Saga & Heritage

Icelandic Lava Show is the first and only live lava show in the world. The show is located at Víkurbraut 5 in the beautiful village of Vík on the South Coast, in the heart of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, surrounded by volcanoes, glaciers, beautiful nature, and black sand beaches. It takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive from Reykjavík to Vík without stopping. We recommend that you arrive at the Icelandic Lava Show no later than 15 minutes before the show starts.  The show begins with a short opening from the show‘s host and then delves into a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism and why Iceland is such an active volcano island. Then Katla UNESCO GEOPARK and the volcanoes surrounding Vík are highlighted with a good explanation of why these volcanoes are considered among the most dangerous on the planet. After that, the show takes the audience 100 years back in time with a dramatic story about the catastrophic Katla volcano eruption in 1918. The highlight of the show is when everyone is advised to put on their security goggles and the lava starts pouring into the showroom. The bright orange color as the lava starts flowing into the room is like sunrise and as the lava starts gliding over the ice it starts to bubble and crackle. The most surprising aspect, however, is the intense heat that radiates from the lava and the temperature in the showroom quickly rises. For a few moments, the only thing you want to do is sit there transfixed on the lava, mesmerized by the sensory onslaught as you watch the lava cool in front of your eyes, slowly turning from bright orange to grey to black. It is an experience unlike anything else you have ever experienced.  Soon after the lava flows into the room, the show‘s host starts playing with the lava, explaining the different aspects of it and what it really was that you just witnessed. As the lava continues to cool down, the host is able to demonstrate some really interesting aspects and wonders of lava and encourages the audience into an interactive Q&A session.  In the end, when the doors to the showroom are opened, it is usually a bright-eyed and flushed group of audience that walks out of the room, still wrapping their heads around the remarkable experience they just had in this wonderland of ice and fire. Most agree that Icelandic Lava Show is a must-see for everyone visiting Iceland. See our video here    

 In the old heart of Vík, you will find the historical Brydebúð building, housing the Katla Visitor Centre.  Encounter the geology of the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark in the Katla exhibition. Feel the various textures of local minerals, including volcanic ash dating back to 1860, and learn about volcanic eruptions in the infamous Katla volcano.  Discover the history of shipwrecks and disasters on the black beaches of South Iceland and get to know the lucky ship Skaftfellingur at the Hafnleysa Maritime Museum. Put yourselves in the shoes of fishermen fighting the waves of the harbourless south coast.  Learn how best to experience Vík and the Mýrdalur region at our information centre. Shop local produce and explore Vík by participating in the Vík Treasure Quest or tour the Vík Culture Walk. Maps of the area with all its exciting outdoor opportunities are available here!  

Exhibition and study centre on the nature, history and culture of the region.

Sólheima history museum was offically opened in the fall of 2022 in the oldest house of Sólheimar. It‘s been renovated to its original look and there you can read loads of information about the history of Sólheimar and its founder Sesselja Sigmundsdóttir. A documentary about Sesselja is also there for viewing, it‘s running time is 50 minutes. General admission fee is 1.500 ISK for adults, 700 ISK for children 12-18 years old and free admission for children 12 years and younger, senior citizens and disabled. There are no official opening hours but please contact sesseljuhus@solheimar.is or call +3548556080 to plan your visit ahead, especially groups. We look forward to greet you at Sólheimar!

Want to travel back in time? At Keldur you can experience how Icelanders lived in the past. The old turf farm at Keldur is the oldest existing farmhouse in Iceland.   It stands as a testament to the past, being the sole remaining farmhouse of its kind, known as the old passageway type. The structure's wooden frame showcases characteristics reminiscent of Roman style.  History & heritage Keldur holds great significance in Icelandic heritage, with its story deeply rooted in the annals of history. Ingjaldur Höskuldsson, the first inhabitant of Keldur, is mentioned in Njál's Saga.  Constructed from stone, timber, and portions of turf, this ancient farmhouse can be traced back to the late 12th century.   The old farmhouse is connected to an underground tunnel, believed to have been constructed in the 12th or 13th century, possibly during a period of conflict.  New research indicates that beneath the fields situated across the riverbank, there are undisclosed ruins waiting to be uncovered.  Opening hours June 1st – 31st August: Open daily from 10:00 am - 17:00  Guests can visit during opening hours without booking in advance.  Guided tours and groups Guided tours daily at 11:00 am & 15:00 pm. Book your guided tour here.   If you want to book a guided tour for a group, please send an email for further information, keldur@thjodminjasafn.is 

