Things to do in Akureyri

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Western Region

Route 1

Route 1is Iceland's national main road, also known as the Ring Road because it circles the entire island. Completed in 1974, it has a total length of over 1,300 km and connects major towns such as the capital, Reykjavik, and the Capital of the North, Akureyri. It also connects most natural scenic spots, excluding the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes, making it a classic route for a self-drive tour around the island. Most sections of this road are two-way paved roads with good road conditions. Summer days are long, making it suitable for first-time visitors to plan an itinerary of about one week around the island. In winter, there is a chance to encounter the aurora along the way, but be aware of potential temporary road closures due to icy and snowy weather.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Northeastern Region

Akureyri church

Akureyri church is a landmark in the major town of Akureyri in northern Iceland. This Lutheran church sits on a small hill in the town center, with a long flight of stairs leading from the town center directly up to the church entrance. It was designed by the Icelandic state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. Both churches were inspired by volcanic basalt, but this one is more compact with straight, clean lines. Its twin-tower facade is often described as resembling a 1920s American skyscraper, and it was completed in 1940. Standing at the top of the stairs, you can overlook the layers of rooftops and Eyjafjörður; this is also a popular photo spot in the town. The interior of the church holds many items worth a closer look: the large stained glass window above the altar was not made in Iceland, but is an old window from Coventry Cathedral in the United Kingdom; a model ship hangs from the ceiling, reflecting the ancient Northern European tradition of offering model ships to pray for loved ones at sea; a large pipe organ with thousands of pipes is one of the highlights here; the reliefs of the life of Christ on the walls are by Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, and the baptismal font is a replica of a work by Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen. During the day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the fjord along the stairs, and on clear winter nights, visitors often come specifically to wait for the aurora; if you happen to catch a choir performance or the organ playing, feel free to slow down and step inside to listen for a while.

Akureyri Botanical Garden

Akureyri Botanical Garden is the world's northernmost botanical garden. Located in the city of Tromso, north of Arctic Village in Norway, it is managed by The Arctic University Museum of Norway and officially opened in 1994. The botanical garden is open 24 hours a day, year-round, with no admission fee. It brings together Arctic and alpine plants from all over the world, including those from Arctic Village, the Himalayas, and the Andes in South America. It houses over 7,000 species of plants and covers 27 themed botanical zones. The garden uses natural large boulders, moss, and lichen to create a Nordic mountain landscape, featuring lakes, streams, and woodlands. Despite being located in Arctic Village, the plant diversity here is amazing, thanks to the moderating effect of the Gulf Stream.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Iceland

Hlidarfjall Akureyri

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Northeastern Region

Goðafoss Waterfall

Goðafoss Waterfallis located in northern Iceland, right beside Route 1 (the ring road), between Akureyri and Myvatn, and is a classic roadside stop on a self-drive trip around the island. Its name comes from an old Norse story: according to legend, in 999 or 1000 AD, when Iceland decided at the national assembly to convert to Christianity, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Þorkelsson threw the statues of the old Norse gods into this waterfall on his way home to renounce the old faith. The name Goðafoss thus comes from this event and literally means the waterfall of the gods. The waterfall has a drop of more than 10 m and is approx. 30 m wide, with the curtain of water spreading in a semicircular arc and a large rock dividing it into two channels in the middle, giving it the appearance of an open fan. The water plunges over a basalt cliff with a powerful flow and a thundering roar. On sunny days, rainbows are often visible in the mist.

No. 9 of Hot Springs Attractions in Iceland

Forest Lagoon

Forest Lagoon is a geothermal spa resort that opened in 2022, nestled in the Vaðlaskógur birch and pine forest on the outskirts of Akureyri, offering a rare forest hot spring experience in Iceland. Both hot spring pools maintain a comfortable water temperature of approximately 37°C, with the larger pool spanning 530 square meters. From the water, you can overlook Eyjafjörður—one of Iceland's longest fjords—and take in panoramic views of the mountains stretching to the horizon and the fjord itself. On clear days, you can even see the distant Arctic Ocean. Facilities include a pool bar, a Finnish sauna at approximately 80°C (featuring panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows), a cold plunge pool, and a light-meal restaurant, offering a rich and varied experience. Compared to popular hot springs like the Blue Lagoon, this location is quieter and more natural, making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of the fjords in northern Iceland from a local perspective.

Camping Hamrar

Akureyri Swimming Pool

Hof Cultural and Conference Centre

2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal hot spring on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, set amid a stark black volcanic lava field. Its water comes from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station—after deep geothermal water is extracted for power generation, the mineral-rich residual water flows into low-lying areas between the lava, gradually forming this geothermal lagoon. The water has a high silica content, and it is this silica that gives the lagoon its distinctive milky blue color, which stands out strikingly against the surrounding black lava. Steam rises from the surface year-round, and from a distance it looks like a glowing blue sapphire in the wilderness. The signature experience at the Blue Lagoon is to visit the in-water mask bar and apply silica mud to your face, enjoying a natural mud mask. This white silica mud is formed from minerals deposited from the geothermal water; it feels fine and silky to the touch and is a bathing ritual unique to the Blue Lagoon. The hot spring area also has a sauna, a steam room, and a steam cave, where you can alternate between steam bathing and outdoor soaking to experience the shift between hot and cold. If you happen to visit on a snowy day, soak in the warm water and look up as snowflakes fall onto the black lava—the contrast of ice and fire is unforgettable. The pale blue water of the entire lagoon, wreathed in steam, together with the rugged lava landscape, creates a scene full of Icelandic character.