Akureyri is often called the capital of North Iceland, but compared to Reykjavik it feels much smaller, quieter, and more relaxed. Sitting at the end of Eyjafjörður fjord, it is a town that many people visit either as part of a road trip around Iceland or while arriving on a cruise ship. While the town itself is charming, I think the real reason to visit Akureyri is what lies beyond it.

The first and most important question before visiting any new country or place is: what am I hoping to get out of this experience? Akureyri is undoubtedly a destination worth considering. If it is your first trip to Iceland, and you are not planning to travel around the whole country, it might be a better idea to visit Reykjavik first. Reykjavik is more set up for tourism and is much closer to some of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking sights.

That said, Akureyri should absolutely be on your radar. The two most superficial reasons to visit are that you may already have explored the south of Iceland, and that hotels are slightly cheaper. But for me, the real reason to come here is that Akureyri is the gateway to some of North Iceland’s most impressive landscapes, including volcanoes, fjords, black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls. The town itself is cute but a little boring. Things really start to heat up once you leave the town and explore the surrounding area.