Akureyri
Discover Akureyri
Akureyri, with a population of around 19,000 (2019), is the largest town in Iceland outside the Southwest region, and the unofficial capital of North Iceland. The weather in Akureyri (and Northern Iceland in general) is often colder than in the capital, Reykjavík, but precipitation is lower; however, snow begins to fall earlier in Akureyri than in Reykjavík. As in the whole country the weather is unpredictable.
What to Experience in Akureyri
Taste of Akureyri...
While you're in Akureyri, be sure to get ice cream from the locally famous -65.672268-18.0894221 Brynja. Eating on a budget in Akureyri is about as difficult as in the rest of the country, though there are some options. For a quick snack, consider going to a hotdog stand such as the one on Hafnarstræti, opposite The Viking (souvenir store). Do as the Icelanders do and ask for eina með öllu: one with everything. There are also several grocery stores in town such as Krónan. ] A nice bar is across the street from the main movie theatre. It seems that people in the city enjoy an 'early' movie theater around 20:00 or so, and, as customary in Iceland, go clubbing/barhopping after midnight. Keep in mind that the clubs close at 01:00, at least during the weekdays. A strange wheel-of-fortune with shots, beer, and nothing, is there, for kr 1500. There are many guesthouses more inland immediately away from the city center. They double as residences for college students, but they are the cheapest lodging you'll find, at around kr 8000 double and kr 5000 single. In addition to hostels and hotels, there are a variety of apartments to rent. These are usually set up like a conventional 1-bedroom apartment (with amenities like a refrigerator, kitchen, and dining area). You might prefer renting an apartment if you're staying in the area for multiple days and want to buy groceries and prepare your own meals. Akureyri has good mobile phone coverage (including 3G).
Climate
The weather in Akureyri (and Northern Iceland in general) is often colder than in the capital, Reykjavík, but precipitation is lower; however, snow begins to fall earlier in Akureyri than in Reykjavík. As in the whole country the weather is unpredictable. January is the coldest month. Snow is very common in December to February, 80-85% of the days in those months have some snow coverage. Sunshine hours in Akureyri are fewer than in its surroundings due to its location between two mountains to the east and west. These mountains also make winds blow frequently to the north and south. July is the warmest month and one of the driest ones; actually temperature often remains rather cool even during summer, but one or two relatively hot days (> 24 °C) can occur, while rain is less frequent than in Reykjavik. The city is linked to the rest of Iceland via the Ring Road, the highway that circles the island along the coastline. The Ring Road just west of Akureyri travels through a scenic valley.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe city is linked to the rest of Iceland via the Ring Road, the highway that circles the island along the coastline. The Ring Road just west of Akureyri travels through a scenic valley. This valley can be slow-going in inclement weather and there are limited places to safely stop or pull over, so be sure to check weather reports. Don't let the lack of a sidewalk at the airport's driveway intimidate you, there is a sidewalk next to the public road. Alternatively, take a taxi, and expect to pay about kr 1900 to the city centre. There are no buses serving the airport. Being Iceland's northern capital doesn't mean Akureyri is a huge metropolis. Although it can get a bit hilly leaving the waterline, walking distances are reasonable for a fit person. Akureyri has a public bus system, called SVA, which is free for all. The buses are not very frequent, each line has a bus every hour or so....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Being Iceland's northern capital doesn't mean Akureyri is a huge metropolis. Although it can get a bit hilly leaving the waterline, walking distances are reasonable for a fit person. Akureyri has a public bus system, called SVA, which is free for all. The buses are not very frequent, each line has a bus every hour or so. The buses stop running at 23:00 on weekdays and only run between 12:00 and 18:00 on weekends and holidays, but when they're free, why complain? For easier routing and route-planning consider getting the Strætó bs. app. BSÓ is the only taxi company in town, and they have a taxi rank in the centre. For those who prefer to cycle, it's possible to rent a bicycle at the souvenir shop The Viking in Hafnarstræti (☏ +354 461 5551). The price is kr 1000 for 6 hours, or kr 1800 for the day. Akureyri is a very picturesque town with its location by a scenic fjord, eclectic building styles and streets winding their way through gorges.
Where to Stay
There are many guesthouses more inland immediately away from the city center. They double as residences for college students, but they are the cheapest lodging you'll find, at around kr 8000 double and kr 5000 single. In addition to hostels and hotels, there are a variety of apartments to rent. These are usually set up like a conventional 1-bedroom apartment (with amenities like a refrigerator, kitchen, and dining area). You might prefer renting an apartment if you're staying in the area for multiple days and want to buy groceries and prepare your own meals. Akureyri has good mobile phone coverage (including 3G). Wi-fi internet is often available at cafés or hotels. Here are additional internet access options: Akureyri is a good base to explore some of the more remote areas of Iceland, such as Mývatn.
Money & Budget
Hafnarstræti, in the city center, is Akureyri's main shopping street. Shops there include an 65.681022-18.0924081 Eymundsson book store with a café, several souvenir shops, and the curiosity shop Frúin í Hamborg. For local art and design, head to Grófargil, colliqually known as Listagil (“art canyon”). It's a steep canyon by the street Kaupvangsstræti and home to several studios, galleries and shops. A small shopping mall, called 65.687761-18.1054142 Glerártorg, is a short distance north of the city centre. There is a Nettó supermarket near the Glerártorg shopping mall. There is also a 65.692188-18.180563 Bónus supermarket near there, just a little further north along Glerágata/Hörgárbraut, and a 65.689072-18.1012644 Krónan supermarket at Tryggvabraut 8. A 65.689848-18.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Akureyri
This is the main highway circling Iceland’s majestic beauty. The snow-capped mountains are a welcome site as you drive towards the island’s second most-populated city, Akureyi.
Akureyri, as seen from accross the bay at golden hour. See my YouTube Video "Volcanoes & Horse Fights | Iceland" by "Ed Wingate" to see footage of this photo location.
The pilot
Godafoss
traffic light on orange light during daytime
Dont Stop the Love
black whale on blue sea during daytime
A clear and beautiful winters day in Akureyri, Iceland.
Shack with a view.
A view of an Icelandic town
This is the main highway circling Iceland’s majestic beauty. The snow-capped mountains are a welcome site as you drive towards the island’s second most-populated city, Akureyi.
Akureyri, as seen from accross the bay at golden hour. See my YouTube Video "Volcanoes & Horse Fights | Iceland" by "Ed Wingate" to see footage of this photo location.
The pilot