Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri at a Glance
With its population of 15,000, Akureyri is Iceland's second largest city, located on the north coast. This is a lovely town in a beautiful location. It is situated at the head of the fjord, has a pleasant climate, tree-lined streets and a lively town center. You can easily spend two to three days here to see all the sights.
In winter, the mountains surrounding the town provide excellent skiing conditions. In summer, the flowers bloom and many locals decorate their houses with flower boxes and plant gardens. Akureyri has some of the best weather in Iceland. On a warm day, you would never think you're just a stone's throw from the Arctic Cycle.
One of Akureyri's best known attractions are the Botanical Gardens, where more than 2,000 species of plants are grown without the help of a greenhouse. Here, you can see plants native to Iceland and some that come from as far away as New Zealand.
If you like museums, Akureyri has more than its share of it. There is the Natural History Museum, a folk museum and museums that are housed in the homes of Matthias Jochumsson, a native poet and Jon Sveinson, a children's book author.
This is the only town in the north, where you can enjoy urban life. Besides the museums, Akureyri boasts shops, cafés, restaurants, bars and a swimming pool. All in all, it is a pleasant little town with a laid-back atmosphere.