Borgarfjörður

Borgarfjörður gives you two very different sides of Iceland in one day: waterfalls flowing from black lava and the medieval world of Snorri Sturluson. Hraunfossar is the star, with many small streams appearing to pour straight from the rock beneath the Langjökull glacier.

I like the private format, since your group of up to six can set the pace, and I like the unusual history at Reykholt, where a 13th-century poet and chieftain once lived. The main drawback is the price: at $1,336.93 per group, this makes the best financial sense when six people share it.

Key points

• Hraunfossar is the visual highlight: Several cascades run out of a lava field rather than dropping from one single cliff.
• Barnafoss adds a darker local legend: The story of the two children explains the broken stone arch near the falls.
• Reykholt connects nature with medieval Iceland: Snorrastofa and Snorralaug tell the story of Snorri Sturluson, writer, politician, chieftain, and poet.
• The tour is private for up to six people: You get private transportation, hotel pickup, and WiFi rather than a large group bus.
• Borgarnes adds settlement history: The Settlement Centre uses a 30-minute audio program about Iceland’s first settlers and Egill Skallagrímsson.
• Plan for a full day: The advertised duration is about 7 to 9 hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start from Reykjavik.

Why Borgarfjörður makes a strong day trip from Reykjavik

Borgarfjörður is a good choice when you want more than a quick waterfall stop. The route combines Hraunfossar and Barnafoss with Reykholt’s medieval sites and Borgarnes’s settlement stories, so the day has a clear thread: Iceland’s geology shaped the country, and its stories shaped its identity.

You will travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation and WiFi on board. Pickup is offered in Reykjavik, which removes one common nuisance from a full-day outing: finding the right meeting point before breakfast.

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts roughly 7 to 9 hours. That is a useful amount of time for this route, though the exact pace depends on your group and the stops you choose to enjoy fully. The itinerary gives about 20 minutes at each waterfall, 30 minutes at Snorrastofa, 30 minutes at Snorralaug, 45 minutes in Borgarnes, and 30 minutes at the Settlement Centre.

The tour is operated by Olafur Omarsson. Since this is a private activity, only your group participates. That matters if you are traveling with family or friends and want the day to feel less like a fixed schedule and more like a shared outing.

Hraunfossar: the day’s most memorable sight

Hraunfossar means Lava Falls, and the name tells you what makes this place different. Instead of one obvious river plunging over a cliff, a collection of creeks and cascades streams through the lava and appears to come directly out of the rock.

The water runs across a broad section of the lava field, giving you several viewpoints rather than one single photo stop. You are allowed about 20 minutes here, but this is the place where I would pay attention to the clock. The paths offer different views, and the falls are worth seeing from more than one angle.

The dark lava and pale water create the sharp contrast that makes the falls so striking. Langjökull glacier is visible from the area, while the lava itself came from a volcano beneath the glacier. You get a compact lesson in Iceland’s volcanic past without needing a long explanation.

The strongest appeal of Hraunfossar is its quiet surprise. It is not simply a tall waterfall that demands attention from far away. The water seems to seep from the ground, then gather into bright streams. That unusual formation is why this stop can carry the visual side of the whole day.

A small cafe and parking are available at the falls. The paths provide several places to stop and look, though your time here is still limited by the full route. If waterfalls are your main priority, tell your guide early that you would like enough time to walk the viewing paths.

Barnafoss and the story behind the broken arch

Barnafoss, or Children’s Falls, sits next to Hraunfossar. The two stops work well together because you do not need another long drive to change from one type of scenery to the other.

The falls are tied to a sad local story. Two children are said to have fallen into the river after walking across a stone arch. Their mother then had the arch broken so no one else could cross it.

That tale gives Barnafoss a different mood from Hraunfossar. Hraunfossar is unusual and pretty, while Barnafoss carries the force of rushing water and a warning about the river. You have about 20 minutes here, enough to see the falls and hear the story, but not enough for a long walk.

The two waterfalls are the most praised part of the experience for good reason. You can see several falls, use the paths, and take in broad views from above. The setting also works well for photographs, with water, lava, and the distant glacier all close together.

Use care around the river and stay on the marked paths. The old story itself makes the point: moving water and smooth rock can be dangerous, even when a viewpoint looks easy to reach.

Reykholt and Snorri Sturluson’s medieval world

After the falls, the tour turns from geology to literature and politics at Reykholt. This is where the day becomes more distinctive than a standard West Iceland waterfall trip.

Snorri Sturluson was an author, politician, chieftain, and poet. His best-known works include Heimskringla, also known as the history of the kings of Norway, and Snorra Edda, or the Prose Edda. His writing helped preserve Norse myths and stories that later influenced modern fantasy literature.

At Snorrastofa, a museum dedicated to Snorri’s memory, you get an introduction to life in medieval Iceland and to the man behind the texts. The exhibition takes about 30 minutes, and admission is not included, so you should budget for that extra cost.

I like this stop because it gives context to the country beyond scenery. Iceland can sometimes feel like a parade of waterfalls, glaciers, and lava fields. Snorrastofa reminds you that this small country also produced major writing and political figures during the 13th century.

The museum involves reading and viewing exhibits, so it will appeal most if you enjoy history, literature, or the Icelandic sagas. If your group mainly wants outdoor sights, this is the stop most likely to feel slow. The short visit helps, but you should know what kind of day you are booking.

Snorralaug: an ancient hot spring you cannot enter

Snorralaug, or Snorri’s Pool, is another part of Reykholt’s story. It is described in Landnámabók, the Book of Settlements, and is considered one of Iceland’s oldest pools. It was also among the first archaeological remains in Iceland to be formally listed, in 1817.

