Akureyri: The Ultimate Guide to Iceland's Northern Capital

About Akureyri

Sitting at the base of Eyjafjörður fjord, Akureyri is home to about 20,000 people. It started as a Viking trading spot in the 9th century when the first settler, Helgi the Lean, arrived around 890 AD. The place stayed tiny until it got its town charter in 1786.

The town grew in the 19th century as fishing and trade took off. Its name means "sandbank field," pointing to the good farmland that helped it grow. By the early 1900s, it had become a cultural hub, later opening the University of Akureyri in 1987.

Today, Akureyri drives North Iceland's economy, with fishing alongside growing tech, tourism, and arts. The University focuses on health and sustainability, while the Hof Cultural Center and Art Museum host events year-round.

Despite more tourists, Akureyri keeps it real with its heart-shaped traffic lights and strong community feel. It's a place where city perks meet small-town charm – shops close early, locals know each other, and the Botanical Garden and pools serve as true meeting spots.

Why is Akureyri Worth Visiting?

Akureyri gives you two worlds in one. Unlike most places where you pick between nature or city life, here you get both. The town has a laid-back feel but offers plenty to do, from local pubs to museums.

Mountains frame the fjord, creating scenery that changes with the seasons. Summer brings almost endless daylight, while winter nights are perfect for Northern Lights with very little light pollution.

What makes Akureyri special is how real it feels. Despite being popular with tourists, it keeps its Icelandic soul. You'll see locals going about their day, using the same cafés and pools as visitors.

It has a super chill vibe and amazing scenery, but at the same time, there's plenty to do, from places to grab drinks to cultural stuff.

Location & How to Get There

Akureyri sits at the base of Eyjafjörður fjord in North Iceland, just 100 km south of the Arctic Circle. Its location makes it perfect for exploring Iceland's northern wonders, and most people use it as the base for touring the Diamond Circle.

Getting to Akureyri:

You have several options for getting to Akureyri. For me, the best way is to rent a car, as you can make Akureyri part of a larger itinerary around the Ring Road and get there from Reykjavik in 4-5 days.

• By Air: The fastest way is flying from Reykjavík to Akureyri Airport, taking about 45 minutes. Several flights run daily.
• By Car: Driving from Reykjavík takes about 5 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road). The route offers great views, though winter driving needs caution, and a 4WD vehicle is best when it's snowy.
• By Bus: Strætó buses connect Reykjavík and Akureyri, taking 7-8 hours. This cheap option lets you enjoy the scenery without driving stress.

Getting Around Akureyri:

How to move about once you've arrived.

• Walking: The compact center is easy to walk, with most spots within a 20-minute stroll.
• Free City Buses: Akureyri offers free public buses around town – just wave them down when you see one coming.
• Rental Cars: For trips to nearby sights, renting a car gives you the most freedom. Several rental places operate in town.
• Taxis: Available but pricey for short trips.

Things to Do in Akureyri

One of the things I like most about Akureyri is that it has plenty of things to do despite its chill vibe and super accessible size.

Outdoor Activities

Get outside and play in Akureyri's natural playground.

• Akureyri Botanical Garden: The world's northernmost botanical garden shows off over 7,000 plant types. Entry is free, perfect for a calm walk. The LYST café serves good coffee and pastries with garden views.
• Whale Watching: Eyjafjörður fjord offers some of Iceland's best whale spotting. Tours from Akureyri harbor last about 3 hours and often find humpback, minke, and even blue whales. Summer (May–September) is best, with puffins often seen too. Prices are approximately 14,500 ISK ($112) for adults and 7,250 ISK ($61) for children between 7 and 15.
• Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort: Just 5 km from town, this ski spot has 24 slopes and 8 lifts. Open from November to June, it works for all skill levels. Gear rentals and lessons are available.
• Zip-lining: Fly through Icelandic landscapes on a zip line. I did this during my last visit with some friends, and I thought it was pretty cool. You get to see nature up close while pumping some adrenaline.
• Hiking: Trails exist for all fitness levels. Mount Súlur offers a tough 6-hour hike with great views from its 1,210m peaks. For easier walks, try paths along the Glerá River or through Kjarnaskógur forest.
• Northern Lights Viewing: From September to April, Akureyri's northern location and minimal light pollution make it ideal for aurora hunting. Guided tours take you to the best viewing spots.
• Geothermal Pools: Akureyri Swimming Pool features hot pools, tubs, and slides. It's open year-round and locals love it. For something different, try the Beer Spa in Árskógssandi, just a 30-minute drive away.

