waterfall
Goðafoss
The 'Waterfall of the Gods' where Norse statues were reportedly thrown when Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 AD.
25 km · about 30 min drive
Northeast, Iceland · Europe
Akureyri is worth a stop: 40 minutes from Laugar, 51km from Mývatn.
Akureyri is a town located in Northeast, Iceland. With a population of 19,219, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Akureyri 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 Akureyri to your route.
Akureyri (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈaːkʏrˌeiːrɪ], locally [ˈaːkʰʏrˌeiːrɪ] ) is a town in northern Iceland, the country's fifth most populous municipality (under the official name of Akureyrarbær [-ˌeiːrarˌpaiːr̥], 'town of Akureyri') and the largest outside the Capital Region. The municipality includes the town'sRead more
neighbourhood at the head of Eyjafjörður and two farther islands: Hrísey at the mouth of Eyjafjörður and Grímsey off the coast.
Nicknamed the "Capital of North Iceland", Akureyri is an important port and fishing centre. The area where Akureyri is located was settled in the 9th century, but did not receive a municipal charter until 1786. Allied units were based in the town during World War II. Further growth occurred after the war as the Icelandic population increasingly moved to urban areas.
The area has a relatively mild climate because of geographical factors, and the town's ice-free harbour has played a significant role in its history.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Akureyri.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Akureyri.
Akureyri 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.
Plan your road trip to Akureyri with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Akureyri as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Akureyri is located in Northeast, Iceland, Europe. The coordinates are 65.6835 latitude, -18.0878 longitude.
Akureyri has a population of approximately 19,219 people, making it a town in Iceland.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Akureyri as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Akureyri. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
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 Iceland5 notable places within an hour's drive.
waterfall
The 'Waterfall of the Gods' where Norse statues were reportedly thrown when Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 AD.
25 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
The Skjálfandafljót river plunges 20 m through a ring of twisted basalt columns at the north end of the Sprengisandur highland road. Far quieter than Goðafoss downstream; a gravel road leads to the rim.
49 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
A shallow volcanic lake surrounded by lava formations, pseudocraters, steaming vents, and the Mývatn Nature Baths in northeast Iceland.
51 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Iceland's whale watching capital on Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback whales are spotted on nearly every tour alongside the Whale Museum.
53 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
A Mars-like geothermal area of bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and sulphur-stained earth near Lake Mývatn.
58 km · about 65 min drive
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Other places to explore near Akureyri.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning