Akureyri packs a botanical garden, a geothermal lagoon, whale watching and easy day trips to Mývatn and Goðafoss into one small fjord town. Here is how to spend your time there.
Sail or drive to the head of Eyjafjörður and the mountains close in on both sides, still streaked with snow in June. Then a neat little town appears on the western shore, with a church on the hill, red roofs stepping down to the water and gardens that look far too green for a place about 100 km south of the Arctic Circle. This is Akureyri, and most visitors leave wishing they had planned more time here.
What are the best things to do in Akureyri?
The best things to do in Akureyri are climbing the steps to Akureyrarkirkja, walking through the Akureyri Botanical Garden, soaking at the Forest Lagoon and taking a whale-watching trip on Eyjafjörður. The town is also the best base for day trips to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss and Húsavík. With about 20,000 residents, Akureyri is the largest town in North Iceland, compact enough to explore on foot in a day but with enough nearby to fill a week.
Here is a quick overview of the top picks:
Akureyrarkirkja, the church at the top of the town's famous steps
Lystigarðurinn, the Akureyri Botanical Garden
The Forest Lagoon, a geothermal spa in the woods across the fjord
Whale watching on Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland
The pedestrian street, cafés and museums in the town center
Day trips to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss and Húsavík
Hrísey island, a short ferry ride up the fjord
Skiing at Hlíðarfjall in winter
Things to do in Akureyri town
Akureyri's center is small and easy to walk. Most of the sights below sit within about 15 minutes of each other on foot, so you can see the town at a relaxed pace in a single day.
Climb the steps to Akureyrarkirkja
The town's most recognizable landmark is Akureyrarkirkja, the Lutheran church that sits above the center. It was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the architect behind Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, and completed in 1940. Its two towers and tall, narrow windows echo the basalt columns found across Iceland.
You reach the church by a long flight of steps from the main shopping street, usually counted at 112. The climb takes only a few minutes, and the view from the top looks straight down the town to the harbor and across the fjord. If the doors are open, step inside to see the stained glass windows. The central window behind the altar was long said to come from Coventry Cathedral in England, though historians have since questioned that story.
Walk through the Akureyri Botanical Garden
Lystigarðurinn, the Akureyri Botanical Garden, is one of the most northerly botanical gardens in the world and a favorite with locals on sunny days. It began as a public park opened in 1912 by a group of local women, and a botanical section was added in 1957.
Today the garden holds hundreds of native Icelandic plants and thousands of species from around the world, many of which nobody would expect to survive this far north. There is a small café in the garden, and it is a short walk uphill from the church. You can check opening times on the Visit Akureyri botanical garden page.
Stroll the pedestrian street and the harbor
Hafnarstræti, the pedestrian street in the center, is lined with cafés, bakeries, bookshops and outdoor clothing stores. It is the natural place to start a walk, grab coffee or browse for wool sweaters and local design.
From there, walk down to the waterfront and Hof, the modern cultural center by the harbor. Hof hosts concerts and exhibitions and has a restaurant and the town's tourist information desk. In summer, the harbor area is busy with whale-watching boats and cruise passengers coming ashore.
Look for the heart-shaped traffic lights
One of Akureyri's quirkiest sights is its red traffic lights, which glow in the shape of a heart. The hearts appeared after the 2008 financial crisis as part of a local campaign to encourage people to stay positive. They have become a favorite photo stop, especially near the harbor.
Their future is not completely certain. In mid-2025, Iceland's road agency asked the town to remove the hearts, arguing that they did not meet traffic signal standards, and the town postponed a decision. If you want the photo, take it carefully from the sidewalk rather than standing in the road.
Visit Akureyri's museums
For a small town, Akureyri has a good choice of museums, most of them within walking distance of the center:
The Akureyri Art Museum, on the street known locally as Art Alley, shows modern Icelandic and international art
The Akureyri Museum covers the history of the town and the region
Nonnahús is the childhood home of Jón Sveinsson, a priest and children's author known as Nonni
The Icelandic Aviation Museum, near the airport, tells the story of flying in Iceland
The Motorcycle Museum of Iceland, just outside the center, has a collection of bikes and riding history
On a rainy day, two or three museums plus a long lunch make for a satisfying few hours.
Swim at the Akureyri swimming pool
Like every Icelandic town, Akureyri has a public geothermal pool, and it is one of the best in the country. The outdoor complex has hot tubs, a lap pool and water slides, which makes it popular with families. Entry costs a fraction of a spa ticket, and it is the easiest way to experience everyday Icelandic life.
