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Akureyri – the unofficial capital of Iceland

Akureyri is Iceland’s second-largest urban area after Reykjavik and the fourth-most-populous city. It is said to be the unofficial capital of Iceland. Less than 19 thousand people live in the city, which is close to the Arctic Circle but has a fairly mild climate.

The city was founded by Helgi Magri (Helgi Chudy) in 890. It was mentioned as a trading station in 1602. The settlement was granted city rights almost 1000 years later, in 1862.

Akureyri is situated on the Trollaskagi peninsula, on the Eyjafjörður fjord. It is the longest fjord in Iceland, over 60 km long. From the land side, the city is surrounded by granite mountains, reaching 1500 m above sea level.

Akureyri has a domestic airport and seaport, which has nearly 30% share of all catches on the island. The largest brewery in Iceland, Viking Beer, is also located here, with over 25% of the market share. The town also has the island’s second-largest hospital, which is also the largest employer.

Akureyri is also an important communication, commercial, educational, and service hub. In summer, tourists often visit. There are many pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs. It is also an elegant, modern, traditional, and cosmopolitan place on the island.

How to get there?

The cities and settlements on the fjord are connected by roads No. 82 (West coast), ring road No. 1 (South coast) and No. 83 (East coast).

We were going to Akureyri from the East coast side, on the national road No. 1. A Few kilometres before entering the city, there is branching road and drivers have two routes to choose from:

the Ring Road No. 1, through the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel,
the national Road No. 83, around the fjord

The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel – the only toll road section on the island

When driving the Ring Road, it is worth knowing that you will pass the only toll road section in all of Iceland.

The tunnel is 7.5 km long between Akureyri and Húsavík in Northern Iceland. Using the tunnel shortens the road compared to the bypass by 16 kilometres (approx. 12 minutes in good weather). The tunnel design was highly controversial due to many delays, opening two years late and a budget exceeding the projected cost by over 44%. Currently, the tunnel is particularly important for the city’s inhabitants during winter, when the passage through the bypass may occur in very difficult conditions or even be temporarily closed.

It is not possible to pay tolls on the spot.

Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel fees

Drivers can pay for a single trip online or register to charge their card or bank account for their journey automatically. The toll must be paid 24 hours before the journey or within 3 hours after passing through the tunnel. Otherwise, the costs will be charged to the person whose name the vehicle is registered to, with an additional fee of ISK 1,000 (about 7,2$). You can also register a car from the rental company. Registration is quite easy. All you need to do is enter the registration number and pay online or enter the card number for automatic debiting.

It is also worth remembering that rental companies may charge you additional costs (handling fees) if the fee is not paid on time.

A one-way trip with a passenger car costs 1500 ISK (about 11 $) if paid on time. The motorcycle ride is free of charge. It is forbidden to cycle through the tunnel. For people who travel frequently through the tunnel, it is possible to purchase a subscription, e.g. 10 rides cost IKS 12,500 (about 90 $), 100 rides are 70,000 ISK (about 510 $).

The page where you can register your car and pay the toll is mitt.veggjald.is.

National Road 83, Laufas Turf Houses

I honestly admit that travelling on Road 83 around the fjord in summer is a real pleasure and a great adventure. This road offers great views, close contact with nature and a beautiful panorama of Akureyri. If you are in no hurry and the road conditions are good, choose this road. Take your time; the views are truly breathtaking. Akureyri, which stretches across the fjord and the granite high mountains towering over it, is a sight that will stay in my heart for a long time.

During the day, this route will take you approximately 12-15 minutes longer than the tunnel, but along the way, you can stop at several viewpoints and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the city.

There is also a little surprise on this road. Just leave it at the junction with road 83 and head North. 10 km further (approx. 8 minutes), there is the open-air museum Laufás Turf House in Eyjafjörður. The museum is open from May 15th to October 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the white house, which is located next to a large car park.

It was a few minutes after 5.00 p.m. when we arrived. We could not only buy tickets anymore, but the lady who left the white house also prevented us from entering the open-air museum area. It wasn’t fenced in, the cabins were locked, and we just wanted to walk the main path, but we weren’t allowed. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the option to come back to this place another day.

