Get to know the Viking settlers
The Settlement Centre is a great place to visit when in the town of Borgarnes. The museum gives a good overview of the Viking settlement in Borgarnes and on Egilssaga, the tale of infamous Viking and poet Egill Skallagrímsson. The centre also includes a wonderful, little gift shop and a lovely restaurant.
The Settlement Centre is located on Brákarbraut 13 – 15 and is open all year 10am-9pm.
Visit the Akranes lighthouse
“The lighthouse is located in the oldest part of Akranes and was built in 1918. It was opened for the public a couple of years ago and the view from the top is simply magnificent.”
Recommended by Freyr Bjarnason, a journalist.
Splash around in a natural geothermal pool
“There are so many activities in the area one can do with children. I recommend the charming swimming pool in Lýsuhóll, just before you arrive at Hótel Búðir. The pool is filled with natural hot mineral water.”
Recommended by Hjalti Sverrisson, the hotel manager at Hótel Hellnar on Snæfellsnes.
The home of Snorri Sturluson
Reykholt is an important cultural centre dating back to medieval times. Famous poet and politician lived in Reykholt in 1206 until 1241 when he was assassinated. Reyholt now houses a research centre, interesting exhibitions, a library and a visitor’s centre.
See more here.
Family-day on the farm
Bjarteyjarsandur farm is beautifully situated between rolling mountain hills and the seafront in the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord. Arnheiður Hjörleifsdóttir lives on the farm with her husband, Guðmundur Sigurjónsson, her parents-in-law and a third family. The families raise livestock on the farm, run a shop where they sell their produce directly to consumers, offer accommodation and allow visitors to partake in every-day tasks on the farm.
They also organize orienteering for families as well as running a lovely little restaurant where Ilmur, the pet goat, greets visitors.
More information here.
This is the West Iceland section of Best of Iceland This Week, the only Icelandic guide of its kind. New every week.
Get to know the Viking settlers
The Settlement Centre is a great place to visit when in the town of Borgarnes. The museum gives a good overview of the Viking settlement in Borgarnes and on Egilssaga, the tale of infamous Viking and poet Egill Skallagrímsson. The centre also includes a wonderful, little gift shop and a lovely restaurant.
The Settlement Centre is located on Brákarbraut 13 – 15 and is open all year 10am-9pm.
Visit the Akranes lighthouse
“The lighthouse is located in the oldest part of Akranes and was built in 1918. It was opened for the public a couple of years ago and the view from the top is simply magnificent.”
Recommended by Freyr Bjarnason, a journalist.
Splash around in a natural geothermal pool
“There are so many activities in the area one can do with children. I recommend the charming swimming pool in Lýsuhóll, just before you arrive at Hótel Búðir. The pool is filled with natural hot mineral water.”
Recommended by Hjalti Sverrisson, the hotel manager at Hótel Hellnar on Snæfellsnes.
The home of Snorri Sturluson
Reykholt is an important cultural centre dating back to medieval times. Famous poet and politician lived in Reykholt in 1206 until 1241 when he was assassinated. Reyholt now houses a research centre, interesting exhibitions, a library and a visitor’s centre.
See more here.
Family-day on the farm
Bjarteyjarsandur farm is beautifully situated between rolling mountain hills and the seafront in the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord. Arnheiður Hjörleifsdóttir lives on the farm with her husband, Guðmundur Sigurjónsson, her parents-in-law and a third family. The families raise livestock on the farm, run a shop where they sell their produce directly to consumers, offer accommodation and allow visitors to partake in every-day tasks on the farm.
They also organize orienteering for families as well as running a lovely little restaurant where Ilmur, the pet goat, greets visitors.
More information here.
