( Around the lodge )
Explore Akureyri and beyond
Start in the old town. Discover North Iceland from there.
Akureyri Lodge is situated in Innbærinn, a historic neighbourhood where much of the town’s character can be discovered on foot.
Take a walk through the old streets, visit local museums, explore the botanical garden or make your way into the centre for cafés, restaurants and shops.
When you are ready to venture further, Akureyri is a convenient starting point for exploring the landscapes and experiences of North Iceland — from geothermal bathing and whale watching to waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and memorable day trips.
Use the map below to plan your time, whether you prefer exploring on foot or setting out by car.
Discover the historic streets and attractions of Akureyri, with museums, the botanical garden and the town centre all accessible on foot.
Around the town, 4 to 11 minutes from the house by car.
Venture beyond the town to experience geothermal baths, waterfalls, coastal communities and the landscapes around Lake Mývatn.
Distances and travel times are approximate and may vary with road conditions and your chosen route. Walking and driving times from Lækjargata 3, measured by route in Google Maps. East of town the drives go through the Vaðlaheiði tunnel, which has a toll.
( Our favourites )
Akureyri on your doorstep
Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland and a destination worth more than a quick stop.
The town offers museums, galleries, shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, swimming pools and cultural events throughout the year.
From Akureyri Lodge, the centre is just over one kilometre away and easily reached on foot.
Spend the morning exploring town, have lunch at a local café, head out into the surrounding countryside in the afternoon and return to Akureyri for dinner.
Or simply stay a little longer at your home away from home.
Below are our handpicked favourites in and around Akureyri.
History & culture
Nonnahús, Akureyri Museum and the historic centre.
- NonnahúsA writer’s childhood home, 650 m9 min on foot
- Akureyri MuseumMinjasafnið, 700 m10 min on foot
- Church stepsAkureyrarkirkja, 1 km14 min on foot
Nature & gardens
Akureyri Botanical Garden and the surrounding landscape.
- Botanical gardenLystigarðurinn, 650 m9 min on foot
- KjarnaskógurForest, 3.4 km6 min by car
- HlíðarfjallSki area, 7.9 km11 min by car
Food & town life
Cafés, restaurants, shops and cultural venues.
- Town squareRáðhústorg, 1.3 km18 min on foot
- ListagilThe art street and museum, 1.1 km16 min on foot
- HofCulture house, 1.5 km21 min on foot
Geothermal bathing
Forest Lagoon and other regional bathing destinations.
- Forest Lagoon2.6 km4 min by car
- Swimming poolSundlaug Akureyrar, 1.1 km16 min on foot
- GeoSeaHúsavík1 h 3 min by car
- Earth LagoonMývatn1 h 10 min by car
Day trips
Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn and Húsavík as well as Dettifoss.
- Goðafoss33.5 km30 min by car
- DalvíkWhale watching, 45.6 km40 min by car
- HúsavíkWhale watching, 74.9 km1 h 1 min by car
- Lake MývatnReykjahlíð, 81.9 km1 h 6 min by car
- DettifossWaterfall, 132 km1 h 43 min by car
( Town life )
Hearts in the traffic lights
In Akureyri, the red traffic lights are shaped like hearts.
The hearts went into the town’s traffic lights in the summer of 2008, when the town festival was made over into a family event. That autumn, after the financial crisis, the town ran a campaign of positive messages called “Smile with Your Heart”, and the hearts have stayed ever since.
For a photo away from the traffic, a freestanding heart-shaped light stands near Hof, with the church behind it. Since 2020 a red heart has also stood at the south end of the pedestrian street, near Hafnarstræti 91.
The story of the hearts: Visit Akureyri (opens in a new tab).
( November to April )
Akureyri in winter
From late November the snow usually settles on Innbærinn and the lifts open on Hlíðarfjall above the town. On dark nights with a clear sky, the northern lights can come out over the fjord.
Explore North Iceland
Akureyri is also an excellent base for discovering the wider region.
From here, you can explore some of North Iceland’s best-known natural attractions, including Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Húsavík and the surrounding landscapes of North Iceland.
Depending on the season and your interests, there are opportunities for:
- Whale watching
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Golf
- Geothermal swimming
- Fishing
- Nature and sightseeing
- Museums and local culture
- Restaurants and cafés
You don’t have to choose between being close to nature and having a town around you.
At Akureyri Lodge, you can have both.
( Practical )
Good to know
- Emergency
- Call 112 for police, ambulance and fire.
- Hospital
- Akureyri Hospital’s emergency department is open around the clock, at entrance C, about 10 minutes from the house on foot. Phone 463 0800. If you are not sure it is an emergency, call 1700 for advice.
- Groceries
- Bónus supermarket on Kjarnagata is 4 minutes by car or 22 minutes on foot. The N1 fuel station on Leiruvegur is 800 m from the house.
- Town buses
- The town buses are free of charge. There is a stop on Aðalstræti, 2 minutes from the door, and every route runs through the main stop in the centre.
- Tourist information
- Visit Akureyri’s information desk at Hof, 21 minutes on foot, is open from April to mid-October. In winter, phone 450 1050 or email info@visitakureyri.is. Paper maps of the town are also at the reception of the town pool and the Art Museum.
- Roads and weather
- For road conditions, see road.is (opens in a new tab) or phone 1777. For the forecast, see vedur.is (opens in a new tab). For travel warnings, see safetravel.is (opens in a new tab).
Find Akureyri Lodge
Akureyri Lodge is located in a quiet part of Akureyri, just over 1 km from the city centre.
The location gives you a peaceful place to stay while keeping Akureyri’s restaurants, cafés, shops, museums and other attractions within easy reach.
Private parking is available directly in front of the Lodge.
- Address
- Lækjargata 3
600 Akureyri, Iceland - Phone
- +354 883 2313
Make Akureyri your base
Stay in a historic Icelandic house, have your own space, and explore North Iceland at your own pace.
Or contact us directly: akureyrilodge@akureyrilodge.is