Akureyri Cruise Port Guide (Iceland): 8 Adventures You Can’t Miss
Welcome to Akureyri cruise port, Iceland’s second most visited cruise port after Reykjavik.
I visited Akureyri during an Iceland–Scotland cruise onboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, and I instantly fell in love with this charming northern city.
Nestled among dramatic fjords and snow-capped peaks about 388 km (241 miles) northeast of Reykjavik, Akureyri is often called the “Capital of the North,” and it’s easy to see why.
The cruise port is just a short 5-minute walk from the heart of downtown, so you can easily explore the town on foot.
From its striking hilltop church and peaceful botanical gardens to the breathtaking nearby wonders like Goðafoss Waterfall and Lake Mývatn (that I visited on a guided tour), Akureyri is the perfect place to experience the raw beauty of Icelandic nature.
This charming town truly left a lasting impression on me, and in this article, I’m sharing an overview of the Akureyri cruise port along with the 8 best things to do (including the most popular shore excursions).
Visit also our cruise port guides to Isafjordur, Seydisfjordur, Amsterdam, Invergordon (Inverness), Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Edinburgh
Akureyri Cruise Port
Akureyri is nestled at the southernmost end of Eyjafjörður, a 70-km-long fjord that ranks among the most stunning fjords in Iceland.
Sailing into the Akureyri harbour is a spectacular experience, so get your camera ready as the sceneries are truly breathtaking!
Akureyri cruise terminal is located on Oddeyrarbryggja pier, a stone’s throw from the small town center that you can access in a 5-10 minute walk.
The terminal itself features basic facilities such as free wi-fi, and within a short walking distance, you can find a small souvenir shop, a tourist information center (400 m), car rental (Europcar), and independent tour operators.
Getting Around Akureyri
- Akureyri city center is compact, everything is close by, so you probably won’t need public transportation. There is a local Hop on Hop off bus (AkurinnBus) that starts at the pier and makes a 45-minute tour around the city center, with 11 stops at popular landmarks such as downtown, Akureyri Church, the Botanical Gardens, and the Old Town (by Akureyri Museum).
- If you are planning to explore outside the city, booking a guided shore excursion is highly recommended, or renting a car. If you choose the second option, you should rent a car in advance, as the only car rental agency near the port is Europcar and their offer may be limited. Keep in mind that renting a car in Iceland can be quite pricey. Taxis are also available outside the terminal and official prices are displayed as well.
- The official currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK) but euros are accepted as well. You can pay almost everywhere by credit card.
- The high season in Akureyri typically occurs during the summer months, from May/June to September. For useful cruise packing tips, have a look at my article What to Pack for a Cruise – Top 55 Cruise Essentials
- The major cruise lines sailing to Akureyri include Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Celebrity Cruises. See the cruise ship schedule
8 Best Things to Do in Akureyri Cruise Port
Known as the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri is full of culture, history, and amazing scenery. It’s best known for its stunning nature — Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, and the Námaskarð geothermal area totally blew me away! Here’s my list of top things to do:
1. Akureyri Old Town
Akureyri’s Old Town might not be as big as the old towns in some European cities, but it’s a lovely area to explore and a great glimpse into Iceland’s history.
As you wander through the streets, you’ll spot colorful buildings with unique details and classic Icelandic design that give the town so much character.
The main landmarks include the Akureyri Art Museum, Hof Cultural Centre, Botanical Gardens and the iconic Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja), situated on the hill overlooking the harbour, only a 15-minute walk from the port.
When it comes to shopping in Akureyri, Kaupvangsstræti (aka Art Street) and Hafnarstræti are two main shopping streets, located close to each other.
Here you’ll find a variety of boutique shops, galleries, and cafes, so take some time to browse through local crafts and art, and maybe sample some Icelandic treats to top off your visit!
2. Akureyri Church
Sitting on a hill with a beautiful view over the town, Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja) is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the same architect behind Reykjavik’s famous Hallgrímskirkja, the church has a bold, eye-catching design that mixes neo-Gothic and art deco elements.
One of the highlights of this beautiful church is its tower, which you can normally climb (for a small fee) to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the town, the surrounding landscapes, and the magnificent Eyjafjörður fjord.
Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation when I visited, but even from the outside, the church and its location are well worth the stop.
3. Akureyri Botanical Garden
Located about 2 km (1.3 miles) or a 20-minute walk from the cruise port, Akureyri Botanical Garden is a peaceful green oasis surrounded by the stunning northern landscapes of Iceland.
The easiest way to get there is to just keep walking uphill from the church along Eyrarlandsvegur street, and it takes you straight to the entrance.
The garden was established back in 1912 and covers around 3.6 hectares, featuring a mix of native Icelandic plants and species from around the world.
Once you’re there, take your time walking the quiet paths, enjoy the fresh air, and check out the different themed areas, from Arctic plants to colorful, unexpected blooms.
The best part? It’s completely free to visit.
4. Akureyri Art Museum
Akureyri Art Museum is just a 15-minute walk from the cruise port, right in the heart of the Old Town.
It’s a great place to get a taste of Icelandic art and culture, from traditional paintings to bold, modern works. The museum also supports local artists and often takes part in cultural events around town.
There’s even a small café inside if you want to take a break. I didn’t get the chance to visit myself, as I joined a guided tour and had limited time in town, but if you’re exploring on your own, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Just make sure to look up their current opening hours and exhibitions before you go.
