GARÚN TOUR 1 HOUR HORSE RIDE
From ISK 17000
Akureyri sits at the head of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður, roughly 380 km north of Reykjavík — and it punches well above its weight. With around 20,000 residents, it’s Iceland’s second city, but it feels like a place that has quietly figured out exactly what it wants to be: a base for outdoor adventure, excellent food, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the north. Here are five things you shouldn’t miss.
There’s a reason the Forest Lagoon has become one of the most talked-about geothermal experiences in Iceland since opening in 2022. Nestled in the Vaðlaskógur forest on the hillside above Akureyri, it features two infinity pools overlooking Eyjafjörður fjord, a Finnish dry sauna with panoramic mountain views, and swim-up bars on both sides. The setting — warm water, surrounding birch forest, the fjord stretching into the distance — is genuinely breathtaking. A free shuttle runs from Hof in the city centre, so you don’t even need a car. Book ahead; it sells out.
The twin-towered Akureyrarkirkja church is the defining image of the city, perched high on the hill above the main shopping street. Designed by Guðjón Samúelsson (the same architect behind Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík), it’s worth the climb for the views alone. Just a short walk away, the Akureyri Botanical Garden is one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world and is completely free to visit. In summer it’s alive with colour — Arctic flowers alongside species from far warmer climates, which makes it quietly extraordinary given the latitude.
Akureyri is one of the best places in Iceland to spot whales, with Eyjafjörður fjord offering calm, sheltered waters and consistently high sighting rates. Most tours run 2–3 hours from the harbour and regularly spot humpbacks and minke whales. The fjord’s protected geography means the water is often smoother than what you’d encounter off Reykjavík or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, making this a particularly good option for anyone prone to seasickness. In winter, the tours double as northern lights excursions.
Ask anyone in Akureyri where to have dinner and the answer is almost always the same: Rub23. The vibrant red restaurant sits just across from Akureyrarkirkja and has built its reputation on an inventive fusion of Icelandic and Asian cuisine — think fresh local seafood transformed into sushi, langoustine dishes, and creative mains using fish sourced directly from Icelandic fishermen. It’s reliably excellent and consistently one of the top-rated restaurants anywhere in the north. Booking is essential, especially in summer.
Iceland isn’t exactly famous for its trees, which makes Kjarnaskógur — a 1,977-acre forest just outside Akureyri — feel genuinely special. It’s the largest urban forest in Iceland, with marked hiking and mountain biking trails, family playgrounds, grilling areas, and a peaceful atmosphere that feels miles away from the tourist trail. In summer it’s green and serene; in winter the trails become cross-country ski routes. It’s free, it’s beautiful, and it’s completely off the radar for most visitors — exactly the kind of place worth seeking out.
Getting there: Akureyri is served by domestic flights from Reykjavík (around 45 minutes) and is also reachable by bus or as a self-drive stop on the Ring Road. It makes an excellent base for exploring North Iceland, including Mývatn, Goðafoss, and the Tröllaskagi Peninsula.
