Aitana Ocaña, the new star of Spanish pop, and Sebastián Yatra, the sensational Colombian singer-songwriter of Latin pop, have once again joined forces in an emotional ballad titled “Akureyri”. This new collaboration, which has already become a resounding success on digital platforms, marks the second duet between both artists, following the hit “Te Felicito” from 2021.
“Akureyri” was born from an inspiring journey that Aitana and Sebastián Yatra took together in Iceland, the land of fire and ice. The song aims to capture the essence of this journey by portraying in its verses the natural beauty of the island, the special connection between the artists, and the emotions aroused in them by this unique experience.
It is undeniable that “Akureyri” has conquered both critics and audiences alike. Currently, the video is trending at #1 on YouTube, a position it achieved just four days after its release. And it’s no wonder, beyond the chemistry between both artists or the beauty of the melody, both the song and the video are a sentimental, emotional, and visual journey, where Iceland plays a starring role.
But, what’s behind the name that gives title to the song? Let’s find out!
Discovering Akureyri: The “Capital of the North” of Iceland
Surely, most of you are much more familiar with Reykjavík, the capital of the country, and the name of this new collaboration may have caught you by surprise. For all those who may be somewhat lost, Akureyri, located in the north of Iceland, is the second most populous city in the country with almost 20,000 inhabitants and is a dream tourist destination for nature and adventure lovers.
Known as the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri offers a myriad of unique experiences that would leave any visitor breathless. The pity is that it often gets left out of the more traditional itinerary due to its somewhat remote location. But, if Aitana and Sebastián Yatra have chosen it to seal their reconciliation, there must be a reason, right?
What makes Akureyri so special?
- Breathtaking landscapes: Located on the shores of the Eyjafjörður fjord, surrounded by snowy mountains, crystal-clear waters, and northern lights illuminating the night sky, Akureyri is a paradise for photography and nature lovers… or for romantic reconciliations.
• Activities for all tastes: From hiking and skiing to boat trips, whale watching, and viewing the northern lights, Akureyri offers a wide variety of activities for all audiences, famous or not.
• Vibrant culture: The city has a rich Viking history and a fairly active cultural scene, with museums, art galleries, and events throughout the year.
• Unique cuisine: Enjoy typical Icelandic dishes such as skyr (an Icelandic yogurt), baked lamb, or fresh fish, accompanied by a good Icelandic beer.
• Cozy atmosphere: Akureyri, being a small and compact city, has a charming atmosphere, with friendly and hospitable people who will make you feel just like both our protagonists, at home.
If, like Aitana and Sebastián Yatra, you are also considering visiting Akureyri, here are some places we recommend:
- The Church of Akureyri: This Lutheran church, built in 1945, is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city. You will see that it has a rather curious shape, as it is inspired by the volcanic basalt columns of Iceland.
• Botanical Garden (Lystigarðurinn): The Akureyri Botanical Garden hosts a wide variety of plants from all over the world, including a unique collection of Arctic flowers.
• Akureyri Swimming Pool: if you are like Aitana and Sebastián, who don’t handle the cold very well, you can always enjoy a warm and relaxing bath in one of the geothermal pools of Akureyri. Open all year round, it is located in the heart of the city and has saunas and hydrotherapy areas.
• The Christmas House (Jólahúsið): Who said Christmas had to be limited to December? Open all year round, this cozy house offers a unique experience for both children and adults. Plus, you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, which are always appreciated in the cold of Akureyri.
If you are eager to learn more about the capital of the north, what to see, do, and where to stay, we invite you to discover our guide to Akureyri.
Recreating the Journey: The “Akureyri” Music Video
Although it appears that this love story, or reconciliation, we really don’t know, was marked by Akureyri, the truth is that the music video doesn’t just stay within the city limits. The “Akureyri” music video is a visual ode to the beauty of Iceland in general and to the relationship that develops between Aitana and Sebastián Yatra during their trip.
Directed by Felix Bollain, the video takes us through impressive landscapes throughout the country. And we certainly love it! Not all travelers are lucky enough to have more than ten days to go around the entire island and pass through Akureyri.
So, if you felt a bit envious watching the music video, here we break down some of the filming locations, surely you can visit some when you come to Iceland.
Locations where Aitana and Sebastián Yatra’s “Akureyri” was filmed:
The music video begins with both artists visiting a music store where Aitana starts playing a xylophone, while Sebastián Yatra displays his artistic skills with a mandolin? (apologies to musicians if we’re mistaken, our thing is all things Iceland)
This store is located on Grettisgata Street, in Reykjavík, and it’s called “Sangitamiya”, they sell instruments from all over the world, but also traditional musical instruments from Iceland. A fantastic souvenir option for music lovers!
Once out of the store, both singers begin their journey through Iceland by car, traveling the Ring Road of Iceland. From here, we will see several locations, the first being the impressive and majestic Vatnajökull glacier. This glacier covers no less than 8% of Iceland’s surface, making it one of the largest in Europe.
In the case of Aitana and Sebastián Yatra, they walk on the glacier tongue of Breidamerkurjökull. If you are more adventurous than them, know that you can enjoy hiking on the ice of the glacier in this area.
But if extreme sports and adrenaline aren’t your thing, don’t worry, you can always go to the next location in the music video: the Jokulsarlón glacier lagoon, a quiet place of great scenic beauty, where you can enjoy boat trips or amphibious boats sailing the waters alongside imposing ice caps… or cuddle with your partner, as you wish.
The journey continues with a panoramic view of the car crossing the Jökulsárlón bridge. The next main destination we see in the “Akureyri” music video is the world-famous Reynisfjara beach on the south coast of Iceland, whose black sands and rock formations led to hundreds of legends.
