Akureyri Guide 2015-2016

AKUREYRI

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AKUREYRI

uide Area of the North

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE AND MAP

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Things to do Events Tours and Activities

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Museums & Galleries Wining & Dining Sights to See

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AKUREYRI

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LIST OF CONTENT WELCOME TO AKUREYRI

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MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

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WINING & DINING

32-41

MAP OF AKUREYRI

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DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES

44-57

THINGS TO DO IN AKUREYRI

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EVENT CALENDAR

68-73

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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NEIGHBORING TOWNS

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MD REYKJAVIK EHF. Laugavegur 4, 101 Reykjavík +354 551 3600 akureyri@akguide.is / www.akguide.is

PUBLISHED BY: MD Reykjavik ehf.

Authors have taken all reasonable care in preparing this handbook, information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but make no guarantee about the accuracy or completeness of its content.

LAYOUT & DESIGN: Stefán Birgir Stefáns, sbs@sbs.is

© MD Reykjavik ehf.

MAPS: Ólafur Valsson and Markaðsstofa Norðurlands

Material and contents property of publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – without the written permission of the authors and the publisher.

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WELCOME TO AKUREYRI 6

There is something for everyone in Akureyri, a beautiful town nestled between mountains and the deep blue sea, large enough to offer a rich selection of culture and entertainment, yet small enough to be very personal and close to nature.

Upon arrival many things will surely catch your eye at once. The first thing to strike you will probably be how steep some of the streets are.

Since it was built by the sea, as it grew it only had one place to go – uphill! The ocean view from the bottom of the Eyjafjörður fjord is an impressive sight, balanced by the town panorama bearing the church as a crown on top of its steepest hill.

Akureyri is the biggest town outside of the Reykjavík area, and boasts of plenty of cafés, restaurants and activities, while still being small enough to offer the quietude of the countryside.

It has become a favourite among tourists, both foreign and Icelandic, striking a balance between a city and a town.

Akureyri at a glance Situated in north-east Iceland, in one of the longest fjords in the country, Akureyri is a town surrounded by mountains, reaching up to 1000-1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of the town, but despite that the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures on average around 0˚C. Akureyri is the second largest urban area outside the capital area of Reykjavík, with a population of around 18.000. The town is the centre of trade and services in northern Iceland, while also being a town renowned for culture and education, with a very strong and well recognized university, giving Akureyri an air of life and excitement.

Akureyri is a popular tourist destination both for short and long visits. The town offers a wide range of activities and interesting places e.g. notable museums, the world’s most northerly botanic garden, one of Iceland’s most popular swimming facilities, 18-hole golf course, the best skiing area in the country, good hiking trails and to top it off, the public bus system in Akureyri is completely free!

Visitors to Akureyri can choose between varied accommodation, from top-class hotels, to hip and trendy backpacker’s hostels, and the town features an excellent range of restaurants, many of which specialize in locally sourced food.

Walking through town One of the first things you’re likely to experience in Akureyri, is a stroll through the quaint town centre. There you can get acquainted with the friendly locals and experience the real atmosphere of the town. The centre is also a great place to shop in one of the numerous stores, grab a bite at one of the many restaurants, or sitting down for a cup of coffee at some of the cosy coffee houses of Akureyri. From the centre you could stroll through the Botanical Garden which has in recent years become one of the town’s most popular sites. Once inside, you have the garden’s wide collection of flora, including almost every type of plant growing in Iceland, with a total of 7.500 local and foreign specimens.

Further south from the garden you can discover the “Old Town” - the oldest part of town and home to many of the museums and historic buildings. Return back to the town centre along

fun fact about akureyri: All the red lights in Akureyri are shaped liked hearts the new walking path at the seaside or Pollurinn as the locals call it and enjoy the views over the fjord on the way.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Akureyri is a great place for the lover of the outdoors. Those fond of hiking or cycling can enjoy Akureyri’s many trails and routes; Glerá river is a beautiful place for a walk, Mt. Súlur is great for a hike, and in winter, Hlíðafjall is one of the best places in the country to go skiing.

Strolling by the harbour will give an invigorating breeze from the ocean while Kjarnaskógur forest will leave you filled with peace and serenity.

WELCOME TO AKUREYRI

Lastly, Akureyri is great base camp for many of Iceland’s most beautiful natural wonders, such as waterfalls, volcanic areas and canyons, as well as numerous exciting activities, such as rafting, hiking, caving, whale watching and horseback riding. So choosing Akureyri as a base for travels in the north of Iceland makes perfect sense on many levels. You enjoy the culture and the bustling life of the town, while still being just a short drive from some of the most magnificent sights Iceland has to offer.

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For more healing energy, Akureyri has two different geothermal swimming pools which are perfect for kids and great for striking up a conversation with the locals, in addition to which it’s possible to bathe in hot tubs at different spas and gyms in town. Finally the famous Mývatn Nature Baths are only a bit over an hour’s drive from town.

www.akguide.is

A SHORT HISTORY OF AKUREYRI 8

In 1778, the first residential house was built in Akureyri, when Danish merchants were first allowed winter residence there, and only 8 years later, Akureyri became a certified trading post by the king of Denmark (and Iceland, at the time).

With only 12 inhabitants, the town wasn’t as prosperous as was hoped and the coveted trading license was lost in 1835. Almost three decades later, in 1862, Akureyri got the license back and the town started to blossom.

The area’s history is much older, as it was first settled by the Norse Viking, Helgi Magri (the slim), in the 9th century and Danish merchants spent time their during the winters in the 17th century, because of the site’s great natural harbour.

The first documented mention of Akureyri as “Akureyri” is in a court document from 1562!

A field on sandbanks The name Akureyri can roughly be translated into “field” (akur) and “sandbank” (eyri), which probably derives from a cornfield that is believed to have been in the area and the sandbanks that led into the ocean from the harbour. The harbour was of a turning points for Akureyri, and one of the reasons the town cemented itself as an important part of Iceland and is known as “the capital of the north.”

A stroll through history For art enthusiasts and history buffs, Akureyri has a lot to offer. Near the town centre, a steep hill runs down from Akureyri’s thermal pool which bears the nickname “Arts’ Alley.” The street is teeming with fantastic art studios and galleries, and also the largest museum in Akureyri, aptly named “Akureyri Museum.”

You don’t need to go into a museum to see Akureyri’s rich history, although it helps and we recommend it. You can take a stroll through “Old Town,” situated south of the centre, and see the beautiful and well-preserved century old houses, including Laxdalshús, the town’s oldest building, completed in 1795. The second oldest part of Akureyri, Oddeyri, also has many historic buildings as well as shops and businesses.

AIRICELAND.IS

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FISHERMAN CULTURE DAY IN THE WESTFJORDS

LAKE MÝVATN Mývatn

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REMARKABLE GREENLAND

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NORTH

Greenland – Kulusuk

Mývatn / Húsavík CONTACT AIR ICELAND OR TRAVEL AGENT FOR RESERVATION

For more Day Tours, look at our website www.airceland.is websales@airiceland.is tel. +354 570 3030

DOWNTOWN AKUREYRI 10

This is the beating heart of Akureyri where you’ll find the greatest density of independent cafés, restaurants and shops—from handmade sushi to the latest in Icelandic music. Although most shops are lined up on Hafnarstræti and Skipagata, if you wander out into the residential areas you’ll find some smaller shops, bistros and galleries. Here you’ll also find bus stations, taxi stands and tourbooking centres.

Hafnarstræti The main shopping street Hafnarstræti stretches between the Town Hall Square and Hótel Kea, although most shops thin out towards the southern end. You’ll find street-wear, high fashion, local music and art, quirky souvenirs, cool Icelandic design and all kinds of food and bars along the strip as well as trendy passers-by.

People-watching here is a must: morning, noon and night.

Skipagata Branching off the Town Hall Square and leading down towards the seafront and Hof - Cultural & Conference Centre, is Skipagata, which is a bit shorter than Hafnarstræti, you’ll find the bank and shops with an emphasis on arts and crafts.

RáðhÚstorg This is the main square in Akureyri where you’ll always find something going on. Cosy coffeehouses, galleries, travel agencies as well as jewellery shops and even the cinema for a late night movie. This is a great place for poking around and doing a puzzle over a cup of coffee.

Glerártorg mall Located just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, lies Akureyri’s prestigious shopping mall, Glerártorg. There you can find a selection of local fashion stores, cafés, restaurants, outdoor and sports stores, a supermarket and much, much more. Glerártorg is definitely the place to stop for the avid shopper in Akureyri!

Let´s talk Arctic Historical comedy show hyster

Five days a week in Hof Cultural Center Concerts, shows and other performances every day at 14:00 and 20:00

Price 2.900 ISK

• • • • •

Local Bistro menu Danish open sandwiches Selection of coffee and cakes Brunch buffet every Sunday Great view from our patio area

www.1862.is Tel: 466 1862 - 1862@1862.is

A warm welcome awaits you in Kista, a home to Icelandic contemporary design and souvenirs made in Iceland.

www.kista.is Tel: 897 0555 - kista@kista.is

You find us in the Cultural Center of Akureyri, Hof.

© Hörður Elís Finnbogason

NEARBY AKUREYRI Akureyri lies at the very bottom of the longest fjord in Iceland, Eyjafjörður - the “Fjord of Islands”. It’s not to say though that it has a particularly large amount of islands on it – but they are quite significant, with Hrísey being the largest.

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Eyjafjörður Eyjafjörður is speckled with small villages and local attractions, for instance check out the tiny fishing villages of Dalvík and Siglufjörður or the farming town of Svalbarðseyri for some local flavour, visit Árskógssandur, home of the Kaldi brewery, drive by countless small farms, stop by the historical Laufás turf farm & Saurbær church as well as the numerous other churches in fjord. Dive to the unique Strýturnar sub-aquatic geothermal cones or try out the different skiing areas in the area at Akureyri, Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður or Siglufjörður.

The fjord is very narrow, measuring only about 10 km across for most of its 60 km length, but is quite deep. It’s completely surrounded by mountains and has several rivers running into

the ocean down both sides, making the scenery here both stunning and beautiful, and the perfect place for the outdoorsman to experience nature first hand. Furthermore Eyjafjörður is one of the most popular destinations for cruise ships visiting Iceland.

Local food production plays a big role in the culture of Eyjafjörður – as it’s one of the biggest food production areas in Iceland, making Akureyri a great place to experience the local food culture.

The north of Iceland is a treasure chest of magnificent nature and quaint, charming local culture, and Eyjafjörður is no exception. Akureyri is the perfect launch point from which to explore these hidden gems and the lively locals will welcome you every day of the year - even in the heaviest of blizzards!

Grímsey is another popular island, known for being the northernmost settlement in Iceland with the Arctic Circle running straight through it. Despite that, Grímsey’s summers are generally mild and the island holds a rich vegetation. Up to sixty species of birds and one of the biggest puffin colonies in Iceland make Grímsey ideal for bird watching. For the history enthusiast there’s the Grímsey church, built in 1867 and renovated in 1932. On the eastern side of the island you can see the dramatic coastline where the islanders climb down the sheer rock cliffs with a rope, at great personal risk, to collect eggs for themselves and their families.

To get to Grímsey you can take the ferry, which takes 3 hours, from the village of Dalvík (30 min drive from Akureyri, departure on Mon, Wed and Fridays). Taking this refreshing boat trip is ideal for families, particularly on a sunny day. If you prefer, you can also travel to Grímsey by air, a 25 min flight from Akureyri Airport, daily departures in summer and on Sun, Tue and Fri during winter.

Hrísey Hrísey, the pearl of Eyjafjörður, is known for its beautiful nature, diverse bird life and many pleasant walking trails. A good way to get to know the island is to take one of the so everpopular tractor sightseeing tours, strike up a conversation with one of the 170 inhabitants of the island or just walk around and enjoy the scenery on your own two feet.

Hrísey is the second largest island off the coast of Iceland after Heimaey in the Westman Islands, and it has been continuously inhabited since the settlement of Iceland in the 9th century. It is particularly famous as a bird watching haven; since there are no natural predators of birds on the island it forms a natural bird sanctuary, making it ideal for its 40 native species of birds, including ptarmigan, arctic tern and eider duck.

WELCOME TO AKUREYRI

grímsey

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To get to Hrísey, there’s a regular ferry which takes 15 min on sea, from Ársskógssandur harbor (25 min drive from Akureyri).

