Shortcuts
Iceland Yurt
Experience nature in a unique and comfortable way year round.
For the last six years, we have been living in Iceland with our two young kids in our Mongolian Yurt that we built ourselves. Living close to nature all year round. We want to give other people the opportunity to also have that experience: Listen to the birds singing, the sound of a raven flying by or enjoy hearing the raindrops falling on the tent while you snuggle up next to the woodstove with a good book.
Stay in your own wool isolated heated Mongolian Yurt in the Icelandic countryside close to Akureyri in summer and winter.
Our yurts (or Ger in Mongolian, which translates as home) are spacious. The big yurt is about 30m2 and 6 meters or 18 feet across. We also have smaller ones (for couples or young families) with a diameter of 5 meters. We have yurts available for 2 to 5 people. All yurts have comfortable beds and are equipped with a wood stove so you can get cozy at the fireplace or make tea/coffee or some Icelandic pancakes.
Our yurts are ideally situated at 2.5 miles or 4 km from road nr.1 or just a 6-minute drive from the town of Akureyri.
The camp is a perfect starting point for hikes or cross-country skiing directly from the front door of the yurt. And for exploring the North of Iceland, which has a lot of natural wonders to offer such as the Goðafoss waterfall, one of the prettiest waterfalls in Iceland, only 30 minutes drive away. And Lake Mývatn, a unique area even for Iceland, because there are many different things together: boiling mud pots, rich birdlife, lava formations, and beautiful nature. And Jarðböðin, the North Icelandic version of the Blue Lagoon, all at about 45 minutes drive. The North of Iceland is a lot less visited than the South and especially during the off-season September-May, you can still get the place to yourself.
There are many activities you can do around Akureyri: whale watching, horse riding, mountain biking, hiking to name a few. There are three geothermal swimming pools close by.
If you want to know more or want to get some secret tips or ideas for walks, trail runs or excursions just ask Erwin, he has been tour guiding in the area since 2012 and is working in winter as a ski -and snowboard instructor at the local ski resort, and likes to go out for a run or bike ride in his spare time. Or book a session outside to enjoy the healing sounds blending in with natural sounds and sensations under the bare sky.
Iceland Yurt also invites you to enjoy wellness treatments. In the Gaia God/dess Temple Gaia hofið which is in a unique hand-carved Mongolian Yurt, Thora Solveig leads ceremonies, meditations and guides conscious breath, and movements/dance. Thora (Solla) gives deep relaxation and sound healing with sacred instruments like Gong and crystal singing bowls. She also offers individual treatments with a special crystal tuning fork and pure essential oils for deep healing, cleansing, and balancing. Please reserve for couples, groups or individuals inside the temple or outside in nature where nature's serene and rejuvenating sounds merge with the healing frequencies and vibrations from the instruments.
We are looking forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to our yurts!
Solla and Erwin
Some words from our guests:
'Amazing yurt, very cozy and warm. Beautiful view in such a quiet place'
'This place is truly amazing. The kids will be talking about their stay in the yurt for a long time to come´
´This was such a fun and memorable experience for myself, my husband, and our 2-year old son.´
´We stayed at Iceland Yurt with three of us when travelling around Iceland in August. I have never slept in a yurt before and I am really impressed how clean and comfortable everything was. The yurt is really cozy with a stove in the middle, the beds are great and there are plenty of woollen blankets and pillows. We fell asleep listening to the light drizzle of rain outside and woke up next morning to a beautiful view over Akureyri and with a great breakfast lovingly prepared in a small cooling box. The hosts are so nice and welcoming and I'll gladly stay here again.´
´Amazing experience with Solla- felt like a part inside of me was awaken again and I felt new born after!! I felt like in peace surrounded with relaxing and nourishing healing bowls and gong sounds, touching the body and soul- and Solla guided me with a respectful and intuitive way through sounds and touch to remember my own being again.
A deep and healing experience - I warmly recommend to receive a healing session with Solla! So grateful to get the first private session with her!´ (in the Gaia Temple).
