Akranes Lighthouse
While it’s always spoken of as just one lighthouse, there are actually two equally magnificent lighthouses at Syðriflös in the town of Akranes, across Faxaflói bay from Reykjavík. The original lighthouse, built in 1918, is 10 meters (32.8 ft) tall and offers visitors an amazing view from the top. Between 1943 and 1944, another lighthouse was built, nearly double the height of the original one. The acoustics in the second lighthouse are spectacular, and concerts are hosted there on occasion. Both lighthouses are open to the public during the summer months.
What can one do in the area when traveling with children?
“It’s all about getting out of the car to explore. My daughters love Eiríksstaðir Heritage Museum in Haukadalur valley, West Iceland. The museum is built around old house ruins from the Viking era and is dedicated to the life and adventures of the Viking Eric the Red.”
Recommended by Elsa Sigurðardóttir, a nursing student, has roots in Breiðafjörður bay and spent her childhood summers in the area.
Hiking around Mount Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is a beautifully strange mountain just west of Grundarfjörður fjord and town. While relatively experienced hikers can climb the mountain, stories have been told of men falling to their death from the top of the mountain. A hike around the base of the mountain is a better option, and takes approximately 3 hours.
Glacier snowmobiling
Glaciers cover about 11% of Iceland. Two of them are in West Iceland, the small but picturesque Snæfellsjökull (which can be seen from Reykjavik), and Langjökull, Iceland’s second largest glacier. You can go snowmobiling on both. The sprawling Langjökull is particularly well-suited for longer tours. Several companies offer snowmobile trips on the glaciers, for every level of skill and ambition.
This is the West Iceland section of Best of Iceland This Week, the only Icelandic guide of its kind. New every week.
Akranes Lighthouse
While it’s always spoken of as just one lighthouse, there are actually two equally magnificent lighthouses at Syðriflös in the town of Akranes, across Faxaflói bay from Reykjavík. The original lighthouse, built in 1918, is 10 meters (32.8 ft) tall and offers visitors an amazing view from the top. Between 1943 and 1944, another lighthouse was built, nearly double the height of the original one. The acoustics in the second lighthouse are spectacular, and concerts are hosted there on occasion. Both lighthouses are open to the public during the summer months.
What can one do in the area when traveling with children?
“It’s all about getting out of the car to explore. My daughters love Eiríksstaðir Heritage Museum in Haukadalur valley, West Iceland. The museum is built around old house ruins from the Viking era and is dedicated to the life and adventures of the Viking Eric the Red.”
Recommended by Elsa Sigurðardóttir, a nursing student, has roots in Breiðafjörður bay and spent her childhood summers in the area.
Hiking around Mount Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is a beautifully strange mountain just west of Grundarfjörður fjord and town. While relatively experienced hikers can climb the mountain, stories have been told of men falling to their death from the top of the mountain. A hike around the base of the mountain is a better option, and takes approximately 3 hours.
Glacier snowmobiling
Glaciers cover about 11% of Iceland. Two of them are in West Iceland, the small but picturesque Snæfellsjökull (which can be seen from Reykjavik), and Langjökull, Iceland’s second largest glacier. You can go snowmobiling on both. The sprawling Langjökull is particularly well-suited for longer tours. Several companies offer snowmobile trips on the glaciers, for every level of skill and ambition.
