Add dates

Things to do in Akureyri

Our most recommended things to do in Akureyri

Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour

1. Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour

Experience the majestic beauty of the Eyjafjord's humpback whales and other marine life in their natural habitat on a cruise trip from Akureyri. Listen to your guide's commentary and discover how the warmth of the summer sun brings vibrant life and plenty of food for the larger-than-life mammals.  Benefit from the services of specially-trained whale watching guides who are experts at spotting the animals. Listen as they tell you about the behavior of the whales and answer any questions you may have. Journey aboard the only specially-modified, high-speed whale watching ship in Iceland. Capable of carrying 200 people, it provides spectacular views from its cinema-style viewing platforms. Relax aboard the boat and enjoy the ample indoor and outdoor seating. Purchase drinks and snacks along the way from the onboard bar and cafeteria. Experience a pleasant and comfortable ride, even at speed, and share your adventure live on social media with free Wi-Fi.

From Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall Day Trip

2. From Akureyri: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Waterfall Day Trip

Explore the natural beauty of Iceland during a day tour of Goðafoss Waterfall and Lake Mývatn. The tour starts with a drive and photo stops along the scenic coast of Eyjafjordur, one of the longest fjords in the country. The first stop will be at Goðafoss, a breathtaking 39-foot-tall waterfall, located in the Skjálfandafljót River. From Goðafoss Waterfall the tour continues to Lake Mývatn driving around the lake stopping at Pseudo Craters, Lavafields, Geothermal mud pools and the Divergent Plate Tectonics. A lunch stop at a local restaurant before continuing the sightseeing around the Lake Depending on the Cruise Ship's departure time from Akureyri Port an additional option can be to stop at the Myvatn Nature Baths for a relaxing soak in the geothermal pool.

Akureyri: 2–Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

3. Akureyri: 2–Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

Enjoy a 2-hour whale and bird watching tour starting from the floating pier in Akureyri. Experience and get close to the incredible humpback whales of the Eyjafjord, starting from the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri. With only 12 passengers on each boat, take part in an adventure of a lifetime on an intimate whale watching tour.   The specially made RIB boats allow you to get closer to the whales and wildlife than any other boat can offer. The RIBs are fast and small boats that will also get you quicker to the whales and cover a bigger area as you search for the wild life. This means a bigger chance of spotting whales, dolphins and bird life with out disturbing them in their natural habitat. If you have a passion for nature and love for adventure, this is the tour for you.

Akureyri: Northern Lights Tour

4. Akureyri: Northern Lights Tour

We pick you up from your hotel in the evening and together we go in search of the Northern Lights in the sky. Named after the Roman goddess Aurora these colourful lights swirl around the sky in a dramatic dance, leave different patterns and shapes. We drive away from the electric street lights of Akureyri on our Northern Lights hunt. Once we find the lights, we make sure you get good time to both intake this beauty and take as good picture of it as you possible can. The Northern Lights have had a number of names throughout the history. The Greek´s called this phenomenon the “Dance of the Spirits”. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, these lights were commonly believed to be a sign from God. The old Icelandic folktale tell us about the angels dancing in heaven, their dresses were suppose to create these magnificent shapes of lights in the sky.

From Akureyri: Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

5. From Akureyri: Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

A great tour around the lake Mývatn area where we see how the power of nature has formed the country and how it's still working beneath our feet. We explore beautiful spots and enjoy the stunning scenery along the way. We start our tour in Akureyri and drive east towards the beautiful Goðafoss waterfall, where we'll make our first stop. The waterfall is a place of significant historic value connected with when Icelanders took Christianity. We continue east from Goðafoss; we'll pass through the valley of Reykjadalur and head to Skútustaðir, where we see the pseudocraters. Our next stop is the stunning lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Dimmuborgir were formed about 2300 years ago when a partly cooled lava lake drained out and left magnificent basalt pillars and sculptures. After a short walk in Dimmuborgir, we'll travel to Grjótagjá, which was a popular underground bathing cave until the volcanic eruptions at Krafla 1975-1984. Those eruptions heated the water in the cave, so now it's too hot to bathe there. We now continue through the Námaskarð pass and go to the Hverarönd fumarole fields, a spectacular area showing the earth's inner power. After this, we'll be heading back towards Akureyri; if time, weather and conditions allow, we'll find some good places to stop for pictures

From Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn Shore Excursion

6. From Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn Shore Excursion

Benefit from pick-up from your cruise ship in Akureyri Port, and then drive to Lake Mývatn and the surrounding wetlands area near Krafla volcano. Stop at Goðafoss waterfall and hear about its important role in the history of Iceland. Continue to the pseudo craters of Skútustaðagígar, formed when hot flowing lava met with ice-cold water from the lake. See the lava fields of Dimmuborgir, rich in mythical sagas and stunning to look at for the lava pillars and rock formations.   Discover the thermal waters of an underground river at Grjotagja, where you will stand on the continental rift between Europe and America. End with a look at the boiling mud pools of Hverir and gaze in awe at the steaming fumaroles and sulfur pits. Return to Akureyri Port at least 1 hour before your ship’s departure for the end of the tour services.

Akureyri: Day Trip to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Nature Baths

7. Akureyri: Day Trip to Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Nature Baths

Explore the natural beauty of Iceland during a day tour of Goðafoss Waterfall and Lake Mývatn. Visit a local hot spring and bathe in the soothing water of the nature baths. Leave Akureyri and drive along the scenic coast of Eyjafjordur, one of the longest fjords in the country. The first stop will be Goðafoss, a breathtaking 39-foot-tall waterfall, located in the Skjálfandafljót River. Next, head to Lake Mývatn, whose landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms due to a lava eruption 2,300 years ago. Continue on to the cave of Grjótagjá and stop at the hot spring area at Hverarönd in Námaskarð. Take advantage of the opportunity to relax in the steam baths and geothermal water of Mývatn Nature Baths. On the way back to Akureyri, see the unique lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar. The last stop will be in Eyjafjordur where you will have time to take plenty of photos with the fjord as your backdrop.

