Stays in Akureyri
For a first night in Akureyri I would sleep in the town itself: it sits on Route 1 about 388 km from Reykjavík, at the head of Eyjafjörður, and the centre puts you on foot from the harbour, where two-hour whale-watching trips leave in summer, and from Sundlaug Akureyrar, one of Iceland's largest outdoor pool areas with two pools, five hot tubs and three slides. The 30 stays we list here average 9.41 across 8,447 reviews, and they split clearly: apartments in town (K16Apartments, Hrimland, the LL Properties flats) and, outside, wooden cabins, farm stays such as Áshóll and summer houses towards Vaglaskógur, darker for the northern lights but car-dependent. The yellow town buses are free for everyone, from 6:30 to 23:00 on weekdays and far less often at weekends. They do not reach the airport: the nearest stop is at the Skautahöllin ice rink, about 15 minutes on foot. Forest Lagoon, opened in 2022, is about 4 km from the centre, linked by forest paths. Hlíðarfjall ski area usually runs from early December to the end of April. The trap is the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel east of town: every passage is a toll paid online within 24 hours, each direction counted, or the rental company bills you with a fee on top.
Akureyri, often called the capital of the North, is a key stop on Route 1, about 387 km from Reykjavík. This harbour town sits at the head of the long Eyjafjörður fjord and makes a practical base for exploring North Iceland. Accommodation is varied, from modern hotels in the centre to apartments with sea views, many of them with kitchens for self-catering. The town is a good starting point for day trips to Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss waterfall and the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Summers are relatively mild with very long daylight, while winters can be harsh but bring skiing and northern lights. Akureyri pairs the services of a small city with quick access to the landscapes around it, so it works for short stops and longer stays alike.
Akureyri in numbers
FamilyÍslandsbærinn /Old Farm
A four-bedroom villa with a hot tub and garden near Akureyri
Why guests love itI would choose Íslandsbærinn /Old Farm for a family or group that wants a whole villa near Akureyri. It has four bedrooms and a spacious living room, a sun terrace, a garden, a hot tub, an outdoor seating area, a kitchenette and barbecue facilities. Free Wi-Fi and private parking are included, and Akureyri Airport is 8 km away. Guests rate it a full 10 across 87 reviews. I would pick it for a longer stay with its own kitchen and hot tub.
FamilyTungukot Cozy Cabin surrounded by nature
A cozy cabin with mountain views and a private garden near Akureyri
Why guests love itTungukot Cozy Cabin is a one-bedroom holiday home 19 km from the Hof Cultural Centre in Akureyri. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, a garden, a terrace and a patio with mountain views, plus free WiFi and private parking on site. The distance from town makes it a car stay. Guests rate it 9.9 across 84 reviews.
CoastalDay Dream Hyrnuland
Spacious holiday home with a hot tub and views 7 km from Akureyri
Why guests love itDay Dream Hyrnuland is a spacious holiday home 7 km from Akureyri with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, so a family of five or six can settle in without queues. The fully equipped kitchen covers every meal, the garden and terrace give children room outside, and the hot tub is a treat once they are in bed. Sea and mountain views from the balcony and patio complete it. With a 9.9 from 33 guests, I would book it well ahead.
FamilyGuesthouse Baegisa
Comfortable guesthouse with mountain views and complimentary breakfast and dinner
Why guests love itGuesthouse Baegisa sits 23 km from Akureyri's Hof Cultural Center, with rooms that have private bathrooms and mountain or river views. Each room has a tea and coffee maker, a hairdryer and soundproofing, and the garden has a children's playground. Free WiFi and private parking are included, and the listing mentions free breakfast and dinner. Guests rate it 9.8 across 215 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a quiet countryside stop for families with a car.
CoastalLL Properties - Luxury Penthouse
Spacious penthouse with sea and mountain views near Akureyri Airport
Why guests love itLL Properties Luxury Penthouse is a spacious three-bedroom apartment 2 km from Akureyri Airport and a short walk from the Hof Cultural Centre. It has a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and free WiFi, with a terrace and balcony facing the sea and the mountains. Guests rate it 9.8 across 43 reviews, a top score for a central apartment. The sea and mountain views come with the stay.
FamilyCountry Cabin with a view 15 min from Akureyri
A private country cabin with a view, 15 minutes from Akureyri
Why guests love itCountry Cabin with a View is a private one-bedroom holiday home 15 km from Akureyri Airport, with a living room, a private entrance and a fully equipped kitchen. Guests have a sun terrace and a garden. Goðafoss waterfall is 21 km away. The distance from town makes it a stay for guests with a car. Guests rate it 9.7 across 26 reviews.
