Day Six - Akureyri

The drive from Mývatn to Akureyri is fairly short, however, there are a few nice places to stop along the way. One of the great things about driving in Iceland is the simplicity of the signs, particularly the marking of attractions and picnic or rest areas. Items of interest are marked using a distinct symbol for culture and tourist attractions. Often I would follow one, not knowing what it was I'd be seeing, other times the name of the attraction was also listed.

Culture and Attractions Symbol (Click to Enlarge)

Scenic Picnic Site Symbol (Click to Enlarge)

Picnic or Rest Site (Click to Enlarge)

Just short of Akureyri, heading west, is another major waterfall, Goðafoss. In the year 999 Christianity was made the official religion of Iceland by lawmaker Þorgeirr Ljósvetningagoði. After his conversion, he threw his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall. It was thereafter known as "Goðafoss," which translates to "Waterfall of the Gods."

Goðafoss (Click to Enlarge)

Akureyri (Click to Enlarge)

Downtown Akureyri (Click to Enlarge)

Akureyri is known as the "Capital of the North." Although very small (less than 18,000 population) by standard measures, it has everything you'd expect to find in a city, including museums, shops, cafes, bars, clubs, libraries and so on.

I checked into Hotel Harpa, which was conveniently located just off the main road, Route 82, which leads to Akureyri from Route 1. I discovered a laundry facility where I dropped off some clothes and sought out some dinner and a brew at a place called Bautinn. After the pace of the first six days, I was welcoming a quieter evening in Akureyri. I visited some pubs, sampled a drink named "Brennivin," which is known locally as "Black Death," for fairly good reason, and walked the streets and harbor, before calling it a night.

Day Seven