Quick answerAkureyri is a city in Iceland, with 20,284 people inside the city limits in 2026. It is best known for the Capital of North Iceland, the Akureyrarkirkja and the Botanical Gardens. Its official language is Icelandic, and its currency is the Icelandic króna.
Akureyri is the largest town in northern Iceland, with a population of 20,284 (2026). It stands at the head of Eyjafjörður, the country's longest fjord, about 100 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, and is nicknamed the Capital of North Iceland.
Key facts
| Country | Iceland |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 20,284 (2026) |
| Time zone | Atlantic/Reykjavik |
| Language | Icelandic |
| Currency | Icelandic króna (ISK, kr) |
| Coordinates | 65.683° N, 18.1° W |
Overview
Akureyri stands on the west side of the inland end of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, in the north of the country. With 20,284 people in 2026, it is the largest town outside the Capital Region and the fifth most populous municipality in Iceland. The town sits on a narrow coastal strip at the head of the fjord. It has one of Iceland's warmest climates, sheltered by mountains.
The area was settled in the 9th century, and permanent settlement began in 1778. Akureyri received its municipal charter in 1786, lost it in 1836 and regained it in 1862, then grew on fishing and trade. Fishing is still important — two of Iceland's five largest fishing companies are based here — and the University of Akureyri was founded in 1987. The town's botanical gardens flourish without a greenhouse, and its church, Akureyrarkirkja, and the Hof cultural centre are its best-known landmarks.
What Akureyri is known for
- Capital of North Iceland
- Akureyrarkirkja
- Botanical Gardens
- Whale watching
- Hlíðarfjall ski area
Landmarks
- Akureyrarkirkja
- Akureyri Botanical Gardens
- Hof Cultural and Conference Center
- Akureyri Museum
- Hlíðarfjall
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Akureyri?
Akureyri had a population of 20,284 in 2026, according to Statistics Iceland. That makes it the largest town outside Iceland's Capital Region, though it is only the fifth most populous municipality in the country, behind Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður and Reykjanesbær. About one in twenty Icelanders lives in Akureyri.
Where is Akureyri and what is it known for?
Akureyri is in northern Iceland, at the head of Eyjafjörður, the country's longest fjord, about 100 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. It is nicknamed the Capital of North Iceland and is known for Akureyrarkirkja, its hilltop church, for its botanical gardens, for whale watching in the fjord, and for the Hlíðarfjall ski area above the town.
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Keep exploring
- Iceland — the country Akureyri is in
- Reykjavík — another city in Iceland
- All cities in Iceland
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.