Where to Stay in Akureyri, Iceland

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city, and its accommodation reflects that: there is a wider choice here than anywhere else outside Reykjavík, with options across all price points from hostel dormitories to full-service hotels. Central location matters more than it does in larger cities — Akureyri’s old town, harbour, and main attractions are all within walking distance of each other, so picking a central hotel eliminates the need for taxis or car trips for most evening and morning activities.

Budget: Akureyri Backpackers

The main backpacker hostel in Akureyri, centrally located on Hafnarstræti. Dormitory beds cost approximately ISK 5,500 per night as of 2026; private rooms are available from approximately ISK 16,000 per night. It’s a standard Scandinavian-style hostel: clean, functional, sociable common areas, self-catering kitchen. The central location is the main selling point — you’re walking distance from the harbour, restaurants, and the bus station.

Good for: solo travellers, budget travellers, those planning to be out most of the day. Less suited to early-rising couples who need quiet and privacy.

Mid-Range: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

Part of Icelandair’s hotel chain, this is the most consistently reliable mid-range option in Akureyri. Rooms cost approximately ISK 28,000–35,000 per night as of 2026. The hotel occupies a former hospital building with views across the fjord from upper floors.

The décor follows Icelandair’s house style: clean Scandinavian lines, good beds, well-equipped bathrooms. The restaurant is serviceable. The main drawback is that it’s a short drive from the very centre of town — not far, but less convenient for an evening stroll than the more central options.

Book directly through Icelandair Hotels or via the main booking platforms. Icelandair guests sometimes receive preferential rates if combining with a flight.

Mid-Range: Hotel Kea

Hotel Kea is the most centrally located hotel of any size in Akureyri. It sits on Hafnarstræti — the main street — and puts you within steps of the best cafés, restaurants, and the path up to Akureyrarkirkja.

Rooms cost approximately ISK 30,000–40,000 per night as of 2026, depending on season and room type. The hotel dates from 1944 and has been updated progressively. Rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious — this is a solid mid-range hotel with an excellent location rather than a design property. The in-house restaurant is a reasonable option for dinner without having to go elsewhere.

For most visitors, Hotel Kea’s combination of central position and reliable standard makes it the default mid-range choice in Akureyri.

Splurge: Hotel Edda Akureyri

Hotel Edda Akureyri operates during summer only (typically June through August), as with other Edda properties across Iceland, which are often tied to school or university facilities. Rooms cost approximately ISK 35,000–50,000 per night as of 2026.

The Edda properties are generally newer-feeling in summer with good facilities, and Akureyri’s version benefits from decent views and proximity to the city centre. If you’re visiting in July or August and want more space and a slightly quieter atmosphere than the city-centre hotels, this is worth comparing.

Check the Edda Hotels website for exact opening dates each year, as the season can vary.

Guesthouses and Apartments

Akureyri has a good supply of guesthouses and self-catering apartments, which offer better value per person for groups and longer stays. Several family-run guesthouses operate in the residential streets near the centre, typically charging ISK 20,000–28,000 per night for a double room with breakfast included. Breakfast quality varies — some offer a proper Icelandic spread, others just bread and coffee.

For self-catering, Airbnb and Booking.com list numerous apartments across the city. These are particularly useful for families who want kitchen access and more space. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment typically run ISK 25,000–40,000 per night in summer.

When to Book

July and August: Book 2–3 months ahead at minimum. Akureyri sees significant summer visitor numbers, and good central hotels fill weeks in advance. This applies especially to weekends when Reykjavík day-trippers sometimes overnight here.

December–February (ski season): The Hlíðarfjall ski resort drives demand in winter. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for peak school holiday periods (Icelandic school holidays fall in February).

May, September, October: Shoulder season availability is generally good. Booking 2–3 weeks ahead is usually sufficient, though weekends at popular properties can still fill.

Getting Around from Your Hotel

Akureyri’s centre is walkable from any of the hotels listed above. For day trips to Mývatn (50km), Húsavík (90km), or the Hlíðarfjall ski resort (5km from centre), a rental car is the most practical option. Hertz, Budget, and local operators have desks at Akureyri Airport (3km from centre) and in town.

The Strætó bus service connects Akureyri to Reykjavík and other North Iceland towns, departing from the bus station near the harbour. Akureyri Airport offers domestic flights to Reykjavík and Ísafjörður — useful for getting to and from the city without the 4.5-hour drive south.