Akureyri

How to Get to Akureyri

Akureyri is located in the northern part of Iceland, and is the second largest city in the country!

You can get to Akureyri via car in about 5 hours from Reykjavik.

If you’re interested in flying, the main airport is Akureyri International Airport. From there it is just a quick 6 minute drive to downtown.

Akureyri is a popular cruise port as well. The cruise terminal is Akureyri Cruise Terminal, and from there you can walk right into town in less than 5 minutes.

What to Do in Akureyri

The #1 sight to visit in the area is Goðafoss Waterfall! These spectacular waterfalls can be enjoyed from several different viewpoints along a wooden boardwalk or you can climb down and get even closer to them! Get tickets for a tour to the waterfall here.

Coming in on a cruise ship? Make the most of your time with this shore excursion from Akureryi Port! This tour takes you to see some of Iceland’s most beautiful sights, including Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall! Reserve your spot here.

Relax in the thermal hot springs! Mývatn Nature Baths is known as the Blue Lagoon of the North! Relax in the naturally heated geothermal water and enjoy the various hot-pools, steam rooms, and spectacular views. This tour also takes you to visit the beautiful Góðafoss waterfall! This is the perfect way to spend a day in Akuryeri! Lunch is also included! Reserve your spot here.

Take a whale watching tour from Akureyri! Board a high-speed boat and go whale watching in the most commonly sighted areas! This is the #1 tour in town and is absolutely phenomenal! Reserve your spot here.

Or go Whale & Puffin Watching on a RIB Boat and get as close as possible to these amazing creatures! This tour has received the badge of excellence! There are only 12 people per boat, so it fills up quickly! Reserve your spot here.

Akureyri Botanical Gardens is a large park filled with unique plants, fountains, and a great cafe to stop by for a meal.

An absolute must-see is the Laufás Museum and Heritage Site! These beautiful grass-roofed houses offer insights into early Icelandic life. Take a tour to see both the grass-roofed houses and Goðafoss Waterfall! This is the perfect way to see everything Akureyri has to offer! Reserve your tickets here.

Right outside of Akureyri is Hlíðarfjall – a popular skiing & snowboarding destination in Winter! It is also a great hiking & mountain biking site in Summer. To plan your visit, check out their website here.

Take a walk down Akureyri’s main street Hafnarstræti and do some shopping. Or enjoy a bite to eat at one of Akureyri’s cafes.

Want to see more of Iceland? Plan a trip to Grundarfjörður, Ísafjörður, or Reykjavik!

Where to Eat in Akureyri

Akureyri has several different restaurants & cafes to enjoy!

Penninn Eymundsson Akureyri is a cafe & a bookstore, so you can enjoy a hot drink and read a book at the same time! It also has outdoor seating so you can enjoy the fresh air & people watching on the pedestrian street.

Kaffi Ilmur is a favorite cafe of both tourists & locals alike for breakfast or lunch!

Strikið is the most recommended restaurant in town for lunch or dinner! This place has a variety of dishes and gorgeous waterfront views!

Mulaberg Bistro & Bar is another great restaurant & comes highly recommended!

Looking for Thai food in Iceland? Krua Siam is your spot!

These restaurants have been rated the Best Restaurants in Akureyri according to google reviews.

Where to Stay in Akureyri

There aren’t many places to stay in this town as it is quite small, but I have put together some of the top recommendations for you.

The most highly rated places to stay in town are –

At the bottom of this page you will find several more hotel recommendations, so take a look at what else is available.

Weather in Akureyri

The weather here varies depending on what time of year it is and the current weather patterns.

The warm season lasts from June to September, with an average daily high above 52°F. The hottest month of the year in Akureyri is July, with an average high of 56°F and low of 46°F.

The cold season lasts from November to April, with an average daily temperature below 37°F. The coldest month of the year in Akureyri is January, with an average low of 23°F and high of 33°F.

Teddy's Tips for Kids in Akureyri

Traveling with kids? Teddy Traveler has compiled a list of his favorite activities for you and your kids to do while here! Here are some of his favorites –

Your kids will love visiting Goðafoss Waterfall! They can run around on the boardwalks and soak in the misty water coming off the waterfall. Get tickets for a tour to the waterfall here!

The little grass-roof houses at Laufás Museum and Heritage Site are almost like walk-in doll-houses that your kids will love to explore! Reserve your tickets here.

Take a family whale watching tour from Akureyri! This is the #1 tour in town and is absolutely phenomenal! Reserve your spot here.

Take your kids skiing or snowboarding for the day at Hlíðarfjall!

Explore the Icelandic Aviation Museum! Kids will love going inside the planes & helicopters!

Don’t forget to head over and check out Teddy Traveler’s books for kids too – www.TeddyTraveler.com These children’s travel books are the perfect travel companion to help kids learn about a new country!

Tag a photo of your kids traveling with their favorite teddy bear and we will feature you on our social media page! Just use @teddytravelerbooks! Have fun traveling the world with Teddy Traveler!