Akureyri in northern Iceland is just as charming as I’d hoped — there is a main street with shops and restaurants, and at this particular point in time someone has jazzed things up with fun chairs:

I have no idea where these eclectic chairs came from — I don’t see a sign indicating their purpose — but they make for a fun photo op:

These Iceland trolls stand along the main street, and you know what that means… you gotta pay the troll toll. (Couldn’t resist an Always Sunny reference.)

By the way, if you choose to forego camping (as I was temped to do the night before), Akureyri Backpackers is located right on this main street and it looks like a fun place:

See that quaint blue building? There’s a lovely coffeehouse and cafe serving food inside:

One vanilla soy latte coming up…

There’s a popular bookstore called Eymundsson across the street — it also has a coffeeshop inside, and I dig the artistic photos on display in its windows (the captions are in Icelandic so unfortunately I can’t read them):

I just happen to be here during Akureyri’s annual art and music festival, which takes place in late August. Musicians perform from various balconies along the main street and their sound is amplified to reach the crowds below.

A closer look at these musicians:

A stage is set up for bands performing later in the day:

Iceland’s skies are usually cloudy and gray so I am thrilled when the sun peaks out for a few hours — it brightens up the whole town.

The crowds are out and about by mid-afternoon, enjoying the music performances.

Here’s some video footage of the musicians I saw:

And here’s the view from the top of the hill (near the campground) looking down towards the main street and water in the distance:

I walk along the water, soaking up these glorious sun rays — it makes the chilly air much more bearable.

Views from the waterfront:

And that wraps up my time in Akureyri. Next stop: Lake Myvatn, which is only a short distance away, but the drive is very scenic. More to come.