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Akranes town

West IcelandTownFree entryOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Akranes
Akranes
AKRANES IN SHORT

Akranes is a fishing town of about 8,500 people on the west coast, around 50 km from Reykjavík through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, roughly 40–45 minutes by car. Walking around town is free, and the main sights (two lighthouses, Langisandur beach and the Guðlaug sea baths) fit into half a day.

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About Akranes

Akranes grew up around fishing, and it is still a working harbour town rather than a place built for tourism, which is part of its appeal. Boats come and go, the football pitch and swimming pool sit at the centre of local life, and the pace is slower than in Reykjavík even though the town is close by.

The old and new lighthouses stand together at the edge of town and are the classic photo stop, especially at sunset over Faxaflói bay with Snæfellsjökull visible on a clear day. The newer lighthouse can be climbed when it is open, and there is a photography exhibition inside. From there it is a short trip along Langisandur, a long stretch of pale sand, to the Guðlaug geothermal sea baths.

The town sits at the tip of the peninsula that separates two fjords, Hvalfjörður to the south and Borgarfjörður to the north, with the mountain Akrafjall behind it. Very few guided tours come here, so most visitors drive themselves. The roads are paved all the way, and a normal two-wheel-drive car is all you need.

Quick facts

RegionWest Iceland, on the coast north of Hvalfjörður
From ReykjavíkAbout 50 km through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, around 40–45 minutes by car
PopulationAbout 8,500 (8,452 in 2024)
EntryFree to walk around town and to the lighthouses; no fee is listed for climbing the tower
LighthousesOld tower from 1918 (13 m, no longer in use since 1947) and new tower from 1947 (21 m, still active)
Lighthouse hoursDaily 10:00–16:00 from 16 May to 15 September; weekdays only, 10:00–16:00, from 16 September to 15 May
TunnelHvalfjörður tunnel, 5.77 km long, opened 1998, toll-free since 2018

A fishing town since the 1600s

Akranes is believed to have been settled in the 9th century by two brothers who came from Ireland. A fishing village began to form here in the mid-17th century, but the town only really started to grow in the 1940s, and it received its municipal charter in 1942. Fishing is still the main industry. Cement production, which began in the 1950s, and heavy industry across the fjord have shaped the region too.

The old lighthouse from 1918 is one of the oldest concrete lighthouses in Iceland. It was switched off in 1947 when the larger, white conical lighthouse next to it came into service. Akranes is also known across Iceland as a football town: the local club ÍA has a long history in the top league.

How to get to Akranes

By carTake Route 1 north from Reykjavík through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, which has been toll-free since September 2018, then follow signs into Akranes. The old road around the head of the fjord is much longer, but pleasant in good weather.
By public transportStrætó route 50 runs between Reykjavík, Akranes and Borgarnes under the timetable that started on 1 January 2026. Check the current times before you go, and note that the route is a regional service, not a city bus.
ParkingThere is parking near the lighthouses on Breiðin and along Langisandur beach. A parking fee may apply, so check the signs.

Things to see and do in Akranes

Akranes is small enough to see in half a day. These are the stops locals would point you to.

The lighthouses at BreiðinThe two lighthouses stand on the rocks at Breiðin, the outermost point of town. When the newer tower is open you can climb it for views over Faxaflói bay and back across the town.
Akranes Folk Museum at GarðarThe cultural centre of the town is the folk museum at Garðar, on the edge of Akranes. It covers life and fishing in the area, with houses from the 19th and 20th centuries and old boats on the grounds, and it hosts temporary exhibitions. It is a good stop if you are interested in Icelandic history or like to photograph old buildings and boats. Check opening hours before you go.
Langisandur beach and GuðlaugLangisandur is the town beach, right below the football stadium. <a href="/locations/gudlaug-hot-tubs/">Guðlaug</a>, a geothermal hot tub, is built into the sea wall here, with views over the bay towards Reykjavík. Locals walk the beach, dip in the cold sea and warm up in the pool in between.
A football townAkranes has produced many of Iceland's best footballers. The stadium is easy to find beside Langisandur, and in summer you may be lucky enough to catch a match.
Around town by bikeThe town is flat and compact, and many locals get around by bicycle. On long summer evenings it is a pleasant ride or walk between the harbour, the lighthouses and the beach.
Hvalfjörður and BorgarfjörðurBoth fjords are an easy drive from Akranes. <a href="/locations/hvalfjordur/">Hvalfjörður</a> is green and quiet, with plenty of birdlife, and seals are sometimes seen along the shore. Borgarfjörður, to the north, has hot springs, lava caves and waterfalls.

Best time to visit Akranes

SummerLong days, the lighthouses open daily, and Langisandur is at its best for a walk or a bike ride in the evening. Summer days can still be cool, so bring a jacket. The sea baths are open all year.
WinterThe lighthouses keep shorter, weekday-only hours. Akrafjall and the mountains across the bay are often white with snow, and clear evenings give a good chance of Northern Lights away from Reykjavík's light pollution. Follow the forecast on vedur.is, as winter storms can be severe.

Safety and practical tips

  • Combine a visit with the Guðlaug sea baths on Langisandur for a hot soak after walking the beach.
  • The Hvalfjörður tunnel is free to use, so there is no toll to plan for.
  • On a clear day, the lighthouse point gives good views of Snæfellsjökull glacier across the bay.
  • The lighthouses are closed at weekends between mid-September and mid-May, so plan a winter visit for a weekday.
  • Dress for wind in any season: a warm jacket and shoes with good grip. The lighthouse point is exposed and the weather changes quickly.

Facilities and accessibility

Cafés, shops and toilets are available in the town centre. Fuel stations are on the main road into town.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

Guðlaug hot tubsGuðlaug hot tubsGeothermal sea baths on Langisandur beach, in townHvalfjörðurHvalfjörðurScenic fjord on the route between Reykjavík and AkranesBorgarnesBorgarnesNext town north, about 30 minutes furtherDeildartunguhverDeildartunguhverEurope's highest-flow hot spring, the source of the water in GuðlaugGlymurGlymurIceland's second-highest waterfall, at the head of Hvalfjörður
KraumaGeothermal baths beside Deildartunguhver

Where to stay near Akranes

Akranes has a handful of guesthouses and small hotels, and works well as a quieter base than Reykjavík for exploring West Iceland, or as a stop on the way to or from Snæfellsnes and Borgarfjörður.

Akranes FAQ

Is Akranes worth a day trip from Reykjavík?

Yes, it is an easy half-day trip: about 40–45 minutes each way, with lighthouses, a beach and a geothermal sea bath in one small town.

Is there an entry fee for the Akranes lighthouses?

Walking to and around the lighthouses is free, and no fee for climbing the newer tower is listed by the local tourist office. Check opening hours first, especially in winter.

Is the Hvalfjörður tunnel a toll road?

No. The 5.77 km tunnel has been free to use since 28 September 2018.

How do I get from Reykjavík to Akranes?

Drive Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, or take Strætó route 50 from Reykjavík.

What is Akranes known for?

Fishing and, in Iceland, football. It also has two lighthouses and the Guðlaug geothermal sea baths on Langisandur beach.

Do I need a 4x4 to visit Akranes?

No. The road from Reykjavík is paved all the way, and a normal two-wheel-drive car is fine. Choose the car by the size of your group and luggage.

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