Akureyri: The Capital of North Iceland — What to Know Before You Go

Often called the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri, Iceland is the largest town outside the Reykjavík area and the natural base for exploring the north. It sits at the head of the long Eyjafjörður fjord, surrounded by mountains that stay snowy for much of the year, and it feels like a small city rather than a village, with cafés, restaurants, museums and a lively harbour.

This guide covers how to get there, what to see in town and nearby, and how to decide how long to stay.

Getting to Akureyri, Iceland, from Reykjavík

Akureyri is roughly 390 km from Reykjavík along the Ring Road. By car, the drive takes around five hours without stops, and in practice a day of driving with breaks. The road is a paved main highway, but winter weather and wind can slow or close parts of it, so check conditions before you leave.

• Driving or a private driver: the most flexible way, with stops at places such as Borgarnes along the way.
• Domestic flight: a short flight from Reykjavík's domestic airport. See our guide to Reykjavík's domestic airport and Keflavík.
• Intercity bus: scheduled services run between Reykjavík and Akureyri. Check the current timetable and travel time with the operator.
• Tours: many visitors come as part of a longer trip around the north.

What to see in Akureyri itself

The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot. A few highlights:

• Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja): a striking church high above the town, reached by a wide flight of steps. It was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík.
• Akureyri Botanical Garden: a calm place for a stroll, especially in summer.
• The main street and harbour: cafés, shops and views along the fjord.
• Museums and the Hof cultural centre: good options if the weather is poor. Check current opening hours.

The town is also known as a base for skiing in winter and for being one of the better places in Iceland for relaxed evenings, though what is open varies by season, so check before you plan around it.

A good rhythm for a first visit is to spend the morning on the church, the botanical garden and a stroll along the fjord, then take a long lunch in one of the cafés and keep the afternoon free for the weather. Akureyri's climate is often drier and calmer than Reykjavík's, which makes it a pleasant place to slow down.

The surrounding mountains also make Akureyri a popular winter base for skiing and a good place to look for the northern lights, which can never be guaranteed. Our northern lights guide covers the basics.

Day trips from Akureyri

The real appeal of Akureyri is how much lies within a day's reach:

• Goðafoss: a broad, powerful waterfall on the way to Lake Mývatn, about 45 minutes from town.
• Lake Mývatn: volcanic craters, geothermal ground and lava formations, roughly an hour away. See our Lake Mývatn guide.
• Whale watching: tours depart from Akureyri and nearby villages on the fjord. Operators set their own seasons and prices, so check current information.
• Siglufjörður and Troll Peninsula: a scenic drive along the coast to a small herring-era fishing town.
• Hrísey island: a quiet island in the fjord reached by a short ferry.

How long should you stay?

Two nights lets you see the town, Goðafoss and Mývatn without rushing. Three or four nights gives time for whale watching, a fjord day and a weather buffer, which matters in winter. If you only have a short trip, it may be wiser to focus on the south and west and visit the north on another trip.

In summer the days are long and the area is green. In winter, the town is quieter, daylight is short and driving needs more care. Our guide to Iceland in winter covers what to expect.

Private rides to and from the north

Long journeys are where a private ride earns its place. You can sleep, look out of the window and stop when you like. For rides between Keflavík, Reykjavík and other cities, see our transfers, then message us on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949 for a quote for a route to Akureyri.

• Fixed price per car, not per person
• Economy (Tesla) for 1 to 4 passengers, Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7, minibus for 8 to 16 on request
• Pay a 20% deposit online and the rest to the driver by card or cash
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up

FAQ

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