FLIGHT TIMES TO AKUREYRI www.akguide.is

H贸tel Kea | Hafnarstr忙ti 87 - 89 | Tel.: +354 460 2000 | kea@keahotels.is | www.keahotels.is

Two great choices and the best location in town

H贸tel Nor冒urland | Geislagata 7 | Tel.: +354 462 2600 | nordurland@keahotels.is | www.keahotels.is

Opening hours:

Sun - Thu 11.00-23.00 Fri - Sat 11.00-01.00

M煤laberg Bistro & Bar | H贸tel Kea | Akureyri | Tel.: +354 460 2020

HIGHLIGHTS OF AKUREYRI There are countless of stunning things to see and experience in a town such as Akureyri, whether you like nature, adventure, wildlife or culture. Here we’ve listed some of the highlights of the town that of course come highly recommended!

Hlíðarfjall For nearly 50 years the mountain Hlíðarfjall has been one of the prime skiing areas of Iceland. The hallmarks of Hlíðarfjall are high quality snow, extensive cross country trails and exciting ski slopes with breath-taking views of Eyjafjörður.

Equipped with snow making machines and fully floodlit main runs, Hlíðarfjall promises great conditions all through winter, open from the end of November till early May, and is a must-visit spot during your winter break to Akureyri.

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The Botanical Garden The garden is one of the northern most botanical gardens in the world, and is equally popular both with locals and visitors. The Public Park was opened in 1912 but the Botanic section in 1957. Currently there are about 6600 foreign species and over 400 native species, which makes the Botanic Garden an excellent choice for those wishing for a break from the daily stress.

The Old Town If you take a stroll from the Akureyri’s central towards south you will walk through the history of early Akureyri, past the old Theatre, the old Primary School , and the Old Hospital built in 1827, the first two-storied house raised in Iceland and the oldest building in Akureyri the Laxdalshús built in 1795. You will also have the possibility to visit several museums such as Nonni’s House and Sigurhæðir (read more on pg. 18).

Akureyri Church The Akureyri church is one of the most recognizable symbols of the town, with the church steps being a particular highlight. Walking the steps is one of the things everyone should do when visiting Akureyri. This Lutheran church was designed by renowned architect Guðjón Samúelsson, while the bas-reliefs on the nave balcony are by sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. The church is considered one of the most beautiful landmarks of Akureyri.

The Arts Alley

Akureyri geothermal Pool One of the most popular attractions of Akureyri, the Akureyri Geothermal Pool is a great stop for everyone – be they individuals, couples, families or groups. With a wide range of facilities and features, this is your one-stop place for relaxation as well as action. The 4 hot tubs, two 25m outdoor pools and waterslides, ensure here everyone can find something to their liking.

WELCOME TO AKUREYRI

The centre of cultural life in Akureyri is on Kaupvangsstræti, which curves through Grófargil in the middle of Akureyri, nicknamed the Arts Alley. For a long time, there were extensive industrial operations there that gradually moved elsewhere, freeing up a lot of housing that perceptive people saw was ideal for all kinds of art activities, including: Akureyri Art Museum, the Akureyri School of Visual Arts, smaller galleries, the multipurpose Deiglan and Ketilhús and more.

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Kjarnaskógur South of Akureyri is Iceland’s most visited forest Kjarnaskógur.

The recreational area has more than 1 million trees of many species planted within the last 50 years. The area has a 7km lighted trail in addition to a vast network of backcountry trails, as well as a 10km long designated mountain bike trail. There are two playgrounds, picnic areas, barbeque facilities a volley ball course and of course restrooms, making Kjarnaskógur a perfect outdoors area for everyone.

Bird Watching www.akguide.is

Many good places for bird watching are within Akureyri and its surroundings. Four bird watching cabins are available for birdwatchers in the area, three within the town itself and one in the island Hrísey which also belongs to Akureyri. These cabins are placed in the following areas, Naustaborgir, Krossanesborgir, at the estuary of river Eyjafjarðará and in the island Hrísey.

Glerárdalur & mt. Súlur The mountain Súlur is the Town-mountain of Akureyri, rising above the town in south-west. There is a popular walking path up to the peaks, which take about 5-6 hours forth and back. The starting point is from a parking lot in the valley Glerárdalur. The peaks are two; the highest one reaching about 1213 meters. The peaks are mainly made of light rhyolite (liparit) which is a volcanic material, created during volcanic eruptions around 8-9 million years ago.

Krossanesborgir Krossanesborgir was made a sanctuary in 2005. It consists of rock formations, made of basalt which is about 5-10 million years old. Most of the rocks are formed by the icecap covering the area during the ice age about 10 thousand years ago.

Between the rocks one can find moors and ponds. Vegetation is rich in the area and consists of around 200 different plants.

The area also has a variated birdlife, over 27 different birds or about 35% of all Icelandic birds nest in the area.

Hearts of Town 18

All over Akureyri, you will find hearts—in the traffic lights, in the windows in people’s homes and other peculiar places. The hearts appeared following the financial crash of 2008, when there was a need for positive thinking and to put an emphasis on what really matters.

Gamli skóli - The Old School Or “Old School.” This beautiful wooden house is a part of Menntaskólinn á Akureyri (Akureyri’s Junior College) and was built in 1904. Today it houses the faculty members of the school, classrooms and the old music hall. If you’re headed to the Botanical Garden it’s almost right in its back yard!

hof cultural center Akureyri’s newest landmark is a popular choice for various events such as conferences, parties and exhibitions. It has also been used for theatrical events as well as meetings and receptions. Inside you’ll find the ever important tourist information center, as well as a bistro and a design shop, for those looking for some cool Nordic design. It’s located only minutes away from downtown and its unique design will give it away once in sight.

AKUREYRI THERMAL POOL

Enjoy the Water World Every Icelander Loves

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Opening hours:

www.visitakureyri.is/en

Summer (02/06–29/08): Weekdays 06.45–21.00. Weekends from 08.00–19.30.

Streetfrom map Winter (30/08–01/06): Weekdays from 06.45–21.00. Weekends from 09.00–18.30.

AKUREYRI ALL YEAR ROUND 20

Akureyri is a treat no matter what the season. The town offers a wide array of different activities, from skiing and hiking to birdwatching and fishing; from visiting museums to just lounging about the town’s charming cafés and restaurants. There’s something for everyone and especially you!

SPRING As spring arrives, visiting the Botanical Gardens is beyond a doubt the destination you want to head to when Akureyri’s flora starts bursting into life. Inhabitants also start blooming as many dig up their running shoes, drag out their bikes for a ride or fire up their barbecues.

Springtime is also the ornithologist’s paradise, with the rich variation of migratory birds returning to the area to lay their eggs.

Particularly good places for birdwatching include Krossanesborgir, the Estuary of the river Eyjafjarðará and the islands, Grímsey and Hrísey. Grímsey is home to one of the biggest puffin colonies in Iceland and in Hrísey Ptarmigan and Arctic Terns are quite common.

SUMMER Being one of Iceland’s northernmost towns, Akureyri could definitely crown itself the town of the midnight sun. Favourite summertime activities include golfing, visiting the Botanical Garden, dropping in at a museum or taking a

stroll around town. To encounter nature at close range, hop on a boat for a whale watching tour.

Feeling more active? Hike up the magnificent Mt. Súlur!

Akureyri’s outdoor café society is in full summer swing down town with people out in droves to soak up the sun. More than just rainy-day places, we recommend a visit to Akureyri Art Museum offering a great selection of contemporary art.

Summer celebrations include the Aviation Days, the Akureyri Art Festival, Vaka Folk Festival, National Day, Hiking week, Arctic Open golf tournament, Gásir Medieval Days and Akureyri Family Festival.

Around Easter, Akureyri has more people from Reykjavik than local inhabitants!

AUTUMN The cultural calendar of Akureyri really gets into high gear during the months of autumn with the yearly theatre and concerts program, starting off with Akureyri Town Festival at the end of August, which commemorates the anniversary of the town. Further afield in the north, Grímsey’s Arctic Run, which circles the island and crosses the Arctic Circle, takes place in September.

WINTER Akureyri truly becomes a winter wonderland over the darker seasons, often with an astonishing sight of the Northern Lights mixed with a twinkle of snow. Speaking of the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights excursions are one of the most popular wintertime activities, with the season lasting from the end of September until the end of March.

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Finally, being in Akureyri on New Year’s Eve is something not to be missed. Not that you can miss it if visiting, the town practically explodes with colourful fireworks!

www.akguide.is

For everyday pleasure, Akureyri has a lot to offer. Soaking in hot tubs is always a treat, but for excitement, activities such as snowmobiling, winter horseback riding and dog sledding are popular options.

Mt. Hlíðafjall, arguably the best ski- and snowboarding resort in the country, is only a 5 minute drive from the city centre, and

within the city you can go skating at the skating rink. Winter is also the optimal season for cross-country skiing in Mt. Hlíðarfjall and Kjarnaskogur, the best time of year being from roughly November until the end of April. For those on the hunt for a slightly less conventional outing, there’s snowshoeing and heli-skiing. For the even more adventurous, there’s the option of arctic surfing or even diving! For these extreme types, you don’t want to miss the Iceland Winter Games in March or AK Extreme in April. In addition, there is a full in-town calendar of concerts, plays and exhibitions.

WELCOME TO AKUREYRI

fun fact about akureyri:

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES 22

For such a small town, Akureyri abounds with museums, galleries and other cultural institutions. You can discover a quirky, young artist at the Center for Visual Arts, get a feel for the cultural history and daily lives of people in Eyjafjörður at the Akureyri Museum, and finish the day at any of the great workshops and galleries scattered over town.

Akureyri and the surrounding area, offers a vast array of museums, and a few of them actually being quite unique in Iceland, such as the Icelandic Aviation Museum, The Motorcycle Museum of Iceland, the Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum (featuring a stunning 4100 works!) and the Sverrir Hermannsson’s Sundry Collection.

Furthermore, of particular interest are the houses of the poets and writers, Nonni, Davíð Stefánsson

and Matthías Jochumsson, but three of the most influential writers of Icelandic history lived in Akureyri – these houses now serve as museums, dedicated to each of the writers.

For further information on exhibition schedules, opening hours and more museums of interest, please refer to www.visitakureyri.is or stop by at the official Tourist Information Centre, at Hof Cultural House.

a fun fact about akureyri

Stone-Tins

To protect wooden houses from the elements of nature, they were often covered with corrugated iron, stone tiles or even rough cast.

Around the year 1930, a master carpenter imported pre-pressed iron plates from ‘Murica, which quickly became a popular material on houses. These plates were called stone-tins, as they looked similar to stone. The Stone-tins turned out to last very well, being a mix of copper and iron, that weathered less than the corrugated iron.

Still today, there are many houses in Akureyri sporting stone-tins, which definitely make a distinct impression on the look and feel of the town.

AKUREYRI ART TRAIL

Check out AkGuide.is for more info!

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES IN AKUREYRI

There is no containing the creative spirit of the Icelanders to a museum or a gallery. Spread all over Akureyri is a wide variety of open-air artworks by some of our most revered artists, such as Ásmundur Sveinsson, Einar Jónsson, Elísabet Sigríður Geirmundsdóttir, Nói, Kristinn E. Hrafnsson, Nína Sæmundsdóttir, Ragnar Kjartansson, Ríkharður Jónsson and Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir, to name just a very few.

As you stay in Akureyri, be sure to pick up the Akureyri Art Trail map, which divides the city into six easy walking tours around these notso-hidden treasures. The more notable pieces include Outlaws by sculpture pioneer Einar Jónsson (1900) in the city centre, The Harp of Prayer by Icelandic icon Ásmundur Sveinsson (1965) on the north side of town, the Pearl and Ode to the Night, both made by Elísabet Geirmundsdóttir in 1951, and both situated in the old town, and many, many other important pieces of art.

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AKUREYRI ART MUSEUM Akureyri Art Museum is one of the youngest art museums in Iceland. The museum strives to promote art and visual culture for the local community, as well as within the wider global context, by presenting diverse exhibitions and by emphasizing museum education. The museum’s two venues are located side by side, right in the heart of Akureyri, in Listagil (Art’s Street). The two buildings on the north side of the street are: Akureyri Art Museum and Ketilhús.

