Borgarnes: West Iceland's Hub

Borgarnes (population approximately 2,000) sits on a peninsula at the end of Borgarfjörður, 75km north of Reykjavík. It’s a natural stopping point for travellers heading to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords — the town sits at the junction of Route 1 and Route 54. It’s also an underrated base in its own right, with the Settlement Centre museum, proximity to the Borg á Mýrum Viking farm, and the broad Borgarfjörður valley behind it.

Getting There

By car: 75km north of Reykjavík via Route 1. Allow 55 minutes.

By bus: Strætó route 57 connects Reykjavík to Borgarnes (and continues to Akureyri). Journey from Reykjavík approximately 1.25 hours.

Settlement Centre (Landnámssetur)

Borgarnes’s main attraction. Two professionally staged audio-guided exhibitions:

1. The Settlement Exhibition — Covers Iceland’s Viking settlement from 870 CE, including the major family lineages, the Althing (Iceland’s parliament, established 930 CE), and the transition from paganism to Christianity.

2. Egla Exhibition — Focuses on the Egils Saga, one of the most important Icelandic sagas, set partly in the Borgarnes area. Egill Skallagrímsson — poet, warrior, and son of one of Iceland’s first settlers — is among the most vivid characters in medieval European literature.

Entry to each exhibition approximately ISK 2,400 adult, or ISK 3,800 for both, as of 2026. The combination is worth it. Audio guides available in multiple languages.

Borg á Mýrum

The farm where Egill Skallagrímsson grew up, approximately 10km north of Borgarnes on Route 54. A working farm today; the church at Borg has a modern sculpture (by Ásmundur Sveinsson) depicting the poem Sonatorrek, written by Egill after his son drowned. A minor detour — 15 minutes from Borgarnes — for anyone interested in the saga.

Borgarfjörður Valley

The broad valley behind Borgarnes stretches inland to Langjökull glacier. Route 50 and Route 52 run through it. Several sites of interest:

• Hraunfossar — A series of waterfalls emerging directly from beneath a lava field along the edge of the Hvítá river. The water filters through the lava from Langjökull glacier and emerges in a 900m-long curtain of falls. Free. Approximately 1.5 hours from Borgarnes.
• Barnafoss — Immediately next to Hraunfossar, a churning rapid in a narrow lava gorge. The name means ‘Children’s Falls’ — a local legend involving two children who fell into the river crossing a natural bridge, which was later destroyed by their mother.
• Deildartunguhver — Europe’s most powerful hot spring, producing approximately 180 litres per second at 97°C. A short walk on boardwalks. Entry free. Located near Reykholt, approximately 1.5 hours from Borgarnes.

Where to Stay

Hótel Borgarnes — The main hotel in town. Doubles from approximately ISK 25,000–36,000. Reliable mid-range.

Bjarg Guesthouse — Budget option in Borgarnes. Doubles from approximately ISK 18,000–24,000.

Fossatún Country Hotel — A farm hotel 30km east of Borgarnes in the Borgarfjörður valley. Used as a base for exploring the valley waterfalls. Doubles from approximately ISK 28,000–42,000.

Where to Eat

Settlement Centre Restaurant — Good soup and light meals attached to the museum. Convenient for lunch when visiting the exhibitions. Mains approximately ISK 2,200–3,800.

Hyrnan — Café-restaurant in Borgarnes town. Pizza, burgers, and lamb dishes. Mains approximately ISK 2,500–4,000.