From Reykjavik: Winter 6-Day Small Group Tour of Iceland

8. From Reykjavik: Winter 6-Day Small Group Tour of Iceland

Your Icelandic adventure begins with pickup from Reykjavik and heads out along the Golden Circle. Marvel at the natural landmarks of Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir and Þingvellir National Park, admire hot water spouting from the earth, and learn about the history of Iceland while you travel. Spend your first night at a cozy hotel on the South Coast. On day 2, visit the waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the cascades for a truly breathtaking experience. From here you'll embark on a hiking tour to a nearby ancient glacier before heading back to the black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Spend the night in the small village of Vík, and enjoy free time in the evening to explore the local area or mingle with your fellow travelers. On day 3, discover Skaftafell National Park, where glistening white sheets of ice contrast against the stark black sand. Afterward, take a tour of a stunning ice cave and see huge blocks of ice floating in the glacier lagoon of Jökulsárlón. Spend the evening looking for the world-famous Northern Lights, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Day 4 takes you on a wildlife exploration through the East Fjords in search of wild reindeer and other native animals. Next, learn about the culture and way of life of nearby local villages then pass by Lake Lagarfljót, where a monster is said to live! Marvel at the forests of Hallormsstaðaskógur before spending the night at a sleepy village. Explore the geothermal region of Lake Mývatn on day 5 and see the lava pillars of Dimmuborgir. Continue to the Námaskarð Pass to gaze at the earth boiling and bubbling before your eyes, then spend the night in Akureyri, the Capital of the North. Finally, on day 6, wander along the breathtaking fjord of Eyjafjörður and visit Kaffi Kú to get to meet local farmers. You'll stop by Hauganes for a whale watching tour, included in this adventurous getaway. At the end of a busy and exciting 6-day trip, travel back to Reykjavik where your adventure comes to an end.

West Glacial River Family Rafting

9. West Glacial River Family Rafting

Enjoy a trip through the magnificent West Glacial canyon. This trip is ideal for those who want to enjoy a relaxing trip and take in some breath-taking scenery. For family rafting the West is the best. The West Glacial River is classed 2-3. The trip starts and ends in the onsite boathouse. The friendly and professional guide will provide you with all of the equipment needed for tackling famous glacial rivers. The guides will provide wetsuits, dry tops, helmets, buoyancy aids /life jackets, and rafting booties. All you need to bring is your swimsuit, a warm long sleeve fleece, and a towel. Take a 20 minute drive towards the West Glacial river. Your trip leader will give a full safety briefing. You will then be divided into crews and assigned a boat and most of all your guide. Once on the river you will enter the canyon with its high walls and amazing geology. Along the way you may stop for a unique hot chocolate and for some cliff jumping for the brave ones. The bus will be waiting for the short drive back to the base where the hot tubs await. The trip time is around 3 hours.

Akureyri: Hunt for the Northern Lights

10. Akureyri: Hunt for the Northern Lights

Get away from the light pollution of the city and enjoy a night of hunting for the elusive northern lights after dark. The solar activity that produces northern lights has been very active this winter so it's the perfect time to go. The areas around Akureyri are some of the best places to see the aurora. Your tour will take you out of the city, away from residential light pollution, for the clearest view of the night sky. You may even get to see the Milky Way if you're lucky. Based on the predictions, the guides will choose which direction to go from Akureyri for the best possibility of seeing the awe-inspiring northern lights. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather conditions and bring your camera. Your guide will give you tips and pointers for spotting the northern lights as sometimes they start very faintly. You can opt for pickup from your hotel, or you can meet the tour guide with the van at the meeting point.

Top sights in Akureyri

Available activities

34 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 3

Other Sightseeing Options in Akureyri

Want to discover all there is to do in Akureyri? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Akureyri

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 927 reviews

We had a good experience. Guide was at the port on time and did a good job explaining the stops and moving things along. The guide was friendly and we never felt rushed. First stop, Goðafoss waterfall. I love waterfalls, and Iceland has no shortage of them. I’ve seen a lot of waterfalls in my life and this one is up there. Next, Skútustaðagígar to see the pseudo craters. Many hiking trails around these craters and it was beautiful. Also, we got to taste some authentic lamb stew! At the entrance of the craters, there’s a little Café shop called Kaffi Sel. They sell this amazing lamb stew (unlimited refills) and some local beer. I had lamb stew at some other ports in Iceland, but this one was the best (and cheapest). Next, Dimmuborgir. This area is made of lava fields, with various rock formations and caves. This is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions due to its unique looking rocks, the folklores, and the filming of Game of Thrones. Much more to say but I'm out of space.

This tour was a part of the 8 day tour. More details about both are available at troll.is. Our guide Siggi loved his job. He was more excited in seeing the attractions, though he had been doing this for many years. On the 5th day, he drove us around, chasing Northern lights. The whole sky lit up with the dancing lights!

Very fun! The northern lights weren’t particularly strong and there was a decent amount of cloud cover, but the guide drove us to several different locations and in the end we got to see the lights, although it was brief! The bus was comfortable and the guide was very friendly

My guide, Hinrik from Troll Expeditions made the trip so fun and memorable. Despite bad weather and him falling sick, he always found something to make up for it and keeping us all safe. o definitely recommend this tour if you want adventure and seeing most of Iceland.

So so cool! We saw about 20 whales on our visit and one was a super close encounter. Great amenities on board the ship including food, drinks and overalls. Highly recommend!