Akureyri
Details
Akureyri, Iceland | June 17 | In port 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Known as the Capital of the North, Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjörður, surrounded by mountains in one of Iceland's most beautiful settings. Despite its location just south of the Arctic Circle, the sheltered fjord gives the area a surprisingly green landscape during the summer months.
The vibe here is noticeably different from Reykjavík—smaller, slower, and more residential, with colorful houses climbing the hills above the waterfront. Akureyri is worth exploring, but it's also the gateway to some of northern Iceland's most spectacular natural attractions.
Highlights:
- Goðafoss Waterfall — Known as the “Waterfall of the Gods,” this wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall is one of northern Iceland's signature sights. It's beautiful, powerful, and high on my list for this port.
- Lake Mývatn — A fascinating volcanic region filled with lava formations, geothermal landscapes, craters, steaming earth, and unusual rock formations. Many excursions combine the Mývatn area with Goðafoss for a full day of Icelandic scenery.
- Akureyri Botanical Garden — One of the world's northernmost botanical gardens and especially beautiful during the summer. Admission is free, making it an easy stop if you're exploring town.
- Akureyrarkirkja — The city's landmark Lutheran church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the same architect behind Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík. Its hilltop location also provides great views over Akureyri and the fjord.
- Explore Downtown — Akureyri's compact center has cafés, shops, restaurants, and colorful streets that are easy to explore independently.
Good to know: Our ship arrives very early at 6:00 AM, but we also leave at 4:00 PM, so pay attention to timing when planning a longer excursion.
Downtown Akureyri is easy to explore on your own, but if Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss are priorities, I'd reserve an excursion in advance rather than waiting until you arrive.
And even in June, bring layers. Northern Iceland's weather can change quickly, especially once you're away from the sheltered town.
Kim's pick: Goðafoss + Lake Mývatn. If I'm coming all the way to northern Iceland, this is the day I'd want to get out of town and see the landscapes that make this part of the country so special.
Port Info
Schedule
Start Time
Jun 17 6:00AM GMT
to
End Time
Jun 17 4:00PM GMT