From Reykjavik to Grundarfjördur: Akranes, Borgarnes and relaxation at Krauma Spa

We are going north! To a corner that has it all: glaciers, wild beaches, waterfalls, basaltic cliffs, volcanoes, impracticable lava fields... Fasten your seat belt and let's go!

Park the car in this parking lot that is located a few steps from the first point of interest of this three-day trip that you have started with departure and return to the Icelandic capital.

If you like photography or love to explore new places, I'm going to show you this old, picturesque -and attractive- lighthouse located in the harbor town of Akranes, on the east coast of Iceland. Here you have several cool spots to visit and photograph: two lighthouses -surprise! - and an abandoned ship.
The tallest and most modern lighthouse is open to the public 24 hours a day and you can climb up to the top to see the view and, why not, take a few pictures. Meanwhile, the smaller one, perched on a rocky cliff, is one of the oldest on the island, having been built in 1918. In winter, this spot is ideal for capturing the aurora borealis.
Old Lighthouse Hours Monday to Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

This derelict ship called "Höfrungur AK 91" is known by the locals as the "Little Dolphin". It was built in the Akranes shipyard in oak wood in 1955 and was part of the herring catching fleet. A historic, rustic and "Instagram fodder" gem. Try taking a vertical photo of yourself?

Krauma is a geothermal spa located in Deildartunguhver with a natural spring from which thermal waters gush out at about 100 degrees Celsius. Feel the heat born from the heart of the Earth in its pools: 5 hot and 1 cold water pool. Krauma also has a steam bath.
Once out of the water you can rest in the relaxation room next to the bathing area or change clothes and have a drink in its beautiful restaurant. Krauma is open all year round and is only one hour away from Reykjavik.
Opening hours Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Book a visit

Englendingavík - meaning "The Englishman's Cove" - centers its cuisine around Icelandic ingredients. It offers its diners an excellent free buffet of high quality fish available in the evening. The warm, quiet and elegant restaurant is located in the old part of Borgarnes sheltered from the north winds and with a beautiful view of the bay. Here the silence is only broken by the sound of the birds and the stirring of the waves of the sea.
In addition to its renowned buffet, you also have the option of ordering a la carte seafood dishes such as seafood soup with homemade bread, delicious lamb with mashed potatoes and red wine sauce, vegetarian burger or smoked salmon skewers with scrambled eggs and honey sauce.
Hours Open daily from 12:00 noon to 12:00 p.m. Open daily from 12:00 to 21:00 hrs. Phone: +354 5551400 Official website

Before heading north, I recommend you to have your favorite coffee at Geirabakari Kaffihus with a cinnamon bun covered with custard, caramel and a drizzle of chocolate. This coffee shop overlooking the sea and mountains was one of the locations for the movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".
Hours of operation Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Iceland has an infinite number of waterfalls. Some are huge and popularly known as Seljalandsfoss, Gullfoss or Skógafoss. Other smaller, but no less beautiful, are hidden in the lap of nature and equally worth a few minutes to admire them.
This is the case of Selvallafoss, also known as the "Sheep Waterfall". From its highest point it has a 19-meter fall and you can easily approach its base to admire this natural beauty that is just an appetizer of what the Snæfellsnes Peninsula has to offer in the coming days.

A few minutes from the coastal town of Grundarfjördur, following the road 54, you will clearly see the access to this 24-hour paid parking where you can park your car and, from there, walk very little to see this beautiful waterfall.
Remember before leaving the parking lot to pay at the payment machine. The rate is valid for 24 hours. If you do not want to pay and walk a little more, there is a small free parking space just before the bridge on the right.

This is undoubtedly the most famous and representative photo of the entire Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The set formed by the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and the most iconic and photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell (463 mt altitude), in the background, is a magnet for professional and amateur photographers.
After taking pictures in the waterfall area, follow the trail at the top to get closer to the lake area that you will see "crossed" by road 54. If the water is calm you will be able to take a beautiful photo with the reflection of Kirkjufell.
Kirkjufell, a mountain with a triangular shape that has earned the nickname "Church Mountain", appeared in the famous series Game of Thrones as many other locations that in the plot belonged to the region "Beyond the Wall".

Just across the street from your guesthouse is this excellent family restaurant whose building has a very particular and traveled history.
This beautiful little house was originally built in 1908 as a dwelling in the village of Akranes. For 100 years it was used for living quarters until 2008 when the church bought the house to use the land as a parking lot. The company S.Ó. Húsbyggingar took Bjargarsteinn from Akranes to Borgarnes where it was rebuilt. The current owners found it for sale and dreamed of finding an idyllic place to relocate it and set up a small restaurant. And that's how they ended up on December 7, 2014 in the small coastal fishing village of Grundarfjörður. The renovated and expanded restaurant opened its doors under the name Bjargarsteinn House of Food on July 31, 2015.
It is recommended that you reserve a table in advance via email (mathus@bjargarsteinn.is) or by calling +35 44386770.
Opening hours Tuesday to Sunday from 18:00 to 21:30 hrs. Monday closed Official website

Excellent quality/price ratio. This guesthouse has very comfortable family size rooms or very comfortable rooms for couples. There are also apartments that do have their own kitchen.
From the kitchen-dining room of the guesthouse you have a panoramic view of the bay, the harbor area and the magnificent Kirkjufell mountain. Keep an eye out for the occasional whale spout in the sea.
You can bring your own food and cook something if you wish for the next day. Laundry service is available at 61 Grundagata Street (you will need 100 kronor coins).