Leifsstaðabrúnir 15
Travel directory for Iceland Yurt
The official travel index of Iceland
Cafés
Shopping
Day Tours
Arctic fox travel
Day Tour Provider
Imagine Iceland Travel
Swimming Pools
Þelamörk Swimming pool
Day Tours
Whale Watching Akureyri
Winter adventure
Akureyri Ice Rink
Day Tours
Star Travel
Swimming Pools
Stórutjarnarskóli Swimming pool
Travel Agency
Inspiration Iceland
Winter adventure
Hlíðarfjall Ski Area
Day Tours
Viðburðastofa norðurlands
Swimming Pools
Akureyri Swimming pool
Swimming Pools
Hrafnagil Swimming pool
Bicycle Rentals
AKUREYRI ACTIVITIES
Swimming Pools
Seminars / Work shop
The Solartemple – school of peace
Swimming Pools
Domestic flights
Norlandair
Guesthouses
Vökuland guesthouse & wellness
Winter adventure
Hostels
Akureyri Backpackers, hostel
Travel Agency
Nonni Travel
Whale Watching
Ambassador
Guesthouses
Skjaldarvík Ferðaþjónusta
Horse Activities
Brúnir - Horse, Home food and Art
Day Tour Provider
Akureyri Walk & Visit
Day Tours
Circle Air
Travel Agency
Akureyri Bus Company
Day Tours
no17.is Private Service / Auðun Benediktsson
Others
- Sólheimar 9, Svalbarðsströnd
- 606 Akureyri
- 6623762, 663-2650
- Kaupvangsbakkar, Eyjafjarðarsveit
- 601 Akureyri
- 695-7218
- Fnjóskadalur
- 601 Akureyri
- 897-0760
- Norðurgata 37
- 600 Akureyri
- 659-4540
- Steinahlíð 3H
- 603 Akureyri
- 6964044
- Laufásgata 9
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-2829, 698-0781
- Hrafnagilsstræti 38
- 600 Akureyri
- 6601642
- Strandgata 49
- 600 Akureyri
- 847-6957
- Hólabraut 12
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-3500
- Heiðarlundur 6a
- 600 Akureyri
- 659-6758
- Hrafnagilsstræti 38
- 600 Akureyri
- 660-1642
- Skarðshlíð 8 - 304
- 603 Akureyri
- 6948989
- Strandgata 23
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-2720
- Aðalstræti 54a
- 600 Akureyri
- 659-3992
- Brekkugata 3A
- 600 Akureyri
- 862-3700
- Heiðarlundur 6b
- 600 Akureyri
- 571-2282
- Hrafnagilsstræti 38
- 600 Akureyri
- 660-1642
- Tryggvabraut 22
- 600 Akureyri
- 588-8900, 588-8904
- Fjölnisgata 4b
- 603 Akureyri
- 462-1713
- Glæsibær
- 601 Akureyri
- 898-9355
- Brúnahlíð 5
- 601 Akureyri
- 896-8404
- Uppsalir 1
- 601 Akureyri
- 894-6076, 777-8201
- Þrastarhóll
- 601 Akureyri
- 615-2928
- Hofsbót 4
- 600 Akureyri
- 774-1740
- Súluvegur
- 600 Akureyri
- 862-7988, 895-9665
- Urðargil 25
- 603 Akureyri
- 892-9325
- Helgafell
- 601 Akureyri
- 847-4133, 821-5215
- Jaðar
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-2974
- Hringtún 1
- 620 Dalvík
- 849-0422
- Njarðarnes 6
- 603 Akureyri
- 694-9511
- Nesvegur 50
- 107 Reykjavík
- 774 4477
- Strandgata
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-1010
History and Culture
Hearts of Akureyri
In Akureyri, stopping at a red light is much more pleasant than elsewhere.
The red lights are heart-shaped!
The heart in the traffic lights have caught the attention of those visiting Akureyri and the hearts of the inhabitants.
The hearts lit up all over town as a consequence of the finance crash in Iceland in year 2008, when there was a need for some positive thinking and to put emphasis on what really matters.
Since then the red hearts in the traffic lights are visible as well as plenty of red hearts made of the flower "forget me not" decorating windows, cars and signs throughout the town.
A perfect place for a selfie with the red traffic light always glowing, is down by the harbor in the city center close to Hof Cultural house.
Use the hashtag #heartsofakureyri
For the Children
Akureyri Botanical Garden
The Public Park was first opened in 1912 and the botanic section added in 1957. The park has been enlarged three times since 1912 and is now about 3.6 ha and lies at 40-50 m altitude at Eyrarlandsvegur road near midtown.
