Iceland Cruise Day 13

Akureyri is the second most populated city in Iceland behind Reykjavik.

Today was our only booked shore excursion of the trip. BTW the shore excursions get really stupidly expensive if you wait to book them until you’re onboard, like $250pp to walk and have seafood, that kind of thing.

Since we weren’t able to cruise Prince Christian Sound the day before we were able to make it to Akureyri earlier than initially scheduled, arriving at 8am instead of 1pm.

We left for our tour at 2:30 and visited three different sites. Before leaving the kids were under the impression we were going hiking. In retrospect, perhaps they would’ve preferred a little more hiking and less history talking.

Laufás Heritage Site

From Laufás Heritage Site:

Laufás is a breathtaking farmstead surrounded by mountains and a picturesque view of the fjord with history at each footstep. Inhabited since the settlement of Iceland (874-930), it has been a church site since early Christianity in Iceland with a constant lineage of priests and ministers from 1047 to the current day. The heritage site contains a 19th century timber church and a vicarage. It is a maze of interconnected rooms, one of which is a unique bridal room from 1733.

Picnic table at Laufás Heritage Site with traditional turf-roofed farmhouse in background, overlooking fjord and mountains under dramatic Icelandic sky near Akureyri

Historic 19th century timber church at Laufás Heritage Site with white walls, traditional architecture, and graveyard, set against Icelandic countryside

Traditional Icelandic turf house at Laufás with grass-covered roof, white walls, and small windows, showing historic farmstead architecture from settlement era

Interior of historic turf house at Laufás Heritage Site showing narrow hallway with white walls, wooden doors, and traditional 19th century Icelandic domestic architecture

Goðafoss Waterfall

Goðafoss waterfall in northern Iceland with powerful white water cascading over horseshoe-shaped cliff into turquoise pool, dramatic Icelandic landscape and tourists visible on viewing area

Close-up view of Goðafoss waterfall showing multiple cascades of white water falling over dark volcanic rock formations with mist rising from the pool below

Selfie of traveler at Goðafoss waterfall in Iceland, looking unwell during shore excursion from cruise ship

(I was still pretty sick here)

Akureyri Botanical Garden

From the Akureyri Botanical Garden website:

The garden began as agricultural land which was set aside in 1910 for the formation of a park, the design of which was entrusted to the Akureyri Park Society, which unusually for its time, was composed entirely of women.

The park was officially opened in 1912 and was Iceland’s first public park. After subsequent donations of plant collections, the park was officially incorporated as a botanic garden in 1957 run by the municipality of Akureyri. The picture to the right was taken in the 1920s and shows the park in its formative stages.

Teen girl in pink jacket standing in white gazebo with ornate scrollwork and colorful stained glass panels at Akureyri Botanical Garden, Iceland's first public park

Winding garden path through lush greenery and trees at Akureyri Botanical Garden with wooden bench, showcasing northern Iceland's surprisingly diverse plant life

Garden bed with pink and white flowers in bloom at Akureyri Botanical Garden, demonstrating the botanical diversity cultivated in Iceland's second-largest city

Manicured lawns and flowerbeds with mix of pink, yellow, and white blooms at Akureyri Botanical Garden, established in 1912 by women-led Park Society

Akureyri seems like a place I’d like to visit again, perhaps as part of a Ring Road vacation I don’t think the kids would have the patience for. As mentioned, it’s the second largest city in Iceland and felt like it had a good vibe.

Pedestrian traffic light in Akureyri showing red heart symbol instead of standard figure, reflecting Iceland's quirky and whimsical approach to civic design

There were a lot of trees here, too, which you can’t take for granted in Iceland!

Tonight’s sunset:

Sunset over the ocean from cruise ship with golden light breaking through clouds on horizon, orange and blue sky gradient reflecting on calm waters

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