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Akureyri is located in Northern part of Iceland, and is the second largest urban area after capital city Reykjavik. It is the Icelandic center of administration, commerce and transport. It is situated at the bottom of the mountains which surround the Eyjafjordur, the biggest fjord in Iceland.
Norse settlers came to Akureyri and settled there, owing to the fact that it had a natural harbor and was surrounded by arable land. It has established itself as a major harbor and fishing center, as well as becoming one of the major tourist attraction in Iceland.
Akureyri is surrounded by mountains. An interesting aspect of the town is that it warm and temperate weather, although being at just a 60km distance from the Arctic Circle. It has some of the best weather a tourist can get in Iceland.
In terms of transport, Akureyri is well-connected with rest of Iceland. There are road connections, as well as an airport that has regular domestic flights.
Major tourist destinations near Akureyri are the waterfalls and lakes, which include the Godofass, or the “Waterfall of the Gods”which has unique lava formations, the Dettifoss falls, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland, the lake Myvatn, and a flight to Island of Grimsey, the only only part of Icelandic territory within the Arctic Circle which has amazing bird life. The Eyjafjordur is an ideal location for winter sports. The dark castles of Dimmuborgir are a popular destination as well.
Akureyri has a number of museums, the most notable of them being the National History Museum.
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