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Perched on a narrow outcrop in Borgarfjörður, Borgarnes is the gateway to Snæfellsnes and a key stop on the Silver Circle. Located along Iceland’s Ring Road, it offers hotels, restaurants, and attractions, making it a great road trip stop.
Aerial view of Borgarnes, Iceland.
Best Time to Visit
All year round
Coordinates
64.54481, -21.91034
DIstance from Reykjavík
73km (45mi)

The History of Borgarnes

Borgarnes dates back to the early settlement era in Iceland and its history spans more than a thousand years. The first mention of the Borgarnes area is in Egil's Saga which tells of Icelandic life between the years 850 and 1000 AD. The town’s name derives from Borg á Mýrum, the farm of Egil Skallagrímsson who is the saga’s protagonist. You can see a cute wooden church at Borg á Mýrum, just a short drive from Borgarnes, and there has been a church at this site since the year 1000.

An aerial view of Borgarnes, Icleand

How to Get to Borgarnes

It’s a relatively short drive from Reykjavík to Borgarnes and it’s easy to navigate here as the town sits on the Route One ring road that encircles the entirety of Iceland. The drive is about 75 kilometres from the centre of Reykjavík to the centre of Borgarnes and takes about an hour or so. The most direct route is through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel which runs for six kilometres beneath a sprawling fjord.

If you’ve got time to spare it’s worth taking the scenic route, following Route 47 around the perimeter of Hvalfjörður fjord instead of tunnelling under it. As it’s on the island’s main road, driving yourself to Borgarnes is easy and can be done year-round. But if you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, you can join a guided day trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavík.

Hreppslaug Swimming pool in Borgarnes, Iceland

Things to See and Do in Borgarnes

Sitting out on a peninsula surrounded by the ice-cold water of a fjord, Borgarnes is a pretty sight in itself. You can spend a couple of hours wandering along the shoreline and admiring the steely water flanked by snow-topped mountains.

At the very tip of the town, you’ll find the perfect spot to admire the Northern Lights in winter. When the aurora makes an appearance on a cloudless night, you can watch the green glow reflected back on the smooth surface of the fjord. With very little light pollution, Borgarnes is a popular place for people to hunt for the Northern Lights on a deep winter’s night.

If you want to get a feel for the ancient history of the town and area, the Borgarnes Settlement Centre has you covered. Iceland’s earliest days are recreated in exhibitions inside, with rooms dedicated to the Icelandic Sagas and life on the island a thousand years ago.

You can experience Iceland’s outdoor bathing and swimming culture at Borgarnes swimming pool. It sits on the edge of the fjord and there are both indoor and outdoor heated pools, hot tubs and saunas. Twisting flumes and water slides can keep the little ones entertained.

There’s another naturally heated swimming pool close to Borgarnes – Hreppslaug Swimming Pool was created in 1928 and is considered a cultural heritage site. It’s now run by a non-profit youth organisation and offers a slice of local life in West Iceland where folk gather to bathe and swim outdoors in the warm water and unwind together.

Hraunfossar waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery located on Iceland's scenic Silver Circle route.

Activities and Experiences Around Borgarnes

If you take the scenic route between Reykjavík and Borgarnes, there are many pretty places to stop and admire Iceland’s dazzling wilderness around Hvalfjörður fjord. Waterfalls rush and bubble through rivers, and the viewpoints out over the fjord are a photographer’s dream.

Borgarnes is a key stop on the beautiful Silver Circle route, an area rich in myth and legend. The Silver Circle is home to many attractions, including Glanni Waterfall, where elves and trolls are said to gather, and the impressive Grábrók crater, a testament to the region’s volcanic past. Steeped in Icelandic Sagas, Borgarfjörður’s landscapes and folklore make it a fascinating stop on this scenic route.

There are several waterfalls on the Silver Circle within striking distance of Borgarnes and perhaps the most distinctive is Hraunfossar where a series of waterfalls cascade over old lava tracks, orange as tiger stripes.

Further up the valley, towards the Húsafell region, you’ll find the small settlement of Reykholt – birthplace of poets and creatives. You can experience some of Iceland’s geothermal pools at the nearby Krauma Spa, which is fed by Europe’s most powerful hot spring – Deildartunguhver.

The Húsafell area is also home to Iceland’s longest glacier, the aptly named Langjökull, where you can embark on a glacier hike or descend Into the .

Questions and Answers about Borgarnes

Tours to Borgarnes

Hraunfossar waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery, located on Iceland's scenic Silver Circle route.
10 hours

Silver Circle in West Iceland

Discover the hidden gems of West Iceland on the Silver Circle Tour—a carbon-neutral adventure through stunning landscapes, fascinating history, and authentic local experiences.

From €163/person
Visitors enjoying the warm geothermal pools at Krauma Geothermal Baths on Iceland's Silver Circle, surrounded by sleek black architecture, greenery, and a peaceful spa atmosphere.
10 hours

Silver Circle with Krauma Geothermal Baths

Explore West Iceland's Silver Circle, a carbon-neutral tour showcasing stunning landscapes, rich history, authentic experiences, and a relaxing stop at Krauma Geothermal Baths.

From €211/person

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Silver Circle in West Iceland

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