Breakfast at Akureyri Airbnb
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation before exploring Akureyri.
11-Day Iceland Ring Road Adventure
July 14-24, 2025
🏞️ Day 8: Akureyri & Troll Peninsula
July 21
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Day Summary
After several days of intense hiking and sightseeing, enjoy a more relaxed pace exploring Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital, and the stunning Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula). This region offers dramatic mountain scenery, charming fishing villages, and unique cultural experiences. From colorful gardens to coastal fjord views, mountain horseback riding, and Icelandic beer spa relaxation, today provides a perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty off the typical tourist path.
Total Driving: ~173 km (107 miles), 2 hours 30 minutes
- Airbnb in Akureyri to Akureyri Botanical Gardens: ~3 km (2 miles), 10 minutes
- Akureyri Botanical Gardens to Akureyrarkirkja Church: ~2 km (1.2 miles), 5 minutes
- Akureyri to Troll Peninsula (Route 82): ~45 km (28 miles), 45 minutes
- Langhús Farm to Bjórböðin Beer Spa: ~25 km (15.5 miles), 25 minutes
- Bjórböðin Beer Spa to Hofsós Swimming Pool: ~35 km (22 miles), 30 minutes
- Hofsós Swimming Pool to Siglufjörður: ~63 km (39 miles), 35 minutes
Daily Schedule
Akureyri Botanical Gardens
Visit one of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, showcasing Arctic flora and plants from around the world. The gardens are particularly beautiful in July when many species are in full bloom.
Akureyrarkirkja Church
Explore this distinctive Lutheran church perched on a hill in the center of town. The church's unique architecture and beautiful stained glass windows make it one of Akureyri's landmarks.
Lunch in Akureyri
Enjoy lunch at Rub23, a popular restaurant known for its fresh seafood and innovative dishes. The restaurant specializes in a unique spice rub concept for their dishes.
Drive to Troll Peninsula
Head north along Route 82, following Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord. This scenic coastal drive offers stunning views of mountains and rugged cliffs.
Horseback Riding on Troll Peninsula
Experience an authentic Icelandic horse ride through mountains and along black sand beaches with Langhús Farm. Icelandic horses are famous for their unique fifth gait called 'tölt' and gentle temperament.
Bjórböðin Beer Spa
Enjoy a unique relaxation experience at Iceland's beer spa, where you soak in wooden tubs filled with beer, water, hops, and yeast. The beer bath is said to have beneficial effects on both body and soul.
Drive to Hofsós
Continue your journey along the Troll Peninsula to the small town of Hofsós.
Hofsós Swimming Pool
Relax in this spectacularly situated infinity-style pool perched on a cliff edge overlooking Skagafjörður fjord. The design creates the illusion of swimming directly into the ocean and offers incredible views.
Drive to Siglufjörður
Complete your journey to Siglufjörður, once the herring capital of Iceland and now a charming town surrounded by dramatic mountains.
Check in at The Painter's House Airbnb
Arrive at your accommodation in Siglufjörður, a charming house with views and a balcony.
Dinner at Kaffi Rauðka
Enjoy dinner at this harborside restaurant known for its fresh seafood and cozy atmosphere.
Key Highlights of the Day
- Horseback riding through the stunning Troll Peninsula landscapes
- The unique beer bath experience at Bjórböðin Beer Spa
- Swimming with infinity views at Hofsós Swimming Pool
- The beautiful Arctic plants at Akureyri Botanical Gardens
Accommodations
Airbnb - The Painter's houseSiglufjörður, Iceland
Cost:
Room Type: Home - Entire home/apt
Note: Two large cruise ships will be in port in Akureyri today: Borealis (1,360 passengers) and Norwegian Prima (3,099 passengers). The itinerary is designed to avoid the city center during peak hours.
Alternative Activities
- Herring Era Museum: Award-winning museum about the fishing industry that dominated Siglufjörður in the 1940s-50s. Three buildings showcase the fishing dock, processing factory, and local life during the herring boom years.
- Dalvík Whale Watching: Better chance of seeing orcas than from Húsavík. The 3-hour tour explores Eyjafjörður with near 100% success rate of whale sightings in summer. Includes sea angling and fish barbecue.
- Grafarkirkja: Iceland's oldest church (17th century) with hand-carved wooden beams and a traditional turf roof. This tiny church was dismantled in 1950 and reconstructed in the 1960s as a historical monument.
- Forest Lagoon: New geothermal spa near Akureyri featuring infinity pools carved into the mountainside with forest and fjord views. More upscale and less crowded alternative to the more famous lagoons.
- Ketubbjörg Cliffs: Dramatic sea cliffs with excellent ocean views and interesting folklore. According to legend, a troll woman jumped off these cliffs to save her cat.
Bad Weather Alternatives
- Herring Era Museum: Award-winning museum about Siglufjörður's herring industry history with three exhibition buildings showcasing different aspects of the herring boom era.
- Folk Music Center: Museum dedicated to preserving Icelandic folk music traditions, with exhibitions about song culture, instruments, and recordings of traditional Icelandic music.
- Saga Fotografica Museum: Photography museum featuring historical photos of Siglufjörður and the surrounding area, documenting daily life and the fishing industry over the decades.
Hot Springs
- Hofsós Swimming Pool: An infinity-style pool perched on a cliff edge overlooking Skagafjörður fjord, already in your itinerary.Location: HofsósCost: 1,090 ISK (~$8) per person
- Grettislaug: A historic hot spring on the Troll Peninsula with connections to Icelandic sagas.Location: Near SauðárkrókurCost: 1,000 ISK (~$7) per person
- Siglufjörður Swimming Pool: Located in the town where you're staying, offering hot tubs with views of the surrounding mountains. Great for unwinding after your day of exploration.Location: SiglufjörðurCost: 1,000 ISK (~$7) per person✨ Evening Relaxation
Notes
- Today provides a more relaxed pace after several days of intense activity.
- The Tröllaskagi Peninsula is one of North Iceland's hidden gems, offering landscapes that rival the country's more famous attractions but with far fewer tourists.
- The beer spa is a unique experience - if interested, it's recommended to book in advance as it can be popular in summer.