As the largest town outside the capital region, Akureyri (pop. 17,000), is the industrial and service capital for North Iceland as well as a center for culture and education with strong historical roots and numerous tourist attractions.

The Artists’ Alley is the town’s cultural center and one of its most colorful attractions. The alley is literally crawling with bohemians and art lovers during the annual Summer Art Festival from mid-June to the end of August.

Akureyri has fostered some of Iceland’s most beloved writers and their spirits greet visitors in their homes-cum-museums, and at the local Folk Museum visitors can learn about the town’s history since Helgi magri (“the skinny”) settled there in the 9th century. The Akureyri Theater, the only professional theater outside the capital region, is also worth a visit.

For those looking for recreation, Akureyri has a lot to offer. Kjarnaskógur forest, just outside town, has lovely hiking paths, playgrounds and BBQ facilities and the Akureyri Botanic Garden is widely-known for its unique beauty.

The Akureyri Swimming Pool is one of the most popular in the country with its hot pots and water slides and the local golf course is the northernmost 18-hole golf course in the world. For winter sport enthusiasts, Akureyri has both excellent skiing and skating facilities.

Accommodation:

- Hotel KEA (Hafnarstraeti 87-89, Tel: +354 460-2000, kea@keahotels.is, www.keahotels.is).
- Hotel Akureyri (Hafnarstraeti 67Tel: +354 462-5600, hotelakureyri@hotelakureyri.is, www.hotelakureyri.is).
- Hotel Edda (Hrafnagilsstraeti, Tel: +354 444-4900, edda@hoteledda.is, www.hoteledda.is).
- Guesthouse Gula Villan (Thingvallastraeti 14, Brekkugata 8, Tel: +354 868-3592, gulavillan@nett.is, www.gulavillan.is).  
- Youth Hostel (Stórholt 1, Tel: +354 462-3657).

Restaurants:

- Fridrik V (Kaupvangsstraeti 6, Tel: +354 461-5775, fridrikv@fridrikv.is, www.fridrikv.is).
- Rub 23 (Kaupvangsstraeti 23, Tel: +354 461-2755, www.rub.is).
- Bautinn (Hafnarstraeti 92, Tel: +354 462-1818, www.bautinn.is).
- Greifinn (Glerárgata 20, Tel: +354 460-1600, www.greifinn.is).  - Strikid (Skipagata 14, Tel: +354 462-7100, strikid@strikid.is, www.strikid.is).      

Attractions/Recreation:

- Akureyri Art Museum (Kaupvangsstraeti 12, Tel: +354 461-2610, art@art.is, www.listasafn.akureyri.is)
- Akureyri Museum (Adalstraeti 58, Tel: +354 461-2562, akmus@akmus.is, www.akmus.is).  
- Artists’ Alley (Kaupvangsstraeti, Tel: +354 466-2609, listagil@listagil.is, www.listagil.is).
- Botanic Garden (Tel: +354 462-7487, www.lystigardur.akureyri.is).
- Swimming Pool (Thingvallastraeti 21, Tel: +354 461-4455).
- Hlídarfjall Ski Resort (Tel: +354 462-2280).
 
Events:
 
- Summer of Art Festival, mid-June to end of August
- Akureyrarvaka – Akureyri Town Festival, end of August
- Sjónlist – The Icelandic Visual Art Awards, Septmeber
- N1 and Pollamót Football Tournaments for both young and old, July
- Donald Duck Ski Tournament, end of April

For further information go to visitakureyri.is or call +354 550-7200. Click here to download a service catalogue in English and here to view a street map of Akureyri.

Click on the picture for a larger map.

Quotes about Akureyri from the recently released Bradt Iceland Guide by Andrew Evans:

“Akureyri might be the most civilised place in Iceland.”

“It’s a great place to visit, as a destination in and of itself, for the idyllic countryside of Eyjafjardarsveit, or as a home base from which to suit up and explore great swathes of Iceland’s wildest landscapes.”

“Akureyri does not disappoint when it comes to variety and availability of dining options. You’ll also find that your money buys more food up here.”