Iceland, Akureyri, Laufas Turf Houses in Eyjafjörður — Laufas Turf Houses, Eyjafjörður

Wooden church

There is also a 19th-century white wooden church in the open-air museum. We could enter the church. So, we looked at the turf houses from a distance, from the side of the church entrance.

I think it’s worth getting off the road to see this place. It is worth seeing even if the facility is closed, and the place can be seen only from a distance, from the side of the church.

GPS coordinates: Laufás 65° 53,639’N, 18° 4,344’W

How to get around the city?

Of course, Akureyri is worth a walk. The town is not big, so a walk is a great opportunity to take a closer look at its attractions. But below, you can find a few tips about travelling by car, parking, or public transport.

Car and parking lots

It is difficult to find free parking in the city centre, and the surrounding streets have rules regarding the time you can park your car. When booking a hotel, find out if it offers free parking spaces or is located in a paid parking zone.

As a general rule, parking lots in Akureyri are free everywhere, but in the very centre of the city, you can park your car only for short periods during the week between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. The maximum permitted parking times are displayed in the car parks. They can be from 15 minutes to 2 hours. To use the car park without risking a high fine, it is enough to put the exact arrival time on the windshield or dashboard. In the event of incorrect time being given or staying in the parking lot longer than allowed, the penalty may amount to ISK 3,090 (about 22,5 $).

How do you determine the arrival time? You can use any piece of paper and clearly write down the exact arrival time. Clock cards are also available in the city, which can be picked up free of charge from banks, information centres, hotels, gas stations, and many shops throughout Akureyri.

The city website has a map with the area marked as the strict city centre; visit Akureyri-parking restrictions. Several large car parks are located around the city, outside the temporary parking zone. It is worth considering this when planning a stay in the city.

Public transport

In Akureyri, all public transport is free! The timetable covers the period from 6:28 a.m. to 10:36 p.m. on weekdays and weekends from 12:18 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.

Vvisitakureyri.is-public transport has a printed map with the routes of all buses in the city. There is a printed timetable at visitakureyri.is-bus timetable.

All city buses run in a loop that starts and ends at the main stop in the city centre, marked in the timetable as “Miðbær”. The complete loop takes 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the route.

Bicycle

Cycling in the city is also convenient. All the cycling routes in Akureyri are on the map.

Akureyri, Iceland – what to see?

Church of Akureyrakirkja

The church was built on a hill in the mid-20th century (1940). Its silhouette towers over the city and is a characteristic landmark and symbol of the city. An interesting fact is that the architect of this church, Guðjón Samúelsson, also designed Hallgrimskirja in Reykjavik.

Majestic high stairs lead to the church. Inside the temple, it is worth paying attention to the organ, which consists of over 3,200 pipes, and the large window in the presbytery, which was a gift from the Cathedral of Coventry in England. This window is one of the few elements that survived the German bombing during the war.

A small model of a Nordic ship hangs from the ceiling. According to ancient beliefs, the ship protects fishermen on the sea from the given parish.

Botanic Garden

Akureyri Park and the Botanical Garden are the most fantastic attractions in the city. The park was established in 1912, and the botanical section in 1952. The whole area is 3.6 ha. In the botanical garden, you can find many exotic plant species, the cultivation of which is possible thanks to the specific microclimate in the city. There are plant species from Iceland, Spain, South America, Africa and New Zealand. It is the perfect place for a walk and rest. In the park, there is a cafe, pond, fountain and numerous benches.

Below is our own movie showing Akureyri Park and the Botanical Garden. The shoots were done in August’20. Enjoy watching it!

The park and the botanical garden are open from June 1st to September 30th. On weekdays, they are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends, they are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The botanical garden is closed in winter, but a walk in the park is possible as the park’s gates remain open all year round. There is a free entrance.

