Sporting Adventures

There are numerous ways to experience Akureyri's interesting natural features and lush landscapes. Hike in and around town limits among interesting recreational areas and paths that run along the rivers Glerá and Eyjafijaroará. Discover great conditions for sailing and fishing in the Eyjafjörður Fjord. Play a round of golf on the world’s most northernmost 18-holf golf course, Jaðarsvöllur. For the extreme outdoor adventure, experience the thrill of paragliding in Iceland.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Each summer a Culture and Arts festival called Listasumar takes place from mid-June to the end of August. In different performances and exhibitions, both domestic and international, artists create a collaborative platform for cultural events in Akureyri. The peak of the festival, which is always on the last weekend of August, is the Arts Vigil Akureyrarvaka. This is a colourful town festival offering all kinds of fun and culture until the late hours.

Other Fun Things to Do

• See the wonders of Mother Nature at her best with a trip to Akureyri's Botanical Garden. One of Akureyri’s gems, the park is home to close to 4,000 foreign plants, and beautiful walking pathways allow you to see each and every one of them.
• Step inside the House of Leafbread and get a slice of living tradition. Observe the making of laufabraud, the Icelandic Christmas bread, extremely thin bread that is usually carved into different patterns.
• Walk through the history of early Akureyri with a stroll through Old Town. Explore the old Theatre, the old Primary School and the Old Hospital built in 1827.
• Take a dip in one of the most popular pools in the country. The Akuyeri Swimming Pool has a 25m pool along with four geothermal hot spots, a Turkish bath, waterslides, a children’s pool as well as an indoor and outdoor pool.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

Sink your teeth in a meal where chefs use only the finest Icelandic ingredients: vegetables are organically grown; dairy products are additive-free and seafood is caught fresh daily! Find a delectable variety of cafés, bars and restaurants that serve everything from international to local cuisine. Stop by Geiffin, one of the most popular restaurants and peruse a diverse menu of meat and fish entrees, as well as pasta and some of the best pizzas in Iceland. At Bautinn, another culinary hot spot, you can sample Icelandic delicacies such as puffin, whale and horse meat.

Shopping for Bargains

Along the streets Hafnarstæti and Glerártorg is where you'll find designer brands and high-fashion labels in Akureyri. Keep an eye out for designer shops suck as Listfléttan, Hvítspói og Svartfugl and Sirka. While shopping for souvenirs or other products, look for the Tax-free sign - this will give you an additional discount of approximately 15% on your purchases. Note that there is a minimum sum of purchase in order to get tax-free.

Local Currency

The Icelandic Kroner (ISK) is the official currency of Iceland. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases.

Weather in Akureyri, Iceland