The cultural center has six museums as well as a research department that operates across the units. The museums are regional, maritime, natural history, art, book, district archives, natural history, and maritime museums. Exhibitions organized by the museums are an important part of the museum's work, and here we emphasize the uniqueness of Hornafjörður and the community that is and was. Today, exhibitions are open in the library, Verbúðin in Miklagarður and Svavarssafn, and admission to the Cultural Center's exhibitions is free.

Twelve man-made caves have been discovered on the land of Ægissíða by Hella on the South Coast of Iceland. Four of them have been open to the public. The historical site is Iceland's oldest still standing archaeological remains. Some believe the caves to date even further back than the settlement of the Nordic Vikings.   The wonders of the Caves of Hella include ancient crosses, wall carvings, and carved seats. Mystery surrounds the caves and for centuries people have wondered: Are the caves the handiwork of the Celts? Were the caves a place of ancient worship? Caves of Hella offer a great opportunity to explore these historic caves in Iceland. Join us to discover the secrets they hold and experience the magical Underworld of the South. The Caves are located right next to Route 1 (the Ring Road), an approximately hour drive from Reykjavik. 

Horseback ride and dinner with a Viking! Efri-Úlfsstaðir, our farm, is located right in the center of our greatest Saga: BrennuNjáls Saga. Arriving at our farm, you will be a part of our history, and you should also feel part of it. When we ride our horses, we ride on 1000-year-old tracks that the Vikings used to ride. We drink from the same river and look at the same mountains as the Vikings did. The horses are the foundation of all our tours, but our Saga, food, and insight give you a very special experience not to be found anywhere else.

Skógar Museum was founded in 1949 and nowadays hosts a collection of more than 18,000 regional artifacts, exhibited in three different spaces. It is located 150 km east of Reykjavík, just off Ring Road 1, and 30 km west of Vík. The Museum was especially known for the curator Þórður Tómasson. Skógar Museum is divided into three parts: -The Folk Museum offers a huge variety of artifacts displayed on three floors: fishing, agriculture, textile, and natural history, as well as artifacts dating back to the Viking Age. -The Open Air Museum, where visitors can catch the atmosphere of times long gone and experience how Icelanders lived through the centuries in farms made from turf and stone.-The Technical Museum tells the story of technology and transportation and its development in Iceland in the 19th and 20th century. It also houses a souvenir shop and the Skógakaffi cafeteria. Guided tours are available upon reservation in English, German and Icelandic for groups of ten people or more. Sometimes there is the possibility to have guided tours in French, Spanish, Norwegian, and Danish.“ Skogar Museum is open 364 days of the yearJune - August: 09:00 - 18:00September - October: 10:00 – 17:00November – April: 10:00 – 16:00May: 10:00 – 17:00 Please visit us on Facebook herePlease visit us on Instagram here

The Merchants House in Eyrarbakki, was built in 1765 when Danish merchants began to overwinter in Iceland. Merchant families lived in the House for two centuries and over that period the House was the center for art and European culture in Iceland; fashion, music and litterature spreading from there throughout the country. Eyrarbakki was at that time one of the largest harbours and trading palces in the country, serving people of South-Iceland.  Very interesting exhibitons in the center of Eyrarbakki village: The Mercants House, Egg House and Kirkjubær.  Opening hours:Open every day at summers 10-17and by arrangement.

