Akureyri is the largest community outside the Reykjavík area, with 15,000 inhabitants. Akureyri is the center of trade and services in northern Iceland.
Situated on the longest fjord in the country and surrounded by mountains reaching 1,000-1,500m/3,300-5,000ft. Akureyri is about 40km/25mi south of the Arctic Circle. Summer days occasionally reach 25°C and although winters bring heavy snowfall and cold weather, calm and still weather prevails.
Despite it's isolated position, Akureyri's cultural life and entertainment are flourishing. The town has the modern University of Akureyri, a symphony orchestra, theaters, art museums, cafés, restaurants and night-clubs. There is a wide range of shops in the town, offering brand-name products.
Sports and leisure activities are also well-catered for. There are several gyms, golf courses, sports grounds and the skiing area is the best in the country. The town boasts an excellent skating rink, and cross-country skiing trails.
Listagil, or the Akureyri Arts Center, is a "Street of the Arts" created out of old industrial buildings.
Listagil Arts Center contains varied activities and establishments, such as the Akureyri Art Gallery, Akureyri School of Art, artists' studios, exhibition halls, restaurants and plus a visitors' studio for the benefit of traveling artists.
The Akureyri Botanical Garden, the world's most northerly, functions both as public gardens with decorative plants and as a botanical garden with a noteworthy collection of specimens from Icelandic flora along with 6,600 imported flowers, trees and shrubs.
Akureyri Municipal Library and Archive is a public lending library that was first established in 1827 and houses over 80,000 volumes as well as the district historical archives.
The most northerly golf course in the world is located in Akureyri and an international round-the-clock golf tournament held in mid-summer takes advantage of the area's midnight sun.
The home of one of Iceland's best-loved poets, David Stefansson (1895-1964). Built in 1944, it contains the poet's original furnishings, personal effects and his library, which is one of the largest and most valuable private book collections in Iceland.
Exhibits showing the work of the Good Templars in Iceland are housed in Friðbjarnarhús, built in 1856, and named after bookbinder and bookseller Fridbjorn Steinsson, a prominent community figure and one of the founders of the order.
On exhibit are specimens of all breeding bird species in Iceland and their eggs, and extensive collections of marine fauna, insects, plants, lichens and mushrooms.
An interesting piece in the museum is a stuffed great auk recreated from bits and pieces from other birds.
Nonnihús was the childhood home of the writer Jón Sveinsson (Nonni), 1857-1944. Nonni is best known for his books of his childhood experiences, written for young readers.
Nonnihús is one of the oldest houses in Akureyri, c 1850. It tells much about life in 19th C Iceland and includes his personal belongings and editions of the Nonni books in many languages.
The Port of Akureyri is Iceland's second largest port after Reykjavík In recent years the port has become a popular cruise destination, bringing thousands of visitors to the area each summer.
Address: Port of Akureyri, Fiskitanga, Akureyri, Nordurland eystra 600, Iceland
Sigurhaeðir is the house built in 1903 by the Rev. Matthias Jochumsson, one of Iceland's greatest poets, and his home until his death in 1920. It includes a collection of his letters and manuscripts.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
Akureyri Church, Akureyri
Akureyri