However, don’t let beauty and love blind you. Although marvelous in terms of landscape, this beach is quite dangerous, as it has strong currents and treacherous sneaker waves. It’s not the first time a wave has dragged distracted tourists. So, always, always, always walk along it looking towards the sea and away from the shore. Don’t do like Sebastián Yatra, who gets entranced looking at Aitana; love doesn’t kill, but lack of prudence surely does.
And amidst so much visual spectacle and romance, there must always be space to refuel, both your car and your tummy. In the next scene, we see Sebastián Yatra and Aitana in a restaurant located in Reykjavík. It’s called “Grái kötturinn” or the gray cat in English. There’s a saying in Iceland that says if you frequent a particular place a lot, you metaphorically become “a gray cat” that the owners must take care of.
With a full belly and a happy heart, the journey continues with several shots of Akureyri: the Eyjafjördur fjord, the city’s entrance sign, and the famous heart-shaped traffic lights. These traffic lights were installed in Akureyri after the great financial crisis of 2008, as a reminder to keep smiling and hopeful that a better future will come.
The music video ends with a beautiful image of the northern lights, concluding that the aurora eventually did shine for both of them. And although the song ends there, the two artists give us a few extra scenes where we find out that Aitana had already visited Iceland nine years ago.
They chat about it while Sebastián Yatra and Aitana visit the Kerid crater, which is 3,000 years old and of volcanic origin.
The Kerid crater is one of the secondary stops you can add to the famous Golden Circle route, a route that both singers do and that they show us in these extra cuts. Among the various images, we can see the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area.
All trips need moments of pause to regain energy. And is there a better way to do it than with a relaxing bath in the thermal waters of the “Blue Lagoon”? Aitana and Sebastián Yatra think just like us, and there they went straight to enjoy all the benefits that the minerals of these hot springs have. They liked it so much that it ended up being part of the lyrics: “A blue lagoon, some pink lips, and you”
And almost near the end of the video, one of Iceland’s gems couldn’t be missing, probably one of the most photographed waterfalls in the whole country: Seljalandsfoss. This waterfall has the peculiarity that you can walk right behind it. However, just like Sebastián Yatra, take a good raincoat with you because the spray caused by the water hitting the rocks will get anyone drenched, yep even if you are a celebrity.
Finally, we don’t have the last outdoor scene entirely clear, but the landscape makes us think that they are in some area in the East Fjords. What do you think? Leave us your ideas in the comment section!
“Akureyri” More than a song, an open invitation to adventure
Throughout the video, we see the artists driving along the Ring Road, the road that encircles the island, enjoying Icelandic nature, and sharing moments of complicity. The video ends with a magical scene under the northern lights.
If you’ve been inspired by the music video and the song’s lyrics, here are some tips for planning your own trip to the “Capital of the North” of Iceland:
- Rent a car: The best way to explore Iceland is at your own pace, as Aitana and Sebastián Yatra did. Renting a car will give you the freedom to travel the island at your leisure and discover hidden places. Here’s a price comparison for car rentals in Iceland.
• Follow the Ring Road: The Ring Road is the road that encircles the island and will allow you to see the main tourist attractions and all the places the artists visited. However, do so in a logical order because, for artistic reasons, they jump from one place to another in the video.
• Enjoy nature: Iceland is a paradise for nature lovers. You can hike on glaciers, climb volcanoes, bathe in hot springs, or simply watch the northern lights and fall in love again.
• Dress appropriately: “Give me your coat, give me a hug. I cannot stand being cold, and never will be able to” says the song. If you aren’t either, you better bring a good coat. Remember, the key to visiting Iceland is to dress in layers. Here are the essentials to pack for Iceland.
• Respect the environment: Iceland is a fragile country, so it’s important to be respectful of the environment. Don’t leave garbage, don’t harm flora and fauna, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Dreaming of Akureyri
“Akureyri” is a song that will transport you to magical Iceland, make you fall in love with its natural beauty, and inspire you to live your own adventure in this dreamy country. Follow our tips and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the “Capital of the North”, where nature will surprise you at every turn and the love story of Aitana and Sebastián Yatra will accompany you on your way. Are you also ready to dream of Akureyri?
English Translation of “Akureyri” – Aitana, Sebastián Yatra
Smile at me one more time
And I’ll be able to make this night longer.
Stay and sleep right by my side.
Tell me a bit more about yourself.
I did feel your sorrow, and even if it’s hard for you to talk about it, you can count on me.
In your green eyes, I see a bit of gray.
Give me your coat, give me a hug.
I cannot stand being cold, and never will be able to.
But tonight, with you, your couch is my bed.
Your arm, as a pillow, will accompany me
As I dream of Akureyri and fantasize that we still have time left together
And forget, that tomorrow you’ll be gone when I wake.
It’s just the two of us looking at the sky
Waiting for a Northern Light that doesn’t seem to appear
But who cares, as long as it is still you and I.
It doesn’t matter if the sky doesn’t shine,
You light me up much more
And that light will never go away.
I kept looking at you, thinking of you, until you reacted.
Until you kissed me.
A blue lagoon, some pink lips, and you.
And although it had an ending, in the end, it wasn’t anyone’s fault
It’s never anyone’s fault
But I’ll miss you.
Give me your coat, give me a hug.
I cannot stand being cold, and never will be able to.
But tonight, with you, your couch is my bed.
Your arm, as a pillow, will accompany me
As I dream of Akureyri and fantasize that we still have time left together
And forget, that tomorrow you’ll be gone when I wake.
It’s just the two of us looking at the sky
Waiting for a Northern Light that doesn’t seem to appear
But who cares, as long as it is still you and I.
It doesn’t matter if the sky doesn’t shine,
You light me up much more
And that light will never go away.