Borgarnes

A land of lava and glaciers in western Iceland, with waterfalls, geothermal hot springs, and Saga heritage all within a day's drive of Reykjavik.

Borgarbyggð is located in western Iceland, extending from Borgarfjörður all the way to Langjökull glacier. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are iconic waterfalls on the Hvítá River, and the Deildartunguhver hot spring has an impressive water flow, with the Krauma spa built right next to it. The Víðgelmir lava cave and the Langjökull ice tunnel offer opportunities to explore underground and sub-glacial worlds. Reykholt is the former home of the Saga writer Snorri Sturluson, Borgarnes features the Settlement Centre, and Húsafell serves as a base for hiking and accommodation. Summer is the best time for self-driving, as highland roads are only open in summer, while winter is ideal for chasing the Northern Lights. You can drive north from Reykjavik along the Ring Road, reaching Borgarnes in about an hour.

Destinations

• Borgarfjörður & Húsafell
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Itineraries

• Classic Iceland Ring Road – Drive counter-clockwise around the Ring Road, connecting the Golden Circle, South Coast glaciers, East Fjords, Lake Mýv…
• Grand Iceland Ring Road & Westfjords Self-Drive – Add the Westfjords to the classic Ring Road, using the Baldur ferry to connect back to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
• Silver Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula – West Iceland short loop: Hraunfossar, Langjökull ice tunnel, geothermal hot springs, and a drive around the Snæfellsnes…
• Westfjords Slow Travel Loop – Loop around the Westfjords to see bird cliffs, red sand beaches, and waterfalls, then take the Baldur ferry back to the…
• Winter Iceland Aurora & Blue Ice Cave Self-Drive – Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, and South Coast in winter, culminating in the Blue Ice Cave at the Gl…