HVERAGERÐI
Hveragerði has long been a famous destination for tourists with many hotels and restaurants. Both summer and winter, Icelanders and foreigners alike have enjoyed visiting the town for decades. With a population of about 3.000 and located only 45 km from Reykjavik, Hveragerði is a town not to be missed. It may be viewed from the vantage point of the Kambar mountain slope, as it spreads out across a 5000-year-old lava field. Throughout the year, pillars of steam may be seen rising from the town – and in summer, it is truly a green community, abounding in trees. A green revolution is taking place as woodland areas in and around Hveragerði expand, with the locals working together to develop their blossoming town further
Indeed, the most precious gem of the town of Hveragerði is its geothermal area – indeed, there are not many communities in the world with hot springs literally in their backyard. The geothermal area is securely fenced off for safety reasons. Still, it can be visited during opening hours listed on the park's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Geothermalpark or by emailing tourinfo@hveragerdi.is for more information and group bookings.
A new hot spring area emerged from the ground in the earthquake that shook Iceland's southern part on 29th May 2008. It is situated on the hillside rising above the town. Several very active hot springs throw colorful mud and clear water up into the air and are a spectacular sight.
Besides the hot springs, Hveragerði has much to offer. Trout and salmon swim in the Varmá river, berries are for picking on the heath to the west of the town, and the area abounds with excellent walking routes, the most famous one being the hike to Reykjadalur valley where one can bathe in a hot river. The swimming pool is a gem in town with hot baths, whirlpools, a natural sauna, and a fitness center. Also, the NLFÍ Health and Rehabilitation Clinic offers opportunities to seek health and happiness.
LÁ Art Museum is situated in Hveragerdi. It is an art museum that preserves a small collection of modern and contemporary art, mainly from Icelandic artists and some international artists' work. Every year, the museum puts up a variation of repeatedly awarded exhibitions.
View
ÖLFUS
Ölfus municipality is located on the southwest coast of Iceland, approx. 50 km from Reykjavík capital. The population is slightly over 2000 inhabitants and is growing. The fishing village Thorlákshöfn is the largest in the municipality with approx. 1600 inhabitants.
Ölfus offers a wide range of beautiful landscapes with black sand beaches, cliffs, lava formations, caves, geothermal areas, and vivid hot springs.
From Thorlákshöfn village and all over the municipality, you have sensational panoramic views over most of the south coast, e.g., the volcanoes Mt. Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull and the Westman Islands.
In Thorlákshöfn, you can find the best surfing spot in Iceland. The black sand beach is perfect for beginners and advanced surfers, and the waves by the lighthouse are superb.
Ölfus municipality is a popular viewing point for the Northern Lights in the south due to limited light pollution.
The tourist information center is located in the library in Thorlákshöfn and is open from 12:30 to 17:30 on weekdays. The campsite in Thorlákshöfn is next to the church, behind the swimming pool.
The tourist information center in ThorlákshöfnHafnarberg 1815 ThorlákshöfnTel. +354 480 3830
Opening hours: Weekdays from 12:30 – 17:30
View
STOKKSEYRI
STOKKSEYRIStokkseyri, pop. 559 is a charming village renowned for its beautiful seashore, breaking ocean waves and birdlife, and rich in handicrafts and culture. Workshops, galleries, Ghost Center, and the Elves and Northern Lights Museum are all located in a Cultural Centre, Menningarverstöðin, an old fish processing factory that has found a new role due to changes in the fishing industry. The Wildlife Museum is dedicated to hunting and wildlife and contains many mammals and birds. The bunkhouse Þuríðarbúð provides an excellent example of how fishermen had to make use of what nature provided. Stokkseyri also offers one of Iceland's most famous seafood restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, kayak tours, and a campsite. East of Stokkseyri is Knarrarósviti Lighthouse, built-in 1938 and put into operation a year later. For further information, visit the tourist information at the local Café, Gimli Kaffihús.