We are a local family company that has been running trips in southeast Iceland since 1991. Our Summer Special is the popular Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour. This adventurous journey starts on a tractor drawn hay cart, traveling 6 km across the black sands flats of the southeast coast. Our destination is the isolated headland and nature reserve, Ingólfshöfði, a home of thousands nesting seabirds, including puffins and the great skuas. The historical cape is named after the first settler of Iceland Ingólfur Arnarson, who spent his first winter in Iceland at the cape in 874 AD. For booking and more information, visit www.puffintour.is We also offer Ingólfshöfði Photo Tour, for serious photographers to photograph puffins in early morning couple of times a week in summer. Our Winter special is without a doubt, the Ice Cave Tour. Einar Rúnar Sigurðsson, owner and lead guide of FromCoastToMountains is the pioneer of the ice cave tours in Iceland and has found and named most of the famous ice caves in Vatnajökull glacier. In the wintertime we organize trips to ice caves ranging from short visit to an easily accessible ice cave or ice tunnel during our Ice Cave Tour, to our two day Ice Cave SleepOver Tour to more remote ice cave. For booking and more information, visit www.icecaving.is FromCoastToMountains also organizes various trips in the Vatnajökull region, mostly for individuals and small parties. We offer solutions for people that want to experience the nature and glaciers of southeast Iceland with native mountain guides. If you would like to know more about our different private or small group tours, please visit: www.fromcoasttomountains.com/our-tours Our Latest Adventure is our newest product, Café Vatnajökull in Fagurhólsmýri, which our family opened in 2017. This former local grocery store was the heart of our community for almost 40 years, but was closed for a decade until we bought it and converted it to be the base of our operations. Our Café is an adventure in it self. Here you can meet the locals, see and buy our family products, get fresh Icelandic coffee from and try some of Icelandic special treats. Don´t be a stranger and come to visit us and experience a special atmosphere in the beautiful surrounding of Vatnajökull. Our photos speak more than words, check out our photo gallery on our web site, www.fromcoasttomountains.com/gallery   Tour: Departure: Duration: Ingólfshöfði PuffinTour - Birdwatching and historytrip to Ingólfshöfði nature reserve. From mid May - mid August: every day except Sundays.For more info visit www.PuffinTour.is 2 1/2 hours       Ingólfshöfði PhotoTour - Special departures for serious photographers to Ingólfshöfði. June - August:every day except Sundays. Booking on www.PuffinTour.is For more info visit www.PuffinTour.is 3 hours Ice Cave Tour - A visit to an Ice cave in Vatnajökull. November - March: every day except Sundays.Booking on www.IceCaving.isFor more info visit www.IceCaving.is 2-3 hours  

The Þórbergur Centre was established in memory of the famous Icelandic writer Þórbergur Þórðarsson (1888 – 1974), who was born in Hali in Suðursveit. The centre includes a heritage museum and unique exhibitions of the district Sudursveit and the writer Þórbergur Þórðarson, his life and work. The Thorbergur Centre is by road number 1, the Ring Road. only 13 km further east from Jökulsárlón. Open all year round, every day from 8-21.   Our restaurant offers local food from the farm and the Vatnajökull region.

