Akureyri Tourist Attractions

Visiting Iceland is a lot about experiencing the magnificent and unusual nature and going on excursions. We have listed some of the activities found on getyourguide.com to give you an idea of what is available in Akureyri on Iceland's northern coast.

The area's winters are cold but not severe while the summers are mild. The average amount of sun hours is low, making it a cloudy place. The mountain peaks around Akureyri can have snow all year round.

Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour

This 3-hour long Whale Watching Tour takes place in the majestic Eyjafjord. Akureyri is located at the very base of this fjord.

The boat is the only specially-modified, high-speed whale watching ship in Iceland and it is capable of carrying 200 people. The guides are specially-trained whale watching guides, experts at spotting them, and they will share their knowledge and expertise about the whale's behaviours and answer questions about them as the participants enjoy the spectacular views of the whales and the surroundings from the boat's cinema-style viewing platforms.

The ship has ample indoor and outdoor seating and guests can enjoy drinks and snacks purchased from the onboard cafeteria and bar while enjoying the views, or sharing their adventure on social media using the ship's free WiFi.

The price includes the boat tour, live guide, use of overalls onboard, and WiFi, but does not include pickup and drop-off at the accommodations, or food and drinks.

Comfortable and weather-appropriate shoes and clothing is required.

While there is a very high chance of spotting local wildlife, the abundance of cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoise) is unpredictable and varies. If whales and dolphins are not spotted during the tour the participants will be offered a complimentary ticket, valid for 2 years in Reykjavik or Akureyri, to the classic whale watching tour.

From Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn Shore Excursion

Lake Mývatn is a shallow volcanic lake located approximately 1 hour from Akureyri. For this 6-hour long excursion participants are collected from the port and many cruise ship passengers enjoy this excursion during their stop in Akureyri.

The trip begins with the drive to Lake Mývatn and the wetlands that surround it, near the Krafla volcano. There will be a stop at Goðafoss waterfall where its important role in Iceland's history will be shared by the tour guide.

The journey then continues to the pseudo craters of Skútustaðagígar, which was formed when hot flowing lava from the volcano met with the ice-cold water from the lake. Also part of the tour is to see the lava fields of Dimmuborgir which are stunning to look at with their rock formations and the lava pillars, and they are also rich in mythical sagas.

Next it's time to discover the underground river at Grjotagja, with its thermal waters. Standing here means standing on the continental rift between America and Europe.

Lastly, it's time to have a look at the boiling mud pools of Hverir with the steaming fumaroles and sulfur pits before it's time to return back to the port in Akureyri in good time, at least one hour before the departure of the cruise ship.

The group will also take a break for refreshments at a local café or restaurant.

Participants joining from cruise ships are responsible for making sure the ship's arrival and departure times fit with the tour schedule.

There may be changes to the itinerary due to road conditions or the weather.

Participants are recommended to wear comfortable shoes and suitable clothing, as well as bringing water and a camera.

Pick-up, dropoff, transportation and the guided tour are included in the price of the excursion, but refreshments are not.

From Reykjavik: Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure

This 6-day long ring road tour of Iceland is one of a kind. It departs from Reykjavik and travels east around the island's outer areas, with a few stops more inland.

Pickup takes place at selected locations in Reykjavik and at the end of the adventure the participants will be dropped off in the same locations.

During the journey you will travel in a small group to visit some of the country's most stunning attractions to see magical waterfalls, spouting geysers, unique hot springs, and black sand beaches. The 5 nights will be spent in a double or twin room with a private bathroom at countryside accommodations. Solo travellers who do not wish to share a room can call the arranger to upgrade to a single room. Breakfast is included in the price, but lunch and dinner is not.

The first day's itinerary includes visits to the Golden Circle area and the South Coast. The second day has Vik, Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The third day is all about the East Fjords. Day four means visits to Dettifoss, Mývatn, and Akureyri. Day five you go whale watching, and visit Siglufjordur, as well as Trollaskagi, and on the final day it is time for the West Iceland region.

