With a special afternoon planned, we began our day with a private driver who whisked us away to some of the natural and cultural treasures just outside Akureyri, known as the “Capital of the North.” The town sits at the base of the Eyjafjörður fjord, Iceland’s longest fjord, and is home to around 20,000 people, making it the largest city outside of Reykjavik.
Goðafoss – The Waterfall of the Gods
Our first stop was the magnificent Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most celebrated waterfalls. The name means “Waterfall of the Gods,” tied to a pivotal moment in Icelandic history. In the year 1000 AD, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, a local chieftain and spiritual leader, made the decision that Iceland would officially embrace Christianity. To mark this dramatic shift, he cast his statues of the old Norse gods into the falls. Some say the gods’ fury split the cascade in two, creating the distinctive horseshoe shape that remains today.
The horseshoe shape and thundering roar of water plunging over a 39 foot high cliff into a wide, foaming river below reminded me of Niagara Falls, though on a smaller scale. We walked along both sides of the falls, even climbing down to the black volcanic beach at its base. With raincoats zipped up, we snapped photos as the mist coated our faces.
Grenjaðarstaður – Turf Houses Frozen in Time
Next, we traveled back in time at Grenjaðarstaður, one of Iceland’s best-preserved turf-roofed farmsteads. The interconnected row houses, with walls built from volcanic rock and sod-covered roofs, looked almost as if they had grown from the earth itself. Designed to keep families warm during the brutal Icelandic winters, the farmstead offered a glimpse of rural life as it was lived for centuries. Walking through the narrow passageways that linked the small rooms, we imagined what it must have been like to share such cozy quarters with family, animals, and neighbors during long dark winters.
Outside stood a small white church, built in 1865 and is still used today. In its surrounding cemetery, we were struck by gravestones dating back as far as the 1400s, a reminder of the extensive history anchored in this quiet valley.
Back to Akureyri
On our way back to town, we stopped briefly at a scenic overlook with sweeping views of Eyjafjörður. After lunch and a quick wardrobe change on the ship, some of us made a brisk walk into town to see the Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja). Designed by renowned architect Guðjón Samúelsson (who also created Reykjavik’s Hallgrímskirkja), the church, completed in 1940, is famous for its bold, modernist silhouette rising above the town. We had just enough time for photos before hustling back to meet our shuttle.
Forest Lagoon – A Hidden Oasis
The afternoon highlight was the Forest Lagoon, a geothermal spa tucked into the Vaðlaskógur forest. It is framed by birch and pine trees with views over the fjord. The warm 98-100° mineral-rich water kept us comfortable as we soaked, chatted, and sipped drinks from the swim-up bar. The stillness of the forest made it one of our most relaxing moments of our trip.
After a relaxing afternoon, we headed back to our ship in time to have dinner before Azamara’s Azamazing Night, a signature event of the cruise line. We were treated to a special performance by international recording artist Greta Salóme, who has twice represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her high-energy show, blending her violin playing with passionate vocals, invigorated the audience and made for a memorable celebration of Icelandic culture.
Our day closed with cocktails and live music in the ship’s “Living Room.” Ed and Malik even jumped into the karaoke fun, their enthusiasm making for plenty of laughter and applause.
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