Akranes: A Peaceful Town with a Story to Tell

January 2026

Not every beautiful place in Iceland ends up on a postcard. Some places, like Akranes, are simply waiting to be discovered.

Akranes is only a short drive from Reykjavík, through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel and along the coastline, until you arrive in a town where life moves in rhythm with the sea.

Here you’ll find long beaches, old lighthouses, and an everyday kind of beauty that asks for nothing—but rewards those who linger.

By the Sea, Between Mountains

Akranes is one of Iceland’s most important fishing towns, and its connection to the ocean is visible everywhere. Boats sway gently in the harbour, and the salty scent of the sea fills the air.

But Akranes is about more than its past. The town has been evolving. Industrial buildings and old fish-drying sheds stand side by side with art studios, museums, and wide open spaces made for wandering.

What to See and Do in Akranes

The Akranes Lighthouses
Standing guard by the harbour are two lighthouses—one old, one newer. The older lighthouse, built in 1918, has been restored and is now open to visitors. On a clear day, climbing to the top rewards you with views across Faxaflói Bay, Snæfellsjökull to the west, and Mount Esja to the south.

Something for everyone

Just outside town lies Langisandur, one of the few sandy beaches in West Iceland. A long, golden stretch where locals take a refreshing swim on summer days—or challenge themselves with an icy dip year-round.

The Local Heritage Museum at Garðar
Housed in old turf buildings and 19th-century homes, the local heritage museum is a hidden gem. Here, the past feels tangible, with fishing gear, household tools, and photographs that tell the story of Akranes.

Guðlaug Geothermal Pool
On Langisandur beach you’ll find Guðlaug, a recently built hot soaking and wading pool designed with tradition and functionality in mind. Warm water, open views of the endless ocean, and the perfect place to relax after a walk along the shore.

Art and Open Spaces
Akranes has a small but growing community of artists. Sculptures, murals, and cultural events are scattered throughout the town.

There’s a sense that the town is awakening—full of potential, yet without any rush.

Akranes: A Town Meant to Be Wandered

At Key to Iceland, we believe the best moments happen when you stop searching for the extraordinary and begin to notice the subtle magic all around you.

Akranes is that kind of place. A town made for slow walks by the sea, a cup of coffee in a cosy café, and listening to seagulls cry overhead as the waves gently rock the boats in the harbour.

It’s here you realise that Iceland’s beauty doesn’t only live in its grand moments.

So next time you’re travelling around Reykjavík,
turn towards Akranes.

Follow the road down to the sea
and let this small town tell you its story.

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