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Akureyri, capital of the north

North IcelandTownFree entryOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Akureyri
Akureyri
AKUREYRI IN SHORT

Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, and is often called the capital of the north. It is about 385 km from Reykjavík, a drive of 4–4.5 hours in summer, or a 45-minute domestic flight. Entry to the town is free, it is open all year, and most visitors spend a day or two using it as a base for the Diamond Circle, Mývatn and whale watching.

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About Akureyri

Akureyri is Iceland's largest urban area outside greater Reykjavík, and it feels like a proper town rather than a stop on a route, with a walkable centre, a church on a hill and a harbour still used by fishing boats and cruise ships. Its sheltered position deep inside a long fjord gives it a slightly milder microclimate than much of the north coast, and locals are quick to point out that Akureyri gets more sunshine hours than Reykjavík most years.

About 20,000 people live here, which makes Akureyri small by most standards but the second-largest urban area in Iceland. It has the services of a bigger place, with an airport, a university, a hospital and a lively arts scene, and it still feels like a small Icelandic town.

The town has grown around education, fishing and tourism, and it is the natural base for exploring North Iceland: Mývatn, Goðafoss, Húsavík and the Diamond Circle are all within a couple of hours' drive, which is why many travellers on a longer Ring Road trip build in a night or two here rather than passing straight through.

Quick facts

RegionNorth Iceland, on Eyjafjörður fjord
From ReykjavíkAbout 385 km, around 4–4.5 hours by car in summer
By airAbout 45 minutes from Reykjavík Domestic Airport
EntryFree
Opening hoursA working town, open all year
AirportAkureyri Airport, with domestic flights and some seasonal international routes

The town in the shadow of the mountain

Akureyri grew from a small trading post into a proper town during the 19th and 20th centuries, helped by the sheltered fjord that made it a natural harbour for fishing and trade with the rest of the north. Akureyrarkirkja, the church that overlooks the town from its hill, is one of the most recognisable landmarks on Iceland's north coast and has become something of a symbol of the town itself, its twin towers visible from much of the centre.

People have lived around Eyjafjörður since the settlement, but Akureyri only received its town charter in 1862. Its natural harbour made it the centre of fishing, trade and farm produce for the north. During the Second World War, Allied forces were based here, and the town has grown steadily since into the cultural and commercial centre of North Iceland.

How to get to Akureyri

On a guided tourAkureyri is a common stop on multi-day North Iceland or Ring Road tours, and a base for day tours to Mývatn, Húsavík and the Diamond Circle.
By carDrive Route 1 (the Ring Road) north from Reykjavík, about 385 km. The road is paved and generally kept open in winter, though mountain passes can close briefly in bad weather, so be ready for winter driving in the colder months.
By airDomestic flights connect Reykjavík Airport (RKV) and Akureyri in about 45 minutes, useful if you want to skip the long drive one way.
By public transportLong-distance buses run between Reykjavík and Akureyri and to other towns in the north, with more departures in summer. Journey times are longer than driving.

Winter driving on Route 1 north of Reykjavík can involve mountain passes with snow and ice. Check umferdin.is before setting off.

Things to do in Akureyri town

Akureyri rewards a slow walk more than a checklist.

Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja)The town church on a hill above the centre, designed by the Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson, with twin towers and stained-glass windows. Climb the long flight of steps for a view over the town and the fjord. Evening light is best for photos.
Botanical Garden (Lystigarðurinn)One of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, opened as a public park in 1912. It grows Icelandic plants alongside species from around the globe, with paths, ponds and flower beds that are at their best in summer. Entry is free.
Akureyri Art MuseumChanging exhibitions of Icelandic and international contemporary art, in the town centre. A good stop on a wet day.
Hof Cultural CentreThe round concert and conference hall on the waterfront. It hosts concerts, theatre and exhibitions all year, so check the programme for the dates of your stay.
Akureyri swimming poolA large geothermal pool complex with outdoor pools, hot tubs and waterslides, open all year. This is where locals go to relax, whatever the weather.
Harbour and centreCafés, shops and restaurants around the old harbour, with fishing boats and cruise ships sharing the same waterfront in summer.

Things to do near Akureyri: activities and day trips

Akureyri is the best base in the north, and all of these are easy to reach from town.

