Top Things to Do in Akureyri Iceland Capital of the North
                     Top Things to  D o  in 
Akureyri: Iceland´s 
Cap i ta l  o f  the  N o r t h
www.firefly.is
Akureyr i  o f ten  cal led the Weather  you visit  in summer fo r  whale 
Cap i ta l  o f  the  Nor th ,  is a  watch ing  or  in winter  t o  chase the nor thern 
l ively an d  colorfu l  town l ights, Akureyr i  has something special in 
surrounded by  mountains every season. In this blog, we´ll cover the  best 
a nd  fjords. It´s the perfect  th ings to  do  in Akureyri,  f r om  nature  baths 
base fo r  explor ing nor thern and  museums to  un fo rge t tab le  nature 
Iceland, wi th  easy access to  experiences.
stunning waterfal ls, Rent ing  a  car  w i th  Firef ly  Iceland makes i t  
re lax ing ho t  springs and  easy to  reach nearby  h ighl ights  l ike the 
v ib ran t  local  culture. famous D iamond  Circle route or  even take a  
t r i p  to  Grímsey Island, where you can stand 
inside the Arct ic Circle itself.
Explore the  Best Visit  the  Akureyri  Botaical  Gardens
The Akureyr i  Botan ica l  Ga rden  is one o f  the  no r thernmost  bo tan ica l  
Things to  D o  in gardens in  t he  world,  peacefu l  green space f i l l ed  w i th  co lor fu l  Arct ic a n d  a lp ine  plants.  It´s f ree  t o  visi t  a n d  especial ly  beau t i f u l  du r i ng  the 
summer months,  when locals a n d  t ravel lers  al ike come t o  enjoy the 
Akureyri f lowers, wa l k ing  pa ths  a n d  s tunn ing f j o rd  views.
From peaceful  gardens an d  creat ive a r t  Check O u t  the  Akureyri  Ar t  
spaces t o  re laxing geothermal  baths, Museum
Akureyr i  offers  the per fec t  b lend  o f  culture, L oca t e d  in  t he  hear t  o f  town, the  Akureyr i  A r t  Museum showcases bo th  
Icelandic  a n d  i n te rna t i ona l  contempora ry  art .  It´s a n  easy s top whi le 
nature  an d  local  charm. Strol l  t h rough  the exp lor ing  Akureyr i  on  foot ,  w i th  r o t a t i n g  exhibi t ions a n d  creat ive 
insta l lat ions t h a t  ref lect  t he  art ist ic  spi r i t  o f  N o r t h  Iceland.
Akureyr i  Botanical  Gardens, one o f  the 
nor thernmost  in the world, discover Relax a t  the  N a t u r e  Baths or Beer 
contemporary  works a t  the Akureyr i  A r t  Spa
Museum a n d  unwind a t  the  Forrest Lagoon Unwind  a f t e r  a  da y  o f  explor ing  a t  one o f  Akureyri´s geothe rma l  
nature  baths  or  the unique Beer Spa just retreats.  The forest  Lagoon ,  just  a  short  dr ive f r om  town, is a  stunning 
geo t he rm a l  na tu re  b a t h  surrounded  by  trees a n d  moun ta in  views. For 
outside town. Whe the r  you´re here fo r  a  something a  l i t t le  d i fferent ,  t ry  the  famous Beer Spa, where you can 
soak in w a r m  beer,  yeast a n d  hops, a  f u n  local  experience a n d  a  g rea t  
quick s top o f  a  longer  stay, these way t o  recharge before  your  next  adventure.
experiences capture  the best  o f  Iceland´s 
Cap i ta l  o f  the Nor th.
Fun day  Trips f rom 
Akureyri  by car
Akureyr i  is the  ideal  base fo r  exp lor ing  the  na tu ra l  wonders o f  N o r t h  Iceand. Just a  
short  dr ive away, you can set ou t  on un forge t tab le  adventures, f r o m  go ing  whale 
watch ing  in Eyja f jörður,  t o  d r iv ing  the scenic D ia m o n d  Circle Route, or  even tak ing  a  
t r i p  t o  Grímsey Island, where you can step across the  Arct ic  Circle. Each d a y  t r ip  offers 
someth ing  d i f ferent,  whether  it´s b rea th tak ing  waterfal ls,  un ique wi ld l i fe  o r  the  endless 
beau ty  o f  Iceland´s nor thern  landscapes.
W h a l e  Watching  in Eyjaf jörður
Just a  short  dr ive or  b o a t  t r i p  f r o m  Akureyri ,  Ey ja f jö rður  f jo rd  is one o f  Iceland´s best 
whale watch ing  areas. In  summer, you´ll o f ten  spot  humpback  a n d  minke whales, 
sometimes even p lay fu l  dolphins a n d  porpoises.
The best t ime fo r  whale watch ing  is f r o m  M a y  t o  September,  when the  sea is ca lm and  
sightings are  most  frequent.  However,  tours opera te  year-round a n d  winter  t r ips sometimes 
b r ing  the  chance to  spot  orcas or  see whales agains t  a  snowy mounta in  backdrop.
Several tour  operat ions run  da i ly  t r ips  f r o m  the  harbour,  mak ing  i t  an  easy and 
un fo rge t tab le  adventure  du r ing  your  visit  t o  N o r t h  Iceland.
Stop Highl ights
Goðafoss Water fa l l The “Water fa l l  o f  Gods”, a  
power fu l  a n d  photogenic  stop 
outside  Akureyri.
L a k e  M ý v a t n A  geo therma l  parad ise  wi th  lava 
fields, b i rd l i fe  a n d  the  relaxing 
Drive  the  D iamond  M ý v a t n  N a t u r e  Baths.
