Akureyri is a city in northern Iceland, situated on the Eyjafjörður fjord, surrounded by granite mountains reaching up to 1,500 meters in height. It is the second largest urban area in Iceland after Reykjavík, forming the municipality of Akureyrarkaupstaður. It has a significant seaport and airport. The city accounts for approximately 30% of Iceland’s fish processing industry. It is a center of trade, services, and communication in northern Iceland. It is home to the country’s second university, after the University of Iceland. The city’s first settler was the Norwegian-Irish Helgi Magri (Helgi the Thin). Akureyri was first mentioned as a trading station in 1602. It received city rights in 1862. As of January 2025, it had a population of 20,000. The city’s name is a combination of two Icelandic words: akur (field) and eyri (spit). The city is home to Iceland’s largest brewery and the island’s second-largest hospital, which is also its largest employer. Despite its proximity to the Arctic Circle, the climate is relatively mild for its latitude.
Winter sports.
The village is home to one of the country’s two ski jumping hills – Hlíðarfjall. In April 2024, Japanese ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi successfully completed four attempts to break the ski jump record on a facility specially prepared for this purpose by Red Bull. The final distance was 291 meters. After the event, the temporary facility was dismantled. Ryōyū Kobayashi (born November 1996 in Hachimantai), Japanese ski jumper. Individual Olympic gold medalist in the normal hill and silver medalist in the large hill in 2022. Individual silver medalist in the large hill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2023 and bronze in 2025, and men’s team bronze medalist in 2019. World Cup winner in the 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 seasons, second overall in the 2023/2024 season and third in the 2019/2020 season. Winner of the 67th Four Hills Tournament (third ever winner of all competitions in a single tournament), the 70th Four Hills Tournament, and the 72nd Four Hills Tournament. Winner of the Willingen Five 2019, Raw Air 2019, Planica 7 (2019), Titisee-Neustadt Five 2020, and the 2018/2019 Ski Flying World Cup. Individual and team bronze medalist at the 2016 Junior World Championships, national championship medalist. World record holder in the longest ski jump (291.0 m).
Transportation: From Akureyri, there’s a daily bus service to Reykjavík (a 6-hour drive). The distance to the capital is 390 km. The local airport is located 2 km south of the city. Daily flights are available to Reykjavík, Keflavík, Vopnafjörður, Þórshöfn, and the islet of Grímsey. Bus transportation within the city is free. Six bus lines operate on weekdays and on major routes on weekends.
Akureyrarkirkja Church.
This is one of the most recognizable buildings in Akureyri. Designed by Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson and built between 1940 and 1949, the church features distinctive architecture reminiscent of Iceland’s mountains, and its interior is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows and an organ. It’s worth stopping by to admire its interior and the views of the city.
Akureyri Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Akureyri, filled with a variety of plants from around the world. Here, you can stroll along the well-maintained paths, admiring the flora of Iceland and beyond. It’s also a perfect place to relax and take photos.
Akureyri Museum.
The museum is an excellent place to learn about the history of the city and region. It’s worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in Icelandic culture and the history of the area. You’ll find exhibits related to Akureyri’s history, Icelandic traditions, and the daily lives of its residents.
Whale watching is one of the most popular tourist experiences in North Iceland. The city lies in the heart of the North Fjords, which are perfect for spotting these majestic mammals. Akureyri is an ideal starting point for whale watching cruises, and the whale watching season typically runs from June to August, although whales can be spotted in other months as well. Most organized tours from Akureyri focus on whale watching in the surrounding fjords, including Eyjafjörður—one of Iceland’s longest fjords. Cruises typically last 2 to 4 hours and offer the chance to see several whale species, including humpback whales, fin whales, and killer whales (Orcinus orca).
In 2022, a new geothermal spa, Forest Lagoon (also known as “Forest Lagoon”), will open a short distance from Akureyri city center. Forest Lagoon is a charming place worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a bit of peace and relaxation surrounded by nature. The facility features an infinity pool with two bars, a sauna, and a restaurant. It’s a unique place, especially for those who want to spend time in nature. It’s open until midnight every day. Forest Lagoon is located near the city, in the Borgarhóll forest, one of the few large forest complexes in Iceland. It can be reached on foot from Akureyri city center in about 30 minutes, or by car if you prefer a more convenient way.
Icelandic beer and food.
After sightseeing, it’s worth heading to one of Akureyri’s restaurants to sample traditional Icelandic dishes. Many establishments offer fresh fish, lamb, and dishes made with fermented cod (skyr). If you’re a beer lover, try the local breweries, which offer a variety of Icelandic beer from the “kija” (literally “stick”).
Ice skating and skiing. If you’re visiting in winter, it’s worth trying ice skating at the local rink or skiing at Iceland’s most popular ski resort. Akureyri is one of the cities with a well-developed infrastructure for winter sports, and the ice rink in the city center or skiing just a few kilometers outside the city are great opportunities to try these activities. Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort is just a 10-minute drive from Akureyri, making it an easily accessible winter destination. This resort is known for its excellent skiing conditions for both beginners and advanced skiers. Hlíðarfjall offers approximately 30 kilometers of ski slopes for both alpine skiers and snowboarders. The slopes range in difficulty from easy to more challenging, making the resort suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. The resort has six ski lifts, including a gondola and chairlifts.