Whale watching in EyjafjörðurBoat tours leave from the harbour in town. Humpback whales are the most common, with minke whales and now and then a blue whale. June to August is the peak season.
Skiing at HlíðarfjallThe ski area on the mountain just above town is one of the best in Iceland, with slopes for all levels, views over the fjord, and ski and snowboard rental on site. The season depends on snow and usually runs through the winter into spring.
Forest LagoonA modern geothermal spa in the woods across the fjord from town, with warm pools looking back towards Akureyri.
The Christmas House (Jólahúsið)A shop a short drive south of town devoted entirely to Christmas, with decorations, ornaments and sweets. It is open all year.
GoðafossThe horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, about 45 minutes east. The story goes that the lawspeaker Þorgeir threw his statues of the old gods into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity in the year 1000. Come early or late in the day for softer light and fewer people.
Day trip to Lake MývatnThe volcanic area around Mývatn is a little over an hour away: the Dimmuborgir lava formations, the Hverir mud pools at Námaskarð, the Mývatn Nature Baths and the Krafla volcano.

Best time to visit Akureyri

Summer (June–August)Mild temperatures and long daylight with the midnight sun, whale watching from the fjord, hiking, and easy access to the Diamond Circle and Mývatn.
Autumn (September–October)Autumn colours in the gardens and woods and the start of the Northern Lights season, as the weather cools.
Winter (November–March)Snow, skiing at Hlíðarfjall, Northern Lights on clear nights and Christmas lights in town. Akureyri is one of the best places in Iceland for winter activities, though days are short.
Spring (April–May)Longer days and milder weather as the snow melts, with skiing often still possible on the mountain.

Safety and practical tips

  • Use Akureyri as a base for two or three nights if you want to properly cover North Iceland rather than just passing through.
  • Whale watching tours run from the harbour and Eyjafjörður is known for good sighting rates in summer.
  • Book winter flights with some flexibility, since weather can occasionally delay departures.
  • The town's cafés and restaurants are a good change of pace after days of driving remote roads.
  • The Botanical Garden is free. Go in summer when the beds are in flower.

Facilities and accessibility

Full services: hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops, fuel, a hospital and an airport. Akureyri is the largest service centre in North Iceland.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

GoðafossGoðafossWaterfall about 45 minutes eastMývatnMývatnVolcanic lake and geothermal area further eastDalvíkDalvíkSmall fishing town north along the fjord, a whale watching baseHríseyHríseySmall island in Eyjafjörður, reached by ferrySiglufjörðurSiglufjörðurHerring-era fishing town further north
DimmuborgirLava towers and paths by MývatnHverir at NámaskarðHverir at NámaskarðMud pools and steam vents east of MývatnKraflaKraflaVolcano with the Víti crater lakeGrjótagjáGrjótagjáSmall lava cave with a hot spring insideHúsavíkHúsavíkWhale-watching town with the GeoSea baths

Where to stay near Akureyri

Akureyri has the widest choice of places to stay in North Iceland, from hotels in the centre and near the Botanical Garden to guesthouses and hostels with dorm beds for travellers on a budget. Staying here gives easy day-trip access to Mývatn, Húsavík and the Diamond Circle without needing to change base each night.

Akureyri FAQ

How far is Akureyri from Reykjavík?

About 385 km, roughly 4–4.5 hours by car in summer, or 45 minutes by domestic flight.

Is Akureyri worth visiting?

Yes, both as a town in its own right and as the best base for North Iceland's main sights, including Mývatn and the Diamond Circle.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Akureyri?

Yes, on clear dark nights from around September to April, and it is a common base for aurora trips in the north.

Is there whale watching from Akureyri?

Yes, boat tours run from the town harbour into Eyjafjörður, which has good sighting rates in summer.

Where is Akureyri?

In North Iceland, at the head of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, about 385 km from Reykjavík on the Ring Road.

What are the best things to do in Akureyri?

Akureyri Church, the Botanical Garden, the swimming pool, whale watching in Eyjafjörður, the Forest Lagoon, skiing at Hlíðarfjall in winter, and day trips to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn.

When is the best time to visit Akureyri?

It works all year. Summer has long days and whale watching, and winter has skiing and Northern Lights.

See Akureyri with a local

Tours and trips that include Akureyri, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.

Whale Watching AkureyriDAY TOURWhale Watching AkureyriFrom 14,500 ISK per personDiamond Circle & Geo SeaDAY TOURDiamond Circle & Geo SeaFrom 38,900 ISK per personAkureyri Northern Lights TourDAY TOURAkureyri Northern Lights TourFrom 16,900 ISK per personNorthern Lights & GeoSea Sea BathsDAY TOURNorthern Lights & GeoSea Sea BathsFrom 49,900 ISK per personDog Sledding in AkureyriDAY TOURDog Sledding in AkureyriFrom 40,000 ISK per personDiamond Circle Tour with Lake Myvatn & Asbyrgi Canyon from AkureyriDAY TOURDiamond Circle Tour with Lake Myvatn & Asbyrgi Canyon from AkureyriFrom 39,900 ISK per person
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