Shortcuts
Borgarnes and the surrounding Borgarfjörður region can be regarded as the setting for most of the Icelandic sagas. The area's landscape, nature and culture reflect this heritage and bring history to life

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Highlights in Borgarfjordur
Travel directory for Borgarfjordur
The official travel index of Iceland
Tourist Information Centres
Borgarnes Regional Information Centre
Hostels
Borgarnes HI Hostel
Guesthouses
Country Hotel Fossatún
Museums
Borgarnes Transportation Museum and Lazy Town Museum
Cottages
Söðulsholt
Swimming Pools
Borgarnes Swimming pool
Cottages
Oddsstaðir
Crafts & Design
Ríta og Páll í Grenigerði
Geothermal baths
Swimming Pools
Kleppjárnsreykir Swimming pool
Swimming Pools
Hreppslaug Swimming pool
Swimming Pools
Húsafell Geothermal Baths
Horse Activities
Hallkelsstaðahlíð
Hotels
Hotel Húsafell
Swimming Pools
Tour Operators
Giljar - Horses & Handcrafts
Golf Courses
Husafell Golf Club
Tour Operators
Mini-Zoo & Open farm
The Icelandic Goat Center Háafell
Guesthouses
Blómasetrið
Crafts & Design
Ullarselið - Wool Centre
Hotels
Hraunsnef country hotel
Camping
Crafts & Design
Ljómalind - farmers market
Travel Agency
Mountaineers of Iceland
Tour Operators
Museums
Borgarnes Museum
Exhibitions
Steðji Brewery
Tourist Information Centres
Snorrastofa Reykholt
Golf Courses
Skrifla Golf Club
Winter adventure
The Settlement Center
Day Tours
Hiking Tours - Hiking
Húsafell Walking Tours
Guesthouses
Winter adventure
The Agricultural Museum of Iceland
Crafts & Design
The Yarn House
Day Tours
Guðrún Fjeldsted
Bed & Breakfast
Geothermal baths
Krosslaug-Natural pool
Tour Operators
Sturlureykirhorses / Visiting HorseFram
Others
- Brákarbraut 20
- 310 Borgarnes
- 437-1333, 552-2202
- Fálkaklettur 4
- 310 Borgarnes
- 666-8030
- Hamar
- 310 Borgarnes
- 437-1663, 437-2000
- Snorrastaðir
- 311 Borgarnes
- 435-6628
- Hítarnes
- 311 Borgarnes
- 435-6649
- Fitjar, Skorradalur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 893-2789
- Stóri Kálfalækur 2
- 311 Borgarnes
- 437-1822, 849-5468
- Ystu-Garðar
- 311 Borgarnes
- 845-6647
- Brúarlandi
- 311 Borgarnes
- 862-8948
- Bifröst
- 311 Borgarnes
- 571-5414
- Hrafnkelsstaðir
- 311 Borgarnes
- 896-3749, 893-3749
- Breiðabólstaður
- 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði
- 897-9323
- Þórólfsgata 12
- 310 Borgarnes
- 661-7173
- Borgarbraut 61
- 310 Borgarnes
- 422-2210
- Sóltún 4
- 311 Borgarnes
- 845-3637
Guesthouses
Blómasetrið
Hotels
Hotel Húsafell
Bed & Breakfast
Meyjarskemman Litla Brekka
Hostels
Borgarnes HI Hostel
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Hvítá
Camping
Borgarnes Camping ground
Farm Holidays
Signýjarstaðir
Apartments
Egils Guesthouse
Cottages
Langafjaran Cottages
Guesthouses
Nes in Reykholtsdalur
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Gamli Bær
Hotels
Guesthouses
Country Hotel Fossatún
Farm Holidays
Hotels
Hotel Borgarnes
Guesthouses
Lava Water Gisting
Hotels
Rjúkandi Hotel, Café & Restaurant
Hotels
Cottages
Söðulsholt
Guesthouses
Cottages
Oddsstaðir
Camping
Cottages
Kópareykir-Cottages
Hotels
Hotel Bifröst
Guesthouses
Ensku Húsin Guesthouse
Sleeping bag accommodation
Steindórsstaðir
Cottages
Lækjarkot Rooms and Cottages
Guesthouses
Englendingavik
Camping
Selsskógur, Skorradalur Camping ground
Hotels
Icelandair Hotel Hamar
Guesthouses
Kria Guesthouse
Camping
Húsafell Camping
Restaurants
Húsafell Bistró
Farm Holidays
Hotels
Hraunsnef country hotel
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Milli Vina
Hotels
Hotels
Fosshotel Reykholt
Guesthouses
Fossatún Pod Village
Bed & Breakfast
Farm Holidays
Snorrastaðir
Others
- Flókadalur
- 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði
- 696-1544, 435-1565
- Helluskógur 10
- 311 Borgarnes
- Dal v/Straumfjarðará
- 311 Borgarnes
- 864-7315, 894-4096, 435-6674
- Stafholtstungur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 775-1012
- Helluskógur 10
