Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [122]
Information
The friendly tourist information centre ( 431 5566; www.visitakranes.is; 10am-5pm mid-May–mid-Sep) is based at the museum centre. When there’s no one on duty, the smiley museum staff are happy to help. Skrúðgarðurinn, in town, also doubles as an information point. You’ll find the post office ( 431 1000; Kirkjubraut 37) and several banks with ATMs on Kirkjubraut, the main street.
Sights & Activities
The town’s main attraction is the engaging Museum Centre ( 431 5566; www.museum.is; adult/under 16yr/senior Ikr500/free/300; 10am-5pm Jun-Aug, 1-5pm Sep-May), which is full of nautical relics, crystals, fossils and tales of local sporting heroes. The folk museum wing – housed in the ’70s-style building – displays semi-interesting antiques like an old car and fishing apparel. Outside, there’s a restored boathouse, a drying shed, a church and several fishing boats, including the cutter Sigurfari. The museum is about 1km east of the centre, just off Graðagrund.
Also worth a visit is the 1km-long sandy beach at Langisandur. It’s perfect for a gentle walk, a game of football with the locals (watch out – they’re good!), or a quick swim on a warm day. During inclement weather, the town’s geothermal swimming pool (Jaðdarsbakkar; 433 1100; Innesvegur; adult/under 14yr Ikr260/free; 6.15am-9pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sat & Sun) is a better option.
Sleeping
Campsite ( 864 5510; sites per person Ikr1000; mid-May–mid-Sep) The well-maintained town campsite is close to the shore and has sweeping views over the fjord to Snæfellsjökull on clear days. There are excellent washing and laundry facilities here.
Akranes HI Hostel ( 868 3332; www.hostel.is; Suðurgata 32; dm/d member Ikr2100/4100, nonmember Ikr2600/5100) Sparking after a recent renovation, this beautiful hostel sits along a quiet residential lane near the port. Look for the white house with ‘Apotek’ written across the facade – the building was once the local drugstore.
Móar ( 431 1389; sollajoh@simnet.is; sb/cottage Ikr3000/12,000) Although located out of town, this friendly, modern farmhouse is well worth seeking out for its spotless rooms and excellent service. Móar is just off Rte 1 near Akranesvegamót, 4km east of Akranes.
Gisting á Akranesi ( 695 6255; www.leopold.is/gisting; Bakkatún 20; s/d Ikr6000/9800) We just adore the friendly couple that runs this lively B&B. The living room is cluttered with quilts, watercolours and various works-in-progress (the owners are part-time artists), while three antique-clad guest rooms are tucked away in the basement below. Learn to make traditional Icelandic pancakes, then savour the end-result in the inviting garden out back.
Eating
Skrúðgarðurinn (Fancy Garden; 431 1780; Kirkjubraut 8; latte Ikr350, sandwich Ikr890; 10am-10pm Mon-Sat, noon-6pm Sun) Savour designer coffees at this charming spot while thumbing through tourist brochures and ogling polished antiques (including a beautiful phonograph!).
Galito ( 430 6767; Stillholt 16-18; mains Ikr1200-2000; 11.30am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri, 5-10pm Sat & Sun) Despite its location in a completely nondescript commercial block, Galito is undoubtedly top dog if you’re looking to upgrade from a petrol station hot dog.
The best bakery in town is the German-run Braud og Kökugerðin ( 431 1644; Suðurgata 50a; cakes from Ikr220; 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm Sat & Sun). There’s a Krónan supermarket (Stillholt) for self-caterers.
Getting There & Away
Akranes is part of the Reykjavík city transport area (see www.straeto.is); bus 27 runs every two hours to Háholt, from where bus 57 runs to the city centre. The entire journey takes about 80 minutes and costs Ikr840