West, Iceland · Europe
Akranes works well as a base: 20 minutes from Seltjarnarnes, 21km from Northern Lights: Reykjavik.
Akranes is a town located in West, Iceland. With a population of 7,411, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Akranes sits in Iceland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Atlantic/Reykjavik time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Akranes to your route.
Akranes (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈaːkraˌnɛːs] ) is a port town and municipality on the west coast of Iceland, around 50 km (31 mi) north of the capital Reykjavík. The area where Akranes is located was settled in the 9th century; however, it did not receive a municipal charter until 1942.
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Akranes offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Akranes is located in West, Iceland, Europe. The coordinates are 64.3218 latitude, -22.0749 longitude.
Akranes has a population of approximately 7,411 people, making it a town in Iceland.
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Essential numbers in Iceland
F-roads (mountain roads) require 4x4 and are closed much of the year. Safetravel.is for conditions.
Full driving guide for Iceland8 notable places within an hour's drive.
tunnel
A 5.7 km road tunnel diving 165 m below sea level under Hvalfjörður on Iceland's Ring Road, saving an hour over the old fjord loop. The country's first subsea tunnel, opened in 1998 and now toll-free.
15 km · about 30 min drive
restaurant
Reykjavík's harbourside hot-dog stand, family-run since 1937 and still serving lamb-based dogs 'with everything': crispy onions, remoulade and sweet mustard. Bill Clinton and virtually every Icelander have queued here.
20 km · about 25 min drive
cathedral
Reykjavik's towering expressionist church inspired by Iceland's basalt lava formations.
21 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Iceland's capital offers accessible Northern Lights viewing from September to March, with tours departing nightly to dark-sky areas.
21 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Iceland's Route 1 circles the entire island over 1,322 kilometers past volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and black sand beaches.
21 km · about 25 min drive
national park
A UNESCO site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly drift apart, and the site of Iceland's ancient parliament.
46 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
A crystal-clear fissure in Þingvellir where snorkellers swim between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in 2°C water.
47 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Iceland's most famous geothermal spa, a milky-blue pool of mineral-rich water set amid a black lava field near Keflavík airport.
52 km · about 60 min drive
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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