Akureyri Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Akureyri tours and things to do in the capital of north Iceland: watch whales in the fjord, tour the volcanic wonders of Lake Mývatn, stand before the thundering Goðafoss waterfall, drive the Diamond Circle, and chase the northern lights. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Akureyri by interest
Whatever brings you to Akureyri — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Akureyri
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Akureyri
Capital of the north.
Goðafoss
Waterfall of gods.
Lake Mývatn
Volcanic lake.
Dettifoss
Diamond Circle.
Húsavík
Whale capital.
Northern Lights
Aurora skies.
Mývatn Baths
Geothermal spa.
Eyjafjörður
Whale fjord.
1 hr awayLake Mývatn
Volcanic lake.
40 min awayGoðafoss
Waterfall of gods.
Full day awayDiamond Circle
Scenic route.
1 hr awayHúsavík
Whale capital.
Evening awayNorthern Lights
Aurora hunt.
1 hr awayMývatn Baths
Geothermal spa.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Akureyri visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Midnight sun, whales and green landscapes.
Spring (Apr–May)
Long days and thawing scenery.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Northern lights and snowy peaks.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Aurora returns with autumn colour.
For whales
Summer for the best whale watching.
For aurora
September to April on clear nights.
One day
Goðafoss, Mývatn and a whale tour.
Two days
Add the full Diamond Circle.
Three days
Add Húsavík and the geothermal baths.
For whales
A fjord or Húsavík whale tour.
For nature
Lake Mývatn and the baths.
For aurora
A winter northern lights night.
On foot
The town centre is small and walkable.
Tours & transfers
Tours reach Mývatn, Goðafoss and Húsavík.
By car
A car gives freedom for the Diamond Circle.
By boat
Whale boats leave from the harbour.
Where to stay
Stay in central Akureyri as a base.
Icelandic króna
Iceland uses the króna; cards widely accepted.
Whale watching
Bring warm layers — the fjord is cold.
Lake Mývatn
Combine the lake with the Nature Baths.
Goðafoss
Visit both sides for the best views.
Northern lights
Check the aurora forecast for clear nights.
Weather
North Iceland’s weather changes fast — dress warm.
Geothermal baths
Shower before entering, as is Icelandic custom.
Whale tours
Boat trips fill up in summer — book ahead.
Diamond Circle
Full-day tours fill up — reserve early.
Mývatn tours
Lake tours fill up — book ahead.
Aurora tours
Winter tours fill up — reserve early.
Nature Baths
Geothermal spas fill up — book ahead.
Summer peak
June to August is busiest — book well ahead.
Whale tour
Around €65–110 for a whale-watching trip.
Mývatn tour
About €110–160 for a Lake Mývatn tour.
Goðafoss tour
Roughly €84–130 for a Goðafoss tour.
Diamond Circle
Around €209–280 for a Diamond Circle tour.
Aurora tour
About €159–220 for a northern lights tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Akureyri through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Whales & midnight sun.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Aurora returns.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Colour.
- Best for
- Northern lights.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Snowy.
- Best for
- Long days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Quiet.