You can read more about the park and botanical garden at lystigardur.akureyri.is

Akureyri Iceland, Akureyri Botanic Garden

The heart of Akureyri

An interesting tourist attraction in the city is the red heart-shaped traffic lights. These hearts came after the financial meltdown that Iceland faced in 2008. It was then decided that you must think more positively and make people understand what is really important in life.

Iceland Akureyri, Akureyri hearts, #heartsofakureyri — #heartsofakureyri

Since then, the city has seen numerous red hearts placed on traffic lights. Hearts made of forget-me-not flowers have also adorned windows, cars, and signboards throughout the city.

The perfect spot to take a selfie with the constantly glowing red light is in the city centre, near the harbour and the Hof Cultural Center.

#heartsofakureyri

Historic buildings of the city

Akureyri is full of very old but well-preserved, colourful and historical buildings. You can find many of them within a short distance of the city centre. In the city, there are also many information boards with photos and descriptions of those historical places. Many of them describe the interesting architecture or history of the district. The most interesting examples of the city’s historical buildings can be found in its oldest part – Innbærinn or Oddeyri. Each board also has a QR code with additional information.

The intersection of Hafnarstræti and Kaupvangsstræti streets is considered to be the city’s focal point. At this intersection, the steps leading to the Akureyrakirkja church start. Just next to it is Hotel Kea, where I stayed. From its balconies, there is a wonderful view of the city centre and the fjord.

There is also a club at this intersection, as well as several bars and restaurants. It is worth taking a stroll along Hafnarstræti, which is popular with tourists. The city has many architectural gems as well as atmospheric ice cream parlours, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Strandgata Street is also full of history. Along it are several colourful villas, interesting both historically and architecturally.

HOF Harbor and Cultural and Conference Center

A walk along the port and the coast is worth starting from the HOF Center. The building was put into use in 2010 and has become an integral part of the city since then. The centre includes concert halls, exhibition and conference rooms, a restaurant, and free public toilets. The Center can prepare meetings for large audiences, which is why the most important events and meetings in the region are held here.

Iceland, Akureyri Hof Center — Akureyri Hof Center

A walk by the bay is also an ideal place for relaxation and close contact with nature. You can look closer at the ship’s mooring in the port on the way. You can also look at the city panorama seen from the fjord side.

You will also find interesting sculptures there. One of them is in the shape of a ship called Sigling (Sailing). Icelandic artist Jon Gunnar Arnanson sculpted it. He is also the creator of the Sun Voyager sculpture in Reykjavik. A walk along the fjord is especially recommended in the late afternoon, when the sky turns deep blue and the water reflects the red of the setting.

What can you love Akureyri for?

I love Akureyri for its lack of rush, peace, quiet, cleanliness, and beautiful views. For its low-rise buildings, for wooden villas covered with coloured sheet metal, for the atmospheric cafes and restaurants. This city is very picturesque and charming.

Iceland, Akureyri by night — #loveakureyri

There is little traffic in the city, no traffic jams, wide highways. Akureyri means smiling people, closeness to nature, and excellent living conditions. You can get to Reykjavik in just 45 minutes. To do that, you just need to choose local airlines that fly between both cities several times a day.

In Akureyri, areas such as waste management, access to public transport, electricity supply, home heating, air cleanliness and microclimate have been developed at a very high level. Moreover, it’s also a great place to start exploring the North of Iceland. Here, you can discover many offshore islands and geothermal curiosities. Thanks to the recently created Arctic Coast Way tourist route, accessing the unique scenery and diverse attractions is now easier than ever.

The Coast Way (Norðurstrandarleið) is a 900 km car route that winds through the fjords from Hvammstangi to Bakkafjörður and through 21 fishing villages. This tour opened in June 2019 but has already reached third place on Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2019 list.

There is also a ski resort, geothermal pools and a golf course near Akureyri.

I would like to come back to Akureyri one day. It could be “my” place on earth. Above all, it is an ideal place to “charge the battery” during the holidays. You can rest here perfectly away from the hustle and bustle that surrounds us daily.

Tag: HOF Harbor and Cultural and Conference Center in Akureyri

Akureyri – northern Iceland