Date
04. May 202604. May 26
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8 min
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Akureyri highlights
The Forest Lagoon at sunset.
Rustic fine dining at North. Image supplied by North restaurant.
Lyst café in the Botanical Garden.
Spotlit ski runs at Hlíðarfjall.
Akureyri is known for its heartwarming traffic lights.
We’re ready to welcome you, and help you get the very best from your visit.
Just 45 minutes’ flying time (or around five hours’ driving time) from Reykjavík lies Akureyri, Iceland’s unofficial northern capital. It’s beautifully situated on the shores of one of the country’s longest fjords, and has a population of around 20,000. That may sound small, but the surrounding landscapes are big – and this is in fact Iceland’s largest town outside of the capital region, so there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Akureyri is a gateway to the natural wonders of North Iceland, where you can explore everything from puffin-filled offshore islands to steaming geothermal oddities.
Summertime brings long hours of daylight and midnight sun to North Iceland, and activities such as boat trips, hiking, horseback-riding, and whale-watching tours. The northern lights season is from September through April, while skiing and snowsports are a magnet from December to around mid-April.
The Diamond Circle is a spectacular touring route that helps you discover the wonders of the North Iceland, offering a quieter, less-traveled alternative to the more famous Golden Circle route in the south. Discover the northern reaches of Vatnajökull National Park, home to spectacular Ásbyrgi canyon and Dettifoss waterfall, and the pretty village of Húsavík, a magnet for its whale-watching trips. Also nearby is the Mývatn area, home to a beautiful lake and geological marvels, and the popular sccenic pitstop of Goðafoss waterfall.
You can take a ferry or short flight from Akureyri to Grímsey, a small, puffin-populated island situated on the Arctic Circle. And if far-flung reaches are your thing, the Arctic Coast Way is a wondrous 900km (560-mile) stretch that follows the coastline from Hvammstangi in northwest Iceland to Bakkafjörður in the northeast.
It’s now easier than ever to access unique landscapes and diverse attractions all across North Iceland.
We fly a handful of times daily between Reykjavík domestic airport and Akureyri – with a flight time of just 45 minutes.
Interested in traveling to Akureyri from Europe or North America? You can fly to North Iceland on a single Icelandair ticket.
Longstanding traveler favorites in Akureyri include the striking Akureyri Church, designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson – who also designed the iconic Hallgrímskirkja chirch in Reykjavík. Perched above the town, it offers beautiful views over Akureyri and Eyjafjörður and is a defining feature of the skyline. In summer sunshine, the blooming Akureyri Botanical Garden makes you question how the Arctic Circle can only be some 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) north! The town’s public swimming pool is another visit-worthy hub of local life. Golf courses, hiking trails, and whale-watching boat trips can keep you busy, as well as excursions to nearby natural wonders.
Here’s an overview of some of the newer things to do in Akureyri from local travel writer Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir, ranging from an idyllic bathing lagoon and Michelin-level dining to adrenaline-infused adventures and a hidden trail visited by elves.
Right off the Ring Road outside Akureyri, tucked away in a small forest, lies a placid lagoon – a North Iceland must-see attraction. Here you can swim among the trees and have a sublime soak while sipping a cocktail and admiring the view of Eyjafjörður fjord.
The Forest Lagoon opened in 2022, cleverly making use of the naturally hot water discovered when the nearby Vaðlaheiði tunnel was made. The bathing experience changes with the seasons: in spring, delight in budding trees and cheerful birdsong; in summer, bask in the glorious midnight sun; in fall, take in the beauty of the colorful foliage; and in winter, feel dazzled by starry skies and dancing northern lights.
When Gunnar Karl Gíslason, founding chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Dill in Reykjavík, called up Daníel Smárason, owner of Hótel Akureyri, and proposed to open a restaurant in his hotel, Daníel thought it was a prank call. At the time, Daníel was preparing to launch Urban Farm, the hotel’s very own hydrophonic greenhouse, growing herbs, sprouts, chilis, and leafy greens. Therein, Gunnar saw an opportunity.