Open:

Jun—Aug | Tue-Sun 10-17 Sep—May | Tue-Sun 12-17

www.akguide.is

Art’s Street, Kaupvangsstræti 8-12, Akureyri +354 461 2610 | www.listak.is

AKUREYRI MUSEUM An interesting museum for the entire family with exhibitions depicting the history of Akureyri – the Town on the Bay with unique artefacts relating to everyday life from the 19th century to the present day. The museum is situated in the oldest part of town in the beautiful museum garden with the wonderful 19th century church.

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Special exhibitions 2015-16 • Akureyri the Town by the Bay portrays the way of life in a 19th century town with interesting objects and photographs.

• Are you ready, Madam President? Tells the story of the first female president in the world, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Surrounded by suit-clad officials, she was a fearless trailblazer in both word and deed.

• Annual Christmas exhibition is a combination of nostalgia and playfulness explaining traditional customs connected to the 82 yule lads.

• Land Ahoy! – Historical Maps of Iceland 15471808 – Schulte Collection. Exquisite maps reveal how the image of the island evolved.

Don’t miss the interactive cartographer’s room or the sea monsters.

All exhibitions are designed to be family friendly with many hands on objects.

Aðalstræti 58, Akureyri +354 462 4162 www.minjasafnid.is Open:

Jun—Mid-Sep | Daily 10-17 MId-Sep—May | Daily 13-16

Adults (18+) 1200 ISK Groups (10+) 960 ISK Day Pass 2000 ISK - Annual Pass 3000 ISK Free bus no. 1 & 3 | 20 minutes walk from town center

ARE YOU READY, MADAM PRESIDENT?

Throughout her 16 years in office she was sought after as a head of state and a role model. Her presence and participation were requested on a variety of occasions around the world.

Exhibition at akureyri Museum

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES IN AKUREYRI

The exhibition sheds light for the first time on an important factor in the tenure of the first woman president in the world, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir.

Surro­unded by suit-clad officials, she was a fearless trailblazer in both word and deed shaping a public image, not least manifested in her choice of attire.

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THE OLD TURFHOUSE LAUFÁS The heritage site Laufás is mentioned in historical records soon after the settlement of Iceland (874930) being a renowned church site and chieftain’s residence. The existing church was built in 1865 and among its special items is a pulpit from 1698.

Laufás was rebuilt in an ambitious style in 18531882 and is an example of the gabled farmhouse, although significantly larger than the ordinary farmhouses of the time.

The Laufás farmhouse is furnished with household items and utensils from the period. One of Laufás characteristics is the Bridal room where brides prepared themselves for the big event.

Laufás Visitor Centre has a cosy atmosphere and additional information about nature, wildlife and history of the vicinity. Local handcraft and souvenir shop and refreshments.

Family friendly visit – Icelandic ponies every Sunday 14-16, free of charge.

Grýtubakkahreppur, Akureyri +354 463 3194 / 895 3172 www.minjasafnid.is Open:

Jun—Aug | Daily 9-17

Adults (18+) 1200 ISK | Groups (10+) 960 ISK Day Pass 2000 - Annual pass 3000 30 km from Akureyri / 20 km from Goðafoss

www.akguide.is

The old turf house is part of the National Museum’s Historic Buildings Collection.

DAVÍÐ’S HOUSE

THE BELOVED ROMANTIC POET In the green hills of Akureyri is a house with an exciting history and a unique atmosphere of the 60’s.

Built in 1944 by one of Iceland’s most loved poets and writers, Davíð Stefánsson, who lived there until he died in 1964. Davíð had a taste for the finer things in life and was an enthusiastic collector of art and books. His apartment is a testament to his taste, full of books, art collection and other personal articles, just as he left them in 1964.

Bjarkarstígur 6, Akureyri +354 462 4162 | www.minjasafnid.is Open:

Jun—Aug | Mon-Fri 13-17

Adults (18+) 1200 ISK Groups (10+) 960 ISK Day Pass 2000 ISK - Annual Pass 3000 ISK 5 min. walk from the Municipal Library

NONNI’S HOUSE

A SMALL HOUSE WITH A BIG STORY

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In the oldest part of Akureyri you will find one of the hidden gems of the town, the childhood home of the writer and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, “Nonni;” where he lived until going to France to study to be a Jesuit priest in 1870 – 12 years old.

Nonni never returned but his adventures as a boy became an inspiration for his stories published in over 40 countries around the world, in such diverse languages as Chinese and Esperanto.

Built in 1850, Nonni´s house is amongst Akureyri’s oldest houses and is furnished accordingly with artefacts from Nonni’s life and books from around the world. Books by Jón Sveinsson in several languages are sold at the museum.

Aðalstræti 54, Akureyri +354 462 3555 / 462 4162 | www.nonni.is Open:

Jun—Aug | Daily 10-17

Adults (18+) 1200 ISK Groups (10+) 960 ISK Day Pass 2000 ISK - Annual Pass 3000 ISK Free bus no. 1 / 20 minutes walk from town center

JOCHUMSSON’S HOUSE

AUTHOR OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Sigurhæðir (Hills of Triumph) is an exhibition dedicated to the reverend and poet Matthías Jochumsson (1835-1920), one of Iceland’s most loved writers and poets, author of the Icelandic national anthem and a canon of religious poetry. Matthías had the house built in 1903 and lived there until the end of his life in 1920.

Eyrarlandsvegur 3, Akureyri +354 462 4162 | www.minjasafn.is Open:

Jun—Aug | Mon-Fri 13-17

Adults (18+) 1200 ISK Groups (10+) 960 ISK Day Pass 2000 ISK - Annual Pass 3000 ISK 5 min. walk from town center

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Better prices on rental cars

THE ICELANDIC AVIATION MUSEUM The museum serves the purpose of preserving and displaying items related to aviation in Iceland, its history and development in different categories, from the first fumbling attempts at commercial aviation in 1919 to the different airlines, some of which still exist, to medical transports and the Icelandic coast guard. It includes 28 full-sized aircraft including airplanes and helicopters, as well as a collection of photographs related to aviation history and other historically significant items.

Akureyri Airport +354 863 2835 | www.flugsafn.is Open:

Jun—Sep | Daily 11-17

AKUREYRI INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM 28

The Akureyri Industrial Museum houses artefacts connected with the industry of ages past, from margarine makers, printing presses and lathes, to sewing machines and instruments of watchmaking. The museum hosts a great number of tools from the “old factories” which were used to produce some of the most familiar Icelandic brands of food and household products. On the top floor of the museum there is a display of the famous clothes and shoes produced in Akureyri in the past century, with well-known Icelandic labels every child would recognize.

Krókeyri, Akureyri +354 462 3600 / 897 0206 www.idnadarsafnid.is Open:

Jun—Mid-Sep | Daily 10-17 MId-Sep—May | Daily 14-16

THE ICELANDIC MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM The Icelandic Motorcycle Museum documents the 100-year history of the motorcycle in Iceland in an 800m2 building specially built for the purpose.

Its origin can be traced to the tragic death of Heiðar Þ. Jónsson in 2007, who left behind him his collection including dozens of bikes and a great number of assorted motorbike accessories. The museum details the history of the motorcycle through important bikes and stories of colourful characters and is a must-visit location for all motorbike enthusiasts.

Krókeyri 2, Akureyri +354 466 3510 / 866 3500 www.motorhjolasafn.is

PLEASED TO MEAT YOU! Our 15 square and creative burgers would love to "meat" you.

the big bo

THE LAMBURGER

miss reykjavik

fat sigurj贸n

the bbq

surf & turf

morthens

MR. ROCK

FACTORY BURGER

the trucker

east coast burger

the president

ariba, son of salsa

rescue (112)

animal park

HÚNI II Húni II, built in Akureyri in 1963, is a 132 gross ton oak ship used as a fishing boat until the 1990s and serves to this day as a tour and leisure boat with a capacity of 100 passengers.

It is one of the largest oak ships ever built in Iceland, and the largest still in use.

It is preserved by an interest group called the Friends of Húni, along with the Industrial Museum of Akureyri, as an important artefact of local history.

Docked by the pier. +354 848 4864 www.huni.muna.is

THE MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

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Amtsbókasafn, the Municipal Library of Akureyri, is one of the biggest libraries in Iceland. It is housed in a beautiful building and offers all regular library services such as lending out books, movies, CDs, audiobooks and such, as well as offering free wi-fi and access to computers for a mild fee. You can also read all Icelandic newspapers and the latest copies of more than 70 international and domestic magazines on site. In the same building you will find the café Amts-Kaffi-Ilmur, which serves hot lunch, coffee and cakes.

Brekkugata 17, Akureyri +354 460 1250 www.akureyri.is/amtsbokasafn Open: Mid-May—Mid-Sep | Mon-Fri 10-19 Mid-Sep—Mid-May | Mon-Fri 10-19, Sat 11-16

HVÍTSPÓI ART GALLERY An Art Studio and Gallery, owned by Textile-Artist Anna Gunnarsdóttir, who makes sculptures and wearable art using wool, leather and fish skin. Her lamps made of wool are very popular all around.

All the work is hand-made and done in the studio.

She has exhibited at various places around the world and has obtained number of prizes and huge appreciation.

The studio is open during working hours where one can appreciate her work and even have a chat. In the Gallery is ongoing art exhibition by different artists. The relaxing and friendly atmosphere is very enjoyable.

Brekkugötu 3a, Akureyri +354 466 2064

OTHER MUSEUMS & GALLERIES In Akureyri OLD TOYS ON DISPLAY IN FRIÐBJARNARHÚS

THE PUBLIC PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN Eyrarlandsvegur, Akureyri www.lystigardur.akureyri.is

HOF CULTURAL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE Strandgötu 12, Akureyri +354 450 1000 | www.menningarhus.is

THE FOLK MUSIC CENTER Norðurgata 1, Siglufjörður +354 467 2300 | hwww.folkmusik.is

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

just outside of akureyri THE ICELANDIC FOLK AND OUTSIDER ART MUSEUM Svalbarðaströnd, Akureyri +354 461 4066 | www.safnasafnid.is

THE CHRISTMAS GARDEN Akureyri +354 463 1433

SVERRIR HERMANNSSON‘S SUNDRY COLLECTION Sólgarður, Akureyri +354 463 1261 / 699 8474 | www.smamunasafnid.is

Aðalgata 14, Ólafsfjörður +354 464 9200 | www.fjallabyggd.is

HVOLL - LOCAL FOLK MUSEUM Karlsrauðatorg, Dalvík +354 466 1497 | www.dalvik.is/byggdasafn

BERG CULTURAL HOUSE Goðabraut, Dalvík +354 460 4000 | www.dalvikurbyggd.is/menningarhus

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES IN AKUREYRI

Aðalstræti 46, Akureyri +354 863 4531

THE BIRDLAND EXHIBITION Húsabakki, Dalvík +354 4600 1551 / 861 8884 | www.birdland.is

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THE HOUSE OF SHARK JÖRUNDUR Hrísey +354 695 0077 | hrisey.is

HOLT - MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF ALDA HALLDÓRSDÓTTIR Hrísey +354 695 0077

HÚSAVÍK MUSEUM HOUSE Stóragarði 17, Húsavík +354 464 1860 | www.husmus.is

GRENJAÐARSTAÐUR, OLD FARMHOUSE Grenjaðarstað, Húsavík +354 464 3688

HÚSAVÍK WHALE MUSEUM

In neighboring towns

SIGURGEIR’S BIRD MUSEUM

+354 698 5610

Ytri-Neslönd, Mývatn +354 464 4477 | www.fuglasafn.is

THE HERRING ERA MUSEUM

GLJÚFRASTOFA

Snorragata 10, Siglufjörður +354 467 1604 | www.sild.is

Ásbyrgi Canyon +354 470 7100

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OPENING HOURS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.AKGUIDE.IS

www.akguide.is

THE GRENIVÍK FISHERIES MUSEUM

Hafnarstétt 1, Húsavík +354 414 2800 | www.whalemuseum.is

WINING & DINING IN AKUREYRI

A great many of outstanding kitchens can be found in Akureyri with an eye to different flavours using Iceland’s own bounty of seafood, lamb, wild game, organic, greenhouse vegetables and topnotch dairy products. Although fine dining is still popular among Iceland restaurants, many places are moving instead towards more traditional Icelandic “soul food”—fish balls, smoked lamb, plokkfiskur and rúgbrauð, mushy peas, red cabbage, salt cod steaks—the kind of hearty dishes you’d find the nation’s grandmothers cooking.

