City in Iceland
4 things to see
Akureyri is Iceland’s northern capital, a small fjord-side town that makes a calmer, cheaper base than Reykjavik for exploring the north. The botanical garden is free to visit, and the fjord setting and walkable center cost nothing to enjoy, which helps in a country where most spending adds up fast. It works as a launch point for the Myvatn geothermal area, with paid whale-watching tours as the splurge. Summer brings near-endless daylight; shoulder months are quieter and lighter on the wallet.
What to see
What each one costs, where the cost is known.
The landmark Lutheran church perches above the town with a distinctive Art Deco facade and a stained glass window salvaged from the old Coventry Cathedral. Free to enter, the hilltop location delivers views over the fjord that make the steep walk worthwhile.
The compact harbor area and surrounding old wooden houses form the walkable core of Iceland's "Capital of the North." Free to explore, the colorful houses, quirky shops, and heart-shaped traffic lights give Akureyri a charm that contrasts with the raw landscapes outside town.
The "Waterfall of the Gods" is a 30-minute drive from Akureyri and completely free to visit. According to saga, Viking chieftain Þorgeir threw his Norse idols into these falls when Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 AD.
The world's most northerly botanical garden (just 100 km south of the Arctic Circle) is free to enter and surprisingly lush for its latitude. Over 7,000 plant species thrive here in Akureyri's sheltered microclimate, and the garden is a peaceful escape from the wind.
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