Region
Northeast Iceland
At the head of Eyjafjordur, a long North Iceland fjord
Akureyri: Capital of the North
The capital of North Iceland: a town at the head of Eyjafjordur, a long North Iceland fjord, known for skiing, culture, and as a gateway to the Diamond Circle.
Population
~19,000
Northeast Iceland • Second largest city
Quick Answer
Akureyri, Iceland's second city with about 19,000 residents, sits on Eyjafjordur 390 km from Reykjavik. A base for Hlidarfjall skiing and the Diamond Circle.
Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjordur. Its botanical garden, museums and city buses offer ways to spend a day in town between longer North Iceland excursions.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Akureyri is the best base for exploring North Iceland, including Godafoss, Myvatn, Husavik, and the Diamond Circle route.
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Official sources to check
Population
~19,000
Iceland's second city and northern hub
From Reykjavik
390 km / 45 min flight
Ring Road or daily flights from Reykjavik
Top Attractions in Akureyri
Akureyri Church
Modernist church overlooking the town
Botanical Garden
Botanic garden with year-round access and seasonal facilities
Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort
Iceland's main ski resort, 10 minutes from town
Akureyri Art Museum
Contemporary Icelandic and international art
Christmas House
Year-round Christmas shop and garden
Sundlaug Akureyrar
Geothermal swimming pool complex
How to Get to Akureyri
By air: Akureyri Airport has multiple daily flights from Reykjavik (45 minutes). Icelandair and other domestic carriers operate the route.
By car: Take Route 1 (Ring Road) north from Reykjavik, about 390 km (4.5-5 hours). The scenic route passes through Borgarnes and along the coast.
By bus: Strætó operates scheduled buses between Reykjavik and Akureyri, though the journey takes 5-6 hours.
Best Time to Visit Akureyri
Winter (December-April): Skiing at Hlíðarfjall, Northern Lights viewing, and the town's Christmas season, which is a local tradition worth seeing.
Summer (June-August): Bright summer nights and the botanical garden's staffed season. Check road and weather conditions before a longer Diamond Circle drive.
Year-round: Town attractions and mountain outings have different operating conditions; check individual venues and lift status.
A garden visit without a car
Akureyri’s municipal city buses are free within town. Routes loop from Midbaer, the main stop near the town square. This applies to the city service; check separate fares for a regional journey or airport transfer.
The botanic garden identifies A1 to Thorunnarstraeti / Sjukrahus as its nearby bus stop. Its grounds are accessible year-round, but the public toilets are seasonal: June 1–September 30, 09:00–22:00. From October through May, the gates remain open and those toilets close. Check the current timetable before returning, especially on weekends and holidays.
For summer evenings, expect lingering light rather than a sun that never sets. The municipality’s solstice explanation makes that distinction between Akureyri and Grimsey. For winter skiing, use Hlidarfjall’s lift and slope status rather than a fixed November–May promise.
Planning help
Akureyri FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Akureyri?
Akureyri has approximately 19,000 residents. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and the largest town outside the Capital Region.
Why is Akureyri called the Capital of the North?
Akureyri is the cultural, economic, and educational hub for all of North Iceland. It has a university, hospital, airport, and the most comprehensive services north of Reykjavik.
How far is Akureyri from Reykjavik?
Akureyri is about 390 km from Reykjavik via Route 1 (Ring Road), approximately 4.5-5 hours of driving. You can also fly in about 45 minutes with domestic airlines.
What is the weather like in Akureyri?
Plan for season and current conditions rather than assuming better weather than Reykjavik. Check the Icelandic Met Office forecast for town and the ski area's own status for conditions on the mountain.
Is there skiing near Akureyri?
Hlidarfjall is the ski area above Akureyri. Check its live lift and slope status before traveling; a general winter itinerary does not establish that skiing is available on your dates.
Can you see the midnight sun in Akureyri?
Akureyri has very bright nights around the June solstice, but the sun does set briefly. For a sun that stays above the horizon, the municipality distinguishes Grimsey island on the Arctic Circle from Akureyri town.
Is there whale watching from Akureyri?
While Husavik (1 hour away) is more famous for whale watching, tours also depart from Akureyri and Dalvik. Humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins are commonly spotted.
What services does Akureyri have?
Akureyri has full city amenities: a regional hospital, university, shopping mall, movie theater, museums, swimming pools, diverse restaurants, and the main airport for North Iceland.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.