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Iceland Akureyri travel guide
9 things to do in Akureyri, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Akureyri guide sections (9)
Top things to do in Akureyri
- Akureyrarkirkja: Designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and completed in 1940, the Lutheran church stands at the top of steps in the centre. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Akureyri Botanical Garden: At about 45 m above Eyjafjörður, this garden ranks among the most northerly botanic gardens anywhere. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Akureyri Art Museum: Founded in 1993, the museum occupies a former dairy, a good example of Bauhaus architecture. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Glerárkirkja: A Lutheran parish church serving the northern districts of Akureyri. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Gásir: Remains of a medieval trading post on the shore of Eyjafjörður, 11 km north of Akureyri. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. Peter's Church, Akureyri: A small Catholic church on Eyrarlandsvegur, dedicated to St Peter. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lögmannshlíðarkirkja: An old church from 1860, the area's church before Glerárkirkja was built. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Safnasafnid Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum: Founded outside town in 1995, it collects work by folk and self-taught artists. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Akureyri Museum: A museum of the history of the town and the Eyjafjörður region. (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Akureyri walking itinerary
Starting point: Centre (Miðbær). The top 6 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.7 km · 6,280 steps · 1 h 2 min on the way): Akureyri Art Museum → Akureyrarkirkja → St. Peter's Church, Akureyri → Akureyri Botanical Garden → Akureyri Museum
- Day 2 (≈ 5.9 km · 7,910 steps · 1 h 18 min on the way): Glerárkirkja
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Akureyri
- Goðafoss: A horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river, right beside the road to Mývatn. (visit ≈ 45 min, 25 km from the centre)
- Mývatn: The volcanic lake is ringed by pseudocraters, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and natural hot baths. (visit ≈ 300 min, 51 km from the centre)
- Húsavík: A small harbour town where whale-watching boats head out into Skjálfandi Bay. (visit ≈ 240 min, 53 km from the centre)
Where to stay in Akureyri
- Centre (Miðbær): The harbour, church and restaurants within walking distance.
Getting from the airport to Akureyri
- Akureyri (AEY): Taxi ≈ 5 min, city buses do not serve the airport
Getting around
City buses are free. Rent a car or join a tour for Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss. Days are very short in winter, so check road conditions before driving.
Classic places to eat
- Strikið: A restaurant looking over the fjord, fills up fast, so book ahead.
- Múlaberg: On the ground floor of the historic Hotel Kea, cooking with seasonal North Iceland produce.
- Eyja: A wine bar and bistro in a historic building in the centre.
Good to know before visiting Akureyri
- Fine: Off-road driving is illegal and heavily fined.
- Fine: F-roads are for 4x4 vehicles only and only when open.
- Warning: Sneaker waves on black-sand beaches like Reynisfjara are deadly. Keep well back.
- Warning: Check weather and road conditions on SafeTravel before setting out.
- Warning: Drones are banned or need permits at many nature sites.
- Showering naked with soap before entering public pools is mandatory.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is excellent. The sulphur smell of hot water is normal.
- Tipping: Service is included. No tipping expected.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Iceland, SafeTravel Iceland, Wikivoyage: Iceland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Akureyri travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Akureyri?
- The top 6 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Akureyri?
- Highlights: Akureyrarkirkja, Akureyri Botanical Garden, Akureyri Art Museum, Glerárkirkja and Gásir. The map has 9 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Akureyri?
- Centre (Miðbær): The harbour, church and restaurants within walking distance.
- How do you get from the airport to Akureyri city centre?
- Akureyri (AEY): Taxi ≈ 5 min, city buses do not serve the airport
- How do you get around Akureyri?
- City buses are free. Rent a car or join a tour for Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss. Days are very short in winter, so check road conditions before driving.
- What is the emergency number in Akureyri?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Akureyri?
- Service is included. No tipping expected.
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