Cultural Attractions

Akureyri is great for culture, with museums, old buildings, etc.

• Akureyri Church: This landmark church stands out with its design inspired by Iceland's basalt columns. Inside, you’ll find a 3,200-pipe organ and a stained-glass window saved from England's Coventry Cathedral after WWII. The 112 steps from downtown offer great fjord views.
• Akureyri Museum: Learn about the town's past through artifacts, tools, and stories of local figures. The museum also runs historic buildings like Nonnahús, the childhood home of children's author Jón Sveinsson.
• Akureyri Art Museum: Housed in an old dairy building, this museum shows contemporary Icelandic art with changing displays of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia works.
• Motorcycle Museum of Iceland: A cool spot showing over 100 vintage motorcycles, from Harleys to rare Icelandic models.
• Icelandic Aviation Museum: Located at Akureyri Airport, featuring restored planes, flight simulators, and exhibits about pioneering pilots.

Nightlife & Entertainment

After dark, Akureyri has a fair party vibe for a small city.

• R5 Micro Bar: A cozy craft beer spot with over 20 taps, including Akureyri's own Einstök beers. They do happy hour (18:00–20:00) every day.
• Ölstofa Akureyrar & Einstök Brewer's Lounge: This rustic pub with a nautical feel offers Einstök beer flights. The upstairs lounge has fjord views and beer-tasting sessions with brewers.
• Gotubarin: A piano bar in a historic building mixing old-world charm with modern touches. They do live piano sessions on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 pm to 2 am.
• Græni Hatturinn: Akureyri's top live music venue hosts everything from folk and jazz to rock and indie acts in a small 100-seat space.
• Hof Cultural Centre: This round building hosts concerts, plays, and cultural events year-round.

Places to Visit Nearby

Akureyri is perfect for day trips to see North Iceland's best spots.

Goðafoss Waterfall

Just 35 km (22 miles) east, this big horseshoe waterfall has a cool story. They say that when Iceland became Christian around 1000 AD, the local chief threw his old gods in these falls. Beyond the story, the waterfall itself is gorgeous, with turquoise water and different viewpoints.

Lake Mývatn

About 90 km (60 miles) east, you'll find odd lava shapes, craters, bubbling mud, and the Mývatn Nature Baths, which is a less-crowded version of the Blue Lagoon.

Dettifoss Waterfall

Approximately 130 km (81 miles) east, Detiffoss is Europe's second strongest waterfall after Rhine Falls in Switzerland. The water drops 45 meters and hits so hard you feel it in your feet.

Ásbyrgi Canyon

This horseshoe canyon, 140 km (87 miles) northeast, is full of folklore. People say it was made by the hoof of Odin's eight-legged horse. It’s a great place if you’re looking for a peaceful setting, and the views are impressive.

Húsavík

Known as the “capital of whale-watching”, Húsavik is a small fishing town 75 km (47 miles) northeast of Akureyri. It’s famous internationally because it was in that "Eurovision" movie, with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. Check out the Whale Museum or soak in the GeoSea baths.

Hrísey Island

A quick 15-minute ferry ride takes you to this quiet island. Great for seeing birds, hiking, or eating at the local Verbudin restaurant.

Grímsey Island

The only part of Iceland inside the Arctic Circle. You can get there by plane or boat. In summer, you can see tons of puffins.

Best Time to Visit Akureyri

Akureyri shines in different ways as the seasons change. Here's what to expect:

Summer

In summer (May-September), the sun barely sets thanks to the Midnight Sun, giving you endless time for adventures. Hike without worrying about darkness, spot whales splashing in the fjord, and enjoy temperatures that hover around 15-20°C. The town buzzes with energy during garden concerts and the Town Festival in August. Just know that everyone else wants to be here too, so book early and expect to pay more.

Fall

When fall colors take over (September-October), crowds thin out and prices drop. It's that sweet spot where you might catch the Northern Lights dancing while still enjoying swims in the fjord. The landscape turns golden and red, making every photo look amazing. Some tour operators start cutting back hours, but you'll find wine events and clearer skies for photography.

