Akureyri

Akureyri lies on the fjord Eyjafjörður and, according to Nordic Visitor, is the largest town outside the greater Reykjavík area. The church Akureyrarkirkja, with its two striking towers, was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and consecrated in 1940. Behind the church you have a view of the fjord and the mountains. The Botanical Garden, Lystigarðurinn, was first laid out as a park in 1912 and is said to be the northernmost botanical garden in the world; it is open in summer only.

Other sights include Nonnahús, the childhood home, built in 1850, of the writer Jón Sveinsson, the Aviation Museum and the popular outdoor swimming pool with slides and hot tubs. In winter, the slopes of Hlíðarfjall offer skiing at 500 to 1,000 metres. Akureyri makes a good base for tours in the north; allow about half a day for the town itself. Before driving mountain roads, check the weather and road conditions.