About the cities of Iceland

05/08/2022

Selfoss (Icelandic pronunciation: ​[ˈsɛlˌfɔsː]) is a town in southern Iceland on the banks of the Ölfusá river. It is the seat of the municipality of Árborg. The Icelandic Route 1 runs through the town on its way between Hveragerði and Hella. The town is a centre of commerce and small industries with a population of 9000 (2021), making it the largest residential area in South Iceland.
Geography
Selfoss is located about 11 km inland from the southwestern coast of Iceland, and 50 km from Reykjavík. It is the major town and the administrative seat of the Southern Region. The closest other towns are Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri and Hveragerði.

Climate
Similar to the rest of the southern coast of Iceland, Selfoss has a subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfc) with cool summers and cold winters, although relatively mild for its high latitude. Precipitation is abundant year round, with October usually seeing the most precipitation.
History
Overview
Selfoss was settled by Þórir Ásason sometime after 1000, but the Sagas of Icelanders mention that Ingólfur Arnarson was there during the winter of 873-74, under the Ingólfsfjall mountain, which is west of the Ölfusá river.

In the summer of 1891, due to the lobbying of Tryggvi Gunnarsson, a member of the Alþing, the first suspension bridge was built over the Ölfusá. That was a major breakthrough in Icelandic infrastructure. The bridge made the town a logical centre for services for the surrounding agricultural region. The current bridge was built in 1945 after the original structure collapsed.

In 1900, the town was home to only 40 inhabitants, but by 2011 the population had climbed to 6,500.

In 1931, the dairy firm Mjólkurbú Flóamanna and general store Kaupfélag Árnesinga were established. The two companies were the main employers in the area for several decades. During World War II the British stationed troops at Selfoss to guard the strategic bridge.

Present day
Today, with more efficient transportation, Selfoss benefits from its proximity to the Reykjavík area and is predicted to grow further in the coming years as businesses and residents relocate to the town because of lower property prices. This has also led to many relocating their homes from Reykjavík to the much calmer Selfoss. It enjoys low rates of unemployment and is the home of one of the largest colleges in the country; FSU Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands. In early August, the town holds a festival called "Sumar á Selfossi", meaning "Summer in Selfoss". Local residents decorate their gardens with ribbons, coloured according to neighbourhood, and a fete is held on the public grassland behind the civic library. The fete involves the selling of homemade goods on small stalls, performances by musicians and magicians on a temporary stage, and in 2011, a "Strongest Man" competition was held, with video recording by Icelandic television channel Stöð 2. In the evening, the revelry continues with a large bonfire and free fireworks display.

Former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer is buried near Selfoss at Laugardælir cemetery.[5]

05/08/2022

Húsavík (Icelandic pronunciation: ​[ˈhuːsaˌviːk]) is a town in Norðurþing municipality on the north coast of Iceland on the shores of Skjálfandi bay with 2,307[1] inhabitants. The most famous landmark of the town is the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907. Húsavík is served by Húsavík Airport.
Income is derived from tourism and fishing, as well as retail and small industry. Until recently, Húsavík was the export harbour for silica that was extracted from nearby lake Mývatn.

According to the Landnámabók ("Book of Settlement"), Húsavík was the first place in Iceland to be settled by a Norseman. The Swedish Viking Garðar Svavarsson stayed there for one winter around 870 A.D. When he left the island in spring of 870, after a winter's stay, he left behind a man named Náttfari and two slaves, a man and a woman, and they established a farm here.[2] The name of the town means "bay of houses", probably referring to Garðar's homestead, which may have been the only houses then in Iceland.

Húsavík has become a centre of whale watching in Iceland due to whales of different species that frequently enter the bay. The Húsavík Whale Museum is located in the town centre by the harbour. [3]

In town there is also a civic museum about culture and biology. Among other things, it shows a stuffed polar bear (arrived in Grímsey in 1969) and ancient boats.

Each year in mid July, Húsavík holds a festival called Mærudagar [ˈmaiːrʏˌtaːɣar̥], which translates to “Candy Days”. Thousands of people from all over Iceland come to the tiny town to enjoy this occasion which consists of music, colourful decorations, and an array of food and drink.

Húsavík is also home to The Exploration Museum, a museum about the history of human exploration. A monument honouring the Apollo astronauts that trained around Húsavík during the 1960s is located outside the museum.[4]

The Eurovision Museum, dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest, had its soft opening in October 2021. An official grand opening will happen sometime in 2022.[5]

The region of Mývatn, with its interesting geology and diverse animal life, is nearby. Jökulsárgljúfur National Park with the horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi and the waterfalls Dettifoss, Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss is also not far from the town.