Winter

Winter (November-March) brings a different magic to Akureyri. The Northern Lights show up more often, snow blankets the town, and skiers hit the slopes at Hlíðarfjall. You'll find the best deals now, with hotel prices at yearly lows. The trade-off? Days get super short (4-5 hours of daylight in December), temps drop to between -5 and 5°C, and some trails close. The Winter Lights Festival brightens up February, and Christmas turns the town into a postcard scene.

Spring

As spring arrives (April-mid-June), Akureyri wakes up with blooming flowers and birds returning from migration. Days grow longer, the weather starts to get warmer, but tourist numbers stay manageable. May brings some rain showers, and trails get muddy from melting snow, but you'll enjoy lower prices than summer visitors.

Want the best of everything? Aim for early June or early September when good weather, long days, and smaller crowds come together perfectly.

Where to Stay

Finding a good place to stay makes your trip better, and Akureyri has accommodation for every type of traveler.

Budget Options

If you want to save money without giving up comfort, and for those camping:

• Akureyri Backpackers: Downtown hostel with a bar where you can meet people. Dorm beds from $40 USD, private rooms from $90 USD.
• Hamrar Campsite: 5 km south in a forest, with spots for tents and RVs. About $15-20 USD per person. Good if you like nature but want to be near town.

Mid-Range Options

Good value for most travelers.

• Hotel Kjarnalundur: In a quiet forest 5 km south, with hot tubs and trails nearby. Rooms from $120-170 USD.
• Icelandair Hotel Akureyri: Modern hotel in town with nice rooms and staff who wake you if Northern Lights appear. Rooms from $150 USD per person.
• Hotel Norðurland: Central hotel with clean, simple rooms and a good Icelandic restaurant. Rooms from $130 USD.

Luxury Options

Treat yourself to extra comfort.

• Hotel Kea: Historic hotel right in town, with fancy rooms and a great restaurant. Rooms from $200 USD (and sometimes less).
• Icelandic Apartments: Roomy, nice apartments with kitchens and modern style. From $250 USD.

For families or longer stays, try apartment rentals. You get more space and can cook your own food, which is super handy since Iceland is pretty expensive.

Where to Eat

Akureyri's food scene is top-notch, with great local and international restaurants.

Fine Dining

Treat yourself to a special meal.

• Strikið: On a rooftop with fjord views. Try the cod, langoustine soup, or reindeer carpaccio. They also make great sushi with local fish. Main dishes cost $55-$70 USD. Book ahead.
• Rub23: Great for seafood lovers. They mix Icelandic fish with Asian-American flavors. Their "Rub" fish platter and local mackerel sushi are top picks. Dishes cost around $35 USD.
• Eyja: A wine bar with gourmet food, opened in 2022 as the first of its kind. It has an extensive wine menu and tasty dishes like gyozas, tartar, seafood, hummus, and cheese.

Casual Dining

Relaxed spots with good food and fair prices.

• Greifinn: Family-friendly spot serving Icelandic comfort food like fish and chips, lamb, and burgers. Meals cost $15-30 USD, and you get plenty of food.
• Bautinn: Diner-style place with Icelandic and American food. Try their seafood platter or all-day breakfast. Meals cost $12-25 USD.
• Krua Siam: When you need a break from Icelandic food, this Thai spot hits the spot. Dishes cost $10-20 USD.

Cafés & Quick Bites

Great for breakfast, light lunch, or a sweet treat.

• Kaffi Ilmur: In a wooden house from 1917. Try their salmon bagels, soup, or homemade cakes. Food costs $8-17 USD.
• Brynja: The best ice cream shop in Iceland, running since 1947. Made with local milk, a cone costs about $4 USD. Expect to wait on sunny days.
• Bláa Kannan: In a bright turquoise building, known for great pastries, coffee, and light meals. Items cost $5-15 USD.

Local Food to Try

Don't miss these Icelandic dishes.

• Fresh seafood: The fjord gives them super fresh fish
• Icelandic lamb: Free-range with a unique taste
• Skyr: Like yogurt but actually cheese, packed with protein
• Local beer: Try Einstök's Arctic Pale Ale or Toasted Porter

Most places don't take cash, so bring cards. No need to tip in Iceland—it's built into the price.

Conclusion

Akureyri is great—Icelandic charm, amazing nature, and city comforts all in one place. Whether you're looking for Northern Lights, whale watching, skiing, or just a good local beer with a view, this town delivers.

What makes Akureyri special is its balance—small but not boring; touristy but still real. It works both as a place to explore and a home base for trips around North Iceland.