CoastalBakkakot 1 - Cozy Cabins in the Woods
Lodge-style cabins with private kitchens, hot tubs, and sea or garden views
Why guests love itI would choose Bakkakot 1 for a cabin stay outside Akureyri, 24 km from the Hof Cultural Center. The lodge-style cabins have a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony or terrace facing the sea or the garden, and guests can use an outdoor hot tub, a fireplace and barbecue facilities. Check-in and check-out are private. Rated 9.7 across 122 reviews, it is one of the stronger scores I see, and I would pick it for couples and families who cook for themselves.
FamilyÁshóll guesthouse - farmstay
A quiet farmstay with mountain views and a private terrace near Akureyri
Why guests love itÁshóll guesthouse is a farmstay for couples and small families who want a quiet, self-catering base outside Akureyri, 26 km from the airport. The holiday home has one bedroom, a living room and a kitchenette, and the garden and terrace look to the mountains. A barbecue and free private parking make it easy to settle in. I would book it on a 9.6 rating from 50 reviews, but not if you want city-centre evenings or on-site services.
CoastalVeigakot
A holiday home with sea and mountain views near Akureyri
Why guests love itVeigakot is a one-bedroom holiday home, so I see it as a fit for a couple or a parent travelling with one young child rather than a full family. The fully equipped kitchen and barbecue make home-cooked meals easy, and the garden and terrace give a toddler space outdoors. Sea and mountain views from the balcony are the main pleasure. Being 5 km from Akureyri Airport helps if you arrive on a domestic flight. Larger families will need more room.
CouplesL24 - Studio apartment
Ground-floor studio with a terrace, balcony, and garden views
Why guests love itI would choose L24 Studio Apartment for a quiet, self-contained stay 1.8 km from the Hof Cultural Center in Akureyri. The ground-floor unit has one bedroom, a living room and a fully equipped kitchenette, with a terrace, a balcony and garden views. A washing machine and streaming services are included. Guests rate it 9.6 across 62 reviews. With one bedroom, I would pick it for a couple who want a practical base with outdoor space.
FamilyÍbúð með gott andrúmsloft
Spacious apartment with private entrance, garden, and sun terrace
Why guests love itÍbúð með gott andrúmsloft is a spacious ground-floor apartment for families and small groups who prefer cooking their own meals. It has two bedrooms, a private entrance and a living room, and the sun terrace, garden, balcony and patio all face a quiet street. A washing machine helps on longer trips. At 3 km from Akureyri Airport it is a calm, independent base, and I would book it on its 9.5 rating from 52 reviews.
FamilyHrimland Cottages
Cottages with private hot tubs and mountain views near Akureyri
Why guests love itHrimland Cottages is a holiday park 7 km from Akureyri Airport, with one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottages that have mountain views. Each cottage has its own hot tub, a fully equipped kitchenette, a washing machine and free WiFi, with a sun terrace and a garden outside. The listing places Hof Cultural Center 5 km away and Goðafoss Waterfall 39 km away, and skiing is nearby. Guests rate it 9.4 across 300 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a private-hot-tub base for couples and small families.
Northern LightsHalllandsnes Apartments
Self-catering apartments with a hot tub and views of Akureyri
Why guests love itHalllandsnes Apartments are self-catering apartments eight minutes by car from central Akureyri and 6 km from Akureyri Airport. Each has a full kitchen, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, with sea or mountain views from the rooms. Guests share a hot tub, a garden and a terrace, and parking and ski storage are free. Guests rate it 9.4 across 130 reviews.
CoastalSunnuhlid houses
Country houses with kitchenettes, sea and mountain views near Akureyri
Why guests love itSunnuhlid Houses are country houses 13 km from Akureyri's Hof Cultural Center, each with a kitchenette, a private bathroom, a dining area, a tea and coffee maker and a refrigerator. Sea and mountain views come with every house, and hiking is available nearby. There is a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi and private parking. A family gets a whole house rather than a hotel room. Guests rate it 9.4 across 298 reviews.
FamilySummerhouse Vaglaskogur
A comfortable holiday home with a sun terrace and garden views
Why guests love itI would choose Summerhouse Vaglaskogur for a family or small group that wants space and a garden outside Akureyri. The holiday home is 15 km from Akureyri Airport and 22 km from Goðafoss Waterfall, with two bedrooms and a living room. It has a sun terrace, a garden, an outdoor fireplace, barbecue facilities, a kitchenette, a patio and free private parking. Guests rate it 9.3 across 61 reviews. I would pick it for summer stays when the outdoor space gets used.
