Top Things to do in Borgarbyggd
What to do and see in Borgarbyggd, West Region: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Borgarbyggd, Iceland including Haafell Goats and Roses, Hestaland, The Settlement Center, Husafell Hiking, Grabrok Crater, Borgarnes Museum, Hafnarfjall mountain, Borgarnes Swimming Pool, Eldborg Crater, 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. 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.
5. 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.
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. 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..