North restaurant opened in 2022. Guests are taken on a culinary journey of the North and introduced to traditional Icelandic cuisine – sometimes with a spicy twist, courtesy of the relocated greeenhouse, now known as Rækta Microfarm.
When designing the menu, head chef Rafn Svansson toured farms around Akureyri, keen to offer food as seasonal and local as possible. The menu honors every producer by name. The fish served also originates from local producers, for example, lemon sole from Hnýfill in Akureyri and smoked haddock from Elvar in Hauganes. Rafn uses cuts that usually don’t end up as steaks in Iceland, such as beef hanger, keeping the price of the multi-course menu at a bare minimum but never compromising on quality. Cooked to perfection and elegantly prepared, North takes fine dining in Akureyri to a whole new level. It goes without saying this is one to add to your list of places to dine in North Iceland.
Ready for some excitement? Akureyri is split in two by the ravine through which Glerá river flows. Children are taught not to go near it. The ravine is stunning, though: vertical cliffs and the roaring blue river far below, tall trees on both banks and paths leading between them. It feels like a secret place far from inhabited areas even though it’s right in the middle of town.
Zipline Akureyri is based in a former kindergarten close to the ravine, across which five ziplines have been strung. Experienced guides help you put on the gear, lead you to the edge of the cliff, make sure everything is secure, and invite you to take a leap of faith. Enjoy the thrill of flying, while taking in gorgeous nature from a totally different perspective. Open in summer, generally mid-May to mid-September.
To see the colorful flowerbeds and regal trees of Akureyri Botanical Garden in a completely new light, book a Hidden Trail tour with Nordic seer Bryndís Fjóla Pétursdóttir. She has made a map of the garden, marking spots where hidden people and elves live. She knows them by name and describes their characteristics to visitors as she leads them along the garden’s ‘hidden trail’. She sees them in the trees and among the flowers, going about their daily lives of gardening, minding sheep, and healing people.
If you think this is a gimmick, Bryndís Fjóla’s sincere approach will soon convince you otherwise. She has a special gift, she says, and sees hidden people as clearly as humans. You may not see them but perhaps you can sense them?
Afterwards, head to gorgeous café Lyst and enjoy a glass of specially imported natural wine, and chocolate handmade by the café’s owner, chef and chocolatier Reynir Grétarsson.
You may know Blóðberg from Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland, the curious design store in the black-and-white house on the main (rainbow-hued) street. Blóðberg also has a branch in dowtown Akureyri, and here you can buy the cream of Icelandic design, fashionable clothing from Farmers Market, sheep skins from Feldur, Tintin in Iceland posters by Óskar Guðmundsson, along with creative ceramics, special scented soaps, and delicious handmade chocolates.
A few years ago, the Akureyri Art Museum extended its gallery space in the old industrial buildings in Gilið, on the steep street that leads out of the town center. Its rotating exhibitions often highlight local art but also attract world-known Icelandic artists, including Shoplifter and Ragnar Kjartansson.
Whatever's on display, you can always seek out something new at the museum. Afterwards, enjoy a glass of fine wine, specially brewed coffee, or all-day brunch at the in-house Ketilkaffi.
Turn the curve, floor the accelerator, overtake your opponent, fly across the finish line! If you like racing, try the GoKart Akureyri track half-way up Hlíðarfjall mountain near the town’s ski resort. The age limit is 10. The outside track is open in summer (May to September) when conditions permit, and is 560 meters long – speeds can reach up to 70km/h (44 mph)!
Iceland’s favorite winter retreat Hlíðarfjall is roughly 10-minute driving distance from Akureyri town center, and here you’ll find slopes for beginners and advanced skiers alike, plus equipment rental and a ski school. There are also tracks for cross-country skiing and – usually – plenty of snow from approximately December to mid-April.
In summer, between mid-July and mid-September, the mountain transforms into a playground for downhill bikers. Take your bike on one of the chairlifts and choose your route.
Photos provided by Visit North Iceland.
This article first appeared in summer 2023 and was updated in May 2026.
Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir
Reykjavík-based Eygló is the former editor of Icelandair’s in-flight Stopover magazine. She is a frequent contributor to travel magazines and guidebooks, and the author of children’s books.
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