The aim of the botanical garden is to grow trees, shrubs and perennials in the demanding climate of Northern Iceland, which is characterized by pronounced seasonality of temperature and day length. Situated in the shelter of Eyjafjord, which is one of the longest fjords in Iceland and provides a favourable microclimate for plant growth. Beside the 430 native species the surprising number of 6600 alien taxa grow in the garden. The garden is an IPEN member and is active in seed-exchange, public information, educationand recreation.
The Public Park and Botanic Garden is open 1st of Jun eto 30 Sept. On weekdays from 08-22 and at weekends from 09-22. The garden facilities are closed over the winter, but visitors are welcome to come for a stroll, the gates are open.
Nature
Nature
Kjarnaskógur woods
Kjarnaskógur Woods
South of Akureyri is one of the towns most popular outdoor area
- the woodland Kjarnaskógur. The recreational area is approx 800
hectars with more than 1.5 million trees, of many species planted within the
last 50 years. The area has diverse selection of trees and along the creek
Brunná one can find a tree sample track. For bird lovers, the area
is rich of birds and by the marshland in the north of the area (by Hundatjörn
in Naustaborgir) there is a bird watching shelter. A campsite is nearby,
Hamrar, with easy access to the forest.
In the forest you find:
* Three playgrounds
* Volleyball courts and outdoor gym
* Grill houses and pick-nick areas for both individuals and groups
* Aprox. 12 km of gravel-tracks for hiking, running and biking, of which 6 km
are lighted during dark hours. Also plenty of forest tracks and other vast
network of back country trails. For more details view the maps further down the
page.
* Restrooms and water fountain
* 4 carparks
* Mountain bike trails are in the woods and are also connected to the mountain
bike trails in Mt. Hlíðarfjall - These combined create the longest mountain
bike trail in Iceland with a total of 21.6 km.
* During winter - the largest organized cross country tracks area (in a
woodland area in Iceland) with around 20 km of groomed trails and 6
km are lighted. The grooming statues can be viewed here. The colors on
the map indicate the time since they were groomed last (green, orange and pink
are from a couple of hours up to 48 hours, while light blue, dark blue and grey
are from 2 days or up to 14 days or more). Areas for sledding are also groomed
during winter, by the statue of the Einar wood-ranger and below the sun-clock.
How to get there:
Head south from the town along the road no. 823, pass the airport and turn
right by the sign "Kjarnaskogur" and follow the bending road up to
the parking area. Aprox 5 min drive from town center and 30 minutes walk.
It is possible to take bus number 1, 2 or 5 from town square,
Ráðhústorg, and go out at Kjarnagata/Vallatún, by the golf course. From there
is about two km. walk to Kjarnaskógur area.
Contact info:
Skógræktarfélag Eyfirðinga
Sími: (+354) 462 4047
Email: ingi@kjarnaskogur.is
Webpage: www.skog.is/skograektarfelag-eyfirdinga/
Map of the area: Kjarnaskógur - Easy and shorter walks
https://www.visitakureyri.is/static/files/2012-VISIT/pdf/kjarnasogur-lettleidir-1-.pdf
Kjarnaskógur - All tails - overview map
https://www.visitakureyri.is/static/files/2012-VISIT/pdf/kort-2018-stora-kortid-a-orva-a2.pdf
Hamrar - the campingsite and surrounding
trails
https://www.visitakureyri.is/static/files/2012-VISIT/pdf/kort-2018-hamrar-lett-an-orva.pdf
Naustaborgir - Naturereserve area -
trails
https://www.visitakureyri.is/static/files/2012-VISIT/pdf/kort-2018-naustaborgir-lett-an-orva.pdf
Gönguskíðabrautir - Crosscountrytrails
https://www.visitakureyri.is/static/files/2012-VISIT/pdf/gonguskidi.pdf
Nature
History and Culture
Akureyri Church
The Akureyri church is the symbol of Akureyri. It is a Lutheran church and was designed by the famous architect Gudjon Samuelsson and consecrated in 1940. The central stained-glass window above the altar formed a
part of a set originating from England. The bas-reliefs on the nave balcony are by sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson and the baptismal font is a replica of a work by sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.
The church is above the town center.
Attention!
Please note that the church is closed
when funerals or other services are taking place and it is advertised
especially on the church door. For more information check the website akureyrarkirkja.is or send an email at akirkja@akirkja.is.
