Akureyri

Heart of the North

The dozen inhabitants in 1786, clinging to the side of Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, probably never imagined their brave struggle would ultimately result in a town of 18,000 people with all the services of a major city.

Akureyri is not as big as any of the world’s cities but it provides all the features and services expected of a big city in a very compact form, so that everything is available within a short distance.


Akureyri  heart of the North

Take, for instance, winter activities like skiing. The family-friendly slopes are under 10 minutes from the airport and the hotels. Likewise the horse riding tours, boat trips, bird watching—to name a few—are all so close, you can almost touch them. You name it, it’s  close-by.  The weather, with its combination of crisp, dry snow and Northern Lights—at  the  peak of their cycle—makes a holiday here memorable.


Akureyri  heart of the North

Cultural Centre of the North

When it comes to culture,  Akureyri  has it all: museums, art galleries, international exhibitions, conference facilities, music venues, music of all genres, theatre and cinemas showing the latest films.

It has well over 20 restaurants, covering both Icelandic and international cuisine, with top chefs who create their own innovative cuisine. Cafés, each with their individual speciality abound, while local micro-breweries  and farms offering food tasting are a fascinating addition to the food scene.

For groups and individuals, Akureyri  offers such a wide range of activities, events and opportunities, it maximises the time available. There are a multitude of tours covering every interest from flying to caving, from fishing to the Hidden People, walking to whale watching.

Sports of all kinds

Sport activities are very popular in the North and many sports are represented in this dynamic community.

The geothermally–heated swimming pools, with their hot pots and jaccuzzi are open—and very popular—all year round.

The Arctic Open Golf championship is played on the most northerly 18-hole course in the world, just outside the city under both snow–covered mountains and the midnight sun. You can hire clubs if you need them and relax in the club house afterwards.

See the Sights

Akureyri  is also a service base for many of the most important tourist destinations in North Iceland. From here, you can visit Mývatn, Dettifoss—the most powerful waterfall in Europe, the island of Hrísey, with its powerful healing energy and Grímsey, straddling the Arctic Circle, see volcanoes and boiling mud pools and, in fact, reach all the pearls of the north in under 2 hours.

Easy Access

Flights from both Keflavik international and Reykjavík airports take just 40 min. Scheduled buses drive twice a day between Reykjavík and Akureyri. The trip from Reykjavík to Akureyri takes about 6 hours, although in the summer time you can choose a longer route over the highlands if you wish to turn your trip into a journey rich with sights and natural beauty. 

The city bus service is free in town. Naturally, every common form of transport is available: car, bike, boat, horse lane rentals. Every type of accommodation is also on hand, from 4-star hotels to camp sites. -ASF

Akureyri  has it all and an

Outgoing  friendly welcome, too.