- 311 Borgarnes
- Norðurárdalur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 421-1939, 862 9148, 780 0153
- Norðurárdalur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 421-1939, 862-9148
- Stóri Kroppur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 435-1570
- Rauðanes 2
- 311 Borgarnes
- 437-1720, 898-9240
- Helgugata 5
- 310 Borgarnes
- 695-5857
- Helluskógur 7
- 311 Borgarnes
Restaurants
Rock´n´ Troll Café
Restaurants
Hraunfossar Restaurant
Restaurants
Matstofan - Oriental restaurant
Hotels
Guesthouses
Country Hotel Fossatún
Hotels
Hotel Bifröst
Cafés
Geirabakarí Café Konditori
Cafés
Hotels
Icelandair Hotel Hamar
Guesthouses
Ensku Húsin Guesthouse
Apartments
Egils Guesthouse
Cafés
Restaurants
Munaðarnes Restaurant
Hotels
Fosshotel Reykholt
Hotels
Hraunsnef country hotel
Guesthouses
Blómasetrið
Hotels
Hotel Borgarnes
Winter adventure
The Settlement Center
Crafts & Design
Ljómalind - farmers market
Guesthouses
Guesthouse Hvítá
Tour Operators
Sturlureykirhorses / Visiting HorseFram
Restaurants
Brúarás - Geo Center
Cafés
Skemman Café
Hotels
Camping
Guesthouses
Englendingavik
Guesthouses
Mini-Zoo & Open farm
The Icelandic Goat Center Háafell
Geothermal baths
Hotels
Hotel Húsafell
Restaurants
Húsafell Bistró
Hotels
Rjúkandi Hotel, Café & Restaurant
Others
- Grímsstaðir 2
- 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði
- 435-1191, 862-0191
- Norðtunga 3
- 311 Borgarnes
- 566-7414
- Brúartorg 6
- 311 Borgarnes
- 437-1282
- Reykholt
- 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði
- 435-0050
- v / Brúartorg
- 310 Borgarnes
- 440-1333
- Leirulækur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 868-7204, 437-1841
- Norðurárdalur
- 311 Borgarnes
- 421-1939, 862 9148, 780 0153
- v/Brúartorg
- 310 Borgarnes
- 437-1282
- Hrafnaklettur 1b
- 310 Borgarnes
- 437-0110
- v/Brúartorg
- 310 Borgarnes
- 437-1259, 840-1782
- Flókadalur
- 320 Reykholt í Borgarfirði
- 696-1544, 435-1565
- Hundastapi
- 311 Borgarnes
- 437-2352, 836-1252, 895-2352
Nature
Lava Waterfalls
Hraunfossar - Lava Falls - are beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River.
Hraunfossar have been protected since 1987.
There is a viewpoint at the car park offering an amazing view over the Lava Falls and Hvita River.
A coffee shop at the waterfalls is open during the summer months.
Nature
Troll Waterfalls
The Troll Waterfalls of the Grimsa river. There is a clear formation in the form of a troll face in the cliff by the river bank.
Take the troll walk and learn about trolls, folk tales and places that connect to the nature and scenery at Fossatun.
An extraordinary view and good spot to see the Skessuhorn mountain peak. Excellent for witnessing jumping salmon in the summer.
Nature
Húsafell
In Húsafell surrounding nature you can expect to find dense woodlands, waterfalls, glaciers, rugged lava, crystal springs, wildflowers plus remarkable archaeological remains.Here is a good map with ten hike trails.
Nature
Deildartunguhver thermal spring
Deildartunguhver highest flow hot spring in Europe !
Deildartunguhver is Europe's most powerful hot spring. It provides 180 l/sec of 100°C hot water.
Most of the water used for central heating in the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes is taken from Deildartunguhver. The hot water pipeline to Akranes is 64 km long, the longest in Iceland and the water is about 78 - 80 degrees when it reaches Akranes. If you take a shower anywhere within a 65 km radius of the spring, you have already bathed in the hot water from this powerful spring!
Nature
Paradise Hollow
Paradise Hollow is a beautiful small oasis near the impressive waterfall Glanni.
There is a walking path from the car park to Paradise Hollow and the waterfall. A viewing deck offers a good view of the Glanni waterfall.
A coffee shop is open during the summer months.
Nature
Eldborg Crater
A beautifully-formed crater rising 60m above the surrounding lava.
