SILVER CIRCLE

Borgarnes is known for its location on a slim peninsula, creeping into the Borgarfjörður fjord. It is surrounded by water so walks along the shoreline here are a popular way to pass the day, looking out to Iceland’s often snow-tipped mountains. It also acts as the gateway to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where you’ll find waterfalls that tumble over ancient lava, glaciers fit for day hikes and a landscape often referred to as ‘Iceland in miniature’.

Borgarnes has a handful of hotels that suit a range of budgets. There are a couple of comfortable 3-star hotels, a few family-run guesthouses and some privately run apartments if you prefer self-catering. The town also has a choice of supermarkets and cosy places to dine serving up warming Icelandic stews and fresh seafood. There are a couple of pubs for a nightcap too.

The easiest way to reach Borgarnes from Reykjavík is to follow the Route One main road out of the capital. Borgarnes is directly on Route One, about 75 kilometres (around 46 miles) from Reykjavík, so you can’t miss it if you’re driving yourself. The drive takes around an hour, but you might want to avoid the long tunnel beneath the Hvalfjörður fjord and choose the scenic route around the fjord’s edge to enjoy the rugged landscape. The scenic route adds about another hour to the drive time. If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can join a Snæfellsnes day trip from Reykjavík, which often stop in Borgarnes for a break on the way to the peninsula.

Similar to the Golden Circle in the south of Iceland, the Silver Circle is a sightseeing route from Reykjavík that takes you to the natural wonders of West Iceland and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It covers waterfalls that tumble over tiger-striped volcanic rocks, geothermal baths heated by Europe’s most powerful hot spring and isolated villages steeped in folklore. One of the most popular day trips from Reykjavík, the Golden Circle can get crowded, especially in the summer months. The Silver Circle offers a quieter experience with just as much natural wonder.

In old Icelandic, the term ‘borg’ referred to a small, dome-shaped hill or a stronghold or fortification. Over the centuries it came to mean town or city, so Borgarnes roughly translates as city and headland, possibly referencing the fact that Borgarnes sits on a peninsula. It takes its name from the nearby farm and now tiny settlement Borg á Mýrum, which is a major reference point in Egil's saga.