Best Cities to Visit in Iceland: Reykjavik, Akureyri & Vik

We spent two weeks driving the Ring Road, and these three cities stood out as the most practical bases for exploring Iceland. Reykjavik is the obvious starting point, Akureyri surprised us with its charm, and Vik turned out to be a gritty little pit stop with serious coastal drama. Here’s the real scoop on each.

Why should you start in Reykjavik?

Reykjavik is your arrival hub, and honestly, it’s the only place in Iceland that feels like a proper city. We landed at Keflavik Airport, grabbed the Flybus into town, and checked into Hotel Borg right on Austurvöllur square. It’s old-school elegant, but the location is unbeatable—you can walk to almost everything.

The Hallgrímskirkja church dominates the skyline. Pay the 1,000 ISK to ride the elevator up the tower; the view over the colorful rooftops and out to the bay is worth it. Skip the overpriced gift shop inside. Instead, walk down Skólavörðustígur street for better souvenir deals at smaller shops.

For food, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the famous hot dog stand near the harbor. It’s cheap (by Iceland standards) and genuinely good—order one “with everything” (eina með öllu). Avoid the tourist-trap seafood places on Laugavegur. We had a far better meal at Matur og Drykkur, which serves modern Icelandic dishes like fermented lamb and rye bread ice cream. Reservations essential.

Neighborhood to stay: Miðborg (city center) for walkability. Avoid Háaleiti unless you have a car.
Free walk: The Tjörnin pond loop past the city hall and sculpture garden. Swans and ducks everywhere.
Day trip: Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) is doable in 5-6 hours. Rent a car from Blue Car Rental—they’re reliable and don’t upsell unnecessary insurance.

Is Akureyri worth the drive north?

Yes, but temper expectations. Akureyri is a small town of 19,000 people, not a city. We drove six hours from Reykjavik on the Ring Road, and the reward was a relaxed, walkable base near some of Iceland’s best natural features.

We stayed at Hotel Akureyri on the main strip—basic rooms but a solid breakfast buffet with skyr and smoked trout. The real highlight was Brynja ice cream parlor on Skipagata. Their soft-serve with dark chocolate sauce is the best we had in Iceland.

The Akureyri Botanical Garden is surprisingly lush for a town this far north. It’s free and takes about 30 minutes to wander. In winter, the Christmas House (Jólahúsið) is kitschy but fun for a single visit.

Must-do tour: Húsavík whale watching (45 minutes north). We used Gentle Giants and saw humpbacks on a late June afternoon. Book ahead in summer.
Eat here: Rub23 for sushi with Icelandic lamb. The “lamb sushi” sounds weird but works.
Avoid: The Akureyri Art Museum—small, expensive, and the exhibits change too often to be reliable.
Pro tip: Fill up gas at N1 station before leaving town. The next station on the Ring Road is 120 km east.

What’s the reality of visiting Vik?

Vik is not a city. It’s a village of 750 people on the south coast, but every guidebook treats it like a must-visit. Here’s the truth: it’s a convenient overnight stop between Reykjavik and the glaciers, but two hours is enough to see the sights.

We rolled into Vik around 4 PM after visiting Skógafoss waterfall (stop here first—the climb to the top is worth it). The Reynisfjara black sand beach is a 10-minute drive west of town. The basalt columns are cool, but the rip currents are deadly—do not turn your back on the waves. We saw a tourist get soaked to the bone.

The Vik Church on the hill offers a great photo of the village and coastline. It’s a 5-minute walk from the main street.

Where to stay: Hotel Kría is new, clean, and has a decent restaurant. We booked six weeks in advance and still paid 28,000 ISK for a double room.
Where to eat: Suður-Vík for lamb soup and bread. Cash only, so hit the ATM at the N1 station before you arrive.
Skip: The Vik Wool store—overpriced sweaters that are machine-made, not hand-knitted.
Nearest must-see: Dyrhólaey arch (10 minutes east). Drive up the gravel road for a view of puffins in summer.

When is the best time to visit these cities?

We went in late June, and it worked well. Reykjavik had 21 hours of daylight, which meant we could hike at midnight. Akureyri was chilly (8°C) but not rainy. Vik was windy—always windy.

June to August: Peak season. Crowds at Geysir and Gullfoss are frustrating, but the weather is mildest. Book everything three months ahead.
September to October: Fewer tourists, cheaper hotels, but rain is constant. We had three straight gray days in Vik.
November to March: Reykjavik gets 4 hours of daylight. Akureyri is a base for northern lights hunting. Vik is mostly closed—many restaurants shut for winter.
April to May: Shoulder season. Some roads (like the one to Dettifoss waterfall) are still closed. Reykjavik is fine; skip the north.

How do you get between these cities without a tour bus?

Rent a car. We used Go Car Rental out of Keflavik—a Suzuki Vitara for 14 days cost 210,000 ISK with full insurance. The Ring Road (Route 1) connects all three cities directly.

Reykjavik to Vik: 2.5 hours. Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall (you can walk behind it) and Skógafoss.
Vik to Akureyri: 5.5 hours. The drive through the Eastfjords is slow but gorgeous. Fill gas in Höfn before the long stretch.
Akureyri to Reykjavik: 4.5 hours. Take Route 1 through Varmahlíð—the Glaumbær turf farmhouse is worth a 30-minute detour.

FAQ

Is Vik safe for solo travelers? Yes, but the weather is the real risk. The black sand beach (Reynisfjara) has sneaker waves that have killed multiple tourists. Stay well above the waterline, and don’t rely on your phone for navigation—cell service is spotty south of Vik. Solo travelers should stick to daylight hours for the drive to Akureyri.

Can you see the northern lights in Akureyri? Yes, from October to March. We didn’t see them in June (midnight sun), but friends who went in February said the Akureyri Forest (Kjarnaskógur) is a good spot away from city lights. Book a guided tour from Hotel Akureyri if you’re not confident driving dark roads.

What’s the best hotel in Reykjavik for a first-timer? CenterHotel Arnarhvoll near the Harpa concert hall. It’s mid-range (around 35,000 ISK per night in summer), has a rooftop terrace with views of the bay, and is a 5-minute walk from Laugavegur shopping street. Skip the breakfast add-on—grab a pastry from Brauð & Co bakery around the corner instead.

Conclusion

Start in Reykjavik for three days: hit Hallgrímskirkja, eat at Matur og Drykkur, and use it as a base for the Golden Circle.
Drive north to Akureyri for two days: whale watch from Húsavík, eat at Rub23, and enjoy the quieter pace.
Stop in Vik for one night only: see Reynisfjara beach, eat lamb soup at Suður-Vík, and move on.
Rent a car—don’t rely on tours. The Ring Road is well-maintained, but check road.is for closures.
Book everything in advance for summer. Winter is cheaper but darker and windier.