05/08/2022

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Зеркало Природы. 🌿🌲🌳

03/08/2022

Hafnarfjörður takes its name (meaning harbour fjord) from the area's excellent natural harbour.

The town is built on top of Holocene lava fields erupted from the nearby Krýsuvík volcanic system, including the 8000-year-old Búrfellshraun and the much younger 2000-year-old Óbrinnishólabruni. There have been no new lava flows on the site since before the Settlement of Iceland, but the Krýsuvík system is still an active volcano, last erupting in 2021 at Fagradalsfjall further to the southwest.

Hafnarfjörður is first named in the medieval Landnámabók, and the earliest reports of voyages to Hafnarfjörður date from the end of the 14th century. Englishmen began trading in Hafnarfjörður in the 15th century, but German merchants followed in their wake and eventually drove the English out. In German documents, Hafnarfjörður was mentioned for the first time in 1391, and in another German document dating from 1486 the place was described as a trading place of merchants from Hamburg for the first time.[2] The town of Hafnarfjörður became an official member of the Hanseatic League. The first Lutheran church in Iceland was raised at Háigrandi [ˈhauːɪˌkrantɪ], opposite Óseyri [ˈouːsˌeiːrɪ], just outside the small boat harbour in 1533. After that, the Hanseatic traders prevailed in town until 1602, based at Hvaleyri [ˈkʰvaːlˌeiːrɪ]. At this point, the Danish monarchy established a Danish trade monopoly in Iceland which lasted until late in the 18th century. During this period, Hafnarfjörður was the nation's busiest trade centre.

In 1793, Bjarni Sívertsen settled here and became influential in local business and international trade, setting up a major commercial fishing operation. His enterprise and initiative signalled the start of impressive commerce in the town. Ever since, he has been called "the father of Hafnarfjörður" and nicknamed "Sir Bjarni". His house in Vesturgata street, built in 1803, was transformed into a museum (Sívertsenshús). Around 1870, dramatic changes took place in Icelandic fishing. Residents followed the growing trend in Iceland of using decked boats rather than row-boats. This led to even more employment and rapid growth, and Hafnarfjörður was the fifth town in Iceland to attain official municipal status in 1908. The first mayor was Páll Einarsson, who later became the mayor of Reykjavík. The first road between Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður was finished in 1898. The first hydrological power plant in Iceland was built in Hafnarfjörður in 1904.

In 1890 Hafnarfjörður had 616 inhabitants and it was one of the largest towns in Iceland.[3] When Hafnarfjörður attained official municipal status on 1 June 1908 it had 1 400 inhabitants.[4] In 1920 Hafnarfjörður had 2 366 inhabitants, in 1940 3 686, in 1960 7 160 and in 1980 12 312.[5]

The Coot, Iceland's first trawler, operated from Hafnarfjörður between 1905 and 1908.[6] Its boiler stands by the roundabout on the junction of Reykjavíkurvegur, Strandgata and Vesturgata. A harbour for large commercial ships was raised in 1912, and the first car arrived in 1913.

After World War II, more advanced trawlers and numerous motorised ships were added to the fleet. The town's first stern trawler appeared in 1973. Today, Hafnarfjörður is one of the nation's largest fishing centres and the site of Iceland's first fish wholesalers' auction market. Through the years, Hafnarfjörður's dynamic local economy has been strongly linked to fishing, although freight transport has recently become the major harbour activity. And now, the town is Iceland's second-ranked import and export harbour. Hafnarfjörður is the third largest town of Iceland, after Reykjavík and Kópavogur.

03/08/2022

THE HISTORY OF AKRANES
Akranes is a small harbor on the west coast of Iceland. Located near the capital, Reykjavik, this hamlet is just a 45-minute drive away. Akranes was founded as a small settlement way back in the 9th century by two brothers, Þórmóður and Ketill, who hailed from Ireland. For centuries, Akranes remained a quiet town without any major activity. Like most coastal villages in Iceland, fishing was the main occupation of Akranes. During the 17th century, it developed into a fishing village. In 1942, Akranes became a municipality and saw a sudden rise in population. Industries started coming up, making the city prosperous.
However, only in recent years, people have started eyeing Akranes as an interesting tourist spot. So, the city now witnesses a string of travelers who come here to enjoy the authentic feel of an Icelandic fishing town.