CoastalHafdals Hotel
Sea and mountain views a few kilometres from Akureyri
Why guests love itHafdals Hotel sits 6 km from Akureyri Airport, with rooms that look over the sea and the mountains. Each room has a private bathroom, a desk, a fridge and soundproofing, and breakfast is included. Free WiFi and free private parking are on site. With a 9.3 score from 323 reviews, I recommend it to couples and drivers who want a quiet, well-rated base near Akureyri.
FamilyLL Properties - L19 Spacious Boutique Apartment
Spacious apartment with mountain views, full kitchen, and private parking
Why guests love itWith four bedrooms, a full kitchen and a washing machine, LL Properties L19 is one of the roomier options I would suggest for families staying in Akureyri. Everyone gets a bed of their own, the dining area seats the group for meals cooked at home, and the barbecue suits light summer evenings. Free private parking matters if you are touring the north by car. Families who want daily housekeeping should look at a hotel instead.
FamilyStudio White Bears
A central Akureyri apartment with a kitchenette and free parking
Why guests love itI would choose Studio White Bears for a practical stay in Akureyri near the airport. The one-bedroom apartment is 1 km from Akureyri Airport and a 6-minute walk from the Hof Cultural Center. It has a private entrance, a fully equipped kitchenette and free on-site parking, and Goðafoss Waterfall is 34 km away. Guests rate it 9.3 across 81 reviews. It is self-contained with no common areas, so I would pick it for a couple or a small family.
CoastalApartment in the country, great view Apt. A
Countryside apartment with open views 11 km from Akureyri Airport
Why guests love itI recommend Apartment in the country, great view Apt. A to families and couples who want a two-bedroom apartment in the countryside near Akureyri. It sits 11 km from Akureyri Airport, with a modern kitchen, a patio, a washing machine and free WiFi, and private parking on site. The views over the countryside are the draw. Guests rate it 9.2 across more than 150 reviews, a high score for a calm, practical base.
CoastalHotel Natur Akureyri
Family rooms with sea views and a full spa 13 km from Akureyri Airport
Why guests love itHotel Natur Akureyri is a three-star hotel 13 km from Akureyri Airport, with family rooms that have private bathrooms and sea views. A spa and wellness centre with a sauna, a hot tub and a steam room is a real draw for adults after a day out. A traditional restaurant serves international cuisine, and a buffet breakfast comes daily. The listing places it outside central Akureyri, so a car helps. Guests rate it 9.2 across 791 reviews.
CoastalLuxury Loft Apartment Akureyri
Loft apartment with hot tub, sea views, and a fully equipped kitchenette
Why guests love itI would pick this apartment for a few nights in Akureyri with a private hot tub. It is less than 1 km from the Hof Cultural Center, with a spacious terrace looking over the sea and mountains. There is a fully equipped kitchenette, a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, free Wi-Fi, a washing machine and free private parking. Guests rate it 9.2 across 83 reviews. It works as a private residence rather than a hotel, so I would choose it for couples and small families.
FamilyAkureyri Cottages
Self-catering cottages with garden views and barbecue facilities near Akureyri
Why guests love itAkureyri Cottages are holiday homes with family rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and garden views, set 1.7 km from the Hof Cultural Center and 3 km from Akureyri Airport. A garden, a terrace and barbecue facilities give children and adults space outside, and free private parking and WiFi are included. A 9.2 rating across 334 reviews is strong. I would choose it for a family that wants a whole cottage and a short drive into town.
FamilyNorth Mountain View Suites
Self-catering suites with private outdoor hot tubs at Leifsstaðir, near Akureyri
Why guests love itThese are self-contained apartments rather than a hotel, built around privacy: a whole apartment to yourself, a balcony or terrace, and a hot tub reserved for your stay. Families of four fit in the two-bedroom apartment, and the full kitchen makes longer stays practical, with Akureyri's supermarkets and its well-known town pool a short drive away. The setting gives mountain views and some distance from town lights, which helps on aurora nights. The limits: no reception desk for daily help, no restaurant on site, and everything requires a car, including dinner. For a first or last night near the airport it works, and it holds up as a base for two or three days in North Iceland.
FamilyBakkakot 3 Cozy Cabin In The Woods
A cozy cabin with a private hot tub and kitchenette near Akureyri
Why guests love itI recommend Bakkakot 3 to couples who want a private cabin with its own hot tub near Akureyri. The one-bedroom cabin is 24 km from the Hof Cultural Center and has a private entrance, a fully equipped kitchenette and free WiFi, with a garden, a terrace, an outdoor fireplace, a picnic area and barbecue facilities. Free private parking is on site. Guests rate it 9.2 across more than 140 reviews, a high score for a secluded stay.
