If you're doing the Iceland Ring Road surely in at some point during the trip you will have to sleep or spend a few days in Akureyri. In this post we tell you the best things to do in Akureyri.
Is the second largest city in Iceland. We arrived at night and when we went through the tunnel we could see the entire fjord illuminated by the lights of the city.
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Akureyri. The longest fjord in Iceland
This city is located at the end of the longest fjord in Iceland. If you see it on the map, you can appreciate that Akureyri is boxed in by a long and narrow estuary.
It seemed like a huge city to us, after coming from smaller towns like Vik and Höfn. It was like arriving in Barcelona after being in a small town.
The next day we already realized that the city is not very big and solo It has 20 thousand inhabitants. However, Akureyri is very important in Iceland and is one of the university areas of the country, after Reykjavik.
They also stand out its golf courses, where in summer you can be playing past midnight. In winter it completely transforms and it is one of the main destinations, if not the main one, of the iceland winter sports
Things to see in Akureyri
Here we leave you some of the activities you can do in Akureyri.
Remember that this is a small city, enjoy the tranquility and explore the area without rushing.
Explore the nightlife
One of best things you can do in Akureyri is to discover the Icelandic nightlife with a few beers.
Being one of the largest cities in Iceland, it is not surprising that this city is perfect to party. To all this The university atmosphere that Akureyri has is a point in favor.
It is a alternative to meet with locals and other travelers, but it also becomes an option quite expensive.
In Iceland, going out to party is a luxury. Alcohol is very expensive due to some sales restrictions. For this reasons you see Icelanders buying beers at the airport. They do it here because it's cheaper.
I leave you a link with the best places in Akureyri.
Be aware to go when Happy Hour is. In that period of time the drinks are cheaper.
Walk the Lystigarður Akureyrar. Botanical Garden city
A very beautiful and well-kept botanical garden in the center of the city. Is very near the Church of Akureyri, so going for a walk is a perfect option to explore the different neighborhoods of the city.
In this beautiful garden you will see a wide variety of plants, a small pond and also a lot of arctic flowers.
At the time we went, in October, we did not find many flowers. Other plants were a little dry. If you go in summer, you will find the garden full of flowers.
There is also a kind of small crystal palace and it has a very nice and cozy conservatory cafeteria.
Without a doubt, it is one of the places you must visit in Akureyri.
- Address: MWG4+3F7, Eyrarlandsvegur, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
- Price: Free
- Schedules: Open 24 hours
Is a house dedicated to Christmas. It is open to the public and remains unchanged throughout the year. It is a place that you will like to visit, especially if you go with children.
It is basically about Are two houses turned into a store, in the surroundings there are small typical icelandic houses and some Christmas decorations.
One of the houses has two floors and the upper part is almost all dedicated to sale sweets and souvenirs, all decorated in a very Christmas way.
In the other house you will find handmade details from the area and some imported products.
The site is located 13 minutes drive from the town of Akureyri.
- Address: Sveinsbær, Hrafnagil, 601 Akureyri, Iceland
- Schedules: 14:00 - 18:00
- Website: Instagram Jólahúsíđ
Akureyri Church
It is a beautiful Anglican church situated on top of a hill. You can see it from many angles and it has a path of stairs that makes it even more elegant.
At the back of the church, there are some colorful stairs that are very cool. Here I leave you a photo.
Whales watching in Husavik
Húsavík is one of the best places to watch whales in Iceland. In this town there are many companies that are dedicated to doing tours and whale watching.
If you are going to be in the city for a few days It would be interesting if you consider reserving a morning to go whale watching, or at least try.
Despite the fact that we could not go, -due to a storm the reservations were cancelled-, we can tell you the company with which we booked. –> north sailing
Natural spaces to see near Akureyri
Around an hour from the city, You also have several natural places that you can visit.
Waterfalls and atracttions near Akureyri
- Goðafoss and Geitafoss
The Goðafoss waterfall is one of the most famous in all of Iceland, and further one of the most impressive waterfalls you will find on the country.
A little walk behind Goðafoss waterfall is Geitafoss, a kind of twin sister of the main one. An alternative if you want to walk a bit while exploring the area.
- Skútustaðagígar
It is a curious place that is on the shore of The Myvatn Lake. It is a set of pseudocraters. A spectacular landscape with the Lake in the background to complete the scene.
A pseudocrater, rootless cone or cone without root, It is a volcanic relief very similar to the crater of a volcano. The difference is in that there has not been an actual eruption of lava, rather, it has been formed by steam explosions of hot lava on the earth's surface.
Curious right? Seeing them in person is very impressive. and is that They are like volcanoes in suspension.
You can visit the whole area through a little route. The views of the lake are stunning.
- Hverir and Namafjall
Note: The urge to vomit passes immediately. Welcome to Hverir
The high amount of sulfur that comes to the surface means that for kilometers you can smell something similar to rotten eggs. Once you get used to, it becomes more bearable buti recommed you bring a scarf or mask if you are very squeamish.
Another very particular corner of Iceland where you can walk through the different pools of boiling water.
This are has a high geothermal activity. This area becomes the perfect place to take natural baths. Very beneficial for the skin.
We go to the next point with the intention of relaxing.
- Myvatn Nature Baths
The best alternative to the Blue Lagoon. Cheaper, quieter, local atmosphere. Place that you will stay in passing if you visit the area.
Is Outdoor baths with mineral-rich water from thermal springs. In this case, the baths are supplied with water from a nearby geothermal power station.
The place has the characteristic blue color that attracts so much attention in the Blue Lagoon.
That if, nobody tells you about the smell. Although after a while you get used to it, especially if you come from an area like Hverir.
Without a doubt, it has been one of the best things we did in Iceland. It was an experience that we enjoyed very much. Thanks to its tranquility we were able to relax for a while before continuing towards Akureyri.
- Address: Jarðbaðshólar, 660 Mývatn, Iceland
- Price: 40€
- Schedules: 12:00 - 22:00
- Website: Myvatn Nature Baths
We leave you some photos. It isw very similar to the Blue Lagoon, except that less crowded and much cheaper.
To know more about Iceland here we leave you the button that will take you directly to the section dedicated to the island.
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