Region
West Iceland
75 km north of Reykjavik
Borgarnes: the Saga Town
Iceland's Saga town: a base for West Iceland's Viking history, waterfalls, and the route to the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Population
~2,000
West Iceland • Saga center
Quick Answer
Borgarnes, an hour from Reykjavik on Route 1, is the saga town of Borgarfjordur, home to the Settlement Center museum and a common stop en route to Snaefellsnes.
Borgarnes sits on a peninsula in Borgarfjordur, the region where Egil's Saga takes place. The Settlement Center museum covers the settlement era, and the town is a natural stop for travelers heading to Snaefellsnes, the Westfjords, or West Iceland's waterfalls.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Borgarnes is a convenient base for exploring West Iceland attractions.
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Official sources to check
Population
~2,000
Saga history and services
Known for
Settlement Center
Viking history museum
Top Attractions near Borgarnes
Settlement Center
Museum on the settlement era and Egil's Saga
Hraunfossar
Lava waterfalls, 40 km east
Barnafoss
Blue canyon waterfall next to Hraunfossar
Reykholt
Home of Snorri Sturluson, medieval scholar
Deildartunguhver
Europe's most powerful hot spring
Langjokull Glacier
Ice tunnel tours available
How to Get to Borgarnes
From Reykjavik: 1 hour via Route 1 north. Most Ring Road and Snaefellsnes travelers pass through.
Best Time to Visit Borgarnes
The Settlement Center posts year-round opening, but that does not establish access to every inland attraction. Check the particular waterfall route or booked glacier trip separately from an indoor visit in town.
Two stories at the Settlement Center
The Settlement Center’s exhibitions take different approaches. One introduces the settlement period; the other follows Egill Skalla-Grímsson through his saga. Both use audio-guided storytelling and theatrical displays. The operator describes about 30 minutes for each exhibition and provides audio in 15 languages, including English.
This is a narrative introduction to the area, with recreated scenes rather than an excavated building preserved in place. The Egil exhibition uses a dimly lit cellar and includes skeletons; consider that setting when choosing a visit with children.
The posted admission, checked September 10, 2026, was 3,900 ISK for both exhibitions, with opening daily 10:00–21:00. Keep time for both routes if buying the combined visit; a short meal stop and the full exhibition visit are different uses of a break in Borgarnes.
Planning help
Borgarnes FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Borgarnes?
Borgarnes has approximately 2,000 residents.
Why is Borgarnes called the Saga town?
Borgarnes is in Borgarfjordur, the setting for Egil's Saga. The Settlement Center museum covers this Viking-age history.
How far is Borgarnes from Reykjavik?
Borgarnes is about 75 km from Reykjavik, approximately 1 hour by car via Route 1.
What is the Settlement Center?
A museum with multimedia exhibits on Iceland's Viking settlement and Egil's Saga.
Is Borgarnes a good stop?
Yes, Borgarnes is a popular stop on the way to Snaefellsnes or the Westfjords, with good restaurants and services.
What attractions are near Borgarnes?
Nearby attractions include Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt, Langjokull glacier, and Deildartunguhver hot spring.
Does Borgarnes have a swimming pool?
Yes, Borgarnes has a geothermal pool with hot tubs.
What services does Borgarnes have?
Borgarnes has supermarkets, N1 station, restaurants, hotels, and all essential traveler services.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.