A slice of guesthouse nirvana, Skjaldarvík lies in a bucolic farm setting 6km north of Akureyri. It’s owned by a young family and features quirky design details (plants sprouting from shoes, vintage typewriters as artwork on the walls). Plus: bumper breakfast buffet, horse-riding and buggy tours, mountain-bike rental, a hot-pot, and an honesty bar in the comfy lounge.
The pretty-as-a-picture restaurant (open 6.30pm to 8.30pm May to September) prepares a small but well-executed menu (buffet 4900kr); it’s open to nonguests, but bookings are essential. Consider the excellent ‘Ride & Bite’ or 'Buggy & Bite' options to combine dining and activities.