The Saga Museum history brought to life.
The first Norsemen came to Iceland in the last decades of the ninth century. Their arrival and settlement was part of a general expansion of Viking culture that spread to many other parts of Europe. We know from a historical account of the settlement that Ingólfur Arnarson was the first Norseman to come to Iceland and stay here for the remainder of his life. He sailed to the country with his wife Hallveig Fróðadóttir in 874 AD.
AKRANES IS A PICTURESQUE TOWN just moments away from the
Reykjavík City centre. You can actually take the city bus from
Reykjavík to Akranes for only a few Euros, or use your Reykjavík
visitors' card, and step off in Akranes within an hour. It doesn't get
any easier - or cheaper - and you have a full day of fun ahead of you!
VOGAR
is a small and friendly community along the southwest coast, only 20 minutes away from Reykjavík on the way to the International Airport.Vogar is an excellent area for hiking, both along the coastline and the mountains. There are numerous hiking paths around the area. Among places of interest for hiking is Staðarborg, a several hundred year old stone-built sheepfold.
Their works - reliefs, floor pieces and vertical structures - will
displayed together, in order to allow the individual pieces "commune"
among themselves and draw sparks off each other. At the same time the
exhibition will be an opportunity to investigate the role of wood in
modern Icelandic art as well as the connection with the woodcarving
traditions of the past. The exhibition is curated by Aðalsteinn
Ingólfsson.
SANDGERÐI
is a small fishing village only five minutes from the international airport of Keflavík. In fact Keflavik Airport and Leifur Eiriksson Air Terminal are within the municipal boundaries of Sandgerði. In a friendly atmosphere of 1800 inhabitants you can relax before or after a long flight in a small village settings. In Sandgerði you will find serene surroundings of beautiful nature along the unique west coast filled with migrating birds in the spring, summer and autumn and the turbulent whitecap of the North Atlantic in winter.
GARÐUR MUNICIPALITY
is 100 years old on the 15th of June 2008 and to commemorate this event special events and celebrations will be organized in every month of this year. In January a children’s play by the renowned Icelandic writer Þórarin Eldjárn was shown in Garður. In February a “Night-of-Storytelling” was held at Flös (the café?) whereas in March a song festival where songs by locals where sung. The local youth-organization are to show a play at the theater at the end of April and the spring festival of the schools follows shortly afterwards.
GARÐSKAGI IS A WONDERFUL PLACE
to enjoy the scenic view, to be rejuvenated by the thundering ocean waves, to refresh oneself with a latte at the café or to be enchanted by the local museum. The area can camping accommodations, including camping trailers and vans. Bathroom facilities with running water and electricity is available. From Garðskagi the glacier of Snæfellsjökull forms a backdrop for a magnificent sunset, where the entire Snæfells mountain ridge, Akrafjall as well as the Esja and Reykjanes mountain ridge are all illuminated by the suns golden rays. The northern lights or aurora, are nowhere better visible than from Garðskagi.
GRINDAVÍK
is a beautiful Icelandic fishing town on the south coast of the Reykjanes peninsula. Life in Grindavík has to a large extent evolved around fishing since the time of its settlement in approx. 934 A.D. In the last few years Grindavík has grown significantly as a tourist destination with its local population of about 2800 people, most of who base their livelihood on fishing or fish related industry. Grindavík alone provides more than 40% of Iceland’s salt fish production with one of the most active harbours in the country.
ÖLFUS MUNICIPALITY
covers a large area from the south coast to the mountains Hengill and Ingólfsfjall, in the east to the river Ölfusá and to the west to the beautiful and renowned church Strandarkirkja. The most important industries are fishing, fish processing, retail services, agriculture and light industries. There are many equestrian centres and breeders in the Ölfus district and a good network of bridleways. Hot springs are evident on Mt Hengill, which is one of the country's most extensive geothermal areas and the area around Strandarkirkja is beautiful with caves, fishing lake and a nice café.
THE CREW of the fishing boat Ísleifur II first reported undersea volcanic activity on the morning of November 14th 1963. Half a mile away (about 900 meters) from the crater they measured the sea temperature at 10°C.
VESTMANNAEYJAR
is one of Iceland’s most lovely natural wonders. The rugged natural beauty and the extraordinary birdlife in addition to the history and geology of the islands sets it among the most fascinating localities in the country.
THE ÁRBORG REGION consists og three of Southern Iceland´s most interesting spots – the thriving town of Selfoss and two small villages, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri. The area offers numerous options for recreation and relaxation, while the unusual landscape, a fascinating mix of vast lava fields and beaches of black volcanic sand, provides a lovelyl backdrop to any trip. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, galleries, museums and swimming pools, along with a nine-hole golf course in Selfoss.
HVERAGERÐI
is a small, peaceful town in the heart of Iceland’s beautiful and picturesque nature. In Hveragerði there is a plethora of interesting activities to indulge in and of sights to enjoy. Visitors find that spending a tranquil day in the scenic surroundings of this peaceful small town is both invigorating and enchanting. We recommend starting a day in Hveragerði by going to the hot springs, located in the very centre of town. Visitors to the hot springs can choose to be educated about geothermal energy and the springs, including Dynkur, which blows it’s distinctive spray of water regularly or Ruslahver with it’s interesting history, as well as many more geysers. Above the town looms the church and from it twist the two roads Frumskógar and Bláskógar which have been associated with poetry and inspiration since many of the nations greatest poets have at some point lived there. Not far from the church is a wooded grove precariously lined by imposing cliffs called “the Hammer”. The small wood contains a number of hiking paths exposing the rare scenic beauty of this Icelandic forest.