Information about Akureyri
Akureyri, ‘The Capital of the North’ is a town in the fjord Eyjafjörður in North Iceland. It lies just 100 kilometres (62 miles) away from the Arctic Circle. It is Iceland’s second-largest urban area with a population of about 17,800.
Economy
Akureyri is an important fishing centre and port, but in the last few years, tourism, industry, higher education and services have become the fastest growing sectors of the economy.
An airport is located about three kilometres (two miles) from the centre and a large number of cruise ships lay anchor in its busy harbour.
Traditionally Akureyri has survived on fisheries and some of Iceland’s largest fishing companies such as Samherji, have their headquarters there. Other large companies are also based here, such as Vifilfell hf, the largest brewery in Iceland, which produces the famous Kaldi beer.
FSA/Akureyri Hospital is a significant employer in the area and is one of two major hospitals in Iceland.
Akureyri has excellent facilities for travellers and is located a short drive from many of Iceland’s top natural, cultural and historical attractions. Additionally, one of Iceland's best skiing sites is found by Akureyri, at Hlíðarfjall and it is the location for Ak Extreme, an annual skiing and snowboarding festival.
Nature & Landscape
Akureyri is surrounded by mountains, the highest one being Kerling at 1,538 metres (5,064 feet). The area around it has rich agriculture and a beautiful mountain ring.
The island of Hrísey sits in the middle of Eyjafjörður and Grímsey Island, which straddles the Arctic Circle; both islands belong to the municipality of Akureyri. Hrísey is often called 'The Pearl of Eyjafjörður’ and Grímsey 'The Pearl of the Arctic', and these beautiful and peaceful islands are highly popular with travellers.
Both are also home to many puffins.
Furthermore, Akureyri is a very popular place to stay due to its proximity to the Lake Mývatn. This is one of the country’s most popular destinations, due to its incredible natural beauty, intense geothermal activity, a wealth of birdlife and many surrounding sites, including Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
It is also close to the seal-watching capital of Iceland, Hvammstangi, on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. This peninsula is also home to the captivating ‘elephant rock’ formation, called Hvítserkur.
The convenience of Akureyri is added to by its position on the Icelandic Ring Road, a route that encircles the country, passing almost every major destination. This means that reaching it from Reykjavík is little trouble, even in winter and the journey takes just under five hours.
History & Culture
During World War II, Akureyri was an essential site for the Allies and the town grew considerably after the war, as people increasingly moved to urban areas.
Akureyri has an active cultural scene, with several bars and renowned restaurants as well as frequent concerts and shows. During the summer there are several notable festivals in Akureyri and its surroundings such as the Vaka Folk festival.
Sites of interest in Akureyri include the brand-new Hof concert hall, many museums and the Christmas house which is open all year round.
The city boasts the world's northernmost botanical gardens which are located close to the swimming pool which is worth a visit.
Akureyrarkirkja church sits in a prized position halfway up the hill upon which most of the city is built. It was completed in 1940 and was designed by one of Iceland's most famous architects, Guðjón Samúelsson, who also was also responsible for arguably Iceland's most famous church, Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík.
Services near Akureyri
Attractions nearby Akureyri
Akureyrarkirkja
Akureyrarkirkja is a Lutheran church in the town Akureyri in North Iceland. It is one of the town’s most distinctive landmarks. The...
Drekagil
Drekagil is a beautiful canyon in the south part of volcanic mountain range Dyngjufjoll, in the south of Odadahraun lava field. By the gully is Drek...
Kjarnaskógur
Kjarnaskógur is a forest just outside Akureyri Township, and one of the largest forests in the country. It belongs to the Akureyri Municip...
Svalbarðseyri
Svalbarðseyri is a village of approximately 245 inhabitants in the north Icelandic district of Svalbarðsströnd. Located on the east coas...
Súlur
Wikimedia. Creative Commons. Credit: Ævar Arnfjörð Bjarmason. Súlur is a mountain found to the south west of Iceland...
Fnjóskadalur
Fnjoskadalur is a valley in South-Thingeyjarsysla county in North Iceland. It is home to Vaglaskogur, the country's largest birch forest. The r...
Hjalteyri
Hjalteyri is a community of around 40 people, located on the western shores of Eyjafjordur in North Iceland. Until the early 20th century it was one...
Grundarkirkja
Located in the fjord of Eyjafjordur in Noth Iceland, Grundarkirkja is one of Iceland‘s most beautiful and distinct churches. It is unusual for a...
Laufás
Laufas, in Eyjafjordur in North Iceland, is a unique turf farmhouse, built in the 19th century and a prime example of the old architecture. Laufas is...
Strýtur
The Strytur in are giant submarine geothermal silica cones that rise like towers from the seafloor at Ystuvik and Arnarnes in the fjord E...
Öxnadalur
Oxnadalur is a magnificent valley in the fjord Eyjafjordur in North Iceland. Priest, poet and translator Jon Thorlaksson lived there in his later da...
Goðafoss
Goðafoss waterfall is located in the river Skjálfandafljót in north Iceland, the fourth largest river in Iceland. It is one of the...
Saurbæjarkirkja
Saurbaejarkirkja is a beautiful 19th century Lutherian turf church in the fjord of Eyjafjordur in North Iceland. The church site is an old one, ...
Hauganes
Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Allihjelm. Hauganes is a village, located within fjord Eyjafjörður in North Iceland with a&nbs...
Grenivík
Grenivik is a fishing village of about 300 people in the fjord Eyjafjordur in North Iceland. It has many attractions nearby and is near to som...
Árskógssandur
Photo above from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Bromr Árskógssandur is a small community in north Iceland, nestled against the fjord E...
Svarfadardalur
Svarfaðardalur is a wide, fertile and densely populated valley in north Iceland, dotted with quintessential farmsteads, gurgling streams and surro...
Svartá
Svarta is a river in Bardardalur valley in North Iceland, around 45 kilometers from the mighty Skjalfandafljot glacier river. Svarta is one of the gr...
Ullarfoss
Ullarfoss is a beautiful waterfall in the river Svarta in North Iceland. The waterfall is located in a fresh spring river that flows through Bardarda...
Hrísey
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo by Smiley.toerist Hrísey is an island in the fjord Eyjafjörður of north Iceland of around 200 peop...
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