Town in Northeastern Region, Iceland
Akureyri
North Iceland's small hub for whale watching, Lake Mývatn, waterfalls and ski days. Friendly, safe and quiet, with good cafés; nightlife is limited and reaching sights without a car is hard.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$4,110–5,750Comfortable, one person · kr500,000–700,000Details
- Value for money7/100Better value than 6% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 13°CDetails
- Internet283 MbpsFixed broadband, Iceland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCold tap water is excellent.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$74–131Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundAkureyri city busVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessCards and phones work everywhere, even at tiny roadside stops.Details
Where to stay in Akureyri
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Miðbær (Town Centre) | Walkable stays near Hafnarstræti's cafés and the church |
| Brekkan (the Slope) | Quiet residential hill above the center with views |
| Oddeyri | Harbor-side hostels and guesthouses, short walk to town |
Apps that work in Akureyri
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger
- 112 Iceland: Emergency calls that share your location
- Klapp: Strætó bus tickets
- Taxis: No Uber or Bolt. Call a local taxi or ask your guesthouse; taxis wait at the airport and the main square.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Iceland.
- Practically cashless Cards and phones work everywhere, even at tiny roadside stops. Cash is rarely needed.
- Currency: Krona (ISK). US$1 ≈ kr121.78 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs are easy to find in towns, but you'll rarely need cash. Decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; service is included in prices.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere; contactless is the norm.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- The remote-work long-term visa was repealed in May 2026; there is currently no visa route for digital nomads.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Síminn and Nova prepaid SIMs and eSIMs sell online, at Keflavík Airport and in convenience stores; EU roaming rules apply. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Iceland
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.