Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Rimi Coworking (Skipagata 9). Daily desks approx. 4,500 ISK
- Best Cafe for Work
- Te & Kaffi (located inside Penninn Eymundsson bookstore on Hafnarstræti)
- Networking Events
- Innovation Week satellite events and local Rotary Club meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- ‘Foreigners in Akureyri’ Facebook Group meetups at Backpackers
Essentials
- City
- Akureyri, Northeastern Region, Iceland
- Population
- 19,200
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic widely available; averages 500 Mbps - 1 Gbps
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 140 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 152 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable; among the purest in the world directly from glacial sources
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Siminn, Nova, or Vodafone. Nova offers 10GB for approx. 2,990 ISK
- Banking for Expats
- Landsbankinn, Arion Banki. Revolut is widely used by nomads
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, boutique hotels, and increasing Airbnb inventory
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, 100% cashless. Cards and mobile pay are used for even the smallest transactions
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local site Myvatn Apartments
- Budget Accommodation
- Akureyri Backpackers (approx. 6,500 ISK for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- City Center (Miðbær) for proximity to the church and bars
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Innbærinn (Old Town) for quiet charm or Oddeyri for residential stability
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use BSR Taxi (Tel: +354 461 1010)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hopp electric scooters via app; Akureyri is very walkable
- Best Beach Nearby
- Stigahlíð (rocky beach) or the Forest Lagoon (Skógarböðin) for thermal bathing
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (Domestic flights to Reykjavík)
- Top International Airline
- Edelweiss Air or Icelandair (seasonal direct flights to UK/Europe)
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (The Ring Road) connects directly to Reykjavík and Egilsstaðir
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. Main Bus Stop is at Hof Cultural Center
- Public Transport Passes
- City buses are FREE for all passengers within Akureyri city limits
- Regional Travel
- Strætó bus system for travel to Dalvík, Húsavík, or Siglufjörður
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sjúkrahúsið á Akureyri (SAK) on Eyrarlandsvegur
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Shala Akureyri (Strandgata 11)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Átak Fitness. Day pass approx. 2,500 ISK
- Laundry Services
- Laundromat at Akureyri Backpackers (approx. 1,000 ISK per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Aha.is (Limited service in Akureyri compared to Reykjavík)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Akureyri Hot Dog (pylsur) with 'everything' at Pylsuvagninn
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Berlin Akureyri (Great avocado toasts and plant-based brunch)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Brynja Ice Cream (Adalstraeti 3) - famous soft serve with candy toppings
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Bónus or Krónan supermarkets for budget groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Heimkaup.is or Amazon.de (shipping is expensive)
- Grocery Delivery
- Netto.is offers online ordering and pickup
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Hafnarstræti - specific spots like R5 Rectors and Ölstofa Akureyrar
- Local Brewery
- Einstök Olgerð (tours available at Viking Brewery)
- Wine Bars
- Eyja Vínstofa (Skipagata 9)
- Street Food Stalls
- Pylsuvagninn (The Hot Dog Stand) near the town square
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kurdo Kebab or Rub23 for Icelandic-Asian fusion sushi
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Akureyrarkirkja (The Iconic Church on the hill)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Akureyri Art Museum (Listasafnið á Akureyri)
- Historical Sites
- Nonnahús (The Memorial Museum of Jón Sveinsson)
- Religious Sites
- Glerárkirkja (Modern architecture church in the northern part)
- Annual Events
- Akureyri Town Festival (Akureyrarvaka) in late August
- Cultural Districts
- Art Street (Kaupvangsstræti)
- Theater Venues
- Hof Cultural and Conference Center
- Local Markets
- Lystigardurinn (Botanical Garden) plant sales and local craft fairs
- Music Scene
- Græni Hatturinn (The Green Hat) - best live music venue in Iceland
- Street Art
- Various murals along the harbor walls and Skipagata
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Salt Eldhús (traveling popup)
- Art Galleries
- Galleri Box and Mjölkubúðin Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Laxdalshús (The oldest house in Akureyri, built 1795)
- Local Heritage
- The 'Heart' shaped traffic lights (installed after 2008 crash to spread love)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kjarnaskógur Forest (hiking and mountain biking trails)
- National Parks Nearby
- Vatnajökull National Park (Jökulsárgljúfur canyon area, 2 hours away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Shoreline path along Pollurinn (the harbor)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Vaðlaheiði looking back over the fjord
- Birdwatching Locations
- Krossanesborgir nature reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas in Kjarnaskógur
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Icelandic Post Office) on Strandgata
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvutek Akureyri (Gleráreyri 1)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Íþróttahöllin Akureyri (Sports Hall)
- Language Classes
- SÍMEY (Lifelong Learning Center in Akureyri)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Amtsbókasafnið (Municipal Library) - Brekkugata 17
- Community Centers
- Rósenborg Community House
- Gaming Lounges
- Glerártorg Mall often hosts casual gaming popups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not permitted in Iceland (only lottery/slot machines in bars)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 850,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 34,000,000 ISK / $242k)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 650,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 26,000,000 ISK / $185k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 780,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 46,800,000 ISK / $334k)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 600,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 36,000,000 ISK / $257k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 720,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 57,600,000 ISK / $411k)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 550,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 44,000,000 ISK / $314k)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents; high tax burden but high social services
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25% (Combined state and municipal tax)
- VAT
- 24% standard rate; 11% for books, food, and tourism
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules based on ownership in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, municipal tax based on property valuation (Real estate tax)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals, 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Visa (180 days) allows 0% local tax if income is from abroad