Akureyri

There’s no better place to start off a list of things to see in Iceland than Akureyri. Often referred to as the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri is one of Iceland’s busiest urban areas. It might be tiny compared to urban cities such as Melbourne, London, or Sydney but there is no shortage of independent cafés and restaurants. The city also boasts of a vibrant nightlife that belies its size. Akureyri also boasts of several large supermarkets. It is the perfect place to stock up on essentials if you’re driving around Iceland, because shops are few and far in between on Iceland’s Ring Road. Akureyri is nestled in the lap of snowcapped peaks, at the tip of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður. As a result the countryside surrounding the city is excruciatingly pretty, to say the least. The fjord offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers and lakes.