Lonely Planet Names North Iceland's Akureyri as the Summer's Top Destination in Europe

AKUREYRI, Iceland, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The capital of North Iceland, Akureyri, has been voted the top destination in Europe to visit this summer by Lonely Planet. The leading travel publisher put its Europe-based editors to work on what they saw to be the top destination this summer. Akureyri and the nature highlights surrounding the North Iceland area topped the list.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150622/224601 )

"This year's list features a mix of rejuvenated classics, up-and-coming places making a bid for our attention, and a few out-of-the-way spots that just make us want to book a ticket, throw some stuff in a bag and go - welcome to Lonely Planet's best places in Europe for 2015."

Akureyri has a population of just 18,000 people but it is the heart of North Iceland and lures travellers with its fantastic local food and culture. Akureyri is a great base for exploring the local area, including Lake Mývatn where Game of Thrones 'beyond the wall' takes place, Goðafoss, the 'waterfalls of the gods' and the fishing village of Siglufjörður that holds the only museum in Iceland with a European museums award. Akureyri is also the number one ski destination for Icelanders.

Arnheiður Jóhannsdóttir, managing director of Visit North Iceland welcomes visitors to North Iceland. "We are proud to hear that Lonely Planet has seen the potential in North Iceland and Akureyri which is an area that has been growing in popularity during the past few years. We have many of Iceland's most popular natural attractions, such as Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, and in Grímsey island you can cross the Arctic Circle. The area is very versatile and has been attracting visitors during summer and also in wintertime when the magical northern lights dance in the sky and you can enjoy watching seals, whales, birds, ski in nature, take on exciting jeep tours or simply enjoy the icy landscape."

For more information, please visit http://www.northiceland.is Visitors can get directly to Akureyri, North Iceland from Reykjavik via Icelandair. To check availability see Icelandair's website http://www.icelandair.com.

Contact
Halldór Óli Kjartansson
Visit North Iceland
halldor@nordurland.is
+354-462-3300