Akranes Lighthouse
Akranes Lighthouse
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lighthouses • Observation Decks & Towers
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
141 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
53
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Palle J
Stroeby, Denmark70 contributions
May 2022
Before entering the lighthouse, we had a long chat with the very nice person at the ticket office. By the way, admission is free for 65+. After ticketing you walk out to the lighthouse and enter it on your own. Ascent to the top is via steep staircases between each level. In fact, they are more like ladders. The final ascent is via a short ladder where you must lift a hatch aside to get to the outside (and remember to put it back in place again, when leaving!) Out on the platform you have a magnificent view of the surrounding area. We were lucky on our visit with only a light breeze and almost unlimited visibility, so we stayed on top for quite a while. Down at ground level, a pleasant combination of text and pictures gives a good understanding of the history of the lighthouse.
Parking is plentiful and next to the ticket office are a couple of very well-kept public restrooms.
If you are OK with steep stairs, the lighthouse is certainly well worth a visit.
Parking is plentiful and next to the ticket office are a couple of very well-kept public restrooms.
If you are OK with steep stairs, the lighthouse is certainly well worth a visit.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trav_LN_now
Crystal Lake, IL545 contributions
Mar 2020
The Akranes lighthouse was such a lovely surprise. There is a small fee to go into the lighthouse, but well worth it in our opinion. You pay at the visitors center, where a lovely man will tell you some history about the lighthouse. They have musicians perform in the lighthouse occasionally, and the acoustics are amazing! We took the stairs all the way to the top. Makes you appreciate the people who manned the lighthouses back in the day!
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrMarkES
Rochester, MN469 contributions
Aug 2021
There are two lighthouse out on the point of Akranes. One is newer and built for World War II. The other lighthouse is nice to walk to on the rocks.
The lighthouse caretaker was there to open the tall lighthouse and gave us an historic tour of the lighthouse and how the inside is great for music.
Wonderful place to visit!
The lighthouse caretaker was there to open the tall lighthouse and gave us an historic tour of the lighthouse and how the inside is great for music.
Wonderful place to visit!
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin H
Hong Kong, China771 contributions
Oct 2021
A rather austere structure from the outside but if you get the opportunity to go inside this would improve the experience. The acoustics inside are excellent so be prepared to sing a song. Take the steps to the top too.
There is also a small lighthouse nearby which is slightly more photogenic.
There is also a small lighthouse nearby which is slightly more photogenic.
Written October 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewPlaceFan
Kenosha, WI398 contributions
Jul 2022
If you like seeing and photographing lighthouses, this is a great place to stop. there is an old and a newer lighthouse. The new one allows people to go to the top during limited hours, but we were too early. Nonetheless, it's a nice stop.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SacandagaLakers
Hadley, NY26 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The lighthouse keeper is welcoming and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and the lighthouse with visitors. Climbing to the top provides a great view and an interesting demonstration of the acoustics within the tower. The guide clearly loves his work and interacting with visitors from around the world. He helped us to plan the rest of our day, including checking a northern lights website and suggesting a good viewing location back in Reykjavik.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Alexandria, VA354 contributions
May 2023
This is a cool lighthouse. We climbed up to the top for a view of the harbor and ocean. There was art on each level to look at as we ascended. A school group arrived when we were leaving and it was very cute to see them in uniform. We arrived right before it officially opened and stayed for about 30 minutes. Worth the stop.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave L
Northampton, UK26 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Drove across from Reykjavík and wasn’t disappointed, great little lighthouse with a very warm and informative welcome. Make sure to sign the guest book and have a chat with the lovely owner.
Written December 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelcrazyAntwerp
Schoten, Belgium1,178 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Akranes lies about 45 km from Reykjavik.
Its most photographed landmark is its old lighthouse, or should I say : 2 lighthouses.
The Old lighthouse is the smallest of the two. It served its purpose from 1918 until 1947, when it was abandoned in favour of the bigger and newer lighthouse close by.
