Iceland & Greenland Cruise (August) 2024: Day 3 - Akureyri

Akureyri is the "Capital of the North," Iceland's second-largest urban area after the capital Reykjavik, known for its beautiful fjord location, cultural attractions, and proximity to natural wonders like waterfalls and volcanoes.

On day 3, we arrived in the "Capital of the North" earlier than expected. This is the only time and port where there is another cruise ship (Viking) docking at the same day/time. We pre-booked a rental car and we thought that we would collect the car in the airport; however, a fellow cruiser mentioned to us over breakfast that the rental company has an office in the port area. He was right; however, our paperwork said we had to collect the car in the airport. But we managed to get them to bring the car here in the port area, we just had to wait about 15-20 minutes.

As we began our day in Akureyri, it was around 47F, windy and drizzly. Our first target today is to visit GODAFOSS WATERFALLS. Iceland is full of volcanoes and waterfalls and we're here to see as much as we could.

The main underpass, or tunnel, near Akureyri, Iceland, is the Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel (Vadlaheidi Tunnel) on the Ring Road. This 7.5 km toll tunnel bypasses the dangerous Víkurskarð mountain pass, shortening the route and improving safety, especially in poor weather conditions. Drivers must pay the toll online within 24 hours of passing through the tunnel, or risk additional fees and administrative charges from car rental companies.

On the way we passed towering mountain range and verdant valley floor. Waterfalls down the mountainside were a fantastic roadside attraction.

Forty minutes or so, we were pulling up into the parking lot of Godafoss Waterfalls. Goðafoss is considered mythical due to a centuries-old legend, not necessarily its actual history, claiming the waterfall was named by the lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði when he threw his Norse god statues into it to mark Iceland's conversion to Christianity in 1000 AD. While this story is a popular tale and a landmark in Iceland's cultural history, it is not supported by official documentation from the period and appears to be a 19th-century fabrication.

It was raining at this time, but the many visitors, young and old alike ignored this minor inconvenience. We first took the path less travelled, which has a good view of the falls too.

Another angle, another viewpoint.

Another shot of the waterfalls from a different angle and viewpoint.

Godafoss is 39 ft high and 98 ft wide.

Every angle of the waterfalls is incredible. The paths on both banks of the waterfalls are well marked that even older people could easily walk here. I saw people with walker taking the paths. Across the street is a gift shop, very crowded for sure, and the paid toilet inside has a kilometric line. Because everything is so expensive we could only get 2 refrigerator magnets to add to our collection.

Back in the car, we headed towards the next stop for today's tour.

Stay tune....