Akureyri

Akureyri, the „capital of the North” is located in Eyjafjörður, North Iceland. With a population of over 18 000 people, it is the second most important city in the country after the Reykjavik metropolitan area.

Akureyri, as a permanent settlement was founded back in 1778 as an important fishing and port town and even though it still maintains these roles, these days tourism, industry and higher education play an important part as well in this region’s life. As fishing was always one of the main forms of income, nowadays two of the biggest Icelandic fishing companies have their headquarters here.

Akureyri’s location makes it perfect for both day and multi-day tours. The town is relatively close to Lake Mývatn, one of the most popular destinations in the whole country. The lake has an incredible, untouched natural beauty, the surrounding areas are filled with locations that are connected to the region’s geothermal activity and it is a home to various bird species as well. With a short drive from Lake Mývatn, one can reach the Dettifoss waterfall, which is the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.

Nature enthusiasts can find interesting activities in this part of Iceland as well, Hvammstangi on the Vatnsnes Peninsula is the seal-watching capital of Iceland and from the town of Dalvik, visitors also have the chance to spot some whales and other marine animals. Once we return to the “capital of the North” we can easily notice that this settlement is rather unique as well, for example, this is where the northernmost botanical garden in the world is located. Furthermore, thanks to the active afforestation projects over the last decades, Akureyri is home to a picturesque forest called Kjarnaskógur.

Akureyri’s culture is really significant, the occupants of this city find their heritage really important and several notable festivals celebrate folk-related events during the summer months. Charming bars and restaurants make the town’s nightlife vivid and the town’s main church, Akureyrarkirkja serves the same function as Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik. This landmark is the unofficial symbol for both locals and the people visiting Akureyri.

We also have to mention the city’s climate, which of course is closely related to its location, the winter months make it an excellent skiing and snowboarding area. As for the summer, thanks to the surrounding mountain ridges and cliffs, Akureyri tends to be sunnier and less windy compared to the capital.