The spatter cone is the largest crater along a short volcanic rift, 200 m in diameter and 50 m deep. Its last eruption was about 5000-6000 years ago. According to medieval chronics there was also one around the time of the colonisation of Iceland about 1000 years ago, but today it is known that it came from another of the many craters of the valley Hnappadalur which are part of the volcanic system Ljosufjoll, the mountains of the light.
It is easiest to approach Eldborg from Snorrastadir on its southern side, walking 2,5 km through the shrub-covered lava field. It is possible to walk all the way around the crater as well as up it.
Nature
Gerduberg basalt columns
An impressive wall of beautiful basalt columns, forming geometric patterns in the cliffs.
Nature
Bjossarolo - playground
Bjossarolo is a playground for children in Borgarnes, not far from Edduveröld or the Settlement Centre .
It was constructed by Bjorn Gudmundsson, a man who was ahead of his time and thought about recycling. He used exclusively things that had been thrown away to build up this special place. At the playground there are for example swings, slides, an old boat, a castle and a lot more in a hollow enclosed by rocks not far from the sea.
And on going there you could look for shells or nice stones on the beach. The small, but very pretty park Skallagrimsgardur is not far away. There you can even find the grave of a saga hero!
History and Culture
Borg
Originally the home of Skalla-Grimur, father of Egill, hero of Egil´s Saga. Its full name means "rock in the marshes".
The farmstead was defined by Kveld-Ulfur, Egill Skalla-Grimsson's grandfather, who got on the wrong side of King Harald Fairhair of Norway and fled to Iceland.
As they approached Iceland on their way from Norway, Kveld-Ulfur became ill and knew he would die. He instructed his son to make a coffin for him, place his body in it and throw it overboard. The son was to select the site for the family farm where the coffin washed ashore. This happened to be at Borg, where Egill's father settled and raised his family.
Today you can see a small church, the large rock that gave the place its name and an interesting sculpture at Borg by Asmundur Sveinsson commemorating Egil´s poem, Loss of a Son. A thoughtful reflection on the emptiness he felt after his son's death.
Nature
Baula
Baula is a volcanic mountain of a very special pyramidic form. It measures 934 m in height. The mountain is a 3 million years old intrusion, consisting of liparit stone.
For people in good shape, it is well possible to hike up on the mountain from Bjarnardalur, road number 60. But its sides are very steep and there are big and loose stones on the way. On the other hand, the view of the top is very rewarding and you can write into a guestbook there.
History and Culture
Reykholt
Reykholt is one of Iceland's most notable historical sites. It houses a cultural centre and a church.
Reykholt is most famous for being the home of Iceland's best-known author Snorri Sturluson during the years 1206-1241. An ancient geothermally-heated pool, Snorralaug, is named after him. It is one of the few things preserved whole from Iceland´s medieval period.
Snorrastofa is a cultural centre and institute for research in medieval studies. Snorrastofa offers historical exhibitions and guided tours and lectures. Music recitals are held in the church of Reykholt.
Visit Reykholts website www.snorrastofa.is
There is one hotel in Reykholt see more here.
Nature
Grabrok Crater
The largest of three craters in a short volcanic fissure.
Beautiful scenery over Borgarfjordur is from the top of the Grabrok crater. Mt. Grabrok can be ascended by a marked trail from the main Ring road no. 1.
Nature
Skessuhorn
Skessuhorn (967 m) is a particularly impressive and outstanding peak when the range is viewed from the north. Skessuhorn is located in Borgarfjörður it takes 5-6 hours to hike the mountain and you will need good equipment.
Nature
Brakarey Island
Brakarey is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island was named after Egill's nanny and Skalla-Grimur´s slave Thorgerdur brak, after Skalla-Grimur killed her and she drowned in the sea near it. From the island is a great view over Borgarfjord.
Nature
Vidgelmir Cave
Víðgelmir is the largest of all caves in Iceland, 148,000 cubic metres, and one of the largest lava caves in the world. It has beautiful ice formations and deep inside there are lava stalactites and stalagmites.
Bones and jewelry from the viking age are a part of the archeological remains found in the cave in 1993. It has been preserved since 1993 and entrance is only allowed with proper guidance. Guides from "The Cave" arrange short (1,5 hour) and long (4 hours) tours. Please contact The Cave for information, availability and schedule.
Víðgelmir lava cave is considered by specialists to be one of the most remarkable caves on earth.
For the Children
Borgarnes swimming pool
In the sports stadium, you will find both an outside and an inside swimming pool, hot tubs, a steam bath which is fed with steam straight from the Deildartunguhver hot spring, a children's pool and water slides. All in all, an excellent health spa.
Nature
Olkelda mineral spring
At the farm Olkelda, near Stadarstadur, in the south of Snaefellsnes, there is a mineral spring with carbonated water.
