Europe • Iceland • Cruise stop
Akureyri
Akureyri is North Iceland’s easy-going base: fjord setting, compact streets, mountain views and access to waterfalls and volcanic landscapes that do most of the showing off.
Trip notes
City: Akureyri
When: 26 Aug 2025
Trip type: Cruise stop
Cruise line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Emerald
Route: Iceland + Greenland
Akureyri Iceland North Iceland Goðafoss Lake Mývatn cruise stop fjord walking Norse mythology Diamond Circle
How I got there
Visited on Emerald Princess as part of the Iceland and Greenland cruise. Akureyri gave the route a North Iceland stop, with a different feel from Reykjavik and the Westfjords.
Booking notes
Decide whether to stay in town or book a North Iceland excursion. Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn are the big draws, but weather, timings and cruise schedules matter.
If staying local, Akureyri is easy to explore on foot. If heading out, book properly and leave the logistics to someone who knows how Icelandic distances and weather like to behave.
Cost and value
Good value if you enjoy scenery and walking. The town itself can be explored without heavy spending, while excursions cost more but can unlock some of North Iceland’s best landscapes.
The value depends on your aim. For a relaxed stop, Akureyri is pleasant and scenic. For a bigger Iceland day, Goðafoss or Mývatn can make the stop feel much more memorable.
What I did
Explored the town atmosphere, harbour setting and fjord views. Akureyri’s strength is the combination of a compact settlement and a huge natural backdrop.
Key local sights include Akureyrarkirkja, the town centre, botanical garden and harbour areas. Wider trips can include Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn and geothermal landscapes, which are exactly the kind of places that make Iceland feel different from almost anywhere else.
Walking notes
Akureyri is walkable in the centre, though there are slopes because nice views apparently require leg effort. The town is compact enough for a relaxed cruise stop wander.
For longer walks or viewpoints, weather is the main variable. Icelandic wind does not care how optimistic your jacket choice was.
History and mythology
Akureyri has a strong connection to fishing, trade and North Iceland life. Its fjord setting shaped the town’s development, and the wider region carries Iceland’s saga and settlement history.
Norse mythology fits naturally into this landscape: mountains, winter, sea, waterfalls and volcanic ground all make old stories about gods, giants and strange forces feel less far-fetched. Iceland is very good at making mythology look geographically reasonable.
Fun facts
Akureyri is often called the Capital of North Iceland. Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, is one of the best-known waterfalls nearby. Lake Mývatn is famous for volcanic landscapes, birdlife and geothermal activity.
The town has heart-shaped red traffic lights, which is unexpectedly wholesome for a place surrounded by such serious scenery.
Would I return?
Yes. I would return to Akureyri and North Iceland for longer, especially for Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, whale watching and more time around the fjord.
First impression
Akureyri feels like a northern Iceland base rather than just another cruise stop. It sits at the end of Eyjafjörður, with mountains around it and enough town life to feel useful without losing the sense that nature is very much in charge.
Compared with Reykjavik, Akureyri feels smaller and calmer. That is not a criticism. It gives the stop a different mood: harbour, church, gardens, cafés, local streets and big scenery close by. Iceland does this annoying thing where even ordinary places get dramatic backdrops, and Akureyri benefits from that massively.
The town is also a launch point for some serious North Iceland sights. Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, geothermal areas and the Diamond Circle routes are all part of the wider story. So the choice is simple: enjoy Akureyri slowly, or use it as a base for a landscape day where Iceland reminds you it was made with lava, ice and no concern for subtlety.
As a cruise stop, it works because it can be gentle or ambitious. You can walk the town and enjoy the fjord, or head out to waterfalls and volcanic scenery. Both feel properly Icelandic.