History and Culture
Gasir - Medival Trading place
Gásir is a unique place. In no other place in Iceland is it possible to find so many remainings from a trading post from the Middle Ages. Gásir was the main trading post in northern Iceland during the Middle Ages, and the place is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. Archaeological digging in the area during the last six years has shown that it was a trading post up to the 16th century, possibly until trading started in Akureyri.
Each year in July Medieval life at Gásir is reconstructed with help from Icelandic craftsmen who wear medieval clothes and sell handicraft. Various handcrafts are on display; dyeing with plant extracts, wool-work, sewing, sewing leather and weaving.
Nature
History and Culture
First settlers
A statue of Helgi magri (Helgi the lean)
and Þórunn hyrna (Þórunn the horned), the first settlers of the
area, about the year 890, stands on the Hamarkot Rocks on the street
Brekkugata near the police station.
The story tells that the parents of
Helgi handed him over for fostering into the Hebrides, and when they came there
two winters afterwards, he was so starved that they did not know him; they
brought him away with them and called him Helgi the lean. He was brought up in
Ireland, and when he was grown up, he married Þórunn hyrna (Þórunn the horned).
They moved to Iceland with their children and settled the whole of Eyjafjörður.
Helgi magri handed out parts of the settlement, which was very big, to his
children and kin but selected and built his own farm at a site which he
named Kristnes (Christ Cape) some 12 km south of Akureyri, a place where he
dwelt during the remainder of his life. Helgi believed in Christ and therefore
gave this name to his dwelling.
Þórunn hyrna, was the
daughter of Ketill flatnefur. Ketill Björnsson, nicknamed Flatnose (Flatnefur), who
was a chieftain of the Isles of the 9th century. All his children
settled big parts of Iceland, Þórunn hyrna in Eyjafjörður, Auður djúpúðga, at Hvammur in West-Iceland.
Her brother, Helgi bjóla, settled Kjalarnes and her other brother, Björn
austræni, settled Snæfellsnes and lived in Bjarnarhöfn.
The statue, which was made by Jónas S. Jakobsson in 1956, is located on top of
Hamarkotsklappir behind the Police station (Lögreglustöðin). About 5-10
min. walk from town center.
Two prominent streets in Akureyri are
named after these settlers - Helgamagrastræti street and Þórunnarstræti street
and the kindergarten Hólmasól is named after Helgi and Þórunn first child
(daughter) Next to the statue, one can find an old view-dial. On the view-dial is
written 1949 - Ferðafélag Akureyrar, but these view-dials show the names of the
surrounding mountains.
Nature
Nature
History and Culture
Akureyri Old Town
The old town of Akureyri brings you back to the beginning of the town. The area is located just a short stroll from town centre, towards the south.
The area is a monument to the town's history and culture. Many of the town oldest houses have been preserved and the original street planning has been maintained. Informative signposts guide visitors about the history of a different era. On this walk, you see the old Theatre, the old Primary School and the Old Hospital built in 1827, the first
two-storied house built in Iceland and the oldest building in Akureyri, Laxdalshús, built in 1795.
The name of Akureyri dates back to the 15th century, but it was not until 1778 that the first dwelling was built on the site. The oldest building that still remains was built in 1795, called Laxdalshús.
The houses and style of architecture are what draws the attention in this area. Around what used to be the main harbour but now home to the local sailing club Nökkvi you find many of the original buildings that kicked off this small harbour town. As time passed and the population grew, the hills behind the town developed as there was only one way to go - up!
Many of the buildings feature coting of corrugated iron. Traditionally this was used as a roofing material and for building farming sheds but in Iceland, it was commonly used as an external covering on walls to protect the woodwork. Another
method of shielding houses that is quite special for Akureyri, as it is rarely found in other places in Iceland, is the use of pressed iron plates, like tiles. These were imported from the US in the 1930s, and many of the oldest houses still wear this type of coating with beautiful colours.
