By Astrun Kolbeinsdottir, Akureyri Local
With a population of 18.000 people, Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland. If you want to visit Akureyri in the winter, don't be discouraged (or surprised) at the cold weather and snow. Even though the town is small and doesn't have many residents, there is still plenty to do in this wonderful town.
This special place in the north part of Iceland has so many amazing activities and beautiful things to see and discover. And remember to pack a warm sweater, because regardless of the season, you never know how the weather might be in Akureyri.
Here's the best things to do.
Grab Coffee At Bláa Kannan
Since you are staying in one of the coldest towns in Iceland, getting good coffee is important. Bláa Kannan is a coffee house located in the centre of the town that is very easy to get to, snow or no snow.
You can also get some nice coffee drinks, a slice of cake and brunch if you are there early enough. It is open until the late evening so no rush, when you can even get some authentic Icelandic beer, brewed in the north of Akureyri.
Try Fresh Sushi At Rub23
Yes, even Akureyri has sushi.
Rub23 is a restaurant located in the centre of Akureyri. It does have meat dishes but is also very popular for their variety of sushi and seafood. The restaurant is known for its tasty sushi and amazing cocktails.
It is a fancy restaurant and the food might be a bit expensive for many people, but it is worth every penny and you won't regret eating there.
Kaupvangsstræti 6, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Experience Christmas Year-round
Akureyri is crazy about Christmas. One of their main attractions is the Christmas village, called Jólagarðurinn, or the Christmas Garden. It's about 10-minute drive from Akureyri and is open all year round.
The entrance is free but they sell Christmas decorations and souvenirs. In the summertime, they have caramel apples and special waffles. Jólagarðurinn has a special warm feel to it, and if you love Christmas, it's a must see.
Visit Leikfélag Akureyrar (Theatre)
In Akureyri, the most popular theatre is Leikfélag Akureyrar. Even if you don't see a show at the theatre, you can admire the architecture of the big, beautiful building. It has been a professional theatre since 1973, and have a nice variety of plays that can suit everyone.
It is located in the centre of Akureyri and is a popular attraction due to how big it is. It has some interesting and fun plays all year round, (most of them are in Icelandic though.)
Hafnarstræti 57, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Explore Art Street
In Akureyri, the people know their art. One of the most popular streets in Akureyri, Kaupvangsstræti, is called the art street. On this street, you can find the Akureyri School of Visual Arts, some nice restaurants, and Akureyri Art Museum.
The Akureyri Art Museum is one of the most popular things to see in Akureyri and has played a very big role in the cultural life in Akureyri. The opening hours aren't long, but in both the summer and winter time it closes at 5 pm.
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Go Thrifting
In Akureyri, there aren't many stores which are selling thrift/vintage. The most popular one is Hertex Hjálpræðisherinn (The Salvation Army.) It sells some vintage, books and even toys. The prices there are very good, so people go there for books or home décor.
There is, of course, the Icelandic Red Cross Market, like in most other towns in Iceland, which sells clothing and shoes for an affordable price.
Take A Walk In The Woods
In the South part of Akureyri, there is one of the most popular outdoor area called Kjarnaskógur. This is something I would recommend for everyone to explore. You can walk through the forest, have a picnic and even go for volleyball.
Kjarnaskógur is very family and kid friendly since it has some playgrounds there. If you are interested in cycling there is a 10 km designated bike trail there connected to Hlíðarfjall, a nearby mountain. Even though the best time to visit Kjarnaskógur is in the summertime, I would still recommend going there in the winter time!
Editor's Picks + Notes
By Melissa Elise Randall, Editor
Sometimes, I'm boring.
I was boring in Akureyri, but Akureyri is not. It's gorgeous, for starters.
You can imagine yourself spending your days hammering away on a vintage typewriter, writing your super trendy memoirs, whilst sipping on a latte from a local coffee shop. As Virginia is for lovers, Akureyri could very well be for hip writers and artists.
That's probably why I loved it so much. It's far enough out of the way that not everyone has been there, like other touristy sites in Iceland. I can still have some exclusive Iceland points.
During my three to four days there, I camped, watched movies and ate cake for breakfast. Here were the highlights of my adventures in Akureyri, Iceland.
Hang Out At Akureyri Backpackers
Akureyri Backpackers is a hostel, but also a restaurant that has reliable WiFi. I sat there most afternoons typing away on my computer. I don't want to speak to the menu now, as it probably has changed, but I recall them having a pretty decent hamburger.
Hafnarstræti 98, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Take A Russian Cocaine Shot
Russian Cocaine is a shot, and I don't think it's an Iceland thing. I just had a dude offer me once when I was in Akureyri, and I have bestowed the drinks on poor, unfortunate souls ever since. If you're in Iceland, ask the bartender for one of these in my honor.
It's a shot of vodka (preferably, Icelandic Reyka vodka), with a coffee ground rim and lime.
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Just trolling around #troll #akureyri #akureyritrolls #icelandictrolls #iceland 🧟♂️🧟♀️
See The Trolls
When I first happened upon the Akureyri troll statues, I wondered what these creepy trolls could possibly represent. Seriously - they just stand there year round looking like that.
But the trolls actually pay homage to Icelandic folklore, as there are numerous tales of trolls and elves hiding around Iceland.
You can spot them near the center of Akureyri, but I won't tell you exactly where. They'll find you.
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