Akureyri

Akureyri [1], with a population of around 18,000, is the largest town in Iceland outside the Southwest region , and the unofficial capital of North Iceland. Get in By car or bus The city is linked to the rest of Iceland via the Ring Road, the highway that circles the island along the coastline. Buses between Reykjavík and Akureyri are operated by Sterna [2], while buses from Egilsstaðir and various other towns to the east of Akureyri are operated by SBA [3]. By plane Akureyri has an airport with flights to and from Reykjavik Airport on domestic carrier Air Iceland [4] several times a day. Air Iceland also has flights from Akureyri to three smaller villages: Grímsey (a small island to the north of Iceland, on the arctic circle), Þórshöfn (in the northeast on Langanes peninsula) and Vopnafjörður (the northernmost fjord in East Iceland). Seasonal flights between Akureyri and Copenhagen are operated by Iceland Express [5]. Get around Being Iceland's northern capital doesn't mean Akureyri is a huge metropolis. Although it can get a bit hilly leaving the waterline, walking distances are reasonable for a fit traveller. Akureyri has a public bus system, called SVA, which is free for all. The buses are not very frequent, each line has a bus every hour or so. The buses stop running at 11pm on weekdays and only run between 12 and 6pm on weekends and holidays, but when they're free why complain? BSÓ [6] is the only taxi company in town, and they have a taxi rank in the centre of town. For those who prefer to cycle, it's possible to rent a bicycle at the souvenir shop The Viking in Hafnarstræti (tel.: +354 461 5551). The price is 1000 kr. for 6 hours, or 1800 kr. for the day. See Akureyri is a very picturesque town with its location by a scenic fjord, eclectic building styles and streets winding their way through gorges. Spend some time walking around the town centre, see the impressive church and check out Listagilið (literally: "the art canyon"), home to a number of arts and crafts galleries and shops. The tranquil municipal botanical garden, Lystigarðurinn [7], is worth visiting, as are the several small museums dotted around town. Note that Akureyri is perhaps picturesque by Islandic standards, but one may question whether it is a tourist destination in its own right. Tourists to Iceland typically go there because of the splendid scenery, not because of the cities. Akureyri is primarily a local hub, a place to start excursions to more interesting places. Do Akureyri swimming pool Akureyri Drama Society (Leikfélag Akureyrar), Strandgata 12, ☎ +354 460 0200, [8]. The only professional theatre in Iceland outside of Reykjavík.  edit Akureyri Swimming Pool (Sundlaug Akureyrar), Þingvallastræti 21, ☎ +354 461 4455. 28 228 May-1 September: 6:45AM-9PM M-F, 8AM-7:39PM Sa-Su; 2 September-27 May: 6:45AM-9PM M-F, 10AM-6:30PM Sa-Su. A recently renovated and expanded pool. Two pools for swimming, several hot tubs, a water slide and a childrens pool. Close to the centre of town 450 kr..  edit Hof, Strandgata 12, ☎ 354 450 1000, [9]. Akureyri's new house of culture, home to the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Sinfóníuhljómsveit Norðurlands) [10] and regularly host to other performances.  edit Buy Hafnarstræti, in the centre of town, is Akureyri's main shopping street. Shops there include a 10-11 convenience store, an Eymundsson book store with a café, several souvenir shops and the curiosity shop Frúin í Hamborg. For local art and design, head to Grófargil, colliqually known as Listagil (“art canyon”). It's a steep canyon by the street Kaupangsstræti and home to several studios galleries and shops. A small shopping mall, called Glerártorg [11], is a short distance north of the town centre. Eat A local way to eat a hamburger is with french fries included in the bun and kokteilsósa (a cocktail of mayonnaise and ketchup). A shop that sells a delicious version of this called a MacGratsky burger is Nætursalan located downtown right next to the main bus stop. This is a popular snack to end the evening after a heavy night of drinking. Akureyri also has the world's northernmost Domino's Pizza. Rub23, located just below the cathedral of Akureyri, has a most friendly atomosphere and serves one of the best fish dishes in the area. The Indian Curry Hut, located at Hafnarstraeti 100b, has some of the best curry in all of Iceland--perfect for warming up after a winter's day! It's a take-away, though there are two stools and a counter. The owner of the restaurant is very friendly, with an interesting life's story. Splurge Strikid: Fresh, high quality restaurant. Their chocolate cake is the best I've ever had, hands down. Mostly fish, lobster, but one or two meat dishes. Has an amazing view at the top floor of a building at the coastline. Greifinn: Considered high quality, just sells sandwhiches, starters, soups. Obviously a nice restaurant though. Drink A nice bar is across the street from the main movie threater. It seems that people in the city enjoy an 'early' movie theater around 8pm or so, and, as customary in Iceland, go clubbing/barhopping after midnight. However, the clubs close at 1AM, at least during the weekdays. A strange wheel-of-fortune with shots, beer, and nothing, is there, for 1500 Kr. Sleep There are many guesthouses more inland immediately away from the city center. They double as residences for college students, but they are the cheapest lodging you'll find, at around 8000 Kr double and 5000 single. Gista [12] is renting out apartments with Hotel standard. Located 3 min walk from the centre of Akureyri. Very good accomodation for groups, as the whole house (3 apartments) can be rented, which can accomodate up to 16 people. Hotel Kea ran at around 16000 kr for a double and around 12500 kr for a single. The staff at the hotel is extremely helpful in explaining what to do and where to eat, even if you don't stay there! Contact & Internet Access Akureyri has good mobile phone coverage (including 3G). Wi-fi internet is often available at cafés or hotels. Here are additional internet access options: Akureyri Hotspot (RP Media), Akureyri, Iceland, ☎ +354 490-4901, [13]. City wide internet hotspot service. Service planned for campgrounds. Free web access to tourist guide, car/hotel bookings. Vouchers for full access can be bought on site or with local partners. Starting under 2 EUR.  edit Municipal Library of Akureyri (Amtsbókasafnið), [14]. Cheap Internet connections are available here for 300 kr pr. hour.  edit FAB Tourist Center, Strandgata 49, ☎ +354 820-0980, [15]. 07:30 - 23:00. Internet access, wireless hotspot, VAT refund, currency exchange, information center, café and ticket sales for FAB Travel tours.  edit Get out Víti Akureyri is a good base to explore some of the more remote areas of Iceland, such as Mývatn. Several buses run mostly hourly from the city centre to other important places like the airport and neighbouring settlements and bus tours are available which take you to see the enormous crater of Víti, and Goðafoss (waterfall of the gods). This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!