Akureyri: The beauty of the North
Akureyri is Iceland’s second-largest city located in the northern part of the country. It’s often referred to as the capital of the north. The city is surrounded by mountains and glaciers and boasts a vibrant culture. Akureyri is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning natural landscapes, intriguing history, magnificent festivals, and a cozy atmosphere. In this article, we’ll guide you through the sights in and around Akureyri. Do you want to know more about the surroundings, you can check out our articles about the Diamond Circle or the 16 day itinerary.
1: Akureyrarkirkja
The Akureyrarkirkja is a wooden church in the city of Akureyri. Constructed in 1929, the church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the same architect behind Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja. Standing at 75 meters high, it features a distinctive pointed tower. Inside the church, there’s an organ boasting 1,500 pipes, illuminated by twelve windows depicting the apostles. The Akureyrarkirkja serves as a significant religious center for the city and is also highly popular among tourists.
2: The best musea
In the city, there are several museums, including the Akureyri Art Museum, where you can view art from past masters as well as the collections of current artists. There’s something for every art enthusiast here. If you’re more inclined towards contemporary art, consider visiting the Listasafnid Museum. For those interested in history, a visit to Laufás, a traditional Icelandic farmhouse museum, might be more appealing. Here, you can explore a church and the turf houses dating back to before the industrial revolution. Weather conditions often required the houses to be rebuilt, but the current houses have stood since 1860.
3: Lystigarðurinn
At Lystigardurinn botanical garden, you can take a delightful stroll and enjoy the various plants and flowers. Due to its unique location in the fjord, it has a different climate compared to the rest of Iceland. This allows for the growth of exotic species, making this garden truly special. It offers a wonderful experience in Iceland, showcasing flowers and plants not seen elsewhere in the country, such as the blue poppy or the beautiful Dahlia.
The park is freely accessible, offering the opportunity for a lovely morning or a relaxed evening walk. It’s the perfect place for this purpose. The park is open from 9:00 in the morning until 22:00 in the evening. There’s even a café where you can enjoy a delightful beverage.
4: Zipline over the valley
In Akureyri itself, there’s a route where you can take a guided zip line adventure over five different lines across the Glass Valley. You begin at the base camp where you can put on your gear and are then guided by two instructors to the first zip line. Between the lines, you’ll walk through the wild nature, so we recommend wearing good waterproof hiking boots. There are 10-minute sections of nature trails to hike between the lines, providing you with an extensive view of the surroundings. If you want to learn more about this enchanting zip line adventure and its conditions, you can view and book the tour here.
5: Spot whales in Akureyri with a boat tour
Have you ever seen whales? No? Then this is the perfect opportunity. They often reside off the north coast of Iceland. There are many different boat tours you can take to observe them. There’s never a 100% guarantee, of course, but the chances are high that you’ll encounter them here! Check out all the tours offered in Akureyri here.
6: Visit the Fairytale Garden
The folk artist, Hreinn Halldórsson, has created the Fairytale Garden in his backyard. This free-access exhibition is located here and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. You’ll find self-made sculptures, ranging from one and a half to two meters tall. Explore, among others, Snow White, Pippi Longstocking, Little Red Riding Hood, and various Icelandic heroes. There are over 30 different figures to admire here. And if you find it beautiful, a donation is, of course, always appreciated to support the continuation of this work!
7: Diamond Circle
Akureyri is situated on the edge of the Diamond Circle, making it an excellent starting point to explore the circular route featuring incredible natural wonders. Visit Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, or Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. Also, explore Asbyrgi Valley shaped like a horseshoe or the nature reserve of Mývatn, where you can admire various natural phenomena, such as a stunning lake, bubbling mud pots, and delightful warm geothermal fields and baths. If you want to learn more about experiencing the Diamond Circle, take a look at our extensive article to discover even more about this beautiful route.
8: Bjórböðin, The Beer Spa
Who has never dreamed of a beer bath? Relaxing in a tub filled with your favorite golden drink. This can be experienced at Bjórböðin Beer Spa in Árskógssandi, 35 kilometers above Akureyri. You can also enjoy delicious food at the restaurant offering beer-related meals and purchase beer souvenirs. Don’t forget to taste the Kaldi beer from the Kaldi brewery, the same beer you soak in at the spa. In Árskógssandi, you’ll also find the ferry to Hrisey, which we’ll tell you all about in the following point. If you wish to stay overnight after the beer spa experience, you can book the nearby hotel.