You can visit the new lighthouse and climb all the way to the top.
My husband and I had to drive around the harbour area quite a while before we found the Akranes lighthouses. They are to be found at the end of Breidargata street.
The wooden racks in front of the lighthouses were used to dry fish in the olden days.
Back home we learned that we missed a very picturesque shipwreck in an old dock in the same harbour. You can find the location on Google Maps under "Old rusty boat" .
It is 1,4 km from the Akranes lighthouse, or 150 m on foot from The Little Guesthouse by the Ocean, at the end of Bakkatun street.
Its most photographed landmark is its old lighthouse, or should I say : 2 lighthouses.
The Old lighthouse is the smallest of the two. It served its purpose from 1918 until 1947, when it was abandoned in favour of the bigger and newer lighthouse close by.
You can visit the new lighthouse and climb all the way to the top.
My husband and I had to drive around the harbour area quite a while before we found the Akranes lighthouses. They are to be found at the end of Breidargata street.
The wooden racks in front of the lighthouses were used to dry fish in the olden days.
Back home we learned that we missed a very picturesque shipwreck in an old dock in the same harbour. You can find the location on Google Maps under "Old rusty boat" .
It is 1,4 km from the Akranes lighthouse, or 150 m on foot from The Little Guesthouse by the Ocean, at the end of Bakkatun street.
Written February 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RB_travels_a_lot
New England9 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
In regards to some of the reviewers concern, As with most things in Iceland, being prepared and informed tends to save the day more often than not. I would suggest following them on Facebook, or at the very least calling before you head out in the event they are closed for any reason.
There are multiple levels in the lighthouse, each level holds exhibits from local artists, visiting children's drawings, and they even have concerts there. And as the lighthouse keeper excitedly told us about the concerts they have had, and the many concerts they plan to have in the future you could tell this place is his passion.
Due to the scraggly rock breaks in the sea surrounding the lighthouse the action is incredible to witness. The waves actually come in from two different sides crashing together over the broken rocks just beneath the water creating an active and wild sea.
Make sure to check out the rocks painted in dedication to David Bowie on the sea wall, and ask about the David Bowie mural located on the main drag in town.
There are multiple levels in the lighthouse, each level holds exhibits from local artists, visiting children's drawings, and they even have concerts there. And as the lighthouse keeper excitedly told us about the concerts they have had, and the many concerts they plan to have in the future you could tell this place is his passion.
Due to the scraggly rock breaks in the sea surrounding the lighthouse the action is incredible to witness. The waves actually come in from two different sides crashing together over the broken rocks just beneath the water creating an active and wild sea.
Make sure to check out the rocks painted in dedication to David Bowie on the sea wall, and ask about the David Bowie mural located on the main drag in town.
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice B
NW Arkansas
Hi! Will we need to pay for the tunnel to get to Akranes in early June? How much please. Will the lighthouse be open to visitors then? Thank you.
Sigga62
Akranes, Iceland7 contributions
Sorry I didn’t see your question. The entrance is free but you probably know that now. And it is free entrance all year so I hope you had a wonderful stay in town.
Akranes Lighthouse - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Akranes Lighthouse
- Akranes Lighthouse is open:
- Mon - Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Akranes Lighthouse:
- (0.43 mi) Teigur Guesthouse
- (0.87 mi) Akra Guesthouse
- (0.84 mi) Gallery Guesthouse - StayWest
- (0.99 mi) Akranes Rooms
- (1.45 mi) Akranes Camping Site
- Restaurants near Akranes Lighthouse:
- (0.74 mi) Gamla Kaupfelagid
- (1.08 mi) Galito
- (0.67 mi) Skagakaffi
- (1.10 mi) Café Kaja
- (0.69 mi) Frystihúsið
Akranes Lighthouse Information
Excellent Reviews | 64 |
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Very Good Reviews | 53 |
Akranes Lighthouse Photos | 159 |