ÁRBORGThe Municipality of Árborg was established in 1998. It consists of the town Selfoss, the villages of Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri, and the Sandvík area. This region offers excellent options for recreation and relaxation, including a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, art galleries, museums, swimming pools, and a 9-hole golf course in Selfoss. A perfect location for any visitor who wants to stay closer to nature and explore unique landscapes such as large lava fields and black sand beaches.
View
EYRARBAKKI
Eyrarbakki, pop. 585 is a friendly village that used to be the largest commercial community and main harbor on the South Coast of Iceland. Many preserved houses from 1890 to 1920 are situated in Eyrarbakki, and a visit is, therefore, like going 100 years back in time. Other great attractions are The Eyrarbakki Maritime Museum and the Árnessýsla Folk Museum, which is located in a building constructed in 1765, famously known as “The House”. Here you can also find a campsite, hostel, guesthouses and a great restaurant. On the rocky shoreline is a fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can watch the surf break. It is an ideal spot for hiking and bird watching. Passing the beautiful recreational forest Hallskot northwest of Eyrarbakki, you enter the Flói Bird Reserve. It is a significant nesting area, especially for wetland birds, and is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
ÁRBORG
The Municipality of Árborg was established in 1998. It consists of the town Selfoss, the villages of Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri, and the Sandvík area. This region offers excellent options for recreation and relaxation, including a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, art galleries, museums, swimming pools, and a 9-hole golf course in Selfoss. A perfect location for any visitor who wants to stay closer to nature and explore unique landscapes such as large lava fields and black sand beaches.
View
BORG
There is a growing community in Borg in Grímsnes, where there is a wide range of services for locals and tourists, including schools, kindergartens, social homes, shops, accommodation, and camping sites. Borg has a gym and a magnificent swimming pool with steam, slides, hot tubs, and a shallow pool. The community center has a variety of cultural activities and events.
Borg is about 70 km away from Reykjavík, centrally located on the Golden Ring, and close to well-known natural gems, various services, and entertainment. Kerið, Þingvellir, Laugarvatn, Gullfoss and Geysir.
Adrenalíngarðurinn Nesjavellir. Exhibition in Ljósafoss power station. Small mountains to climb and hiking trails in Þrastaskógur. Sólheimar in Grímsnes is a small eco-friendly village close by.
View
SÓLHEIMAR ECO-VILLAGE
Sólheimar is considered the oldest Eco-Village in the world. Sólheimar was established as a children's home in 1930. Still, today, Sólheimar focuses on offering people with special needs varied and creative employment opportunities, jobs in organic horticulture and forestry in a close-knit community that focuses on environmental issues and vivid cultural life. Sólheimar workplaces include six creative art workshops, Ölur - organic forestry, Sunna – organic horticulture, Brekkukot Guesthouse and catering service, and Graena Kannan – organic café. All products are sold in the Vala grocery store and art gallery.
View
LAUGARVATN
Laugarvatn is a shallow lake, about 2 km2 in size, and is located in the inlands of Árnessýsla, midway between Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, 100 km from Reykjavík. Under its floor there are hot springs heating the lake so it is warm and suitable for bathing all year round. On its bank rests a village of over 300 inhabitants, also named Laugarvatn.
The Laugarvatnsfjall mountain with its birch-covered slopes on the west shelters the village and also adds to the charm and beauty of the place. Between the mountain and the lake, north of the village, there is a panoramic point (hringsjá) providing a good view over the lake and its surroundings. In addition, amongst the green hills and woods north of the lake the area is suitable for camping, pony-trekking and hiking. Nearby you will find a lot of marked hiking routes.
It is possible to hire a boat or a sailboard to use at lake Laugarvatn. Just outside Laugarvatn there is a golf course and possibilities of angling in lakes and rivers in the area. Laugarvatn is a popular tourist resort for Icelanders, and it is also the site of educational institutions, as for example the Grammar School of Laugarvatn. There are two Edda Hotels located there as well.