In Akureyri, you’ll find a variety of great restaurants to choose from, offering a vast selection of different styles of cuisine and different plates, such as a top-notch Spanishstyle tapas place, with an Icelandic twist, using only local ingredients, a renowned modern seafood and sushi place, an Indian Curry Hut ( the name of that one is surprisingly logical by the way), as well as an assortment of fine dining, pizzas, pasta, Icelandic, international, traditional, modern and everything else in between.

Akureyri enjoys great access to local food productions, as the Eyjafjörður area is rich in agriculture and food production, for example, three (relatively) large meat production

companies operate from Akureyri, as well as the country’s biggest producer of cheese.

Furthermore there is rich culture of beer production, with Viking and Kaldi being located in and around Akureyri.

For such a small town, Akureyri definitely holds its own when it comes to restaurants, so you should have no worries, everyone will find something to their liking.

Famous landmarks and attractions

The Béarnaise Capital of Iceland

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Akureyri’s restaurant scene is emerging with a unique palate all of its own, embracing the fresh ingredients Iceland offers at home.

Icelandic chefs are keen to bring different cultures and cuisines to the local table.

Akureyri is aptly named the “Béarnaise Capital of Iceland”.

Why you ask? Because the locals put Béarnaise sauce on practically everything. Pretty much every restaurant in Akureyri will feature, to some extent, a Béarnaise menu, generally featuring a beef laden pizza, slathered in Béarnaise, or a hamburger of similar style. The Akureyrians loooove their Béarnaise.

Eyjafjörður, the fjord in which Akureyri lies, is remarkable in many ways, not least in the great amount of excellent food and drink produced there. As in all of Iceland, the purity of the nature and old fashioned farming methods mean some of the best raw-materials in the world are available absolutely anywhere.

Eyjafjörður is home to many of the larger cow and dairy farms in Iceland, and to a lesser extent lamb and pork production, and the brave pioneers of Kaffi Kú are even making inroads in the direct-from-the-farm production of beef in recent years. It’s easy to find home-smoked trout from the local Ólafsfjörður aquafarm, as well as the delicious fish products from Ekta Fiskur (meaning Real Fish), in Dalvík, including readymade dishes and more traditional courses such as bacalao.

This all without even mentioning the more conventional catching of fish and shellfish which takes place in every little fishing village along the coast, and which can then be served up in various traditional and less conventional ways.

As you travel around this beautiful fjord, there will be no end to the opportunities to sit down at charming local restaurants and seaside cafés and sample some of the local flavours, all in their own local variations.

In addition to this, there has been an upsurge recently in local craft breweries in Eyjafjörður, starting in 2006 with the opening of Bruggsmiðjan brewery in Árskógssandur. They started off brewing their signature beer Kaldi, modelled after a traditional Czech Pilsner, and soon adding their Dark Kaldi, modelled after the Bavarian Dunkel, and many others. Then in 2010 Akureyri-based Einstök, meaning “Unique”, an offshoot of Viking brewery (as evidenced by the horned gentleman on the label), started brewing their craft beer selection, which includes White Ale, Pale Ale and Toasted Porter, to name a few.

WINING & DINING IN AKUREYRI

EYJAFJÖRÐUR: EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

33

All of this adddrink from sea and land, just get out on the road in Eyjafjörður and you won’t be disappointed.

www.akguide.is

1862 nordic Bistro

Akureyri Backpackers

Bakaríið við Brúna

Local Bistro menu, open Danish sandwiches, lamb and seafood dishes, selection of coffee, cakes & beverages, brunch buffet every Sunday and the unique patio view of Eyjafjörður – 1862 Nordic Bistro is the place to be. The restaurant focuses on dishes of Nordic origin with local food in leading role.

Located in the heart of town, Akureyri Backpackers is a great place to meet other travellers, share stories and enjoy quality food and a great selection of beers.

The menu is simple and tasty, with no formality or fanciness – just simple quality!

Bakery and a café. Enjoy the best of what Icelandic bakeries have to offer. Great coffee shop and good prices. Located behind Glerartorg Shopping Center.

Hof Culture Center, Strandgata 12, Akureyri +354 466 1862 | www.1862.is

Hafnarstræti 98, Akureyri +354 571 9050 www.akureyribackpckers.com

Glerareyrum 2, Akureyri +354 461 2700 bvb@bvb.is

LEASED TO MEAT YOU!Greifinn Bryggjan DJ Grill

famous in Iceland for its Strandgata 49, where Bryggjan A place fitting descriptions.

1534square and creative burgers would lovemany to "meat" you. World excellent pizzas, Greifinn is a family resides, has a remarkable history.

It’s both homely and comfortable, Built more than 140 years ago, it’s one of the oldest houses in town!

At Bryggjan you’ll enjoy a beatiful scenery and great decorations, as well as quality food. Their pizzas are especially recommended!

Strandgata 49, Akureyri +354 440 6600 www.bryggjan.is

the big bo

the bbq

yet new and exciting. Here you can sit down with the family, have burgers or sandwiches, as well as steaks, fish and chicken. DJ Grill is a great restaurant that can just as well dub as a Sport bar or a takeaway place, that’s perfect when you need something quick!

Strandgata 11, Akureyri +354 462 1800

THE LAMBURGER

miss reykjavik

fat sigurjón

surf & turf

morthens

MR. ROCK

The Hamburger Factory Renowned for their square breads and burgers, the Hamburger Factory is on of Iceland’s favourite burger places. Located right in downtown Akureyri, here you can trust you’ll get a great burger, delicious ribs and a good service.

Ísbúðin Akureyri icecream and coffee

A brand new ice cream and coffee shop in the heart of Akureyri with a wide selection of soft ice cream, gelato, all kinds of specials and Slurpee’s and a selection of coffee drinks, fine pastries and light Hafnarstræti 87-89, Akureyri refreshments.

TORY BURGER the trucker east coast burger ariba, son of salsa +354 575 7575 Geislagötu 10, Akureyri www.fabrikkan.is +354 461 1112

run restaurant where a lot of time and energy is put into providing good service for a wide a range of client. Its good name is known to all those satisfied customers who have visited Greifinn time and again.

Glerárgata 20, Akureyri +354 460 1600 www.greifinn.is

Kung Fu express A new and ambitious sushi, sandwich and salad place located in the heart of Akureyri, by the Ráðhústorg. They offer only the freshest ingredients available by land or sea and put an emphasis on quality. The place seats 15 persons, comfortably and also offer take-away both for individuals and for groups.

Ráðhústorg 3, Akureyri +354 462 1400 www.kungfu.is

Múlaberg bistro & bar

Rub 23

Strikið

Located on one of the most scenic corners in town, Múlaberg is where the finest Icelandic ingredients meet bistro cuisine under French, Italian and Danish influences,.

Múlaberg offers one of the greatest selections of wines, spirits and cocktails in the north of Iceland.

First and foremost a seafood restaurant with a broad selection of dishes as well as sushi and some meat dishes. Rub23 has the goal to offer varied, simple but exciting choices for a broad group of customers.

Located on the fifth (top) floor of Skipagata 14, downtown Akureyri, Strikið offers a fantastic view over the north and beyond. Featuring a diverse and elaborate menu, good food and good service, a visit here will be an experience to remember.

The top floor balcony makes the meal even more memorable, especially on a good summer’s day.

Hafnarstræti 87-89, Akureyri +354 460 2020 www.mulaberg.is

Kaupvangsstræti 6, Akureyri +354 462 2223 www.rub23.is

Skipagata 14, Akureyri +354 462 7100 www.strikid.is

OTHER RESTAURANTS IN AKUREYRI restaurants 36

AURORA RESTAURANT Icelandair Hótel Akureyri Þingvallastræti 23, Akureyri +354 518 1000 www.icelandairhotel.com

BAUTINN Hafnarstræti 92, Akureyri +354 462 1818 | www.bautinn.is

INDIAN CURRY HUT Hafnarstræti 100 b, Akureyri +354 461 4242

KRUA SIAM Strandgata 13, 600 Akureyri +354 466 3800 www.kruasiam.is

PENGS Strandgötu 7, Akureyri +354 571 9000

LA VITA É BELLA Hafnarstræti 92, Akureyri +354 461 5858 | www.lavitaebella.is

SILVA GREEN FOOD Syðra-Laugaland +354 851 1360 | www.silva.is

TASTE Skipagata 2, Akureyri +354 578 6400

ÖRKIN HANS NÓA Hafnarstræti 22, Akureyri +354 461 2100 / 863 1313 www.noa.is

bars and cafés AMTS-CAFÉ ILMUR Brekkugata 17, Akureyri +354 862 4258 www.kaffiilmur.is

BLÁA KANNAN Hafnarstræti 96, Akureyri +354 461 4600

BRAUÐBÚÐIN

CAFÉ LAUT - BOTANICAL GARDEN Eyrarlandsvegi 30, Akureyri +354 461 4646

FLUGKAFFI Akureyri airport, Akureyri +354 462 5017

GRÆNI HATTURINN Hafnarstræti 96, Akureyri +354 461 4646

GÖTUBARINN Hafnarstræti 95, Akureyri +354 462 4747

KAFFI AKUREYRI CAFÉ & BAR

Hafnarstræti 98, Akureyri +354 460 5930

Strandgata 7, Akureyri +354 461 3999 www.kaffiakureyri.is

BRUGGHÚSBARINN

KAFFI JÓNSSON CAFÉ

Kaupvangsstræti 23, Akureyri +354 896 6782 www.brugghusbarinn.is

CAFÉ AMOUR Ráðhústorg 9, Akureyri +354 461 3030

CAFÉ ILMUR Ingimarshús by Hafnarstræti, Akureyri | +354 571 6444 www.kaffiilmur.is

Hafnarstræti 26, Akureyri +354 461 1126 www.keilan.is/kaffi-jonsson

KAFFI TORG CAFÉ Glerártorg, Gleráreyrar 1, Akureyri +354 462 2200

PÓSTHÚSBARINN Skipagötu 10, Akureyri

TE OG KAFFI Hafnarstræti 91-93, Akureyri +354 540 2180 www.teogkaffi.is

RESTAURANTS OUTSIDE AKUREYRI

HA ATMO

Daddi’s pizza

Gamli Baukur

Kaffi Kú

A small pizzeria, founded in 2009.

It’s located right next to our reception and very visible from the main road. We serve mouthwatering, delicious pizza from our secret recipe. Try the local topping – smoked trout from Mývatn Lake with cream cheese and pine nuts.

Adorning the Húsavík harbour front, Restaurant Gamli Baukur offers the atmosphere you´re looking for. It offers you a superb scenery over the harbour and the mountains across the bay. The restaurant offers fresh local seafood and other local and international dishes, as well as various beverages

Located in the loft above the biggest and most advanced cow barn in Iceland. Guests are allowed to go into the barn, greet the calves and breathe in the aroma of the countryside. Come by and enjoy coffee and waffles with wipped cream at our café. Kaffi Kú is only 10 min from Akureyri.

Hafnarstétt 9, Húsavík +354 464 2442 www.gamlibaukur.is

Garður, Nearby Akureyri +354 867 3826 www.kaffiku.is

Kondó-bar

Rauðka Café

Þula Café – Bistro/Bar

Located in Dalvík, overlooking the lively harbour, this friendly place offers a wide range of great food!

Enjoy the delicious fresh Arctic char, or a selection of Thai food, followed by freshly brewed coffee.

They operate a bakery in the summertime, and are open daily.

Open daily in the summertime.

If you’d care to have a light meal or a drink, then the bright red building in Siglufjörður is your place. A lively place - especially on Friday and Saturday nights, with its live bands or trubador’s during summer. It’s a great spot for lunch, dinner and for getting to know the local people.

Renowned for its generous and diverse lunch buffet, that’s on every weekday. They also serve delicious cakes, great coffee and featuring a good selection of bottled beer. The view from the grand windows of the culture house, where Þula is housed, is incredible. A great place to enjoy a drink and a bit of sunshine.