Mineral springs are said to have healing properties, so feel free to take a sip.
The farmhouse is named Olkelda which means mineral spring in Icelandic.
Nature
hallmundarhraun lava field
Hallmundarhraun includes the longest and largest caves in Iceland.
Hallmundarhraun lava field was formed in giant eruption close to the Langjökull glacier around the year 930 and is 8-9 cubic kilometers. Hallmundarhraun includes three caves Surtshellir/ Stefánshellir they are together 3500 meters, longest lava cave in Iceland. Viðgelmir lava tube is the largest of all lava caves in Iceland the tubes volume is well over 150,000 cubic meters.
Nature
Einkunnir
Einkunnir is a 270 ha country park, protected for recreational use and the preservation of the typical landscape of the area. The areas' main characteristics are its rocky islands or bluffs that rise from the areas' vast flat wetlands.
Please follow the marked trails whenever possible. Do not drive off-road, damage geological formations or vegetation. Do not disturb the wildlife or light fires in vegetated areas. Please take your litter with you when you leave.
Nature
Stálpastaða forest
Stálpastaðir, the farm is abandoned but there are many birch-bushes. Haukur Thors gave the land to the Forestry Service in 1951, since when it has been protected and used for the rather successful cultivation of evergreens.
For the Children
Troll Walk
The Troll Books and the Troll and Folktale Walks
When the host in Fossatún, Steinar Berg, first arrived Fossatún, he found a rock with the shape of a troll's face by the Troll Waterfalls. This inspired him to write folk stories about trolls. His books have been well received and successful in Iceland. The book Tryggdatröll (The Last Troll) is available in 6 languages apart from Icelandic: English, French, German, Norwegian, Japanese and Spanish. The book is illustrated by Brian Pilkington.
The Troll Walk and the Folktale Walk.
The walks are connected with the books. The Troll walk is a short walk viewing The Troll Waterfalls and the scenery and background of The Last Troll story - and you learn about trolls on the way. The Folktale Walk is a new walk, extension of the Troll Walk, that will be set up in April/May 2018. It is based on the Trunt, Trunt book and you learn about folktales and locations in the West Region of Iceland. In addition you enjoy a wonderful panorama view of the Borgarfjördur area and mountain circle.
Nature
Glanni Waterfall
The Glanni Waterfall on the Norðurá River is said to be the dwelling place of elves and trolls. However, during our visit, we noticed that this waterfall was situated near a golf course nearby an old lava flow (called the Grábrókarhraun lava field) and the hamlet of Bifröst. The falls was one of those wide river-type waterfalls that we saw quite a few of in the country, but this one segmented into at least three side-by-side drops as well as each one having multiple tiers.
History and Culture
Hvanneyri
One of the men of saga hero Egill Skallagrímsson founded the rich farm of Hvanneyri at the time of settlement.
In today's village you may find the Agricultural University of Iceland which is very engaged in the protection of the environment.
Hvanneyri is also the siege of the Icelandic museum for Agriculture and Ullarselið, a wool shop.
In the springtime and autumn a lot of White-fronted Goose stay around the village, they are under protection in the area.
Nature
Skallagrimsgardur
In the heart of Borgarnes is Skallagrímsgarður, a small public park which is ideal for a picnic. The park plays an important role in Egil's Saga, as the burial mound of Skallagrímur Kveldúlfsson, Egil's father, is situated there. It is a good idea to relax in Skallagrímsgarður after a visit to Borgarnes swimming pool which is next to the park.
Nature
Langjokull Glacier
Langjokull Glacier is the second largest glacier in Iceland, and is approximately 18 km from Husafell (tourist resort).
Excursions onto the glacier are offered from the base of the glacier. On a clear day the view from the glacier is beyond compare.
Nature
Barnafoss, Children's Falls
The meaning of this waterfall translates into "Children's waterfall", but the signs here indicated that there was a saga describing why it got this name. The saga said that there were two children in the Hraunsás household who were supposed to stay home while the parents went to church for Christmas Mass. When the parents returned from mass, they discovered that the children had disappeared (possibly because the children got bored and decided to go out).
They then followed the children's tracks to this waterfall at the stone natural bridge where the tracks disappeared. The mother concluded that the children must have fallen into the river and drowned. Then, the mother had the arch destroyed in order to ensure no one else faces a similar fate. I've seen some accounts say it was by spell or curse, which induced the bridge's collapse by earthquake. In reality, natural bridges usually collapse over time, and given the powerful erosive forces from the rapidly moving river that undercut whatever was supporting the bridge, that could very well have been the fate of the natural arch here.
Nature
Longufjorur Beach
Longufjorur is a light sandy beach on the south shore of Snaefellsnes peninsula. This beach is perfect for horseriding with a guide.