View
REYKHOLT
The development of the small village Reykholt started in the first half of the 20th century, when geothermal activity was discovered in the area. There are numerous horticultural farms in the region and increasing services; grocery store, swimming pool, guesthouse, camp site, horse-shows and greenhouse visits for groups.
Here is video from Reykholt in South Iceland.
View
LAUGARÁS
The development of the small village Laugarás started when geothermal activity was discovered in the area. There are numerous horticultural farms in the region and various services; camp site, hotel, greenhouse visits and the Domestic Animal park. The Health Care Clinic for the area is located in Laugarás.
View
FLÚÐIR
Flúðir is a rapidly growing community in the center of the Hrunamannahreppur district, about 25 minutes off the main Ring Road. The area is considered to be very fertile and beautiful. Litla-Laxá, a clear spring river, runs through the village in an attractive basin. Miðfell, a small mountain, towers over Flúðir and gives the surrounding area a distinctive look. Good walking and riding paths lie to the top of Miðfell. You will find an impressive lake, and from the top, there is an excellent view of the area.
The main sources of employment in Flúðir are services, industry, and horticulture. Geothermal heat is utilized for greenhouses, and there is the biggest mushroom factory in Iceland. The surrounding area is a popular location for summerhouses. Flúðir has excellent services available for visitors. Accommodation, restaurants, grocery store, camping ground, swimming pool, golf course, football golf, horse rental, and The Secret Lagoon.
View
ÁRNES
Árnes is a small village with inhabitants of ca 50. In Árnes, there is a small convenience store, a swimming pool, a campsite, and a guesthouse.
View
ÞYKKVIBÆR
Residential area by Hólsá and south of Safamýri. Before, Þykkvibær was flooded in every way. People had to wade up to the waist or deeper to get between towns and it was difficult to deal with haymaking. In addition, the lakes broke the land. In 1923, a powerful prelude was built across Djúpós and is now a road along the dam.
The settlement is old in Þykkvabær, first mentioned around 1220. Before that, there was some erosion from the sand. A primary school was established in Þykkvabær in 1892 and it was the first rural school in Rangárvallasýsla. After making the dam for Djúpós, horticulture increased and Þykkvibær is a picturesque place in every way.
Þykkvibær is now known in Iceland for growing potatoes.
View
HELLA
Welcome to Rangárþing ytra, one of Iceland’s largest municipalities in terms of geographical size, with around 2000 residents. It is one of three municipalities in the county of Rangárvallasýsla, which lies across the middle of South Iceland and has many unique natural resources in the lowlands and highlands.
The volcanic zone lies across the municipality, including one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, Hekla, which stands at 1,491 m above sea level and has erupted six times over the last century, in 1947, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1991, and 2000. Some geothermal heat can be found in the region, not least in the area around Torfajökull, one of Iceland's most geothermally active areas.
The Veiðivötn lakes are located in Landmannaafréttur. Thousands of fishermen descend there every year, as the lakes are rich with Arctic char and trout. The Landmannaafréttur Fishing Association oversees aquaculture in Veiðivötn.
Ytri-Rangá, a popular fishing river, flows through the municipality. It´s one of the best salmon rivers in the country.
Many popular hiking trails can be found in Rangárþing ytra; the best known is Laugavegur. Another hiking trail, less known, is Hellismannaleið. Both are equally interesting.
All general services can be found in Rangárþing ytra, and the level of service is very high. The municipality has two nursery schools and two elementary schools, a healthcare centre, two swimming pools, grocery shops, a bank, auto repair shops, hotels, and a nursing and residential home.
The Icelandic horse has a place of honor in Rangárþing ytra, and activities related to the Icelandic horse are various. Other activities are, e.g., museums, Buggy tours, jeep tours, and fishing.
Further information on interesting places and activities can be found on this website.
View