Hafnarbraut 5, 620 Dalvík +354 466 2040

Gránugata, Siglufjörður +354 461 7733 www.raudka.is

Berg Culture House, Goðabraut, Dalvík +354 897 9748

Vogar, 660 Mývatn +354 773 6060 www.vogahraun.is

FRESH

Gamli Baukur • Húsavík • +354 464 2442 • www.ga

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akguide.is

HEIMABAKARÍ CAFÉ AND BAKERY Garðarsbraut 15, Húsavík +354 464 2900

CAFÉ SKULD Hafnarstétt 11, Húsavík +354 464 7272 | www.skuld.is

Hrísey BREKKA

Grímsey KRÍAN GRÍMSEY Grímsey +354 467 3112 / +354 898 2058

siglufjörður HARBOUR HOUSE CAFÉ Gránugata 5b, Siglufjörður +354 659 4809

AÐALBAKARÍ SIGLUFIRÐI

ólafsfjörður BRIMNES RESTAURANT & HÓTEL Bylgjubyggð 2, Ólafsfjörður +354 466 2400 www.brimnes.is

HÖLLIN Hafnargata 16, Ólafsfjörður +354 466 4000

húsavík

Aðalgata 28, Siglufjörður +354 467 1720

PAKKHÚSIÐ BISTRO/BAR

HANNES BOY CAFÉ

Garðarsbraut 6, Húsavík +354 698-2551

Gránugata 23, Siglufjörður +354 461 7730 www.raudka.is

ALLINN SPORTBAR Aðalgata 30, Siglufjörður +354 467 1111

TORGIÐ/PIZZA 67 Aðalgata 32, Siglufjörður +354 467 2323

SALKA COFFEE HOUSE Garðasbraut 7, Húsavík +354 464 3999

SALKA RESTAURANT

mývatn RESTAURANT SEL HOTEL Skútustaðir, Mývatn +354 464 4164 www.myvatn.is

BIRD MUSEUM SIGURGEIRS Ytri-Neslöndum, Mývatn +354 464 4477 www.fuglasafn.is

CAFÉ BORGIR Dimmuborgir, Mývatn +354 464 1144 www.visitdimmuborgir.is

WINING & DINING IN AKUREYRI

Hrísey +354 695 3737 / 466 1751 www.brekkahrisey.is

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HÓTEL REYKJAHLÍÐ Reykjahlíð, Mývatn +354 4644142 www.reynihlid.is

VOGAFJÓS (THE SHED) Mývatn +354 464 4303

Garðarsbraut 6, Húsavík +354 464 2551 www.salkarestaurant.is

www.akguide.is

Everything you need to know about Akureyri

DISCOVER THE NORTH

Coach Charter / Schedule Service HJALTEYRARGﾃ傍U 10 | 600 AKUREYRI | ICELAND | TEL: (+354) 5 500 700 | e-mail: sba@sba.is

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC Dettifoss Grand Tour Day tour to Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, sightseeing around Lake Myvatn and the Jokulsargljufur canyons formed in a devastating glacial flood.

Price 19.600 ISK.

Lake Myvatn Excursion This 9 hour tour to one of the lovliest spots in Iceland focuses on the most attractive features of the area.

Visit Godafoss waterfall, the geothermal fields in Hverarond, explosion crater of Viti and the Myvatn Nature baths.

Price 14.800 ISK

Whale Watching - Summer Tour A bus tour to the small fishing and tourism village of Húsavík where you will experience whale watching at its very best with North Sailing.

Price 17.000 ISK

Askja - Kverkfjoll - Vatnajokull Glacier This three-day tour to Askja caldera is designed to give the traveller the opportunity to experience the rugged nature of a country that is constantly being shaped and battered by the powerful forces of ice and fire.

Price 45.000 ISK

HJALLAHRAUNI 2 | 220 HAFNARFJÖRÐUR | ICELAND - TEL: (+354) 5 500 770 | e-mail: sba@sba.is

DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES 44

We all love a good adventure. Doing something out of the ordinary, experiencing new things, just…going out there and…living.

Akureyri, in the north of Iceland, happens to be one of the best places in Iceland to do just that.

Blessed with extreme proximity to some of Iceland most magnificent pearls of nature, Akureyri is a perfect base from which to undertake numerous different excursions.

Whether you want to traverse to the West, for the Troll-Peninsula, Siglufjörður and other quaint little towns, or to the East, to Lake Mývatn, Húsavík and some of the most stunning waterfalls you’ll ever see, everything starts from Akureyri.

On the next pages, you’ll be given a glimpse of the countless options available when travelling from Akureyri. This discussion will by no means be complete, and there will surely always be a multitude of ways to build upon our suggestions. But a place to begin ones planning is required, and as such we’ve created 3 suggested Day Tour from Akureyri, featuring the main spots we wouldn’t want anyone to miss. That’s followed by a short discussion on some of our favourite activities, most of which you can book from your hotel, your nearest Tourist Information or even online.

Famous landmarks and attractions

Eyrarland Statue

In 1815, a bronse statue of Thor, the God of Thunder (yes, just like in ‘The Avengers’), was found in Akureyri. The original statue, which is believed to to be from they year 1000, is housed in the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik, however, you can check out a commamorative statue found at the Akureyri Comprehensive College.

INTERESTING PLACES AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY AKUREYRI DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES 45

10 Nature baths

2 Hrísey Island

11 museums and Whale watching

3 THe Old Rectory at Laufás

12 the herring era museum

4 Boat Excursions

13 grímsey island

5 Fishing Village

14 river rafting

6 Horse Rentals

15 the icelandic emigration centre

7 Snow Cat Trips

16 the krafla area and víti crater

8 Goðafoss Water Fall

17 the national park: dettifoss

9 Lake Mývatn

18 national park: Ásbyrgi

www.akguide.is

1 The Christmas Garden

A DAY FROM AKUREYRI:

SIGLUFJÖRÐUR AND THE TROLL-PENINSULA 46

Dalvík, Siglufjörður, Sauðárkrókur and Beyond.

The colourfully named Troll-Peninsula is the area immediately west of Akureyri and is the perfect destination for a day trip. The route north-west from Akureyri would take you through Árskógssandur, where you have a chance to visit the Kaldi Brewery, go whale watching or even take the ferry to Hrísey island, which is a famous birdwatching haven.

Further north, you will get to Dalvík, famous for whale watching, and home to the Hvoll folk museum, featuring “Jóhann the giant (2,34m /7ft8in), and the Birdland exhibition. Here you can also go horseback riding or hop the ferry to Grímsey island, the northernmost inhabited point of Iceland which is also renowned for birdwatching.

After that you will pass through a tunnel to a view of the charming fishing town of Ólafsfjörður and have a chance to stop at a rest area in the uninhabited Héðinsfjörður valley.

Then you arrive at Siglufjörður, a historic fishing town which rose to prominence during the 1950’s when there was an astounding upswing in the herring fisheries. Here you can visit the Síldarsafnið Herring museum, the largest Marine and Industrial museum in Europe, the Folk Music Centre, which preserves our more traditional music, and there is an endless list of outdoor activities to partake in such as fishing, hiking and sailing into the arctic circle. It’s also a great place to enjoy the local coastal culture with some seafood and a beer at one of the seaside restaurants.

Heading South-West from Siglufjörður on the other side of the peninsula, you will come to

If you wish to make even more of your day you might even venture as far west as Sauðárkrókur though it may be getting late at this point.

In and around the town you can visit the Glaumbær folk museum and a re-constructed

traditional turf house, bathe in the mythological Grettislaug nature pool, or visit the Tannery Visitor’s Centre, the only tannery in Europe where you can see both animal skins and fish-leather being produced. In addition to this you have the option of horseback riding, bird watching, golfing, or even a boat trip to the dramatic Drangey island, famous for its birdlife.

Finally, in the nearby Varmahlíð area, there are companies offering river rafting experiences on both the east- and west- sides of Jökulsá river, one of which is family friendly, and the other not for the faint of heart! After all this, we warmly recommend driving back to Akureyri on the main road and going to sleep, tired but satisfied.

DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES

Hofsós, which was an important trading town in ages past. Here you can see the old tarredtimber Warehouse, built in 1777, pay homage to the huge and dramatic exodus of Icelanders to Canada at the Icelandic Emigration Center, or view some impressive basalt column rock formations at the nearby black-sand beach.

And whatever you do, don’t miss the newly constructed Infinity Pool, where you bathe in the hot geothermal water but look out over the deep blue sea.

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www.akguide.is

A DAY FROM AKUREYRI:

LAKE MÝVATN 48

Lake Mývatn is unique in many aspects. It is internationally important as a wetland with more species of duck than any other place on earth, in addition to many other migratory birds. It is also a focal point of many other fascinating natural phenomena in the area.

On the way to Mývatn from Akureyri, it’s perfect to stop by at Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, where the chieftain Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw his graven idols after ruling that all Icelanders should convert to Christianity in the year 1000 AD. From here you can go south of Lake Mývatn until you get to the pseudo craters of Skútustaðir – a unique geological phenomenon.

Then you can stop by the bizarre lava pillars of Kálfastrandarlogar en route to Dimmuborgir – the ‘Dark Cities’, a set of lava formations that most resemble an Elvish city – complete with cathedral and all. All along the lake Mývatn route you will have great opportunities for bird spotting.

Moving west from Lake Mývatn you could stop

by Grjótagjá, a lava cave with a hot spring inside of it, which featured memorably on the hit TV series Game of Thrones. Alternatively you could go to see the fascinating Lofthellir lava cave, which functions as a kind of refrigerator – it’s so deep that it’s always freezing and producing ice stalactites. But for this you require to go on a guided tour.

From there it’s a short drive to the geothermal area of Mt. Námafjall, and then to the explosive crater of Víti (which means “Hell”) in the Krafla volcanic area, and west of this you can go for an hour long hike around Leirhnjúkar, an 18th century lava field which is beautifully grotesque.

If you wanted to make even more of your day, you could go as far north as Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, which was the backdrop for the epic opening scene of the movie Prometheus. If you were feeling remarkably ambitious you could go to Ásbyrgi Nature Reserve, a stunning horseshoe-shaped valley, far from civilization, which according to legend derived its shape from the footprint of Sleipnir, the horse of Óðinn.

But whether you make your day shorter or longer, you should end your day with a relaxing dip in the Mývatn Nature Baths – a geothermal pool with a unique mineral composition and a mountain view. After this you can return to Akureyri fully satisfied after a day’s adventures.

No Need to go huNgry

arouNd icelaNd

our grocery stores are all around iceland

A DAY FROM AKUREYRI:

HÚSAVÍK AND BEYOND

The reason why it’s a particularly good place for whale watching, is that from Húsavík it takes a very short while to sail out to the open sea, where you can see blue whales, the largest mammals on earth, and who live mostly in the ocean north of the country.

Add to this the possibility to go Puffin

Watching, and a variety of other birdlife, and you will see why Húsavík is many a nature lover’s idea of paradise.

In addition to the wildlife the town offers many interesting museums. The one most obviously connected to the whale watching is the Whale Museum, a 1.600 m2 (17.222 ft2) hall which houses exhibitions on whaling and marine ecosystems, several full size whale models as well as real whale skeletons and many other things. A stone’s throw away you can find the Húsavík Folk Museum, the Maritime Museum and an impressive Photographic Collection, all in the same building. The Folk Museum is unusual in its display and curation – a result

Famous landmarks and attractions

Goðafoss

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Húsavík is an easy day-trip from Akureyri, and offers a number of attractions that make it well worth the visit. The town itself is a charming little fishing village of less than 2.500 people, it has a beautiful old wooden church, surprisingly many great museums considering the small size of the town, not to mention the fact that it’s one of the best places in the country to go whale watching.

Goðafoss literlaly means „The waterfall of the gods“! Is there a better name for a waterfall? Stories say that the man who ultimately decided that Iceland would become a Christian nation took his heathen statues (goð) and threw them into the waterfall, thereby giving it the name. Goðafoss is in the powerful glacial river of Skjálfandafljót and if you care to venture upstream you will find many more beautiful waterfalls including Aldeyjarfoss and Hrafnabjargafoss.

Picture above.

In addition to all this, one of the most easily recognizable landmarks in town is the

beautiful old wooden church, built in 1907, with its distinctive woodwork and greenthatched spire.

It’s an easy way to spend a whole day taking all this in and wandering down to the harbour to enjoy one of the excellent local restaurants, but if you want to make more of your day, you might consider detouring to Goðafoss waterfall en route, drive to Aðaldalur Valley where you can visit Grenjaðarstaður folk museum, which resides in a traditional Icelandic turf-house which dates all the way back to 1865.

DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES

of a collaboration with a number of artists and theater set designers, it is a far cry from the “academic,” chronological arrangement of most museums, opting instead to arrange the natural specimens, (including stuffed birds, fox and polar bear), historical (including tools, clothes and kitchenware) together in a thematic and aesthetic way.

