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Ready to plan your next winter thrills? Look no further than Iceland’s new “it” destination!
Surprisingly, Iceland is one of the easiest European countries to reach, despite seeming like a fairytale land in the middle of nowhere.
With two Icelandic airlines serving the US and two of our own US airlines, your bucket list dreams await.
But if you’ve been putting off crossing Iceland off your list, you may be late to the party, as Reykavjaik, as well as some other former hidden gems, have risen in popularity.
One city on the north side is all the rage right now, especially as more and more airlines trickle in, making for easy connections.
With the frigid weather in full force ahead, Iceland may not seem like an ideal escape, but with some awe-inspiring natural phenomena and cheap thermal pools to combat the cold, you shouldn’t sleep on your visit Iceland’s new tourist hotspot this winter.
Reykjavik is old news! More travelers explore Akureyri
Reykjavik is a cool town. The word ‘city’ is a stretch as it feels more like a charming town, yet it is Iceland’s largest ‘metropolis’ with only slightly less than 140,000 inhabitants in a country with only 394,000 inhabitants.
More often than not, Keflavik, followed by Reykjavik, is the most common gateway to one of the world’s most otherworldly destinations to explore indescribable landscapes, stunning waterfalls, active volcanoes and possible elf sightings – well, at least for some locals who swear by it It.
While spotting Will Ferrell in an open field would certainly create lasting memories, in reality more and more travelers are discovering the charms and wonders of Iceland’s fourth largest city, Akureyri.
Offering more of an authentic feel than, say, the Hard Rock Café and tourist shops in Reykjavik, this vibrant community has so far welcomed visitors with open arms.
To be fair, that’s partly because locals know a lot about the trek that will reach their beloved home city, even as easyJet is set to launch a new flight from Britain on November 12.
Secondly, Reykjavik is not a common place to witness the Northern Lights due to the light pollution, but Akureyri is more remote and is a great access point this time of year to see the sky dancing green.
Akureyri’s fantastic Northern Lights show
Colder months = more northern lights. At least that’s the case for Akureyri.
Tour operators are raking in the dough this time of year and taking you to the best spots where there is no light pollution Aurora Borealis put on a show.
According to Arctic adventuresone of the best guides of Akureyri, the best time of year to witness this natural phenomenon is from ‘mid-September to March’.
All you have to do is pack a few extra layers and let the experts do the rest.
The bad news is that the guides have no control over the weather, so you’ll need some luck with a clear night.
Although Arctic Adventures offers a great price of $123, it’s best to do your due diligence as Northern Light Tours is their own industry here.
For a full list of options, check out Akureyri’s official tourism page.
Forget the Blue Lagoon! Visit the cheaper spas of Akureyri
The popular belief is that Iceland is best explored by road trip.
That’s why you see so many great photos and videos of travelers’ adventures across the country on Instagram and TikTok.
One of the most common and photo-worthy places to visit is of course the world-famous Blue Lagoon, often a highlight on many travelers’ road trip itineraries.
That said, the experience of relaxing in this spa’s natural thermal springs is expensive.
The cost of visiting the Blue Lagoon varies by package, but even the most affordable option doesn’t compare to what Akureyri has to offer.
Spas abound in Akureyri. Perhaps the most popular Forest lagoonwith an impressive Google rating of 4.7 and only costs $50 to enterwhile the Blue Lagoon costs about $75 – $105 for the low end Comfort option.
Another good choice is the Beer spawhere yes, you can take a beer bath!
Or choose another thermal bath, away from the pleasures of the charming city.
Located on a black beach overlooking amazing open countryside, a day pass Hauganes hot tubs costs only $14!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