CoastalOld Town Luxury Apartment Akureyri
Spacious apartment with sea and mountain views, pet-friendly
Why guests love itThis is a spacious three-bedroom apartment 1 km from Akureyri, with a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a comfortable living space. A garden and a terrace look over the sea and mountains, and free WiFi, a washing machine and a dishwasher are included. Pets are welcome. A 9.2 rating across 90 reviews is strong. I would choose it for a family or a group of friends who want room and a kitchen in Akureyri.
CouplesHrimland Apartments
Spacious apartments with full kitchens and balconies near Akureyri Airport
Why guests love itHrimland Apartments is an aparthotel 2 km from Akureyri Airport, with rooms that have private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and balconies. Each unit includes a washing machine, a dishwasher and free WiFi, and there is free on-site parking, a lift and ski storage, all within a 5-minute walk of the Hof Cultural Center. Soundproofing is listed. Guests rate it 9.2 across 418 reviews, a solid sample.
FamilySaga Apartments Akureyri
Apartments with kitchenettes and balconies, 5 minutes from Hof Cultural Center
Why guests love itSaga Apartments Akureyri has a kitchenette, a balcony and a private bathroom in each apartment, in central Akureyri. A sun terrace and free WiFi are included, and family rooms are available. Hof Cultural Center is a 5-minute walk away, Akureyri Airport is 2 km distant and Godafoss Waterfall is 34 km from the property. With a 9.1 score from 313 reviews, I recommend it to families and couples who want self-catering space in town.
CoastalViking Cottages & Apartments
Fjord-view cottages with private terraces and an outdoor hot tub
Why guests love itViking Cottages & Apartments are self-catering cottages 7 km from central Akureyri, with fjord views. Each unit has a well-equipped kitchen, a private terrace and free WiFi, and there is an outdoor hot tub and barbecue facilities on site. For a family that means cooking at home and an evening soak. The 7 km distance means you will want a car to reach the town. Guests rate it 9.1 across 381 reviews.
CoastalK16Apartments
Apartment-style accommodation with ski-to-door access and full kitchens
Why guests love itK16Apartments offers apartment-style units in Akureyri, each with a kitchenette, a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen, so families can self-cater. Free WiFi is included, and the listing mentions ski-to-door access. The Hof Cultural Center and Conference Hall is a six-minute walk away, and Akureyri Airport is 2 km from the property. A 9.0 rating across 2,517 reviews is a large, reliable sample. I would choose it for a family that wants a kitchen and a central base.
CouplesLL Properties - The Old Town Retreat
Historic apartment with a hot tub, garden, and city views in Akureyri
Why guests love itLL Properties - The Old Town Retreat is an apartment in a historic building in Akureyri, with a hot tub, a garden, a terrace and city views. It has a kitchenette, a private bathroom, a washing machine and a dishwasher, and free WiFi and private parking are included. With an 8.9 score from 359 reviews, I recommend it to couples who want a self-catering apartment with a hot tub in town.
What to expect
- Akureyri sits on Route 1, about 387 km from Reykjavík, around four and a half hours by road.
- The town is a good starting point for the Diamond Circle and the Tröllaskagi peninsula.
- Akureyri Botanical Garden is one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world.
- Northern lights are often visible from the outskirts of town in winter, away from light pollution.
Local tips
- Choose a place with a kitchen if travelling off season, dining options can be limited in the smaller villages around Akureyri.
- Rent a 4x4 if you plan to drive mountain F-roads or travel in winter.
- Book whale-watching trips ahead, especially in high season from June to August.
- Expect fast weather changes even in summer, layers and a waterproof jacket are essential.
- Use the local geothermal swimming pools to relax after a day of exploring.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Which areas are best for staying in Akureyri?
Central Akureyri is best for easy access to restaurants and services. If you want quiet and fjord views, stays a few kilometres outside the centre along the coast often have more secluded settings and better chances of seeing the northern lights on clear winter nights.
What types of accommodation are there in Akureyri?
Of the 30 stays we list, most in town are apartments, from studios to penthouse flats such as K16Apartments, Hrimland and the LL Properties units. Outside town you find wooden cabins, farm stays such as Áshóll and summer houses towards Vaglaskógur, all of which need a car.
When is the best time to visit Akureyri?
Summer, from June to August, is ideal for long days, hiking and whale watching. Winter, from October to March, brings snowy landscapes, skiing and northern lights, but road conditions can be harder. Spring and autumn are quieter in-between seasons with fewer visitors.
Where should you stay in Akureyri to see the northern lights?
To improve your chances, choose a stay a few kilometres outside the town centre, where light pollution is minimal. Many cottages and apartments on the outskirts have terraces and open views of the sky, which makes it easier to watch the aurora from the door.