Location: Borgarnes
Top Things to do in Borgarnes
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Borgarnes, West Region
Borgarnes (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈpɔrkarˌnɛs]) is a town located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður in Icelandand is the largest town in the Borgarbyggð municipality with a population of about 2,000 residents. It is a main junction in Iceland and the gateway to the Snaefellsnes National Park. Iceland's capital Reykjavik is 69 kilometers from the center of Borgarnes. The second largest bridge in Iceland, the Borgarfjarðarbrú, connects traffic to and from Reykjavik.
Restaurants in Borgarnes
1. Hestaland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Farm visit to Hestaland. We offer groups to come to our barn to meet the Icelandic horse in person. TRAIL RIDES We offer riding lessons and trail rides. Half-day tour includes a light lunch. Multi-day tours (Treks) read more about our treks on our website
Reviewed By cvsimard - Newburyport, United States
Love their attention to matching horses and riders, and the ability to spend some time getting to know your horse around the farm before setting out on the countryside with a free herd. It makes for a much more confident and comfortable ride, so you can enjoy all the aspects of the adventure..Safe and Quality horses, beautiful countryside rides, new saddles, knowledgeable trainers who lead the way, and fantastic guest house at the end of the day, what more could you ask for!
2. Aurora Borealis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By gylfig2014 - Reykjavik, Iceland
I had the pleasure to visit the Aurora Centre to see the Northern Lights on huge screen with in-dept information about the Northern Lights. The show included many great video scenes in high definition with music in this very nice setup. I was so lucky to be one of the first customer there and the owner gave me a great photography and location tips as a bonus but it was actually rather cheap experience to visit this place who also offers Aurora related souvenirs and photos at fair prices. It's very tricky to catch the Aurora on photo or video so i really liked the fact that this place offers professional help plus the informative video show that made me just more excited to do my own photos better but this area around Borgarnes is known for a great Aurora photography locations. The only downside i found was the narrow opening time but overall was a small price to pay for positive experience in our expensive country.
3. Stori Kalfalaekur
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Stori-Kalfalækur is a family-run farm located on the eastern edge of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is situated in rich farmland close to the ocean and the wonderful beaches of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. We offer multi-day riding tours for guests during the summer months since 1987. Upon request we always endeavor to fulfil wishes outside the standard programme, such as short rides or workshops.
4. The Settlement Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
The Settlement Center is closed until May 13th. Looking forward to seeing you. Settlement- & Egils Saga exhibition offering a wealth of information, the Settlement Center provides a wonderful insight into Iceland’s history. It also gives you the chance to put your visit into the context of the country’s past. The exhibitions recreate the fascinating drama of the sagas and the birth of this island nation. They also bring to life one of Iceland’s most important cultural treasures, Egils Saga. The exhibitions at the Settlement Center tell the story of the first settlers and the story of Iceland’s most important saga – Egils Saga. Egill Skalla-Grimson was a famous Viking and poet and his father and was one of the first settlers and his family settled at Borg near Borgarnes. The goal is to make the ancient sagas accessible to all ages.
Reviewed By paulaD1696NV - Toronto, Canada
Getting ready to go to Iceland, we had listened to some of the Sagas. The Settlement Centre had two different audio guided tours, one about the history of the settlement of Iceland and the other a guide through Egil’s Saga, one of the most famous (and longest) of the Sagas. Both were perfect! The information was accessible and the audio guide left you in perfect control of pacing. The staff was helpful and pleasant. Anyone with time in Borgarnes should visit the Settlement Centre. Also, the only gift shop where I actually bought anything in either Iceland or Norway this trip! (See separate but just as glowing a review of the attached restaurant!)
5. Husafell Hiking
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
HÚSAFELL IS A HIKER’S DREAM. Fascinating walking routes are everywhere, with something new at every turn. Dense woods, lava formations, crystal-clear mountain springs, magnificent ravines, glaciers, rushing glacial rivers and an extraordinary animal and bird life. Remarkable ancient relics and other signs of human habitation serve to illustrate the past and the relationship between man and nature.
Reviewed By larsenn1007 - Copenhagen, Denmark
This is a stunning area for hiking and nature loving, do the blue trail, it is only 5k and takes you by the river with fantastic views.
6. Borgarnes Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By FriederikeR32
I went to see the museum at 17:00 one day, not having in mind, that the exhibition was only open until 16:00, but an incredible friendly young male employee of the library let me in. So I had the exhibition all for myself. And if I would have had any questions, I was welcome to come up and ask him. The two exhibitions "Children Throughout a Century" and "Oh to be a bird" are layed out with so much love and care. The stuffed Icelandic birds are extremely well made and showcased in a mirror cabinet. I think I went 3 times around them. The photo exhibition surprises with small and big doors behind several of the photos, showcasing items throughout the 20th century. A booklet leads you through the exhibition and tells more about the Icelandic past. Both exhibitions are connected with a charming reproduction of an Icelandic cabin interior back in the days. Upstairs, next to the library is also a little gallery space, that shows pieces of local artists, that is worth to be seen. I am highly recommending a visit. And don't forget to bring some time!
7. Hafnarfjall mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
The mountain Hafnarfjall near Borgarnes is part of the same extinguished central volcano as Skardsheidi and also about 4 million years old. The mountain is 844 m in height and its sides are rather eroded. Most of the mountain consists of basalt, but on the north side there is a small crag, which is made of granofyr. The name "flatfish" indicates its form. Let the children discover it!
8. Borgarnes Swimming Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
9. Eldborg Crater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By leohking - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
What a wonderful hike! We visited here after seeing good reviews, to find it we put Snorrastadir Farm Holidays in google maps and it takes you straight to the car park. Free parking and also a warm building with toilets, showers and a kitchen area which was also free to use. The hike took about 1hr 45 for the round trip up to the crater. Clearly signposted start and fairly well trodden path in the snow. Compared to many of the spots in Iceland it was wonderfully remote and we only saw 2 others whilst on the hike. It was minimal incline until the last 5 mins of going up the crater itself which was a bit steep but had metal chains to hold onto and well worth the climb. Beautiful views from the top especially on a sunny day, I really would recommend including this on your Iceland itinerary, it did not disappoint!
10. Troll Waterfalls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By 966williem - London, United Kingdom
Nice and quiet place to visit, You can visit the restaurant while you there, loads of troll stories on the troll trail