Skálholt is one of Iceland's most historical places and the capital of Iceland for over 700 years. It was the scene of the most dramatic events which shaped the political, spiritual, and cultural life in Iceland. Skálholt Cathedral was built in 1963 and is the 10th cathedral on the very site, the first one was built in the year 1000 when Icelanders became a christian nation. The current Cathedral is known for its stylish architecture, the beautiful altarpiece, and the spectacular glass-stained windows. The tomb of bishops, a museum of historical artifacts, and a mysterious underground tunnel is situated in the cellar of the church. Guided tours are offered for groups of 10 or more for a moderate fee.  Skálholt Cathedral is open from 9:00am - 6:00pm every day. Skálholt is located about 1 hour from Reykjavík and is part of the Golden Circle Route. From Reykjavík take Ring road 1 towards Selfoss town, and drive for around 30 minutes. Before entering the town take road nr 35, drive for about 20 minutes and turn right on road 31. Drive for about 5 minutes and you will see Skálholt on your right-hand side. Skálholt´s early history is traced back to the 11th century when religious disputes were at their sharpest in Iceland. Within two centuries of the settlement of Iceland, the first bishopric was founded at Skálholt in 1056 for South Iceland, and soon a second at Hólar in 1109 for North Iceland. In 1954, a team of archaeologists, while digging up the foundations of the old cathedral, came upon a sarcophagus which was believed to contain the skeleton of Páll Jónsson, one of the most powerful bishops of Skálholt. His sarcophagus, together with a few relics found at the scene, is now on display in an underground vault beneath the cathedral. The last Catholic bishop of Iceland, Jón Arason, was executed at Skálholt in 1550, along with his two sons. He had opposed the Reformation imposed upon Iceland by King Christian III of Denmark. Today, a memorial stands at the site of the execution. Arason's Episcopal robes are on display at the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík. Hotel SkálholtHotel Skálholt is a perfect place to stay when you want to visit places in the Golden Circle, the South Coast or the highlands of Iceland since it is situated near so many places to have wonderful day trips. In Skálholt there is a variety of accommodation; Hotel Skálholt has 18 DBL rooms with private bathroom. Organist house is a 3-5 bedroom villa with 2 bathrooms and a private hot tub. Skálholt hostel has 10 DBL rooms with shared facilities, a large kitchen, dining room, a large ballroom and seating area. The location is perfect for school groups, yoga groups, choirs, or for smaller parties. Two cottages, located close to Skáholt hostel has 2 bedrooms each (4 beds), living room, kitchen and private bathroom. Each cottage has a private hot tub. Hotel Skálholt has facilities for meetings, seminars and conferences. The space is also great for events such as weddings, concerts and more and the facilities is available for groups to rent out. There are regular cultural events, such as stand-up comedy, small concerts, book events, art shows and more. Hotel Skálholt is a perfect place to stop on your Golden Circle tour or for those who want to enjoy the countryside, the view, the natural beauty and the tranquility. For bookings please send an email to hotelskalholt@hotelskalholt.is or call to +354 486 8870. More information at: www.hotelskalholt.is  Hvönn restaurantHvönn Restaurant is an experimental kitchen where the focus is on using fresh local ingredients. Meat, fish, and vegetables are sourced locally, and fused Icelandic and international food traditions from abroad using fermentation techniques (kombucha, lactose fermentation, kefir) and drying methods. These practices give the food a unique and special taste and texture. During the day the a bistro menu has delicious Icelandic choices, and in the evening the menu has a distinctive and curated three-course dinner experience that changes nightly. Whether it is for lunch or dinner, you are welcome to Hvönn restaurant. The chef Bjarki Sól is one of the owner of the hotel. He has worked as a chef for many years on projects to increase the quality of food companies in the area and he takes advantage of all the experience and relationships on the restaurant. Summer opening hours from May to November - 11:30am - 9pm every day. Bistro menu is served from 11:30am to 5pm each day and 3 course set menu is served in the evening. Please send an email to hotelskalholt@hotelskalholt.is or call to +354 486 8870. More information at: www.hotelskalholt.is.  We look forward to welcoming you in Skálholt.

At the campground there are WC´s, showers, washing machines and a outside grill. In the service centre visitors can pay for camping and fishing permit and seek further information about the area.There is a small cafeteria which services soup, sandwiches and pizza.Summer opening hours (June-August):09:00-20:00 Winter opening hours (September - May):Information desk: 09:00-16:00Store and Service Centre at Leirar: 09:00-18:00

The exhibition focuses on the 1973 volcanic eruption in Vestmannaeyjar, without a doubt one of Iceland´s biggest natural disaster. Visitors get a glimpse into peoples lives on Heimaey before the eruption that would change their lives forever. The people of Heimaey had to leave their homes in the middle of the night and evacuate the island, many of them never saw their homes or any of their belongings ever again. The eruption started in the early hours of January 23rd 1973 on the island of Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the Vestmannaeyjar islands and it lasted for 5 months. Lava and ash destroyed almost 400 homes and businesses, a third of all buildings on Heimaey. While the eruption lasted no one knew if the island would ever be populated again.

  Experience the here and now  Höfn Local Guide is a locally-owned family business in Höfn in Hornafjörður that operates in the field of Slow-Adventure Tourism. The focus is on nourishing experience through moderate movement in beautiful nature and a peaceful environment.  The fishing village Höfn and its astounding surroundings is an interesting destination close to the Vatnajökull National Park. Dive into the story and culture of this beautiful village in a village walk or take a tour to some of the hidden gems close by with a guide born and raised in Höfn. The guided tours are easy and informative and you can enjoy the magnificent nature and geology of the area on land or on sea.  With Höfn Local Guide you can experience customized hiking tours, yoga, and mindfulness out in the open, kayak paddling, and get to taste some of the area’s local food out in the open.  If you are interested in a conscious experience with nature and your fellow travelers in the foreground, a trip with Höfn Local Guide is something for you.