filmed? 4 Real-Life Places You Can Visit

The Icelandic locations used in the filming of True Detective: Night Country add dimension and originality to the backdrop of the storyline and are well worth a visit!

Keflavik

This small town on the volcanic Reykjanes peninsula in southern Iceland served as the Keflavik Iceland Naval Air Station during WWII and the Cold War. After the war, Americans left the Keflavík International Airport which serves the country today. The town is 3 miles (5km) from the airport and 29 miles (48km) from Reykjavik.

Things to Do

• Gunnuhver Hot Spring: a bubbling hot spring with mud pots
• Bridge Between Continents: a bridged ravine formed between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates
• Geothermal Hot Spring area of Eldvörp: a 32-foot (10m) scoria and spatter cone lava formation created during the 13^th century
• Blue Lagoon: a famous geothermic spa

Reykjavík

The capital city of Iceland is home to nearly two-thirds of the country’s population. Indeed, the first settlement here was in 874 AD. Reykjavík means “smoky bay” due to the rising steam from the geothermal vents and hot springs. Plan to visit from September through March for the best Northern Lights viewing. In addition, this vibrant town is a cultural hub offering plenty to do.

Things to Do

• Hallgrimskirkja Church: a unique architectural design and the largest church in the country at 245 feet tall (74.5m)
• The Sun Voyager: a metal statue of a Viking longboat
• Old Harbor: offering fish and steak restaurants, cafes, and all things whaling, fishing, puffin watching, and Northern Lights boat tours
• Parliament Building: the oldest public garden and home to the National Library, National Gallery, and Antiquities Collection since 1880
• City Hall and the Pond: locally known as Tjörnin and home to nearly 50 bird species

Akureyri

Just 62 miles (100km) from the Arctic Circle it is the country’s northern capital and the fourth most populated located at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord. It was founded in the 9^th and 10^th centuries and is about a five-hour drive from Reykjavik and a short flight from Keflavik.

Things to Do

• Akureyrarkirkja church: an architectural marvel and popular attraction
• Akureyri Botanical Garden: boasting over 430 species capable of thriving in this climate
• Golf: Jadarvollur, the world’s most northernmost 18-hole golf course, is open from May to October and hosts the Arctic Open tournament in June
• Museums: visit the Akureyri Art Museum, the Icelandic Industrial Museum, and the Icelandic Aviation Museum
• Lake Mývatn: a volcanic lake
• Skiing: visit from November through May at such resorts as Hlíðarfjall Skiing Mountain with 2,296-foot (700m) high slopes, a 1.5-mile (2.5km) trail, and 23 alpine slopes
• Swimming pool: Sundlaug Akureyrar public swimming pool offers water slides, 82-foot (25m) pools, hot tubs, and a sauna

Dalvík

This fishing town in northern Iceland on the Tröllaskagi Peninsula has a population of 1,500 people and is 27 miles (43.5km) from Akureyri and 255 miles (411km) from Reykjavík. Drive or fly into town. Additionally, it is known for heli-skiing and the Great Fish Day or in Icelandic “Fiskidagurinn mikli” in August.

Things to Do

• Whale watching: one of the best places in Iceland for whale watching
• Take a boat ride: to the island of Grímsey located at the Arctic Circle, the northernmost point. At the nearby town of Árstaðaskógur catch a ferry to Hrísey Island to see large populations of puffin and Arctic tern.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Boyloso/ via Getty Images