Borgarnes: things to see and do
On the shores of the Borgarfjörður fjord, Borgarnes occupies a peninsula in Iceland. The town belongs to Borgarbyggð, a municipality in the western part of the country.
Things to do in Borgarnes
At the Settlement Center, the museum focuses on the connections between the region and Egill Skallagrímsson. It houses two exhibitions, on the Settlement and on Egil's Saga. Another museum, Safnahús Borgarfjarðar, presents objects relating to culture alongside photographs from the past. Skallagrímsgarður is a park in Borgarnes. Within the park, a small hill is said to be the grave of the Viking Skallagrímur Kveldúlfsson. Brákarey has a bridge linking it with the mainland.
Borgarnes in Iceland: history and culture
The foundation of Borgarnes dates to the closing decades of the nineteenth century. The surrounding region provides the setting for Egil's Saga. The name Borgarnes derives from Borg á Mýrum, the farm associated with Egill Skallagrímsson. Borg á Mýrum lies a few kilometres outside the town, and Egill continued living and farming there. A church has stood at the settlement since the Christianisation of Iceland, around the year 1000. Egill is chiefly remembered as the antihero of Egil's Saga, whose composition is thought to date from between 1220 and 1240. It is the birthplace of Anna Thorvaldsdottir, the Icelandic composer. Agriculture, tourism and culture account for much of the commercial activity in the town.
A west Iceland day trip: waterfalls and Reykholt
Near Húsafell and Reykholt, the Hraunfossar waterfalls consist of streams spread across roughly 900 metres. The waterfall Barnafoss lies just upstream of Hraunfossar. At Deildartunguhver, water surfaces at 97 °C, with a flow of 180 litres each second. Reykholt was home to Snorri Sturluson in medieval times. The village has a school centre as well as a library focused on his writings.
Snæfellsnes day tours
Route 1 and the road to the Snæfellsnes peninsula meet at Borgarnes, which is a gateway to the peninsula. The Borgarfjarðarbrú bridge carries traffic travelling to and from Reykjavík. Borgarnes is about 75 km by road from Reykjavík, roughly an hour's drive. A full day tour to the Snaefellsnes glacier volcano and black sand beach lasts 11 hours and includes lunch at a local restaurant, a professional guide throughout and all transport in a comfortable vehicle. The private Snaefellsnes peninsula day tour from Reykjavik lasts 11 hours, with private guided transport, a professional local guide throughout the day and admission to every stop listed in its itinerary. A Snaefellsnes and Kirkjufell day tour from Reykjavik runs for 10 hours and includes transport by Super Jeep throughout, together with a professional guide and driver. The private Snaefellsnes peninsula tour from Reykjavik takes 12 hours and includes a private professional guide, private transport, entry to natural sites and viewpoints, commentary about geology, folklore and history, and an itinerary adapted to the season and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Borgarnes?
Borgarnes stands on a peninsula on the shores of the Borgarfjörður fjord in Iceland, within the western municipality of Borgarbyggð.
What does the Settlement Center cover?
The museum explores the links between the region and Egill Skallagrímsson.
How is Borgarnes connected with Egil's Saga?
The saga is set in the region around Borgarnes, and the town's name comes from Egill Skallagrímsson's farm, Borg á Mýrum.
Where are Hraunfossar and Barnafoss?
Hraunfossar lies near Húsafell and Reykholt, with Barnafoss a short way upstream.
What is included in the Snaefellsnes and Kirkjufell day tour?
The tour lasts 10 hours and includes Super Jeep transport throughout, a professional guide and a driver.