The Maritime Museum documents this most important local industry in great detail, preserving amongst other things several fullsized boats.

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FRESH SEAFOOD Gamli Baukur • Húsavík • +354 464 2442 • www.gamlibaukur.is

www.akguide.is

HARBOUR ATMOSPHERE

Húsavík

ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES 54

WEIRD WORLD OF ICE AND DARKNESS Explore Lofthellir Lava Cave, located in the area of Lake Mývatn—a world of unique ice formations and darkness to experience. The cave boasts the greatest natural ice sculptures currently known in any Icelandic lava cave. Total length of the cave is about 370 meters with a ceiling height of, at its highest point, about 15 meters. During the excursion at least one hour is spent inside the cave, observing this unbelievable natural phenomena with all its sparkling colours. And as you travel back, you can take the opportunity and see some of the other fantastic sceneries in the same area, such as Dimmuborgir (Dark Castles), one of Iceland’s most popular natural tourist attractions.

GEOTHERMAL WILDERNESS See Icelandic nature in all its splendour. The steam columns from the geothermal plants at Krafla and Bjarnarflag (Myvatn) are a magnificent sight. Why not make a visit to any of the two green energy plants and get the feeling of the state of the art technology that has powered households and industries of Iceland for decades. Your way back to the town takes you past nature landmarks such as Lake Mývatn, with its unparalleled beauty, and Goðafoss, the scenic waterfall with historic connections to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity in the year 1000.

© Ólafur Þröstur Stefánsson

DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES

© Ólafur Þröstur Stefánsson

DIVE THE NORTH Scuba Diving in Iceland is truly an expedition of itself. Every plunge into its icy waters is different than the previous one. Iceland has a fascinating variety of marine life, such as sea-snails, crabs, all kinds of fish, jelly-fish, sponges and starfish.

Lucky divers may see seals, and maybe even whales while exploring the exciting waters of Iceland! If you’re a diving fan then you’re in for a treat and even for those adventure-seeking visitors that are not experienced divers that want to explore parts normally hidden from the naked eye, no need to worry. Driving two hours from Akureyri you’ll find the geothermal cone Strýtan in Eyjafjörður fjord.

The only in the world that you can scuba dive to as others are found at 3000m or deeper.

Around 100 liters of freshwater per second at 72°c is coming from the cone. Strýtan is the first underwater protected area in Iceland.

WHALE WATCHING & BOAT TRIPS The north of Iceland is a great area to get in touch with the giants of the ocean, the whales.

With its clean, clear waters, full of life, the ocean surrounding Iceland is a good place to see the whales, as well as other creatures of the sea, mainly birds, with the puffin being

the most sought after. Akureyri and nearby towns of Dalvík and Húsavík are all great for whale watching especially for seeing the giant humpback whales. Other whales one could expect are the minke whale, fin whale as well as an assortment of dolphins and porpoises.

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SEA ANGLING IN THE NORTH Eyjafjörður, the fjord of islands, one of the longest fjords of the country, is truly the place for some deep-sea fishing excitement. The fishing grounds are near and the surroundings are majestic. Boats are well equipped for deep-sea angling and the tackle awaits you on board. Beware, it might be too much to carry home. The chef at the place you are staying could hopefully help to prepare a good meal from the days catch.

www.akguide.is

RIVER RAFTING 56

Rafting has been one of the most popular adventure activity in Iceland for years, creating a memorable family adventure for kids, teenagers and adults who want to share an unforgettable, fun-filled adventure, and Akureyri is very close to the best rafting river in Iceland. There are two options for rafting, the East Glacial River or the West one, with the East river generally being regarded as one of the top 5 rafting rivers in Europe – though some even claim it’s simply the best one. This is an action packed river, not for the faint hearted, sure to provide a great time.

Available are day trips for us normal people, but for those really wanting to kick it into high gear, a 3-day expedition style trip is available, going straight from Hofsjökull glacier, the source of the river, running every rapid on the river. That journey winds through highland desert, hot springs, glaciers, remote cabins and a truly pristine and beautiful wilderness.

The West River is an adventure suitable for families and kids as young as 6 years old. It has a riverside hot spring that’s used for mixing hot cocoa on the trip so despite being less demanding than the east river, it promises a very enjoyable family fun.

River rafting can definitely be a family activity for everyone to enjoy, or something for the toughest adrenaline junkies.. What’s always guaranteed

though is an incredibly scenic and fun trip with towering canyons and stunning vistas – and some splashing action while you’re at it!

Snow mobiling One of the most adrenaline rushes one can imagine, come from the thrill of riding a snowmobile. Incredibly powerful machines, yet surprisingly easy to maneuvre, a ride on a snowmobile (or a ski-doo if you like) is bound to be one of the highlights of your visit to the north.

You don’t need any specific experience to confidently ride, though be sure to drive carefully, as these are really powerful machines! Note: Driver’s license needed!

For the Great Outdoors

Outdoor clothing, shoes and equipment.

THINGS TO DO IN AKUREYRI AND THE SURROUNDINGS The foodie, the outdoorsman, the thrill-seeker, the bird lover, the music fan, the historian: no matter what you’re interested in, Akureyri has a wide range of activities and day tours to suit any visitor.

Whether you’re looking to ride the unique Icelandic horse (it’s small, cute and has 5 gaits!), soaking in the natural geothermal hot water of Iceland, or wanting to catch the magnificent giants of the ocean up close and personal, a good starting point is the Official Tourist Information Center in town. There you can talk directly to the experts of the area and get their recommendation on what’s best to do at that particular season, as summertime Akureyri, with its midnight sun, is really nothing like wintertime Akureyri, where it’s Northern Lights galore and a skiers paradise!

The Akureyri region is a paradise for bird watchers, boasts one of Iceland’s best skiing areas and is just a short drive from a multitude of varied activities, such as white river rafting, quad biking, snowmobiling, hiking, diving, so on and so forth, so the options are endless.

In this chapter we’ve highlighted some of the activities and things to do that the area is best known for, such as the Northern Lights, swimming and skiing. Bear in mind that this is just a sample, and no doubt there are countless other adventures to experience in Akureyri and the nearby area.

Have fun visiting Akureyri and make sure you make the most of your trip!

Famous landmarks and attractions

Main Street

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The main street of Akureyri’s lively downtown area. It has everything from cafés to banks and a handful of stores as well. Flocked by locals and tourists throughout the day and although it does allow for traffic the traffic is both slow and minimal and yields to pedestrians.

If you’re in town, chances are you’ve already walked through the main street.

Fun fact: Göngugatan actually means “Walking street” because many years back it was closed for traffic!

Departures every day from downtown Akureyri

EXCE

SUCCLLENT ESS Sig guarhating ntee

Every day departures

Schedule 2015 May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

9:00

9:00

9:00

9:00

9:00

13:30

13:30

13:30

13:30

23rd - 31st 9th - 31st

Oct

1st - 20th

13:30

1st - 30th

13:30

18:00

10th - 31st

20:30

20:30

20:30

1st - 9th

*21:30

15th - 30th

*21:30

Torfunefsbryggja harbour - 600 Akureyri Tel: +354 462 6800 info@ambassador.is - ambassador.is

GPS: 65째 681567N 18째 086479W

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS 60

The Northern Lights – also called Aurora Borealis – are one of the most spectacular shows on earth and can frequently be seen in Akureyri and surroundings from September through April on clear and crisp nights. The area surrounding Akureyri is especially good for Northern Lights viewing, due to the high mountains on both sides of the fjord, who affect the cloud cover positively, leading to frequent holes in the clouds – that are essential for actually seeing the elusive lights!

What causes this spectacular phenomenon, so characteristic of our northern lights here in Iceland? Well, it’s electricity that does it - and of course it all goes back to the sun. Tiny particles, protons and electrons caused by electronic storms on the sun (solar wind) are trapped in the earth’s magnetic field and the begin to spiral back and forth along the magnetic lines of force - circle around the magnetic pole, so to speak. While rushing around endlessly in their magnetic trap, some particles escape into the earth’s atmosphere. They begin to hit molecules in the atmosphere and these impacts cause the molecules to glow, thus creating the auroras.

White and green are usually the dominant colours but sometimes there are considerable colour variations, as the pressure and composition of the atmosphere varies at different altitudes. At extremely high altitudes where the pressure is low, there tends to be a reddish glow produced by oxygen molecules when they are struck by the tiny particles of the solar wind. At lower altitudes, where there is higher pressure, their impact-irritated oxygen molecules may glow with a greenish tinge and sometimes there is

a reddish lower border created by particles colliding with nitrogen molecules in the immediate vicinity.

The phenomenon is easily explained by modern science. What our ancestors may have thought when they gazed into the brightly-lit winter sky is quite another matter.

But by all means don’t let any scientific explanation spoil your appreciation of the beauty of the Northern Lights. They are a truly impressive spectacle, whatever their cause.

Activity and Day-Tours Super Jeeps All year

Upon request

Snowmobiling Winter Operation

Scheduled tours

Horseriding Summer Operation

Scheduled tours

Scuba Diving All year

Upon request

Activity and accommodation in North Iceland

Bookings: www.sporttours.is | Tel: +354 899 8000 | +354 894 2967 | sporttours@sporttours.is

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY No matter what age, travelers should be able to find enjoyable activities suited to their interests.

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Splashing around in pools is pleasant for the whole family, as is looking out for whales, trolls or whatever your imagination desires. Iceland is definitely a kid-friendly nation (we tend to have a lot of them). Much of Icelandic life is centered on activities with our children. Akureyri is a safe and clean town offering family oriented environment where high chairs can be found in every café, babies sleep in their prams outside and breastfeeding is nothing to be ashamed of.

For a pleasant surprise, Jólagarðurinn (The Christmas Garden) is not far away. Open all year round despite the name and only a few minutes drive from the centre of Akureyri, this beautiful garden environment, with benches and tables provided, makes it an excellent spot for a picnic.

The Akureyri festival calendar is another thing to keep an eye out for – conventionally filled with activities and celebrations.

Firm favourites include the First Day of Summer (April), National Day (June 17), Medieval Days at Gásir (July), and Akureyri Family Festival (beginning of August).

ACTIVE AKUREYRI Akureyri, being a small, family friendly town that’s very close to nature, offers tons of opportunities for outdoor activities at any time of year. You could hire a bike, for instance, and roll your family through Akureyri; most of the town’s green spaces are set up for excellent cycling tours.

Contact the information center about schedules or rentals. Another option is ice skating or skiing, on cold days in winter, there is nothing more refreshing. Take a spin around on skates at the skating rink “Skautahöllin” at Naustavegur 1, and in case you didn’t bring your own skates you can always rent a pair. Call and check opening hours +354 461 2440. Akureyri is also one of the best places in Iceland for cross-country and downhill skiing, most notably in mount Hlíðafjall (see www.hlidarfjall.is).

A visit to Akureyri Museum, House of Nonni or the Toy Display at Friðbjarnarhús are all examples of perfect ways to spend a day with the family, especially when the weather isn‘t too kind.

Finishing a long day of exploring the town with a swim in one of the great geothermal pools finally is a great way to unwind and relax.

Iceland is a world-class destination for ski touring. A great area of activity is Tröllaskagi, Troll Peninsula, in northern Iceland, with vertical descents of up to 1500m or almost 5000ft, thousands of peaks and slopes for all abilities making this a paradise for skiers and mountaineers.

The fact that it is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean makes it ideal for incredible opportunities, skiing right down to the ocean on stable coastal snow with the excitement of Arctic weather and conditions.

“Snow cannons” ensure an early opening of the season, which extends from the end of November until early May. For those who enjoy skiing during the shortest days of the year there are flood lights that make night skiing possible.

Several places offers option for skiing.

You find some nice but smaller ski-resorts in the village Dalvík and Siglufjörður and by the village Grenivík snowcat tours are offered to the top of Mt. Kaldbakur (1.173 m).

The biggest ski area is at Akureyris’ ski resort is situated just 5 km outside of the town, in a very unique area. The elevation of the site goes from 500 m to 1000 m above sea level and so there is plenty of opportunity for good skiing during the winter months, with the season lasting from the end of November till beginning of May. The ski area has a vertical drop of 455 meters and the longest trail is more than 2.5 km. It is equipped with 7 ski lifts and 23 alpine slopes.