Remember the pool rules: shower without a swimsuit before you get in, and leave your shoes at the entrance to the changing room.
Wander through Kjarnaskógur forest
Kjarnaskógur is a planted forest on the southern edge of town, with walking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds. It is a surprise for visitors who have heard that Iceland has no trees, and in winter its trails are used for cross-country skiing. It is a good place for an easy walk or a picnic lunch on a fine day.
Relax at the Forest Lagoon
The Forest Lagoon, or Skógarböðin, opened in 2022 in the woods on the eastern side of Eyjafjörður, about 3.5 km from the town center. Its pools are filled with geothermal water and surrounded by trees, with views back across the fjord to Akureyri.
It is smaller and quieter than the Blue Lagoon in the south, and many visitors prefer it for that reason. There is a swim-up bar, a sauna and a restaurant. It is a short drive or taxi ride from town, and a shuttle has run from Hof in the center. Book ahead in summer and on weekends, when it fills up.
Go whale watching on Eyjafjörður
Eyjafjörður is one of the longest fjords in Iceland, stretching about 60 km from the open sea to Akureyri. Its sheltered waters are a feeding ground for humpback whales, and sightings are common in summer. Boats leave right from the harbor in town, so you can be at sea within minutes of stepping off a cruise ship or leaving your hotel.
Humpbacks are the stars, but you may also see white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and minke whales. Many operators run trips most of the year, which makes Akureyri one of the few places in Iceland where winter whale watching is realistic. A whale-watching cruise from Akureyri's harbor is timed to fit cruise ship schedules and takes about three hours.
The town of Húsavík, a little over an hour's drive from Akureyri, is also famous for whale watching. It has more tour choices and a whale museum, but if you are short on time, the trips from Akureyri are just as rewarding.
Day trips from Akureyri
Akureyri's real strength is its location. Some of the most impressive sights in Iceland lie within two hours' drive, and you can reach most of them on a single day trip.
Goðafoss waterfall
Goðafoss, the "waterfall of the gods," sits right beside the Ring Road about 35 km east of Akureyri, around a 30-minute drive. The Skjálfandafljót river spills over a wide, horseshoe-shaped ledge into a turquoise pool. Paths and viewing points on both banks let you see it from several angles, and the main viewpoints are only a short walk from the parking areas.
According to the sagas, the lawspeaker Þorgeir threw his statues of the old Norse gods into the falls around the year 1000, after Iceland adopted Christianity. Whether or not the story is true, it gave the waterfall its name.
Lake Mývatn
Lake Mývatn lies about an hour to an hour and a quarter east of Akureyri, past Goðafoss. The area is one of the most volcanically active in Iceland, and it is packed with sights:
Dimmuborgir, a maze of twisted lava pillars and caves
Hverfjall, a huge explosion crater you can hike around
Skútustaðagígar, a group of pseudocraters on the lake's southern shore
Hverir, a geothermal field of boiling mud pots and steaming vents
The Mývatn Nature Baths, a milky blue geothermal lagoon
Combining Goðafoss and Mývatn in one day is the most popular trip from Akureyri. A Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss shore excursion covers the waterfall, the lava formations and the geothermal fields, with time built in for the ship's departure.
Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi
Dettifoss is often called the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Its gray, glacial water thunders into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, sending up spray that you can see from far away. It is around two hours from Akureyri by road, so most people combine it with Mývatn or Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon to the north.
The full loop of Akureyri, Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi and Húsavík is often called the Diamond Circle. It is a long day to do in one go, so many visitors split it over two days or stay a night near Mývatn.
Hrísey island
Hrísey is a quiet island in the middle of Eyjafjörður, reached by a ferry from Árskógssandur, a short drive north of Akureyri. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. Cars stay on the mainland, and visitors explore on foot, by bike or on a tractor ride around the island's small village.
The island is known for its bird life, including a large colony of Arctic terns in summer, and for its calm, slow pace. The Visit North Iceland page on Hrísey has practical details, and you should check the current ferry timetable before you go.
Siglufjörður and the Tröllaskagi peninsula
North of Akureyri, the Tröllaskagi peninsula is a scenic drive of steep mountains, narrow fjords and small fishing towns linked by tunnels. Dalvík, the port for the Grímsey ferry, has a popular outdoor pool with views over the fjord, and Ólafsfjörður sits in a dramatic valley hemmed in by peaks.