Be it natural beauty or food, Akranes has many gems waiting to be discovered. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday, it is the ideal place to unwind.

Akranes has made a foray into several music videos and films too. In the movie Fast and Furious 8, several scenes were filmed in the old abandoned cement factory of Akranes.

Olafur Arnolds filmed a part of the video Old Skin at the famed Akranes lighthouse.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AKRANES
Two Irish brothers first settled in the area of Akranes. In the 17th century, the fishing town was formed.

Akranes has a population of around 7000 people, which is quite large compared to other Icelandic towns. The city is continuing with its growth as more and more people are calling it their home.

The people of Akranes are big fans of soccer, and hence the town has a soccer team.

The drive from Reykjavik has been shortened by an undersea tunnel, which was opened in 1996. You can take that pass for free to reach the town quickly.
WHAT TO DO IN AKRANES
Now we come to the most interesting part—why visit Akranes? What are the things to do? Let’s give you a quick introduction to the major attractions of the town and its neighborhood.

Guðlaug Baths - Baths located at Langisandur Beach is a real architectural marvel. Designed by the Basalt Architects, the baths are constructed in three stages: a viewing dock on top, a warm geothermal pool in the middle, and a cooler pool at the bottom. The smart design allows enjoying baths while admiring the rock-covered beach.

Akranesviti – What are the most common photos of Iceland you have seen? Lighthouses, right? Iceland and lighthouses are almost synonymous. Iceland has a long and rugged coastline, and to protect the sailors since medieval times, lighthouses were erected at various spots. Akranesviti is one such old and fascinating lighthouse that you must visit.

The most exciting thing about this lighthouse is that you can climb to the top to get a 360° view of the surroundings. The stunning landscape deserves your attention. The sea below is wild due to the waves breaking in from different directions.

The different levels of the lighthouse are dedicated to separate activities like exhibiting works of local artists and holding concerts.

Akranes Folk Museum – If you are interested to know the history of Akranes, this is the best place to invest your time. You will learn about the history of fishing and farming in the area. The museum holds exhibitions that throw light on the social development of the town. There are old houses and old boats that you can see.

The museum gives its visitors an insight into the lives of Icelanders from the 1900s.
Akrafjall Mountain – This solo mountain is in the Akranes peninsula in between the coastlines of Leirarvogur Bay and Hvalfjordur Fjord. The distinct shape makes it eye-catching and a prime attraction for visitors. Hiking on it is a dream for most hikers. You will be rewarded amply when you reach the top. The sweeping views of the peninsula and the adjoining areas are worth the effort.

The Akranes pool – If you love swimming, the local pool will give you the scope to splash around merrily. Have a great family outing at the local pool.

FESTIVALS OF AKRANES
Iceland is a country of colorful festivals that are related to the tradition of the country. Akranes also celebrates these with great enthusiasm.

Sailor's Day – Since the sailing history of the country goes back centuries, the people celebrate the 1st Sunday of June as Sailor's Day. Akranes, being a harbor town, revels in the day. You will love to witness people playing games and enjoying musical acts and dances. It’s hard to resist when everyone around you is rejoicing.

17th June is Iceland’s National Day, and the whole country gets excited about it. You will see colorful parades in Akranes along with artistic acts. It’s great to see people roaming around in their finest attire and savoring cotton candy.

Irish Days is a fascinating event that commemorates the Celtic heritage of the town. It is observed on the first weekend of July. People, dressed in Lopapeysa, the Icelandic sweater, party the whole day. The most exciting part of the day is the competition on who has the reddest hair.

FOOD FOR PLEASURE – WHERE TO EAT IN AKRANES?
Akranes promises a memorable trip for your taste buds too. You can try different cuisines here to make your holiday more enjoyable.

If you are looking for healthy food along with good variety, Café Kaja is the right place for you. Most tourists are satisfied with its quality, and you can check out their reviews.

The best place to try traditional Icelandic coffee shop delicacies is Skokkin Café.

Is your heart craving cheesy pizza? Do you want to try lobster? Galito will satiate all your foodie demands.

Lesbokin Café – Head to this place for delicious coffee along with bread and soup.

We all love to try fancy items like lobster pasta or lobster soup. Gamla Kaupfelagid is the answer to all such cravings. It serves fantastic food.