THINGS TO DO IN AKUREYRI

SKIING IN THE NORTH

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Heliskiing is a growing sport in the area with the season from around mid March until the beginning of June with generally excellent corn skiing and the occasional powder dump. Throw in a mix of volcanic activity, hot springs, lava fields and a unique culture and you will find that Iceland is a true adventure skiing destination.

www.akguide.is

AKUREYRI ON FOOT, BIKE OR BUS 64

In a town such as Akureyri, there are countless things to see and experience that are best accessible by different methods of transportation.

Akureyri really has it all, whether you prefer to walk, bike or travel by bus.

In fact, the city buses are free in Akureyri, making that a great choice, especially if combined with walking.

Akureyri by bike There are a number of glorious paths along the coast (including Glerárgata to the north and Drottningarbraut to the south) that will take you around the Akureyri area. Another popular attraction is Kjarnaskógur woodlands and valley, a lush, green nature preserve close to the centre.

Here you find the first tailor-made mountain bike path in the country inaugurated in the summer of 2008. The round trip is about twelve kilometres.

Biking is a great way to get to know Akureyri. Bike tours are organized year round (bikes and helmets provided). Or if you’re up for a real adventure (and less pedalling) then rent a scooter to zoom along the coast and the wilderness on the outskirts of town. Get a tour around the city with a friendly guide and bring your kids along too.

akureyri by bus (strætó) These giant, yellow bananas ploughing through the town are the cheapest way to get around Akureyri. How can we claim it’s the cheapest?

Surely walking is always cheaper? Well not in this occasion – as in Akureyri the city buses are free! Maps are available at bus stations and

tourist information centres. Most bus stops with a shelter also include a route map.

Operating hours: Daily from 06:25 to 23:03 on weekdays and from 12:49 to 18:36 on weekends and holidays. Schedules during weekends depend upon time of year, for further information check the waiting shelter at the Ráðhústorg (City Hall Square) or call 462 4929. There is no bus service on Good Friday, Easter, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Famous landmarks and attractions Quite possibly Iceland’s most talked about dairy queen serves a unique soft serve ice cream favorited by many locals as well as visitors. It is located in the older part of town (Aðalstræti) so if you’re feeling like ice cream you might as well stroll on over and enjoy the houses on your way around the neighborhood.

Brynja

WALKING IN AKUREYRI River and gardens (brown)

4,1 KM / 2,5 MILES Starting along the shores of Akureyri this path takes you through the oldest part of town with places of historical interest. Passing by the graveyard and towards the slopes of the old potato gardens that’s been in use for over 200 years. From here to the Botanical Gardens and the stunning views from Akureyrarkirkja. Down the church stairs and through the town centre ending at the Ráðhústorg –“Town Hall square”

5,1KM / 3,1 MILES From the corner of Brekkugata and the statue of the first Viking settlers in the area, Helgi Magri and Þórunn Hyrna, -“Helgi the Lean & Thorunn Hyrna”. From there towards the Glerártorg mall along the river up to the water reservoir and the Akureyri University area. Passing through the green areas down to the town thermal pools and the Akureyri church. Down the church stairs and through the town centre ending at the Ráðhústorg.

The first settlers & town architecture (green) 2,9KM / 1,2 MILES During this walk you pass several of the most prominent buildings in Akureyri. Starting at Brekkugata towards the statue of the first Viking settlers in the area, “Helgi the Lean & Thorunn Hyrna”. South by Helgamagrastræti to the towns thermal pool, the Botanical Gardens to Akureyri church and down by the town centre ending at the Ráðhústorg.

The sea & Oddeyrin (pink) 1,9KM / 0,6 MILES Down by Strandgata towards HOF Cultural Center and along the sea to the harbour. Then crossing the streets into one of the oldest parts of town with wooden houses covered with stone imitated covering, typical for older houses in Akureyri. Back towards the town centre ending at the Ráðhústorg.

THINGS TO DO IN AKUREYRI

Historical path (purple)

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Akureyri University Swimming Pool Glerár Elementary school

Golf Area

Shopping Center Technical School

Police Station

Camping

The Settlers Akureyri Thermal Pool Botanical Gardens

Town Center

Graveyard

Old Town Akureyri museum

Cultural Center

Oddeyri Old Town

www.akguide.is

Hospital

Library

GEOTHERMAL POOLS IN AKUREYRI Visiting Iceland, you’ll most likely know that the geothermal swimming pools are a very big thing here, and Akureyri is of course no different. In the town of Akureyri you’ll find two pools, the Akureyri Geothermal Pool and the Glerárlaug.

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The Akureyri Geothermal Pool is one of the most popular attractions in Akureyri and is open all year round. The pool area features two 25m outdoor pools, pummelling water jets, water slides, a splashpool for the children, an indoor pool as well as four hot pots, a steam bath and a sauna. On top of that the pool area has an extensive space for sunbathing. All the pools are heated by natural geothermal water, with temperatures ranging from 27°C to 42°C in the hottest tubs. Right next door to the pool is a very popular family area, featuring a miniature golf course, a giant chess set and a playground for all to enjoy.

The Glerárlaug geothermal pool is a great option for those seeking an indoor pool or a little less crowd than can be expected at the bigger Akureyri Geothermal Pool. The outdoor area features two hot tubs, a children’s wading-pool as well as outdoor dressing rooms.

All in all, the swimming pools of Akureyri are among Iceland’s finest, and they’re always aiming higher, so make sure it’s one of your stops in Akureyri, as it really has something to offer to anyone – from top notch relaxation, to thrilling action and activities.

Geothermal pools AKUREYRI GEOTHERMAL POOL Þingvallastræti 21, Akureyri / +354 461 4455

HRAFNAGIL GEOTHERMAL POOL Hrafnagilskóli, Akureyri / +354 464 8140

GLERÁRLAUG GEOTHERMAL POOL Höfðahlíð, Akureyri / +354 462 1539

GRÍMSEY POOL Grímsey / +354 461 3155

HRÍSEY GEOTHERMAL POOL Austurvegi 5, Hrísey / +354 461 2255

ÞELAMÖRK GEOTHERMAL POOL Þelamörk, Laugalandi / +354 462 4718

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OPENING HOURS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.AKGUIDE.IS

Pour a glass of the number one beer in the country, raise your glass to a friend and say “scowl fyrewr thyer!”

You should fit right in.

Enjoy responsibly

JUNE 2015 GRÍMSEY FESTIVAL

GRÍMSEY // JUNE 5TH-7TH An annual festival focusing on old traditions from Grímsey. Collecting eggs, boat tours, childrens games, seek out the eggs of the Artic Tern, enjoy seasonal local food, music, etc.

“BÍLADAGAR” AKUREYRI CAR EVENTS

AKUREYRI // JUNE 16TH-21ST Bíladagar is one of the largest motor sports events held in Iceland and is an annual celebration of all cars, motorbikes and general motor sport vehicles from around Iceland. Races, drag racing, displays and much more fills the timetable.

EVENTS IN AKUREYRI AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS

EVENT CALENDAR

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FISHERMAN’S DAY

AKUREYRI // JUNE 7TH Fishing has always been very important to the Icelandic way of living and as Akureyri houses one of the largest fishing companies in Iceland the day is celebrated with various events. Fishing vessels stay docked in the harbour during the celebrations, so that the sailors can spend the day with their families.

HIKING WEEK

AKUREYRI // JUNE 8TH-12TH

© Axel Darri Þórhallsson

Short two up to three hours walks suitable for most people.

AKUREYRI // JUNE 10TH-13TH VAKA folk festival presents the best and brightest of traditional folk song, music, dance and handcraft from Iceland, Scandinavia and the British Isles. The festival will feature 4 days and nights of non-stop music making and dancing under the midnight sun.

www.akguide.is

VAKA FOLK FESTIVAL – NORDIC ART FESTIVAL

ICELANDIC NATIONAL DAY ICELAND // JUNE 17TH

The National Day of Iceland is a very important celebration for the people of Akureyri as it is to all the people of Iceland, as this is the day the Republic of Iceland was formed. The town is decorated with flags and a full celebratory program starts at 13.00 and runs until midnight, suitable for all ages.

AVIATION FESTIVAL

AKUREYRI // JUNE 20TH

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A good opportunity to view new and old air crafts of many kinds and even see some of them in action. Perfect opportunity for families to have a good time.

SUMMER SOLSTICE GRÍMSEY // JUNE 21ST

The inhabitants of Grímsey, Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island and the only part of the country that lies above the Arctic Circle, celebrate the summer solstice on the 21st of June Visitors can experience the extreme beauty of the Island of Grímsey along with the locals in the midnight sun and watch thousands of puffins in flight and nesting. Grímsey has one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland.

ARCTIC OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT AKUREYRI // JUNE 25TH-27TH

This international golf tournament takes place at the end of June around Summer Solstice. One of the northernmost 18 hole golf course in the world. It is an international event which attracts golfers from various parts of the world. A game of midnight golf seems an unlikely prospect to many enthusiasts and few golfers have experienced this delight. But now you have a novel opportunity to participate in an event which features round the clock golf in mid-summer at high latitudes.

JULY 2015 FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

SIGLUFJÖRÐUR // JULY 1ST-5TH At the Folk Music Festival in Siglufjord outstanding musicians from Scandinavia, Portugal, Wales and America are going to perform all sorts of music as well as very talented native musicians. Folk, classical, experimental and jazz music will be played in around 20 concerts all around Siglufjord: in the boat house, the meal factory, Siglufjord Church and in restaurants.

N1 FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AKUREYRI // JULY 1ST-3RD

A tournament that has become very strong in junior football where 1,500 boys, with families, meet and play each year.

POLLAMÓT FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

AKUREYRI // JULY 2ND-4TH

The “Pollamót” is an annual sporting event held by Icelandair and Þór football club at the beginning of July. It is a football tournament for adult people who want to show they haven’t lost their touch.

THE 24 PEAKS IN 24 HOURS HIKE

AKUREYRI // JULY

The 24 peaks in 24 hours hike is an ambitious annual hiking event in July. The challenge is set in July to try and experience the best conditions for hiking in the Glerá Valley.

HRÍSEY FESTIVAL

HRÍSEY // JULY

This festival takes place in the middle of July each year. Enjoy a family friendly festival

MOTORBIKE DAYS

AKUREYRI // JULY 16TH-19TH An annual motorbike meeting is held in Akureyri in late July. The motorbike club Tian (The Ten) organises this event , it offers a diverse programming to suits all who have a passion for motorbikes.

MEDIEVAL TRADING WEEKEND GÁSIR // JULY 17TH-19TH

Gásir was the main trading post in northern Iceland during the Middle Ages, and the place is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas.

Gásir comes to life during these summer festival days with iron forgers, noisy local and foreign traders, children’s laughter, songs and food.

FISH FESTIVAL IN DALVÍK DALVÍK

All you can eat – for free! – everybody is invited to a seafood buffet. Fish producers and other members of society invite guests to a seafood buffet to enjoy a good day at the harbour in Dalvík.

A cruise in the fjord, art shows, street theatre and music of all kinds throughout the day in a beautiful environment with spectacular mountains as backdrop.

ARCTIC HANDCRAFT AND DESIGN

HRAFNAGIL // AUGUST 6TH-9TH

EVENTS IN AKUREYRI AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS

which includes a “surprise tour of the island” beach tour, campfire and songs. Hrísey is the pearl of Eyjafjordur with a rich birdlife and excellent hiking. Catch the ferry from Árskógsströnd for a 15 min trip over to the island.

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Held at the school Hrafnagilsskóli, south of Akureyri for the 20th time, the Arctic Handicraft and Design Iceland is one of a kind. About 100 individuals are selected to sell their exclusive handicrafts, art and design that often are based on the old Icelandic traditions.

AKUREYRI TOWN FESTIVAL

AKUREYRI // AUGUST 28TH-30TH

AUGUST 2015 EIN MEÐ ÖLLU FAMILY FESTIVAL AKUREYRI // JULY 30TH-AUGUST 2ND

www.akguide.is

The main theme of “Ein með Öllu” family festival is one of romance with a dash of nostalgia. However there should be something for everyone. The name means literally “One with everything”, which is the most popular order when buying an Icelandic hot dog! During the festival, a variety of entertainment can be enjoyed by all. There is an open air concert downtown Akureyri every night. Our aim with this festival is for everyone to have a great time, young and old.