Circle Route Dettifoss Water fa l l O n e  o f  Europe´s most  powerfu l  waterfal ls,  located  in  Vata jökul l  
N a t i o n a  Park.
The D i a m o n d  Circle is one o f  N o r t h  Ásbyrgi Canyon A  horseshoe-shaped canyon 
Iceland´s most  famous  scenic drives, a  250 surrounded by  cl i ffs  a n d  f i l led 
km  (155 miles)  route  f i l led  w i th  waterfal ls, with  lush b i rch trees
geo therma l  areas a n d  d ramat i c  canyons. Húsavík A  charming  harbou r  town known 
Here  are  the  ma in  stops you can explore as Iceland´s whale  watch ing 
capital.
a long  the  way:
Cross the Arctic 
Circle at Grímsnes 
IFosr al at runl y  dunique experience, take  a  ferry  or 
short  f l i gh t  f r om Akureyr i  t o  Grímsey Iceland, 
the only p a r t  o f  Iceland t h a t  lies wi th in  the 
Arct ic  Circle. Here, you can l i teral ly  step across 
the Arct ic  boundary,  see p u f f i ng  in summer 
an d  enjoy peacefu l  coastal  walks surrounded 
by  d ramat i c  cliffs. It´s an  un forge t tab le  t r i p  fo r  
travel lers look ing  to  experience the 
nor thernmost  edge o f  Iceland´s na tura l  beauty
Cultural  Gems in a n d  Around 
Akureyri
Akureyr i  is fu l l  o f  hostory, colour  a n d  nor thern  charm. Strol l  t r ough  the  O l d  Town, 
see t rad i t i ona l  t u r f  houses a n d  experience the  town´s chang ing  seasons, f rom 
m id n igh t  sun in  summer  t o  peacefu l  no r thern  l ights  n ights  in  winter.
Wander  the O l d  Town &  Turf  Houses
Take a  strol l  t h rough  Akureyri´s O l d  Town, where color fu l  wooden houses a n d  cozy 
cafés l ine the  streets b y  the harbour.  This a rea  ref lects the town´s history and  
charm,  m ak ing  i t  per fec t  f o r  a n  a f t e rnoon  walk. Just outs ide the  town centre, you
can also see t rad i t i ona l  Icelandic  t u r f  houses, beaut i fu l l y  preserved examples o f  
local  archi tecture t h a t  show how Icelanders once l ived in  ha rmony  w i th  nature. Seasonal  Events &  N o r t h e r n  Lights
Akureyr i  o f fers  someth ing  un ique in  every season:
Summer: Enjoy  the  m idn ig h t sun, local  fest ivals a n d  v ib ran t  
ou tdoo r  life. Cafés  spi l l  on to  t he  streets, h ik ing  t rai ls  open u p  and  
whale watch ing  is a t  its best.
Winter:  Exper ience nor thern  l ights  displays, cosy downtown 
evenings a n d  re lax ing d ips  in  ho t  springs, sur rounded by  snow. 
W in t e r  also br ings skiing, Ice skat ing  a n d  t h a t  special  nor thern  
charm.
W h e t h e r  you visit  du r ing  the  endless days o f  summer  or  
under  the  g lowing  win te r  sky, Akureyr i  a lways has 
someth ing  mag ica l  t o  offer.
Best Local  Sweets an d  
Treats in Akureyri
Beyond its museums a n d  na tu ra l  beauty,  Akureyr i  is fu l l  o f  charm ing  local 
spots where you can taste Icelandic  f lavours a n d  experience the  town´s 
cozy atmosphere.  Here  are  a  few favour i tes loved by  bo th  locals and  
visitors:
W h a l e  Watching  in Eyjaf jörður
Jólahúsið: A  mag ica l  Christmas-themed shop open year-round, f i l led  wi th  Icelandic 
ornaments,  g i f ts  a n d  festive decorations, a  must-visit  fo r  anyone who loves cozy 
ho l iday  vibes. You can even buy  t rad i t iona l  Chr is tmas apples a n d  candy, just like the  
locals do  dur ing  the  holidays.
Brynju Ís: O n e  o f  Iceland´s oldest a n d  most loved ice cream shop, famous fo r  its 
creamy texture a n d  secret fami ly  recipe. A  t rue  Akureyr i  classic!
Sykurverk Café: A  cozy local  café  known fo r  its beau t i fu l  cakes, pastr ies and 
creative desserts. The per fect  spot  to  wa rm  up  wi th  coffee a n d  something sweet 
a f te r  explor ing Akureyri.
Why Rent a Car 
to Visit Akureyri?
Akureyr i  i tsel f  is smal l  a n d  easy t o  explore on foot,  b u t  the 
best  adventures l ie just a  short  dr ive away. Rent ing a  car 
gives you the  f reedom t o  discover the h idden gems o f  N o r t h  
Iceland, f r o m  powerfu l  water fa l ls  an d  re lax ing  ho t  springs to  
charming  costal  villages.
W i t h  Firefly´s a f fo rdab le  car  rentals,  you can t rave l  a t  your 
own pace a n d  make  the  most  o f  your  t ime  in Iceland. Plan a  
road  t r i p  t oward  Vatna jöku l l  N a t i o n a l  Park, explore the 
D i a m o n d  Circle or  cont inue your  journey a long  the scenic 
Ring Road, the choice is yours.
Thank You 
Very  Much
Tip from Firefly: Driving around North 
(+354)  522 0 0  22 Iceland can be different depending on 
the season, roads are well maintained, 
www.firefly.is but in winter, a  4×4 is the safest choice 
for snowy or icy conditions.
Flugva l larveg i  5, 101 Reykjavík 
Iceland