9: Hrisey
This island is situated in the middle of the fjord where Akureyri is located. From Árskógssandur, you can take the ferry to Hrisey. On the island, you can visit Shark Jörundur’s house, where you can learn about shark fishing. You can also explore the church, the birdhouse, and the lighthouse. But most of all, enjoy the stunning view nestled between the mountains and the water. It’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon walking and exploring the island. Upon returning from Hrisey, you arrive back in Árskógssandur, where the beer spa is located—perfect to enjoy after the long walk on the island.
To reach the island, you’ll need to take the ferry Sævar from the village of Árskógssandur, situated on the west coast of Eyjafjörður. The ferry departs every two hours, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. There’s also a bus from Akureyri to the village, which takes around 30 minutes.
10: Mount Sulur
Just outside Akureyri, there’s a mountain often affectionately referred to as the city mountain. The mountain is perfect for a day hike, something that residents often do on a beautiful day. You begin at the parking lot located six kilometers outside of Akureyri. From there, you hike almost six kilometers to the summit, steadily ascending. There are few steep climbs along the way, offering stunning views over the Eyjafjörður fjord and the city of Akureyri. Once at the top, you can enjoy the view from an altitude of over 1200 meters. The return follows the same route, and after five hours of hiking, you’ll be back at the car with beautiful memories of the surroundings. The climb is moderate, making it suitable for everyone. Keep in mind that it can be cold at the top, so dress warmly.
11: Festivals
Akureyri is bustling with festivals all year round and boasts a lively cultural scene. For instance, there’s the annual Akureyri International Film Festival and the Akureyri Winter Festival. There’s also the Donald Duck children’s ski competition and the Open Golf Tournament in April. Whatever festivals and activities are taking place when you’re there, you can find them on this page.
Transportation during your time in Akureyri
Of course, you can come to Akureyri with a rental car and use it for your trips within the city. However, public transportation within Akureyri is free, and we recommend using it. In some areas within Akureyri, parking is chargeable. You can find details about this on this page. Park your car at the edge of the city to save on costs. While walking to the bus stop or driving in Akureyri, don’t forget to pause for the red lights. They’ve been specially designed to look like hearts, making waiting much more enjoyable. If you want to take a selfie with them, you can do so safely near the Hof Cultural Centre. You can find the location here.
Handy to take with you
- Bring good (hiking) shoes, especially for the forest trails or the hike to Mount Sulur.
- A reusable water filter bottle. This way, you don’t have to buy new water bottles every time, just refill your own bottle. You can get water from anywhere, and it always tastes like spring water. Good for your wallet and environmentally friendly.
- A small foldable backpack to carry your essential items or new purchases.
From the airport to Akureyri
There are three ways to travel from the international airport in Keflavik to Akureyri. You can rent a car and drive to Akureyri. This trip takes about five and a half hours. Another option is to use public transportation. This journey takes approximately eight and a half hours if everything goes smoothly. However, it’s not always guaranteed, as it requires careful planning. The easiest way is through Straeto, Iceland’s public transport system. Pay attention to the days on which you plan to travel, as each day may differ.
Where to enjoy the best dining experiences in Akureyri
- Strikid Restaurant
This restaurant offers a delightful menu from brunch to dinner. You can dine in two different rooms, even with large groups. If the weather is nice, you can enjoy a meal and drinks while taking in the stunning fjord view from the fifth floor. - Greifinn Restaurant
This two-story restaurant serves a variety of Icelandic food. With great service and an environment that caters to all who visit, it’s a wonderful place to dine. The menu focuses on Icelandic dishes but also includes popular items like hamburgers and pizzas.
Cozy accommodations in Akureyri
During your stay in Akureyri, you can find comfortable places to stay near the city center.
- Lava Apartments: The studios are conveniently close to the center and offer free parking. You can easily walk into the city center from here.
- Hotel Kea: This slightly more upscale hotel ensures all your desires are met and it’s located right in the city center. You can even dine at the hotel’s restaurant.
- Akureyri Backpackers: If you want to be close to the city center and meet many people, this is the perfect place to stay.
You’ve now read why Akureyri is a significant addition to your visit to Iceland. The natural attractions in Akureyri, such as Mount Sulur, the botanical garden, and the island of Hrisey, are stunning. But don’t miss out on the culture and history with the various museums. Or what about all the festivals and the beer spa? There’s plenty to look forward to when you visit Akureyri.