At the end of the road, Siglufjörður was once the center of Iceland's herring boom. Its Herring Era Museum brings that history to life in old salting stations and boathouses on the harbor. The drive from Akureyri takes about an hour each way, so it makes an easy half-day or full-day trip, and the views along the coast are as much of a draw as the towns themselves.
Grímsey and the Arctic Circle
Grímsey, a small island about 40 km off the north coast, is the only part of Iceland that crosses the Arctic Circle. You can reach it by a short flight from Akureyri or by a ferry from Dalvík, which takes around three hours each way. Visitors come for the puffins in summer, the sense of standing on the edge of the Arctic and a certificate to prove they crossed the line.
Horse riding and the Vaglaskógur forest
The farms around Akureyri are a good place to meet the Icelandic horse, a small, sturdy breed known for its smooth extra gait, the tölt. Several farms offer short rides for beginners and longer treks through the valleys.
East of town, Vaglaskógur is one of Iceland's best-known birch woods, with walking trails along the Fnjóská river. A Vaglaskógur birch forest and horse farm tour combines a forest walk with time at a family horse farm, which suits cruise passengers and families who want a gentler day.
The Christmas Garden and Laufás
About ten minutes' drive south of town, the Christmas Garden (Jólagarðurinn) is a shop and garden that celebrates Christmas all year round. Children love it, and it is a fun stop if you are driving into the valley.
Across the fjord, the turf farmhouse at Laufás shows how wealthy Icelandic families lived in the 19th century. Its grass-roofed buildings and furnished rooms are a good introduction to rural life before the modern era.
Things to do in Akureyri in winter
Akureyri is a year-round destination, and winter has its own appeal. Daylight is short in December, with only a few hours of sun, but the long nights bring a good chance of seeing the northern lights.
The best winter activities include:
Skiing and snowboarding at Hlíðarfjall, the ski area just above town
Hunting for the northern lights outside town, away from the streetlights
Soaking at the Forest Lagoon or the town pool on a snowy evening
Winter whale watching on Eyjafjörður
Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in Kjarnaskógur
Hlíðarfjall is one of the main ski areas in Iceland, and it normally opens from around the beginning of December to the end of April, depending on snow. It has lifts and slopes for beginners and experienced skiers, plus equipment rental. Check conditions and opening hours on the Hlíðarfjall website before you go.
Winter driving in North Iceland can be challenging. Roads over mountain passes may close in storms, so check the road and weather forecasts before you set out, and consider a guided tour if you are not used to icy roads.
Akureyri from a cruise ship
Akureyri is one of the busiest cruise ports in Iceland. The season runs roughly from May to early October, and in the peak months of June to August, three or even four ships can call on the same day.
Ships usually dock at the main quay on the edge of the town center, about a 5 to 15 minute walk from the main street, depending on where your ship ties up. That makes Akureyri easy to explore on your own. You can walk up to the church and botanical garden, browse the shops and be back on board in a few hours.
With a full day in port, most passengers choose one of these options:
A half-day in town, plus the Forest Lagoon or the town pool
A whale-watching trip from the harbor
A day trip to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn
A gentler outing to a horse farm and the Vaglaskógur forest
Book tours timed to your ship's schedule, especially for Mývatn, which takes most of a day. The Akureyri shore excursions page lists trips built around typical port times, so you will not need to worry about getting back before the ship sails.
How to get from Reykjavík to Akureyri
Akureyri lies about 390 km north of Reykjavík by road. You have three main options for the trip:
Driving the Ring Road, which takes around five hours without stops
Flying from Reykjavík Airport, which takes about 45 minutes
Taking the public Strætó bus, which takes around six to seven hours
Driving is the most flexible option, with possible stops and short detours at places such as the Hraunfossar waterfalls, the Kolugljúfur canyon and Hvítserkur, a basalt sea stack on the Vatnsnes peninsula, a detour off the Ring Road. In winter, the Holtavörðuheiði and Öxnadalsheiði mountain passes can close in bad weather, so flying is often the safer choice.
If you are driving east from Akureyri toward Mývatn, the Ring Road goes through the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel. It is a toll tunnel, and the fee is paid online rather than at a booth, so pay at veggjald.is soon after you pass through. Many visitors also see Akureyri as part of a guided Ring Road circuit that stops in the north on its way around the country.
Getting around Akureyri
You do not need a car to enjoy the town itself. The center is walkable, and Akureyri's city buses are free to ride, which makes it easy to reach the swimming pool, Kjarnaskógur and the outer neighborhoods. The routes run in loops from the main stop in the town center. Taxis are available but expensive, as everywhere in Iceland.