Akureyri Town Festival is held on the last weekend of August on the occasion of Akureyri’s birthday at the end of August. The theme Akureyri Town Festival 2013 was multiculturalism as people from more then sixty ethnicities live in Akureyri.

WINTER 2015 Arctic run

NORTH OF ICELAND // SEPTEMBER 15TH

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The Arctic Run is very popular amongst Icelanders. Grímsey, just north of Akureyri in the north of Iceland. The island and the run cross the arctic circle and is this the only running event in the world where you can circle an island and cross the arctic circle meanwhile. Arctic Running can assist you with registering and offers packages for those who want assistance with transport, accommodation and activities the days before and after the run.

LADIES DAY

AKUREYRI // OCTOBER 8TH-11TH Even in the harshest time of winter it’s nice to have a reason to celebrate. On Konudagur, “Ladies Days”, men must remember to treat their partners with something nice, flowers and chocolates are always popular. Get pink and shimmery and enjoy Ladies Days with concerts, exhibitions and everything women love.

LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL NORTH ICELAND AKUREYRI // OCTOBER 17TH-18TH

The exhibition North Iceland Local Food Festival 2015 will be held in the Sports Stadium in Akureyri. The festival has been held every other year with an attendance records set in 2013 when 13-15 thousand people visited the exhibition. Few events are as popular and the festival also attracts visitors from all parts of the country. The Local Food Festival exhibition is held to reflect the strength of the North as the largest food production area of ​​the country and therefore is the festival an ideal presentation platform that companies and individuals in the sector can use to draw attention to the production, cuisine, catering, food tourism and trade associated with this indurstry.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

AKUREYRI // DECEMBER 1ST-26TH There is plenty on offer for visitors at this charming time of year. Visit the quaint Jólagarðurinn (The Christmas Garden), which is only a 10-minute drive from Akureyri, check out exhibitions, concerts, theatre and markets or explore the fantastic winter landscape around Akureyri. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can enjoy a traditional Icelandic Christmas dinner at some of the best restaurants in town, and taste the local Icelandic delicacies.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

AKUREYRI // DECEMBER 31ST In Akureyri, the New Year is celebrated in the traditional Icelandic way, which, of course, calls for an enormous bonfire, great music, dancing and a whole lot of fireworks. The bonfire at

EASTER ADVENTURE AKUREYRI // MARCH

Easter in Akureyri is an unforgetable experience. Whether you fancy going to a concert, a trip down the ski slopes of Hlíðafjall, a swim in one of the best pools in the country or treat yourself to a good meal or drink, Akureyri is the right place.

AK EXTREME SNOWBOARDING COMPETITION

EVENTS IN AKUREYRI AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS

Réttarhvammur (way up on Hlíðarfjall ski centre, which is open during New Year), kicks of the celebration at 8 pm, and an hour later a wonderful firework display follows. In town, there are concerts and dances way into the early hours of the morning, and leading up to the midnight hour, thousands of fireworks will light up the sky above Akureyri, creating a unique atmosphere and welcoming in a New Year. There are also tour operators working, so check out our tour section to book a jeep, gourmet, hiking, horse riding, snow scooter or a northern light tour during this magical night.

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AKUREYRI

WINTER 2016 TWELFTH NIGHT – ÞRETTÁNDINN AKUREYRI // JANUARY 6TH

January 6th (Twelfth Night) is celebrated as the last day of Christmas in Iceland. The 13 Yule lads start going back up to the mountains on Christmas day, one by one, the last one leaving on 6th of January, marking the end of the Christmas season. This day is celebrated in a similar way to New Year’s Eve, but on a smaller scale with festive dinners, bonfires and fireworks.

ICELAND WINTER GAMES The Winter Games is a international freeski and slopestyle competition and the Winter Festival presents all kinds of winter sports, tours and events.

DONALD DUCK SKI COMPETITION

AKUREYRI // APRIL

The competition was first held in 1976 and has become a highly successful annual event. The Donald Duck games are a family affair enjoyed by adults and children alike.

MUSEUMS DAY IN EYJAFJORD AKUREYRI

The numerous and interesting museums in the fjord organize different programs and open their doors collectively to the public.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE EVENTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.AKGUIDE.IS

www.akguide.is

AKUREYRI

The festival was first held in 2002 as part of the idea to create a snowboard festival in Akureyri. For three days the best snowboarders/skiers in Iceland get together organising this event and hundreds of people turn out to watch the show.

ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in Iceland is generally known for good quality and high standard. Most of the accommodation in Akureyri is either in the city centre or within easy walking distance. Guests can choose between high quality hotels to small and friendly hotels, student dormitories, guesthouses and youth hostel. For those seeking

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the quietness of the countryside or a different experience, accommodation in the country hotels or the charming farmhouses in the slopes of the fjord can be recommended.

For list of hotels, apartments, guesthouses, hostels and more, please visit visitakureyri.is

Activity Lodge and Cottages

Ytri-Vík North Iceland All year

8 Cottages, fully equipped Location: On road 82 about 19 km north of road 1, about 30 km from the town Akureyri and 14 km from the village Dalvík GPS: 65 54,35.71'N, 18 17,16.82´W

Bookings: www.sporttours.is | Tel: +354 899 8000

+354 894 2967 | sporttours@sporttours.is

PRACTICAL INFORMATION Getting Around

driving in akureyri

DOMESTIC AIR TERMINAL

SPEED LIMITS

Air Iceland offers scheduled flights between Reykjavík and Akureyri.

On city streets the speed limit is generally 50kmph / 30mph, unless otherwise stated.

Akureyri Municipal Airport +354 570 3000 | www.airiceland.is Norlandair operates scheduled flight services within the vicinity of Akureyri and also to East Greenland. Trips to Grímsey island are daily over the summertime and three times a week in winter. + 354 414 6960 | www.norlandair.is The airport is located about 3 km south of the town centre and unless you plan to take a taxi, a nice walk through the old town is ideal.

BUS TERMINALS Take the bus to destinations all around the island.

Hof Cultural Center Strandgata 12, Akureyri +354 540 2700 | www.bus.is SBA Norðurleið Hafnarstræti 82, Akureyri +354 550 0720 | www.english.sba.is Sterna Hafnarstræti 77, Akureyri +354 551 1166 | www.sterna.is

FERRIES The ferry Sæfari offers scheduled 3 hour trips three times a week, the whole year from Dalvík to Grímsey island. The trips are Mon, Wed and Fridays. Scheduled trips to Hrísey island are two times a week, Tue and Thursdays.

Ferry Sæfari, +354 853 2211 | www.landflutningar.is/saefari/ The ferry Sævar offers scheduled trips several times a day the whole year between Árskógsandur and Hrísey. The ride takes 15 minutes.

Ferry Sævar, (+345) 695 5544 | www.hrisey.net Taxis in Iceland tend to be rather nice and you can always pay with a credit card. Taxis can be reached with a phone call or at the taxi stand located in the town centre.

BSO Strandgötu, Akureyri | +354 461 1010 Taxi 17 (at BSO) +354 892 4257

Bicycles in Akureyri have been increasing greatly and they are now a presence on the road. Give them space.

RUSH HOURS While the idea of “rush hour” is relative in such a small city, Akureyri is a car-based city and its major traffic arteries will fill up from 7:45 to 8:15 and 15:45 to 16:30.

GAS STATIONS Most gas stations are open every day from 8:00 to 23:30— many with 24-hour pay at-the-pump facilities. To pay at the pump your card generally needs to have a chip and a PIN number (although some also accept bills).

phone & Internet CALLING CARDS Cell phones work almost all over Iceland. If you think you’re going to be calling a lot, you can also buy phone cards at most grocery- and convenience stores.

DIALLING When dialling internationally in Iceland, dial 00 to get out of the country, then select the country code, then the number. When dialling local numbers you don’t need to include the 354-country code, only the last seven digits.

PHONE CENTRE At the HOF Tourist Information Centre, by the harbour at Strandgata 12, you will find WiFi access, computers and phones for a small fee.

PHONEBOOK The Icelandic phone book lists people by their first names. You can access the directory online at ja.is.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION & INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE DIAL 118 or DIAL 1811 the 24/7 service for information.

EVERYTHING ELSE OPENING HOURS Public institutions: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00 or 16:00. General office hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.

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BANKS Monday-Friday most banks open from 9:00 to 16:00.

SHOPS Shop hours vary, but they are generally from 10:00 to 18:00 Mondays to Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00.

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING Open 24/7/365 at: Samkaup Strax, Borgarbraut.

10-11 store at Kaupangur, Mýrarvegur.

USEFUL NUMBERS The emergency number in Iceland is 112. Use it in any emergency for ambulance, fire department, medical help, police and doctors.

Doctors on duty +354 848 2600 Police – Non-emergency Þórunnarstræti 138 +354 464 7700

LOST CREDIT CARDS VISA: 525 2000 MasterCard: 533 1400 Amex: 575 5900

www.akguide.is

TAXIS IN AKUREYRI

CYCLISTS

If you have your own device there are hot spots all over, in the town centre area, and you will find WiFi access at almost any café or bar for free (sometimes you have to buy a coffee). Many hotels and guesthouses also offer free WiFi.

GOOD TO KNOW

FROM & TO AIRPORT

SEATBELTS Wearing seatbelts at all times is mandatory and children under the age of five must be strapped into an approved child seat.

INTERNET ACCESS & HOT SPOTS

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FJALLABYGGÐ What used to be known only as the separate towns of Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður was united under the name Fjallabyggð in 2006. Ólafsfjörður stands at the mouth of Eyjafjörður and Siglufjörður is only 15 km away through the Héðinsfjörður tunnel. Siglufjörður was the fifth largest town in Iceland in the 1940s and 50s when it had a population of 3100 due to its booming herring industry at the time but today the herring is long gone and the population of

today is around 1300. Although the herring is long gone visitors can go to the Herring Era Museum to revisit the history of the town and if that’s not enough there’s an annual festival titled “Síldarævintýrið á Siglufirði” which is held in the end of July and beginning of August. Ólafsfjörður is located about 50-60 minutes away from Akureyri via car and from Ólafsfjörður to Siglufjörður is another 15-20 minutes.

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HÚSAVÍK A small town of 2.500 inhabitants, Húsavík is nestled on the slopes of a mountain by the Skjálfandi bay.

Húsavík is historically a fishing town, but in recent years tourism has become the more dominant industry. The bay is one of few in Iceland where one can spot a blue whale, the largest animal in the world, in addition to other native species such as minke whale and as a result, whale watching is a very growing and flourishing industry in the area. The town also features a number of

museums , such as the Whale Museum which features 9 full-sized skeletons, the Civic Museum featuring natural as well as historic relics, the Maritime museum featuring a number of large and impressive boats amongst other things, and the exploration museum, featuring an exhibition of the Apollo astronaut training in the area, as well as studies of other historic frontiers.

The town is also noted for its church built in 1907 in the “Schweitzer” style.

DALVÍK In town you’ll also find the Hvoll folk museum which has information about Jóhann Svarfdælingur, once believed to be the tallest man on earth. Dalvík also offers canoeing, whale watching, angling, has a 9 hole golf course and a nice swimming pool as well as a ferry service to Grímsey.

Dalvík is located roughly 40 minutes away from the town of Akureyri via car.

NEIGHBORING TOWNS

Located on the western shore of Eyjafjörður this small town of approximately 1400 people has recently made a name for itself for their annual “Fiskidagurinn mikli” celebration (e.

The Great Fish Day). This annual festival has attracted roughly 30000 visitors each year, who come to stroll around town and enjoy the free seafood buffet. The festival is held on Saturday after the first Monday of August

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MÝVATN

Around the lake there are multiple wetlands which is what makes this location ideal for

bird-watching where over 115 species of birds have been sighted, amongst those the Barrow’s goldeneye and Harlequin ducks.

Mývatn is located about 90 km from Akureyri, so it should take roughly over an hour to drive.

There are multiple bus routes that go from both Akureyri and Húsavík, some of them offering tours around the area.

Make sure you check out: Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, Leirhnjúkur and Hverfjall/Hverfell.

www.akguide.is

Formed after a massive eruption over 2000 years ago, Mývatn and the surrounding area has become one of the most popular destination for those visiting the nearby areas of Akureyri. It has a lot to offer such as mud pools, a nature bath similar to the Blue Lagoon, geothermal caves, the 2500 year old tephra crater (Hverfjall or Hverfell – no one knows which name to use), pseudo craters, as well as the lake itself.

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