9 Best Sights in Akureyri, Iceland

There are 112 steps leading up to Akureyri’s main church, which, with its striking facade, is also one of the town’s most iconic buildings. Designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, the church has provided a nice center point for the town since it was built in 1940. Interesting features include the windows, which illustrate moments in Iceland’s spiritual history. One window was believed to have been salvaged from Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed during World War II.

Akureyri's excellent open-air pool is one of the best in the country. It features water slides, lap and wading pools, an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a steam bath.

Just across the Eyjafjörður fjord from Akureyri city center lies the Forest Lagoon, Akureyri's own geothermal paradise in the Vaðlaskógur forest. With infinity pools, swim-up bars, a cold tub, sauna, bistro, and more, this upscale wooden retreat is warmed only by the interior heat of the mountain on which its carved. Go early for a prime spot to watch the sunrise. 

Situated on the gentle slopes of Mt. Súlur, 3 km (2 miles) south of Akureyri town center, the impressive Kjarnaskógur woodland is one of Iceland’s most enchanting destinations. It is endowed with over a million trees and also features extensive trails and lovely recreational areas. Appealing in every season, the area is a magnet for local athletes as well as families who make great use of the beautifully designed play areas, barbecue facilities, and campground. During the dark winter months, its well-lit trails double as tracks for excellent cross-country skiing.

This well-preserved 1860s turf farmhouse and parsonage (and now museum) was built in a lovely meadow overlooking the sea. One of the larger examples of its kind in Iceland, Laufás presents an enchanting labyrinth of rooms, each with its own dedicated domestic function—including a “bride’s room,” which is unique to this particular dwelling. Coffee and kleinur (Icelandic doughnuts) are available at the visitors center, where you can also buy jam made from rhubarb grown on-site.

Apart from exhibiting the talents of homegrown artists such as Erró, this modern gallery in the trendy Listagil area of town has hosted collections from some rather impressive names in the world of art, including Rembrandt, Joan Jonas, Matthew Barney, Elina Brotherus, Ange Leccia, Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir (aka Shoplifter), Wolfgang Tillmans, Barbara Probst, and Louisa Matthíasdóttir.

Located around 30 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Lystigarður Akureyrar is one of the most northern botanical gardens in the world and a paradise of trees, flowers, and shrubs. Established by local women in 1912, with the botanical area opening in 1957, today the garden is home to 430 native and 6,600 non-native plant species, including some rare arctic and exotic plants. It’s a short walk from the church on Eyrarlandsvegur.

A remarkable collection of “small things” is exhibited at this museum, which is dedicated to Sverri Hermansson, a local carpenter who took it upon himself at the age of seven to start collecting, well, stuff. Beginning with a set of pencils, Sverri ended up accumulating more than 20,000 unique items over 80 years—mostly tools and other instruments associated with his craft as a tradesman.