5. Goðafoss Waterfall
To make the most of my time in Akureyri, I booked a tour through GetYourGuide (the Lake Mývatn, Craters & Waterfall Tour), and the first stop was the breathtaking Goðafoss.
I had just seen Gullfoss Waterfall on the same cruise during our Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik, and while Gullfoss is hands-down the most impressive waterfall I’ve ever seen, Goðafoss comes in a very close second. It’s absolutely stunning!
Known as the “Waterfall of the Gods,” Goðafoss is located about 35 km (22 miles) east of Akureyri — around a 40-minute drive.
Set along the Skjálfandafljót River, it’s famous for its beautiful horseshoe shape, with water tumbling about 12 meters (39 feet) down over a 30-meter (98-foot) wide cliff.
Surrounded by rugged lava fields and scenic views, it’s one of those places that will stick with you long after your trip.
Goðafoss isn’t just beautiful; it also has a powerful story behind it.
According to the sagas, back in the year 1000, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, a pagan lawspeaker, made the decision to adopt Christianity as the official religion of Iceland.
To mark this shift, he threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall, giving Goðafoss its name, the “Waterfall of the Gods.”
There are several walking paths and viewpoints around the falls that offer amazing photo spots and views from different angles.
Just a heads-up: the path that takes you down closer to the waterfall can be slippery and rocky, so make sure to wear proper shoes.
There’s free parking, a visitor center with restrooms, and a small souvenir shop on-site, everything you need for a short but memorable stop.
Explore Goðafoss Waterfall tours and activities
6. Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, and Grjótagjá Cave
Our second stop on the tour was Lake Mývatn, about 75 km (46 miles) southeast of Akureyri, roughly an hour’s drive.
The moment we stepped off the bus, we were swarmed by tiny flies buzzing all around us. It turns out these are midges — harmless but super annoying little insects that the lake is actually named after (“Mývatn” literally means “midge lake”). They don’t bite, but they do love to hover in clouds near the water, especially in summer.
Despite the bugs, the area is absolutely stunning. Lake Mývatn is surrounded by volcanic craters, lava fields, and geothermal hot springs.
The landscapes are surreal — it honestly felt like stepping onto another planet. One of the highlights was the Mývatn Nature Baths, a smaller and less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon, where you can soak in warm, mineral-rich waters with views of the surrounding lava fields.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you might recognize parts of the area — scenes “beyond the Wall” were filmed here, including at the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the Grjótagjá cave.
After Lake Mývatn, our tour continued to two more incredible spots — Grjótagjá Cave and Dimmuborgir.
Grjótagjá is a small lava cave with a steaming hot spring inside, made famous by Game of Thrones (yes, it’s the cave from Jon Snow and Ygritte’s scene).
The cave is quite small, and the descent can be a bit tricky, as the rocks are uneven and can be slippery, so be cautious when climbing down. At this stop, our guide surprised us with lunch boxes, which was a nice touch.
Next up was Dimmuborgir, a surreal lava field filled with towering rock formations and caves. It honestly felt like walking through a fantasy landscape.
The area has several walking paths, perfect for a short hike to explore the unique formations.
I noticed a nearby restaurant with a shop where people were enjoying Icelandic specialties, including the traditional lamb soup known as kjötsúpa. It’s a simple but tasty lamb and veggie soup, a proper Icelandic classic and just what you need to warm up after walking around the lava fields.
Check out Lake Mývatn tours and activities
7. Námaskarð Geothermal Area
The last stop on our journey that completely blew me away was the Námaskarð geothermal area.
Seriously, it felt like I’d landed on another planet. 😲
The ground was steaming, bubbling, and hissing all around us, with thick sulfur rising from the earth and colors that looked almost unreal.
I even saw rocks that looked like they were burning from within. It’s not the kind of place where you’ll find much greenery — just raw, powerful nature doing its thing.
Explore Námaskarð geothermal area tours and activities
8. Húsavík Whale Watching
Húsavík is a lovely little town about 76 km (47 miles) northeast of Akureyri (around an hour’s drive), and it’s famous for one thing: whales.
Known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, it’s the go-to place if you want to see humpbacks, minkes, and maybe even a blue whale if you’re lucky.
I didn’t make it to Húsavík this time, but it’s definitely on my list for the next visit.
The town sits right on Skjálfandi Bay, and from what I’ve heard, the experience of seeing these giants up close in the wild is WOW.
There are several well-rated tour operators in both Akureyri and Húsavík, and while sightings aren’t guaranteed, the guides know exactly where to go.
If you’ve got time, Húsavík itself is worth exploring. There’s a whale museum, a beautiful wooden church, and plenty of places to try some local food.
Explore Húsavík Whale-Watching tours and activities
To Wrap Up
Akureyri is a charming little town that’s easy to explore on foot and has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, but to truly experience the magic of Iceland, I definitely recommend booking a guided tour.
The real beauty of this country lies beyond the town, in its wild landscapes, waterfalls, lava fields, and geothermal spots.
That said, if you prefer to stay local, Akureyri itself is lovely and has plenty to offer.
Just don’t miss Goðafoss — it’s the highlight of the area and an absolute must-see. Enjoy your time in this beautiful port! 🙂
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