One Day in Akureyri: The Perfect 24 Hour Itinerary

Are you planning on visiting and spending one day in Akureyri? It’s the perfect winter city break or quick stop on a road trip and here’s exactly how to spend 24 hours. 

Plenty of people miss Iceland’s northern capital. It’s a charming city with cute streets, great restaurants and some incredible views across Iceland’s largest fjord. 

We recently visited the city in winter and were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it. We almost expected a smaller version of Reykjavik, but the city felt completely different; less crowded, much less touristy, and very compact. 

Plus, with the new direct flights to Akureyri from across Europe, the city, and northern Iceland, have become more accessible than ever. 

So, whether you’re considering a trip to the north of Iceland and want a city stopover, or you’re just passing through on a trip around the Ring Road, here’s how to spend 24 hours in Akureyri.

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Morning – Go On a Tour

On the morning of your day in this beautiful city, I highly recommend booking a tour. There are some great tour options available, but these are a few of our favourites:

Whale Watching

This is one of the best things we have ever done in Iceland. Whale watching in Akureyri is a magical experience that takes you out onto the waters of the Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord. 

The views are magical and the waters are usually much calmer than the neighbouring Husavik, which, while also a very popular spot for whale watching, tends to be quite choppy.

I often get travel sick, so this was a relief to me and meant I could fully enjoy the experience. 

Plus, this is one of the few places in Iceland where you have a chance of seeing whales all year round. We visited Akureyri in winter, in the middle of January, and saw a humpback whale.

It’s a fantastic experience and I highly recommend this company. You will need to book in advance though, as this can sell out quickly.

In Iceland in winter, these tours start at 11am and last around 3 hours. In summer, the duration is the same, but the start times are much more flexible, so you can choose an earlier time or a later time depending on what suits you best.

❤️ We absolutely loved our whale-watching experience – book tickets here before they sell out!

Husky sledding

Husky sledding is an experience that most people associate with Norway or Finland. However, you can do this in North Iceland as well. 

There are only a few dog sledding companies in Iceland, so you really will need to book well in advance, however, it’s such a magical experience. 

The dogs glide over the snowy landscapes and you can see nothing but white all around you. You can get plenty of photos, cuddle with the dogs, and see the kennel. It’s a bit of a hidden gem in Iceland, but it’s so worth it. 

You might think dog sledding is just a winter experience, but that’s not true. While sledding through the snowy scenery is something you can only really do in the winter months, the company we went with also offers summer husky tours as well on carts. 

The tours here usually start at around 9am and last 2 hours, so you’ll be back in Akureyri for midday.

❤️ We highly recommend husky sledding in Akureyri as it was fantastic!

Afternoon – Explore Akureyri City

After your morning tour, head back into the city and go for a little wander around. 

As we’ve mentioned, Akureyri has a very different feel than Reykjavik. It’s calmer somehow, and less busy. We really enjoyed exploring the city and there are a few key sights you’ll definitely want to stop at.

Grab Lunch at Bláa Kannan

This cafe is located right in the centre of Akureyri and is a great spot for lunch. We visited when we were in town and they have a great selection of light bites, snacks, and sandwiches. Their coffee is also completely delicious!

Akureyri Church

After you’ve eaten, head to Akureyri’s famous church. This place is one of the most photographed spots in the city and a great little place to visit. 

It’s located right in the centre of the city, about 2 minutes on foot from the cafe, and at the top of a few stone steps. It’s simply designed but striking and you can see views from the top all over the city and the fjord (on a clear day of course!).

Akureyri photo frames

Akureyri has two well-known photo frames that make for great photo ops. The first is a red heart-shaped frame, located right across from the church. You can actually get a pretty cool shot of the church through the frame. 

The second is a large yellow frame in the town centre square. While it’s still worth a quick stop, in our opinion, the view isn’t quite as good as the heart frame.

Plus, the red heart ties in with Akureyri’s famous heart-shaped traffic lights, which is a thing the city is known for.

See the heart traffic lights

You might find a heart-shaped traffic light to be an unusual attraction – and honestly, it is! But it’s also one of the most iconic and charming features of Akureyri, making it a must-see while you’re in the city.

They’re easy to find – just head to any road junction, and you’ll notice that every red light in the city is in the shape of a heart. It’s a small yet delightful touch that adds to Akureyri’s unique charm.

Akureyri Museums

Last but not least, you can visit Akureyri’s many museums. The city has several museums including an art museum, an aviation museum, a history museum, and a heritage site each offering a unique perspective on the city’s past.

Whether you’re interested in Icelandic art, local history, or cultural heritage, these museums provide a fascinating glimpse into Akureyri’s rich past.

Evening in Akureyri – Visit the Forest Lagoon

For your final stop during your one day in Akureyri, head to the Forest Lagoon. This is Akureyri’s answer to Reykjavik’s Sky Lagoon, although it’s closer to the city, and focused on nature instead of the ocean. 

This was one of the best places we visited in Akureyri and we spent a wonderful few hours soaking in the waters and admiring the scenery. 

The lagoon is only around a 5-minute drive from the centre of the city, but if you don’t have a hire car, they also offer a free transfer shuttle.

As well as the main lagoon, they also have a sauna and a cold plunge. Plus the on-site cafe and swim-up bar, mean you can stay for a drink or a bite to eat while enjoying the atmosphere. 

Whether you’re looking to unwind after a day of exploring or simply want to soak in the breathtaking forest views, the Forest Lagoon is the perfect way to end your day in Akureyri.

❤️ Book tickets to the best thermal spa in Akureyri – we loved our visit!

Is one day in Akureyri enough?

If all you want to do is explore the city itself, you can probably see everything you want to see in one day in Akureyri. However, if you want to visit all the museums and go on a few day trips from the area, there is so much more. 

If you have a few days in Akureyri, you can do both the whale-watching tour and the husky sledding, see the impressive Godafoss waterfall, and take a day trip to Myvatn Lakes, a beautiful region of Iceland. 

We spent 3 days in Akureyri during our first visit and could easily have spent another few days there at least. I honestly didn’t want to leave.

So, overall, if you’re just exploring the city itself, a day should be fine. But there’s so much more surrounding Akureyri that’s well worth a stop, we’d recommend spending 3 days here at least. 

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👉 Don’t know where to stay yet? Here are our favourite hotels in Akureyri!

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