Walking paths along the Glerá, a Botanical Garden open year-round and museums covering a range of topics give Akureyri clear highlights for visitors. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you’d like to focus on landscapes and walking routes, city history, art, exhibitions or swimming facilities during your stay.
Garden, river and bus services
Akureyri Botanical Garden is open year-round and is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Seasonal facilities may vary. If you have a particular facility in mind, check before your visit whether it will be available during your trip.
The Glerá runs through Akureyri, mostly through a steep gorge, with walking paths following the river. The garden and river offer different outdoor experiences: the garden centres on its grounds, while the river, gorge and paths shape the setting for a walk along the Glerá.
Akureyri has free public bus services. If you plan to use the bus, check routes and operating details before your trip so you can plan your specific journey accordingly.
Art and city history
Kaupvangsstræti, also known as Art Street, is considered the centre of cultural life in Akureyri and runs through Grófargil. Public art offers another way to explore on foot: in Akureyri, you can view and learn about numerous works of art in public spaces.
Many of the city’s oldest houses have been preserved in the old town, along with the original street layout. The historic streetscape is therefore defined not only by individual buildings but also by the preserved course of the streets. Another specific date in the town’s architectural history is that of Laxdalshús: it is considered the oldest building in Akureyri and was built in 1795.
Museums: regional history and aviation
The Akureyri Museum presents the history of the region, from settlement to the present day, in two permanent exhibitions: “Eyjafjorður from Early Times” and “Akureyri – the Town on the Bay”. Check exhibition details before your visit.
The Icelandic Aviation Museum at Akureyri Airport documents Iceland’s aviation history through photographs, videos, artefacts, models and historic aircraft. The museums have clearly distinct focuses: the Akureyri Museum covers the region’s history over an extended period, while the Icelandic Aviation Museum explores Icelandic aviation history through a variety of exhibits.
Swimming at Akureyri Swimming Pool
Akureyri Swimming Pool has two heated 25-metre outdoor pools for swimming laps, water jets, three water slides, a paddling pool and a small indoor pool. There are also four hot tubs, a Jacuzzi, a cold bath, a steam bath and a large sunbathing area. All pools and tubs are heated using natural geothermal energy. Facilities range from lap swimming and slides to a cold bath and steam bath; check current operating details before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Grenjaðarstaður, Hauganes, Einarsstaðir, Bakki, Svalbarðseyri, Lundarbrekka, Kópasker, Ólafsfjördur
Back to the regional travel overview: Nordurland Eystra.