The pool is not a bathing stop. You must treat it as an archaeological site, not as a small alternative to Iceland’s modern geothermal spas.

An underground passage can be seen from the pool toward the farmhouse Snorri is said to have built. The site shows how unusual it was to use underground heat in the 13th century. Snorri’s understanding of the hot water was practical and clever, and the remains give you a direct connection to the working life of medieval Reykholt.

You have about 30 minutes here. That allows time to look at the pool and hear its background without turning the stop into a long museum visit. I would pair it mentally with Snorrastofa: one explains Snorri’s work and life, while the other shows the physical place connected with him.

Borgarnes and the Settlement Centre

The route continues to Borgarnes, about 75 kilometers from Reykjavik and located in the middle of West Iceland. You have about 45 minutes in town, with the Settlement Centre as the recommended focus.

The centre explains how Iceland was discovered and how its first settlers established themselves. Its main audio program lasts about 30 minutes and is available in 145 languages. That makes the visit easy to follow even if you prefer listening to reading long exhibit panels.

Egill Skallagrímsson is central to the story. He is presented as one of Iceland’s most colorful saga figures, a violent Viking and poet who is believed to have been Iceland’s first poet. His story gives the settlement period a human face, complete with talent, conflict, and strong character.

Admission to the Settlement Centre is not included. The town stop itself is free, but you should allow for the museum fee if you want the complete experience. The 30-minute audio presentation fits neatly into the 45-minute stop, leaving a little time around it.

This is a useful final stop because it widens the story. At Reykholt, you focus on one medieval writer and his world. In Borgarnes, you step back to the first settlers and the saga characters who shaped Icelandic identity.

How much value do you get for $1,336.93?

The price is $1,336.93 per group of up to six people. That is a high total for a day trip, but the math changes depending on your group size. Split six ways, it is about $223 per person. With three people, it is roughly $446 per person, and for one or two people it becomes a much more expensive private outing.

The price covers the air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, WiFi, and pickup offered from your Reykjavik hotel. It does not cover alcoholic beverages, and admission to Snorrastofa and the Settlement Centre is not included. Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and Snorralaug are listed with admission included.

The best value comes from the private setup. You are not paying only for entry to a single attraction. You are paying for transportation across West Iceland, a full day of stops, and a guide-led route that connects natural sights with Icelandic history.

For six people who want a private day, the cost can be reasonable compared with booking several separate transport arrangements. For a couple on a tight budget, it is harder to justify. A group that values flexibility, hotel pickup, and time together will get more from it than someone who only wants to see Hraunfossar.

The tour also saves you the work of building the route yourself. You do not need to coordinate Reykholt, Borgarnes, and the waterfalls on your own, though you should remember that museum entry fees are extra.

Who will enjoy this private West Iceland route?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the cost. Six people make the price far more practical, and the private vehicle means you can spend the day together without a large coach group.

It also suits you if you want a balance of outdoor scenery and culture. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss provide the visual payoff, while Snorrastofa, Snorralaug, and the Settlement Centre give the day substance.

History and literature fans should pay special attention to Reykholt. Snorri Sturluson’s work, his use of geothermal water, and his role as a political leader make the stop more unusual than a typical Iceland sightseeing route.

You may want a different outing if you want long hikes, bathing in a hot spring, or a day focused only on dramatic scenery. The schedule includes short visits at the waterfalls and heritage sites, and Snorralaug is for looking, not soaking.

The tour requires reasonably good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Normal cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Practical ways to get more from the day

Wear clothing suited to Iceland’s changeable conditions, since several stops are outdoors and the tour requires walking between viewpoints. The supplied information does not specify a required fitness level, and most travelers can participate, but you should still expect time outside at the waterfalls and archaeological site.

Keep your schedule open. The stated duration is 7 to 9 hours, not a precise finish time, and a private tour can move at a different pace depending on your group.

If Hraunfossar is your main reason for booking, make it clear at the beginning. The falls have several paths and viewpoints, and the time allocation is only about 20 minutes.

If you care most about history, plan to pay the extra admission for both Snorrastofa and the Settlement Centre. Without those entries, you can still visit Reykholt and Borgarnes, but you will miss much of the interpretation that makes those stops worthwhile.

You can use the onboard WiFi during the route, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Pickup is offered, with a 9:00 a.m. start. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is listed as suitable for most participants.

Should you book Borgarfjörður?

Book it if you want a private full-day trip that brings together unusual waterfalls, medieval Iceland, and settlement-era stories. Hraunfossar is the strongest reason to go, but the combination with Barnafoss and Reykholt gives the day more depth than a single nature stop.

The decision comes down to group size and interests. Six people sharing the $1,336.93 price can get solid value from private transport and a full route. Two people paying the full amount should be sure they care about both the scenery and the history.

I would skip it if you want a cheap outing, a long hike, or a hot spring where you can bathe. I would choose it if you want an organized West Iceland day with hotel pickup, a private vehicle, and a clear link between lava, literature, and Iceland’s first settlers.

FAQ

Where does the Borgarfjörður tour begin?

The tour begins in Reykjavik, with pickup offered and a stated start time of 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

What is the main natural attraction on the route?

Hraunfossar is the main natural highlight. It is a collection of creeks and cascades that flow from a lava field, with views toward Langjökull glacier.

Are Hraunfossar and Barnafoss close to each other?

Yes. Barnafoss is situated next to Hraunfossar, so both waterfall stops are visited in the same area.

Can I swim in Snorralaug?

No. Snorralaug is an archaeological site and there is no bathing in the pool.

Are museum admission fees included?

Admission to Snorrastofa and the Settlement Centre is not included. Admission is listed as included for Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, and Snorralaug.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and WiFi on board. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.