Holiday in Akureyri
City in Iceland — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇸
Country
Iceland
Type
City
Best time to travel
June to August for midnight sun, September to March for northern lights
Budget/day
150-250 EUR
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Akureyri via Reykjavík (about 5-6 hours total) or Ring Road from Reykjavík (about 5 hours drive)
Deals for Akureyri:
What makes Akureyri special as a destination?
Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland and with around 19,000 inhabitants, it is the second-largest city in the country, located at the end of the picturesque Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland. Despite its location just below the Arctic Circle, Akureyri surprises with an unexpectedly mild microclimate, a thriving botanical garden, and a vibrant cultural scene. German travelers to Iceland use Akureyri as a gateway to the spectacular north: from here, one can reach Lake Mývatn with its pseudocraters and hot springs, whale watching in Húsavík, and the mighty Goðafoss waterfall. The city itself impresses with its distinctive Akureyrarkirkja, colorful wooden houses, and top-notch restaurants serving fresh fish and lamb from the region. In winter, Akureyri is one of the best places in Iceland for northern lights and offers alpine enjoyment with the Hlíðarfjall ski area.
What are the top highlights in Akureyri?
The top highlights in Akureyri include Whale Watching, Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Botanical Garden.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Whale Watching
Observe humpback whales, minke whales, and with luck blue whales in Eyjafjörður from the nearby harbor or Húsavík.
Goðafoss
The waterfall of the gods - a horseshoe-shaped waterfall where Iceland converted to Christianity in the year 1000.
Lake Mývatn
Volcanic lake with pseudocraters, hot springs, lava formations, and the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Botanical Garden
The northernmost botanical garden in the world with over 7,000 plant species thriving in the mild fjord climate.
Hotels in Akureyri
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
* You will be redirected to Expedia.de. Their terms of use apply.
Reise-SIM für Akureyri
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Akureyri?
The best time to visit Akureyri is June to August for midnight sun, September to March for northern lights. 10-18°C, mild with almost 24 hours of daylight, perfect for outdoor adventures and whale watching In winter: -5 to 2°C, cold and dark, but ideal conditions for northern lights and skiing
Recommended travel time
June to August for midnight sun, September to March for northern lights
Summer
10-18°C, mild with almost 24 hours of daylight, perfect for outdoor adventures and whale watching
Winter
-5 to 2°C, cold and dark, but ideal conditions for northern lights and skiing
How much does a holiday in Akureyri cost?
Budget travellers: 80-120 EUR/day, mid-range: 150-250 EUR/day, luxury: 300-500 EUR/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
80-120 EUR
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
150-250 EUR
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
300-500 EUR
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Akureyri?
Flight to Akureyri via Reykjavík (about 5-6 hours total) or Ring Road from Reykjavík (about 5 hours drive)
Book a package holiday to Akureyri
Compare thousands of package holidays to Akureyri and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Akureyri?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
The heart-shaped red traffic lights in Akureyri are a popular photo motif - created as encouragement after the financial crisis.
Whale watching tours from Dalvík or Húsavík have the highest sighting rates in all of Iceland.
The Mývatn Nature Bath is significantly quieter and cheaper than the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík.
A rental car is essential for exploring the surrounding area - the Ring Road is well developed.
What should you eat in Akureyri?
Typical specialities in Akureyri: Plokkfiskur - traditional Icelandic fish stew made from boiled cod with potatoes and béchamel sauce., Icelandic Lamb - free-range lamb from the mountains, tender and flavorful due to being fed on wild herbs., Hangikjöt - smoked lamb, smoked over birch wood or sheep dung, thinly sliced., Skyr - the creamy Icelandic dairy product with blueberries or as a dessert, high in protein and refreshing..
These specialties you must try!
Ready for Akureyri?
Plan your Akureyri holiday now with our free tools.