For more information about the old town and the houses see our historical signboards.
https://www.visitakureyri.is/en/see-and-do/culture/skilti-baejarins
Museums
Akureyri Museum
Museums
Akureyri Art Museum
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
Arctic Handcraft and Design
Horse Activities
Brúnir - Horse, Home food and Art
Guesthouses
Cafés
Exhibitions
The Christmas Garden
Exhibitions
Hælið - The Great White Plague center
Museums
Nonnahús - Jón Sveinsson memorial museum
Museums
The Motorcycle Museum of Iceland
Museums
The Aviation Museum
Museums
Davíðshús - Home of Davíð Stefánsson
Exhibitions
Hof Cultural and Conference Center
Shopping
Apartments
Safnasafnið Museum
Museums
The Industrial Museum
Others
- Fíflbrekka
- 601 Akureyri
- 899-8770
- Strandgata 53
- 600 Akureyri
- 588-9050
- Kaupvangsstræti 23 / Grófargil
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-2609
- Moldhaugar
- 601 Akureyri
- 899-1072
- Aðalstræti 46
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-4162
- Hafnarstræti 90
- 600 Akureyri
- 661-0168
Hostels
Akureyri Backpackers, hostel
Hotels
Sveinbjarnargerði country hotel
Guesthouses
Horse Activities
Brúnir - Horse, Home food and Art
Restaurants
Hotels
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri
Restaurants
Akureyri fish and chips
Pubs & Clubs
Restaurants
Pizzasmiðjan
Restaurants
Múlaberg Bistro & Bar
Restaurants
Exhibitions
Hælið - The Great White Plague center
Guesthouses
Skjaldarvík Ferðaþjónusta
Restaurants
Cafés
Restaurants
Sushi Corner
Shopping
Restaurants
Hamborgarafabrikkan
Restaurants
Greifinn restaurant
Cafés
Apartments
Safnasafnið Museum
Cafés
Hotels
Hotel Kea - Keahotels
Hotels
Hotel Edda Akureyri
Tourist Information Centres
Akureyri Regional Information Center
Hotels
Hotel Natur
Restaurants
Others
- Strandgata 7
- 600 Akureyri
- 562-6888
- Hafnarstræti 102
- 600 Akureyri
- 6666078
- Hafnarstræti 108
- 600 Akureyri
- 460-5930
- Hörgárbraut
- 600 Akureyri
- 464-6474
- Heiðarlundur 6b
- 600 Akureyri
- 571-2282
- Þingvallastræti 23
- 600 Akureyri
- 518-1000
- Glerártorg verslunarmiðstöð
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-2279
- Glerártorg
- 600 Akureyri
- 555-4055
- Kaupvangsstræti 12
- 600 Akureyri
- 680-6292
- Hof
- 600 Akureyri
- 4600660
- Kaupangi v/Mýrarveg
- 600 Akureyri
- 464-6464
- Geislagata 10
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-1112
- Freyvangur
- 601 Akureyri
- Strandgata 11
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-1800
- Oddeyrarbryggju
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-7771, 894-3039
- Kaupvangsstræti 23
- 600 Akureyri
- 663-8886
- Kaupvangsstræti 23
- 600 Akureyri
- 846-3093
- Holtsel
- 605 Akureyri
- 8612859
- Brekkugata 17
- 600 Akureyri
- 661-4638
- Hafnarstræti 96
- 600 Akureyri
- 4614600
- Hafnarstræti 22
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-2100
- Glerártorg
- 600 Akureyri
- 530-7067
- Ráðhústorg 1
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-5552
- Ráðhústorg 3
- 600 Akureyri
- 4614242
- Hafnarstræti 107b
- 600 Akureyri
- 5716444, 862-4258, 865-1743
- Brekkugata 3
- 600 Akureyri
- 5717977
- Við Hörgárbraut
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-3012
- Undirhlíð 2
- 600 Akureyri
- 581-2345
- Strandgata 53
- 600 Akureyri
- 588-9050
- Skipagata 2
- 600 Akureyri
- 784-2084
- Hvannavellir 14
- 600 Akureyri
- 4614010
- Ráðhústorg 7
- 600 Akureyri
- 519-6918
- Dalsbraut 1
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-2700
- -
- 600 Akureyri
- 772-3389
- Skipagata 4
- 600 Akureyri
- 772-5061, 661-0661
- Akureyrarflugvöllur
- 600 Akureyri
- 462-5017
- Hafnarstræti 96
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-4646
- Kaupvangsstræti 1
- 600 Akureyri
- 530-7068
- Hrísalundur
- 600 Akureyri
- 460-5930
- Við Leiruveg
- 600 Akureyri
- 461-3414
- Glerárgata 32
- 600 Akureyri
- 4625552
- Tryggvabraut 12
- 600 Akureyri
- 460-3939
- Ráðhústorg 5
- 600 Akureyri
- 412-9933
- Tryggvabraut 22
- 600 Akureyri
- 4622245