Akureyri: The Beating Heart of the North

A Town Full of Character

Akureyri's story is one of growth shaped by the land and sea.

Founded as a trading post in the 17th century, the town grew slowly. It was built around fishing, farming, and quiet determination.

Today, Akureyri thrives as a center for the North, full of music, art, food, and a strong sense of community.

Wander through the town, and you'll feel it—in the way, cafés spill out onto the sidewalks in summer, how flowers bloom even in the Arctic circle, and in its inhabitants' simple, charming mannerisms.

What to Experience in Akureyri

The Church on the Hill - Akureyrarkirkja, the town's iconic church, towers over the city with its sweeping steps and striking Art Deco design. Step inside to admire the stained glass, or climb the hill simply for the view over the fjord.

Lystigarðurinn – The Botanical Garden - Few towns this far north boast a botanical garden — but Akureyri's Lystigarðurinn is a true gem, with over 7,000 species of plants from all over the world thriving here under the long summer sun.

The Old Town and Harbor - Down by the water, Akureyri's oldest streets invite slow wandering.

Colorful houses, local boutiques, cozy bookshops, and cafés give the area a cheerful, lived-in feel.

Grab an ice cream — even in winter — and join the locals strolling the waterfront.

Cafés, Culture, and Creativity - Akureyri hums with a creative spirit. You'll find galleries, street art, live music, and more than a few excellent cafés where you can sit by the window and watch the town move around you.

The Akureyri Swimming Pool - No visit to Akureyri is complete without a dip in its beloved geothermal swimming pool.

Tucked just a short walk from the town center, the Akureyri pool is a local institution. It offers hot tubs, steam rooms, lap pools, waterslides, and even a cold plunge for the brave.

Whether you come to swim under the endless summer sky or warm up in winter's chill, there's something wonderfully Icelandic about joining locals for a relaxed soak and quiet conversation in the steamy air.

Whale Watching and Outdoor Adventures

Eyjafjörður is one of Iceland's best places for whale watching, especially in summer when humpback whales frequent the fjord.

In winter, nearby slopes like Hlíðarfjall offer some of Iceland's best skiing and snowboarding.

Akureyri: A Gateway and a Destination

While many visitors pass through Akureyri on their way to wonders like Mývatn, Goðafoss, or the Arctic Coast Way, the town is a destination worth staying for.

Here, you can slow down without losing the sense of discovery.

You can be in a lively café one moment and hiking up a quiet mountain trail the next.

You can find the familiar comforts of a small city and the wild, untamed beauty only the North can offer.

Akureyri: Iceland, But in a Different Key

At Key to Iceland, we believe that great places aren't just about what's listed in the guidebooks — they're about how a place makes you feel.

Akureyri isn't flashy.

It's welcoming, genuine, and quietly full of life.