Borgarnes occupies a narrow peninsula at the head of Borgarfjörður fjord, where the Ring Road crosses the causeway heading north. For travellers on the Ring Road or Snæfellsnes circuit, Borgarnes is the logical break point - it is exactly where you would need to refuel, eat, and possibly sleep between Reykjavík and the west. The town itself has a population of around 2,000 but serves as the commercial hub for a much larger area of west Iceland.
The Settlement Centre alone justifies stopping here. It is one of the most carefully produced exhibitions in Iceland, covering the saga of Egill Skallagrímsson and the broader story of Viking-age settlement - and the attached restaurant serves quality Icelandic food that is a cut above typical highway-stop fare.
For accommodation, Borgarnes has a modest but reliable set of options. It is not somewhere you come specifically for the hotels, but it works well as an overnight base before pushing north to Snæfellsnes or the Westfjords.
Getting Here
From Reykjavík by car: 75km north on the Ring Road (Route 1), around 1 hour. The road is wide and well-maintained for the majority of the route.
From Keflavík Airport (KEF): approximately 110km, typically 1 hour 20 minutes. The route passes Reykjavík on the Reykjanesbraut but staying on the ring road bypass is straightforward for drivers with GPS. Hire a car at Keflavík Airport and drive directly - a car is essential for exploring Snæfellsnes and the surrounding area.
By bus: Strætó route 57 connects Reykjavík and Borgarnes, with journey times of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The bus stops at the main service station near the causeway entrance to town. Services are not frequent - check straeto.is for current schedules.
Town Centre: The Causeway End
The centre of Borgarnes is compact and walkable. The Settlement Centre sits at the highest point of the peninsula; the harbour and main shops are a short walk below. Almost all accommodation is within 10 minutes on foot of the Settlement Centre.
Staying in the town centre puts you in easy walking distance of the supermarket, petrol station, and the main restaurant options. It is also the quietest part of an already quiet town - Borgarnes has almost no nightlife.
Budget Accommodation in Borgarnes (Under ISK 22,000)
Borgarnes Hostel (operating under various names - check the current listing on Booking.com or Hostelworld) offers private rooms in the ISK 16,000–20,000 range with shared bathrooms. The facilities are basic but sufficient for a transit night. No dorm beds are consistently available - Borgarnes really only suits solo travellers with a private room budget.
Guesthouses in the residential streets above the harbour run ISK 17,000–22,000 for a private room. These are typically family-run properties that have converted spare rooms. Standards vary, but most include access to a kitchen or serve a light breakfast. Ask whether parking is available on-site if you are driving - it usually is.
Camping: Borgarnes Campsite operates near the football ground, with pitches from approximately ISK 1,600–1,900 per person per night. The site is functional but not scenic. It suits self-contained campervans well and is open from late May through early September.
Mid-Range Hotels in Borgarnes (ISK 25,000–45,000)
Hotel Borgarnes is the main hotel in town, occupying a purpose-built block close to the Ring Road junction. Rooms are clean and functional with en-suite bathrooms. Standard doubles run approximately ISK 28,000–38,000 in peak summer, dropping to ISK 20,000–26,000 in the shoulder months. Breakfast is typically available at an additional charge of around ISK 2,500 per person - worthwhile given that the alternative is the petrol station forecourt.
The hotel’s location - literally at the junction - means it is convenient for drivers but not especially atmospheric. Room quality is consistent rather than memorable.
Icelandair Hotel Hamar sits slightly outside the town centre near the golf course. It offers a higher standard of finish than Hotel Borgarnes, with doubles running approximately ISK 32,000–48,000 in summer. The location is quieter and the views across the fjord are better, but you need a car to reach the town centre and the Settlement Centre. The restaurant here is solid.
Self-Catering Options
Self-catering apartments have proliferated in Borgarnes as Ring Road travellers seek more economical options. A full apartment sleeping two to four people runs approximately ISK 25,000–40,000 per night in summer. The Krónan supermarket on the Ring Road junction makes stocking up easy and inexpensive by Icelandic standards.
Day Trips from Borgarnes
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the primary draw. From Borgarnes, take Route 54 west - the drive to Stykkishólmur is about 1 hour, and to Snæfellsjökull glacier about 1 hour 45 minutes. Kirkjufell mountain is 1 hour 10 minutes away. See our Snæfellsnes guide for the full itinerary. Snæfellsnes peninsula tours are available for those who prefer a guided day with pick-up included.
Westfjords: The driving route from Borgarnes to Ísafjörður covers approximately 320km and takes 4 hours on a clear day - doable as an all-day transfer with stops at Reykholt and Hvammstangi, but long. Most Westfjords travellers use Borgarnes as a stopping point rather than a base.
Reykholt is 50km east on Route 50 - Snorri Sturluson’s farmstead, now a research centre with a medieval hot spring pool. Entry to the Snorrastofa museum is approximately ISK 2,000 per adult. The hot pool is free to walk around.
Húsafell (80km east) is a resort area with geothermal pools, a golf course, and access to Langjökull glacier tours. The Langjökull ice tunnel tour - departing from the glacier’s edge - costs approximately ISK 19,900 per adult as of 2026.
Practical Notes
- Borgarnes has a Bónus supermarket (the cheapest chain in Iceland) and a Krónan - stock up here before heading to Snæfellsnes where prices rise significantly
- The petrol station at the causeway junction has a 24-hour pump, useful for Ring Road drivers with early starts
- The Settlement Centre restaurant is the best dining option in town - booking is wise in July and August
- Borgarnes outdoor pool (heated geothermally) is open until 9pm on weekdays - entry approximately ISK 1,100
- See things to do in Borgarnes for the complete guide to local attractions