Top Things to do in Borgarbyggd
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Top 6 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Borgarbyggd, West Region
Discover the best top things to do in Borgarbyggd, Iceland including Haafell Goats and Roses, Hestaland, The Settlement Center, Grabrok Crater, Illugastaoir Farm, Barnafoss.
Restaurants in Borgarbyggd
1. Haafell Goats and Roses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By leanadawn - Reykjavik, Iceland
I'm a local who lives on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and although I had heard wonderful things about Jóhanna the goat farmer, I had never visited her goat farm. My partner and I decided to make the 1.5 hour drive to her place on a warm summer day. After arriving there around 3 pm, I think we ended up staying at Háafell until just before it closed at 6. The weather was mild with little wind, and this was perfect for hanging out in the field where the goats graze, lay, and take in the sun. Upon arrival, we met Jóhanna herself, who directed us to join a tour that was about to leave. Tours cost 1500 kr and we were happy to support Jóhanna's mission of restoring this nearly-extinct unique breed of goats back to Iceland. After meeting up with the guide, we walked around with her while she (in Icelandic) told us about how this farm came to be and how Icelandic goats are something very special. I'm used to goats being very "hyperactive" but this group was friendly and subdued. The goats are raised in a calm environment - it is forbidden for young visitors to chase the goats or frighten them - but everyone is welcome to pet or even pick up willing new goat friends. Once the short tour was done, we walked around the pasture and met a variety of nanny goats and their kids along with the occasional billy goat. They are beautiful and oh so soft! We relaxed in the grass and enjoyed the tranquil environment that is Háafell. When it was time to go, we returned to the little shop / reception area to sample goat sausage, goat cheese, and the various wonderful oils, soaps, and more that Jóhanna produces using nearby flora. If it wasn't a bit of a long drive from where I'd live, I'd go back to Háafell in a heartbeat on another sunny day. Takk fyrir mig, Jóhanna!
2. 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!
3. 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!)
4. Grabrok Crater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By NZSITM - San Francisco, United States
This is a must-stop attraction along the Ring Road. On 7/8/19, my husband and I stopped by the parking lot and walked up the stairs to the top. The path to the stop is a boardwalk with gradual stairs and benches along the way. The 15-minute walk up was easy and enjoyable. Then we walked around the rim for the beautiful view (no boardwalk here). There are benches at the top where we enjoyed a snack and lingered. At the parking lot, there are no toilets, gift shop or restaurant, just big map signs. Walking Grabok Crater was so easy for us as compared to climbing the Hverfjall Crater from Dimmuborgir and circling the crater rim over rocky grounds the day before.
5. Illugastaoir Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By fisici-mi - Milan, Italy
Nice farm with a campsite on the northern tip of the Vatnsnes peninsula (no relationship with Bifrost in fact) around 25 kilometres north of Hvammstangi on the 711 gravel road running on the Vatnsnes coast (see also Svalbard and Hvitserkur for more seals watching). A large colony of seals live on a stretch of rocks few meters off the shore, very easy to observe. Few binoculars are available for visitors in an observation hut on the coast. The seals encounter is quite an experience indeed. They seem to be totally happy and relaxed, enjoying the sun together in small groups. A couple of centuries ago the farm was the scene of a lurid story of social class bullying and violence, ending up in a dual murder and the effort of the killer to set fire to the farm trying to hide the crime. Quite obviously in the tranquil rural Icelandic environment the story had a tremendous impact and the memory is still alive.
6. Barnafoss
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By teddy1014 - Brooklyn, United States
You'll see tons of waterfalls in Iceland, but this one is a bit different than the rest, as it's really made up of hundreds of little waterfalls, and covers what seems like a mile of a river's bank. Definitely worth stopping by if you're nearby for the Víðgelmir cave or Krauma Baths. There's also a short hiking trail to see different parts of the falls, and a restaurant in the parking lot..