For day trips, you have three choices: rent a car, join a guided tour or take a shore excursion if you arrive by ship. Renting gives you the most freedom in summer, when roads are clear and daylight lasts almost all night. In winter, a guided tour takes the stress out of icy roads and short days.
Where to eat and drink in Akureyri
Akureyri has a lively food scene for a town of its size, with everything from bakeries and fish restaurants to burger joints and wine bars. Most of the choice is clustered around the pedestrian street and the harbor.
A few local favorites to look out for:
Brynja, an ice cream shop in the south of town that many locals say serves the best soft-serve in Iceland
Fresh fish and lamb, often from boats and farms in the surrounding region
Local beer from Einstök, a brewery founded in Akureyri in 2010 whose white ale is now sold abroad
Bakeries selling cinnamon buns, rye bread and kleinur, a twisted Icelandic doughnut
Prices are high by international standards, as they are across Iceland. To save money, buy picnic food at a supermarket, and eat out at lunchtime, when many restaurants offer cheaper set menus or soup of the day.
Where to stay in Akureyri
Most visitors stay in or near the town center, within walking distance of the main street, the harbor and the church. You will find a good mix of hotels, guesthouses and apartments, plus a campsite close to the center for campervan travelers in summer.
If you want peace and dark skies for the northern lights, look at farm stays and cottages in the Eyjafjörður valley or on the eastern side of the fjord. They are a short drive from town and give you a better chance of seeing the aurora without the glow of streetlights. In summer and during the ski season, book well ahead, as Akureyri's accommodation fills quickly.
How many days do you need in Akureyri?
One day is enough to see the town itself: the church, the botanical garden, the main street and a swim. Two or three days let you add a whale-watching trip and a full day at Goðafoss and Mývatn without rushing.
If you want to see Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi, Húsavík and Hrísey too, plan four or five days, or spend some of those nights near Mývatn. Akureyri also works well as one stop on a longer road trip, and our Iceland Ring Road itinerary shows how to fit the north into a 7, 10 or 14 day trip.
When is the best time to visit Akureyri?
Summer, from June to August, brings the warmest weather, the longest days and the widest choice of tours. Akureyri sits just south of the Arctic Circle, so it does not get the true midnight sun, but in June the nights never get properly dark. This is also the busiest season for cruise ships, whale watching and puffins on Grímsey.
Winter, from November to March, is the time for skiing at Hlíðarfjall, the northern lights and snowy soaks in the Forest Lagoon. September and April are quieter shoulder months, with lower prices and a mix of summer and winter activities.
Akureyri is often a little sunnier and more sheltered than Reykjavík, thanks to the mountains around the fjord, though weather in Iceland can change quickly in any season. For events, opening hours and seasonal information, the Visit Akureyri website is a useful planning tool.
Is Akureyri worth visiting?
Yes. Akureyri combines a charming, walkable town with some of the best nature in Iceland right on its doorstep. It is the natural base for exploring the north, from Goðafoss and Mývatn to whale watching and the Arctic Circle, and it feels much calmer than the busy southwest. If you have time to venture beyond the South Coast and the Golden Circle, the highlights of North Iceland are among the most rewarding in the country.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Akureyri?
One day covers the town's main sights. Plan two to three days to add whale watching and a trip to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn, or four to five days to explore the wider north, including Dettifoss and Húsavík.
What can you do in Akureyri from a cruise ship?
You can walk into town in about 5 to 15 minutes to see the church, botanical garden and main street. Popular excursions include whale watching from the harbor, a day trip to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn, and a horse farm visit.
Is Akureyri walkable?
Yes. The town center is compact, and the church, botanical garden, pedestrian street, harbor and many museums are all within a short walk of each other. You only need transport for the Forest Lagoon, Hlíðarfjall and trips out of town.
How far is Lake Mývatn from Akureyri?
Lake Mývatn is roughly 90 to 100 km east of Akureyri, about an hour to an hour and a quarter by car. Goðafoss is on the way, about 30 minutes from town.
How far is Akureyri from Reykjavík?
Akureyri is about 390 km from Reykjavík by road, a drive of around five hours on the Ring Road. Domestic flights take about 45 minutes.
Can you see the northern lights in Akureyri?
Yes. Between September and April, you can see the northern lights around Akureyri on clear, dark nights. Head a few minutes out of town, away from the streetlights, for the best view.
Is Akureyri worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you enjoy snow and dark skies. Winter brings skiing at Hlíðarfjall, the northern lights, whale watching and steaming geothermal pools, though daylight is short and mountain roads can close in storms.