These are the stop for the adventure:

• Reykjavik
• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir
• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Seljalandsfoss
• Skógafoss
• Vik (not a main stop)
• Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara
• Vatnajökull National Park
• Jökulsárlón
• Diamond Beach
• Höfn
• Djúpivogur
• Hengifoss Waterfall
• Litlanesfoss Waterfall
• Egilsstaðir
• Dettifoss
• Mývatn
• Námaskarð Geothermal Area
• Hverfjall
• Dimmuborgir
• Goðafoss Waterfall
• Akureyri
• Dalvik
• Siglufjörður
• Tröllaskagi
• Laugarbakki
• Grábrók
• Deildartunguhver (hot spring)
• Barnafossar
• Hraunfossar
• Reykholt
• Hvalfjörður
• Reykjavik

The journey will take place in a minibus with free WiFi on board, and there will be an English speaking guide joining.

Participants may bring a day bag as well as one piece of luggage of maximum 20 kg/44 lbs with them. The minimum age to join the tour is 8 years old.

The entrance fee to the Mývatn Natura Baths is not included in the price, but it can be added for a small fee.

From Akureyri: Private Diamond Circle Nature Tour & Transfer

This 10-hour long private tour of the Diamond Circle starts in Akureyri with pick-up at your chosen location or accommodation before heading east towards the first stop, the Goðafoss waterfall, a place of significant historical value to the Icelanders in regards to Christianity.

The journey then continues further east, through the valley of Reykjadalur to Skútustaðir and the pseudo crater, followed by a stop at the stunning Dimmuborgir lava formations of pillars and sculptures, formed approximately 2,300 years ago as partly cooled lava met the cold water.

Next up they group travels to Grjótagjá which up until the volcanic eruptions of Krafla during 1975-1984 was a popular underground bathing cave. The eruptions ended up heating up the water in the cave to the point of it now being too hot to bathe there.

The trip then continues through the Námaskarð pass to the Hverarönd fumarole fields, followed by a trip to even further east to Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss, reached through a walk.

After this the journey takes the group north to the area of Hljóðaklettar to explore the area, before driving to the magnificent horseshoe-shaped area of Ásbyrgi - thought to be shaped this way after the Viking God Odin's horse Sleipnir put his foot there.

The journey back towards Akureyri goes via Húsavik.

Selected vehicles have WiFi on board, but not all do. The bus will stop at locations where food and drinks can be purchased. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

The tour will take place in all kinds of weather so make sure to bring clothing according to the weather. This is the responsibility of the participants. In the case of the weather being so bad that the tour is cancelled participants will be offered the chance of either joining the next tour or getting a refund.

Hiking shoes and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing is recommended.

The tour is not suitable for people with heart problems, respiratory issues or those who have recently had a surgery. Wheelchair users may join, but will not be able to access all stops of the tour. It is required to notify the arranger in advance if travelling in a wheelchair.

Akureyri: 3-Hour Northern Lights Tour

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis or polar lights, are beautiful and unique displays of light seen in the night sky in the far northern hemisphere. They can be experienced as dancing, dynamic patterns in the shape of curtains, spirals, rays, or dynamic flickering of mostly purple and green. The phenomenon covers the whole night sky, and have occasionally been known to be accompanied by buzzing, wheezing or crackling sounds.

While Aurora Borealis occur frequently during the months of November through February, there is no guarantee that they will be seen, but it is well worth taking the chance to experience this marvellous display of our world.

While taking pictures of the Northern Lights certainly is exciting, the goal of this tour is to enjoy the short while it lasts, if it happens and the weather allows it. Often the display can be seen for a few minutes, sometimes for around 15 minutes and on rare occasions it can last for an hour or two.

This tour will bring the participants out to the countryside or up to the mountains, away from the city sounds and the electric glow, to have the best possible experience.

The transportation for this fully guided tour is a minibus. Food and drinks are not included in the price for the tour. Participants should bring warm clothing, as the tour only takes place during the cold winter nights, and water.