Population
~7,400
One of the larger towns in West Iceland, with sports clubs and full local services.
West Iceland
Akranes: Lighthouse Town Across the Bay from Reykjavík
A West Iceland town on a peninsula across Faxaflói bay from Reykjavík, with lighthouse walks, a folk museum, and views of Snæfellsjökull glacier on clear days.
Location
West Iceland
~45 min from Reykjavík via tunnel.
Akranes sits on a low-lying peninsula at the northern edge of Faxaflói bay, directly across the water from Reykjavík. With a population of around 7,400, it is one of the larger towns in West Iceland and has a proud industrial and sporting heritage. The town was originally settled by Irish monks before the Norse arrival, a history celebrated at the annual Irish Days festival. Today, Akranes is known for the lighthouse walk along the peninsula's tip, its folk museum, and the golden sand of Langisandur beach. On clear days you can see Snæfellsjökull glacier across the bay. It is an easy excursion from the capital.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
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Official sources to check
Access
Tunnel
Connected to Reykjavík via the Hvalfjörður tunnel, cutting the drive to about 45 minutes.
Views
Snæfellsjökull
On clear days, the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano is visible across Faxaflói bay from the peninsula tip.
What to Expect
Lighthouse Walk
A walk along the peninsula's tip leads to two lighthouses, one old and one newer. The path has views of Faxaflói bay, Mount Esja, and on clear days, Snæfellsjökull glacier to the west.
Akranes Folk Museum
The museum covers the town's maritime and industrial history, with historic boats, fishing equipment, a reconstructed turf house, and exhibits on local life.
Langisandur Beach
A long golden sand beach on the western edge of town. Popular with locals for walks and even swimming in summer. It faces the sunset, and sports facilities sit just behind the sand.
Hvalfjörður Scenic Drive
Instead of the tunnel, drive the old route around Hvalfjörður, a quiet fjord with the trailhead for Glymur, Iceland's second-tallest waterfall (198 m). The fjord road adds about an hour.
Irish Days Festival
An annual summer festival celebrating Akranes' Celtic origins, with Irish music, dance, food, and cultural events. The town was founded by Irish monks who settled here before the Norse colonisation.
Local Sports Culture
Akranes has a strong football culture, and its team, ÍA Akranes, is one of Iceland's most successful clubs. The town also has a good swimming pool with hot tubs, a staple of Icelandic life.
Getting There
Akranes is located about 50 km north of Reykjavík. The fastest route is via Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel (a toll tunnel), which takes approximately 40-45 minutes. Alternatively, take the old road around Hvalfjörður fjord (Route 47), which adds about 45 minutes but passes the Glymur waterfall trailhead and follows the fjord shore. Akranes is well connected by bus services from Reykjavík. All roads to and within Akranes are paved and accessible year-round by any vehicle.
Best Time to Visit
Akranes is a year-round destination. Summer (June to August) brings the best weather, the longest daylight, the Irish Days festival, and locals out on Langisandur beach. Spring and autumn are quieter, with good chances of clear views to Snæfellsjökull. In winter you can watch for northern lights from the lighthouse point. The swimming pool and folk museum are open year-round.
Planning help
Akranes Peninsula FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.