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 amid signs of something horrible. As the detectives investigate, they discover the case ties to a missing indigenous woman. The detectives, played by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, wonder if this macabre scene is manmade or supernatural. The series shoots in Iceland and portrays the fictional town of Ennis, AK. Filming in Alaska was not an option because they needed to film above the Arctic Circle. As a result, producers True Detective: Night Country filmed in four Icelandic locations, Keflavík, Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Dalvík.

The underlying tone is one of mystery and psychological issues that grip humanity, such as nature fighting back. Notes of horror and anxiety populate the show. Indeed, Iceland provides the filming backdrop with barren stretches of tundra and eerie blue-tinged darkness. The overall effect captures a mystical, beautiful landscape for 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.

True Detective: Night Country Filming Locations to Visit

The Icelandic locations where True Detective: Night Country was filmed add dimension and originality to the backdrop of the storyline. Each is 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.

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 Icelandic word for “smoky bay,” Reykjavík is the capital city and home to nearly two-thirds of the country’s population. Reykjavík was one of the main filming locations for True Detective. Plan to visit from September through March for the best Northern Lights viewing. In addition, this vibrant town is a cultural hub offering many activities.

Things to Do

• Hallgrimskirkja Church: The largest church in the country at 245 feet tall (74.5m)
• The Sun Voyager: A metal statue of a Viking longboat
• Old Harbor: Offers fish and steak restaurants, cafes, plus 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

Located at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord62 miles (100km) from the Arctic Circle, Akureyri is Iceland’s northern capital and fourth most-populated. Founded in the 9^th and 10^th centuries, it’s 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

A fishing town in northern Iceland on the Tröllaskagi Peninsula, Dalvík has a population of 1,500 people and is 27 miles (43.5km) from Akureyri and 255 miles (411km) from Reykjavík. The Dalvík post office was one of the True Detective filming locations as a sheriff’s office. Dalvík offers heli-skiing and the Great Fish Day or “Fiskidagurinn mikli” in August.

Things to Do

• Whale watching: One of the best places in Iceland for whale watching
• Take a boat ride: 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