Viking Cottages and Apartments Akureyri – Full Review
Are you considering staying at Viking Cottages and Apartments near Akureyri in Iceland? We absolutely loved our stay there and here’s everything you need to know!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned after years of travelling to Iceland, it’s that we love self-catering. It’s both convenient and a great way to save money – especially when eating out in Iceland is so expensive.
We’re also big fans of Scandinavian design, so when we discovered Viking Cottages and Apartments, it felt like the perfect fit!
These cosy apartments offer a stunning blend of modern comfort and traditional Nordic charm, all while overlooking Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord.
We stayed for three nights, and it was the perfect base for exploring Akureyri and the surrounding area. If you’re considering a stay, here’s our full experience to help you decide if these charming cottages are right for you!
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❤️ This is one of the best places we’ve ever stayed in Iceland!
Location
First things first, let’s talk about the location. Whilst the apartments are very close to Akureyri, they are not within the city itself.
They’re located across the bridge on the outskirts, around a 10-minute drive there from the centre of the city.
This is something you’ll need to consider if you stay here.
If you aren’t comfortable driving in Iceland, getting to and from the apartments could prove tricky, especially in the winter months. You’ll need to use taxis as there’s no public transport, which could be expensive.
We hired a car which turned out to be the perfect decision. Despite the icy roads, the journey to and from the apartments was short, so it wasn’t too bad.
Having our own transport also made it much easier to reach other attractions in and around Akureyri from the apartments. There was so much to do nearby – we could’ve easily stayed longer than 3 nights.
It was also just a short drive to supermarkets for supplies.
The other benefit of staying somewhere more remote was how peaceful it was. We were surrounded by a few other travellers and locals, so the area was really quiet.
The views over the fjord and the distant mountains were spectacular.
There was also very little artificial light so, if the sky is clear and you’re visiting Akureyri in winter, you’re in with a chance of seeing the northern lights from the apartments.
So, while you ideally need a hire car if you stay here, we thought the location was perfect and would choose these apartments over the city centre.
❤️ If you’d rather stay somewhere remote, you’ll love these apartments!
The Apartments
The apartments themselves were super cosy. We stayed in apartment 15A, which was a 2-bedroom apartment, ideal for us since we were a group of 4.
We had our own parking space outside and it was all self-check-in. The key was in a key safe on the wall and we were unloaded and indoors in no time.
Once inside, we were in a long entrance corridor with a large mat for shoes and a coat rack.
As you walk down the corridor, you’ll pass the first bedroom and the bathroom, which was elegantly designed with a stone basin and rainfall shower.
The dining and kitchen area was next, with a funky coffee press, large dining table, and fully equipped kitchen with a hob and an oven.
They provided us with tea and coffee which was lovely and there was also a stocked bar area with wine and beer available to purchase.
Upstairs, there was a sitting area with a comfortable sofa, armchairs, and a television. The second bedroom was also up there.
This was where we slept, and it was comfortable and warm. The duvet was so soft and they also provided a blanket made from real Icelandic wool.
The only slight downside was that the pillows were a little thin, but we doubled these up which made it more comfy.
Facilities
As well as the inside, the outside is well worth mentioning. The hot tub was our favourite feature by far. It was located on the patio just in front of the dining area and we used it a lot during our stay.
It was slightly different to hot tubs we’ve used in the past because you have to fill and empty it yourself – we suspect this is to stop it from freezing.
There are controls inside the apartment where you set the temperature and turn on the water. It fills up in about 30 minutes, so it’s actually pretty convenient!
It was amazing sitting in the hot tub surrounded by snow and looking at the city lights in the distance. This was definitely one of the things we liked most about Viking Cottages and Apartments.
As well as the hot tub, there was also a BBQ and outdoor seating on the patio. There was way too much snow to use these when we stayed, but we suspect they would be lovely in summer.
❤️ We loved our stay here and highly recommend these apartments!
Things to Do Nearby
Although most people flock to the busy south coast when they visit the country, the north has some of the best things to see in Iceland.
For one, it’s much quieter than the south. That alone made it more enjoyable for us, but there are also a lot of activities to do near the apartments.
Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Akureyri if you stay here:
- Go whale watching – Just across the bridge in Akureyri Harbour, you can hop on a boat and sail into the fjord in search of whales. While whale watching in Reykjavik is more of a summer activity, you can do this year-round in Akureyri – we saw a humpback whale here in January.
- Visit the Forest Lagoon – One of Iceland’s top thermal spas, the Forest Lagoon is one of the best places to visit near the apartments. It’s so relaxing, and just a 5-minute drive away.
- Chase the Northern Lights – Although you can potentially see the lights from your apartment if you want a better chance of seeing them, you can book a guided tour that will take you out across the north in search of the aurora. It’s an incredible experience and well worth doing in Akureyri.
- Go husky sledding – This is slightly more of a drive from the apartments, but so worth it! The huskies are such beautiful dogs and dog sledding in Akureyri really is a bucket list experience.
- Explore Akureyri – The city itself is also worth exploring while you’re in the area. You can admire the cathedral, find funky street art, dine at some fantastic restaurants, and see the famous heart traffic lights.
If you have a car, you could also travel further afield to places like Myvatn Lakes and Husavik. These are both beautiful and some of the best sights in North Iceland.
Viking Cottages and Apartments – The Verdict
This is one of our favourite places we’ve stayed in Iceland. We loved the remoteness of it, the peacefulness of the surroundings, the design, the views, the hot tub, and how much there was to do in the area.
After spending three nights at Viking Cottages and Apartments, we can confidently say it was the perfect base for exploring Akureyri and the surrounding landscapes.
If we were to return to the city, we would 100% stay here again. Everything about our stay made us feel at home, plus the self-catering facilities were really convenient.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Akureyri and looking for the perfect place to stay, we highly recommend checking out these beautiful apartments!
As always, any questions about Iceland, feel free to join our Facebook Group!
👉 Need help planning your itinerary? Check out our 3-day Akureyri guide!
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