Day trip to Akureyri from Iceland
Akureyri is 390km north of Reykjavik — too far to drive in a day, but a 45-minute domestic flight for about $110 each way makes it a viable day out. Iceland's second city has a real cafe scene, a hot pool, and Godafoss on the doorstep.
Akureyri harbour with colourful houses and mountains
How to get there
Icelandair operates 3-5 daily flights from Reykjavik domestic airport (not Keflavik) to Akureyri, from $110 one way. First flight leaves at 7am, last returns at 9pm — enough for a full day.
Alternatively, drive in summer: 5 hours each way makes it a 2-day trip minimum. Buses (Straeto route 57) take 6.5 hours for $65 — not worth it for a day.
What to do
Walk the pedestrianised Hafnarstraeti, hit Blaa Kannan cafe for coffee and $7 cake in the blue wooden house. Akureyrarkirkja church up the hill mirrors Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik. The Botanical Garden is free and impressive given how far north you are.
The must-do is Forest Lagoon ($55), which opened in 2022 — a geothermal pool built into the birch forest overlooking Eyjafjordur. It is smaller and calmer than the Blue Lagoon.
Godafoss and lunch
Rent a car at Akureyri airport ($70 for the day) and drive 45km east to Godafoss — the horseshoe waterfall where the Icelandic lawspeaker threw the pagan idols in 1000 AD. Free, well-signposted, 20 minutes to see both viewpoints.
Back in town, eat at Rub23 for sushi (nigiri $6-8 a piece) or Strikid for the fjord view and lamb shank at $38. Kaffi Ilmur does a great $18 fish soup lunch.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Yes, especially in winter for skiing at Hlidarfjall and the Forest Lagoon. It is a real Icelandic town, not just tourist infrastructure.
$110-180 one way depending on season. Book direct with Icelandair at icelandair.com.
Yes — it is further north than Reykjavik and darker. September to March, on clear nights.
Cheaper, less crowded, and the forest setting is unique. The Blue Lagoon has better facilities and the iconic milky water.
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