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
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 last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
Borgarnes is a convenient base for exploring West Iceland attractions.
Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.
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
Borgarnes and its attractions are accessible year-round. Summer has the best conditions for the waterfalls and inland sights.
Planning help
Borgarnes FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.