Iceland is known for its baked delicacies, and Brauð og Kökugerðin is the place to try them. Munch on goodies that you have always wanted to taste.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN AKRANES
The place offers simple accommodations where you can put up during your vacation.

Akranes HI Hostel is the best hostel in the area.

If you are looking for apartments, guesthouses, and B&Bs, there are a few options:

Gallery Guesthouse
Akra Guesthouse
Teigur guesthouse
Melur Guesthouse
CAMPING IN AKRANES
Campers find Akranes delightful. The campsite is at Kalmansvik, a picturesque bay on the outskirts of the town. The views are a great draw for campers. The place also offers good services, including washing machines, showers, toilets, electricity, and dryers. The camping ground is open during summer.

PLACES TO CHECK OUT NEAR AKRANES
There are plenty of places to visit in and around Akranes. Here are a few of them that will make your Akranes Iceland tour more exciting:

GLYMUR WATERFALL
Perfect for a day trip, the waterfall entices visitors with its gigantic fall and a trail full of adventure. The water tumbles down 198 m, creating the second-largest waterfall in Iceland. The hike promises plenty of challenges and breathtaking views once you reach the top.

HVALFJORDUR
Iceland is the country of natural wonders, and fjords are a testimony to these. While touring this country, don’t miss Hvalfjordur. Often referred to as the Whale fjord, this place has many lures for tourists. There is a naval base, a thermal pool, waterfalls, and spots with outstanding scenic beauty. Nature has endowed it abundantly, and you will have a lovely time here.

BORGARNES
History comes to life in this small city located on the Borgarfjordur Fjord. The scenic beauty of this town is unmatched. The thriving culture of the city showcases the age-old heritage of the country.

Along with these major tourist spots, you can also include Krauma geothermal baths and Reykholt in your Akranes Iceland vacation.

The colorful façade of Akranes is sure to steal your heart. Although small, the historic city is full of legends, beautiful spots, and a cultural heritage that impresses everyone. Make sure to include Akranes in your tour itinerary to enjoy a slice of Icelandic life and culture.

01/08/2022

Egilsstadir Town Guide
Egilsstaðir is one of the largest towns in the Eastfjords of Iceland and one of the most important hubs for trade and service in the region. In this article, I’ll tell you a little bit about the major attractions in the Egilsstaðir area.
General info
Although Egilsstaðir is one of the largest towns in the eastern region of Iceland, its population is in fact only 2,500. The town is located on the banks of the Lagarfljót river, and is thus one of only few large towns in Iceland that are not situated by the sea.

Egilsstaðir is one of the youngest settlements in Iceland and, due to its location, has no history of fishing or seafaring. Most of the inhabitants of Egilsstaðir work in the nearby Kárahnjúkar plant or in the aluminium smelting plant in Reyðarfjörður. Tourism is on the rise too, although the eastern region of Iceland has generally not seen nearly as many tourists as the rest of the country.
How to get there
By car: It is possible to drive from Reykjavik to Egilsstaðir in one day. The total driving time is around eight hours. You should note that driving conditions in the Eastfjords aren’t always ideal, especially during the wintertime. You should be cautious and always have a look at the website of The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration for the most recent updates on road conditions.
By airplane: There is a domestic airport in Egilsstaðir, which means that you can fly straight from the capital. There are several flights each day and the flying time is one hour. You can check out the schedule here.
By bus: It is possible to go to Egilsstaðir by bus but the whole trips takes 10,5 hours. The ticket is in my opinion rather expensive, it costs one person 18,400 ISK (around 150 USD) to go just one way. Further details can be found on Strætó's website.
Climate
The climate in Egilsstaðir is a bit different from the capital city. The winters are a bit colder but the summers tend to be warmer. During the summer, it’s not uncommon to see significantly higher temperatures in the Eastfjords than in the southern and western parts of the island. This June, for instance, the temperatures reached 70 degrees F in the Eastfjords while they were just around 50 degrees F in the capital. You can read more about the climate in Egilsstaðir here.

29/07/2022

Akureyri
Iceland
Akureyri, town, northern Iceland. It lies at the southern end of Eyja Fjord. Akureyri is the chief centre of the north and is one of the island’s most populous urban centres outside the Reykjavík metropolitan area. While primarily a commercial and distributing centre, Akureyri is also a fishing port, agricultural market, and manufacturing centre for fish and dairy products. Ironworking, woodworking, and shipbuilding are all significant industries. The town has a university, a graduate school for renewable-energy science, a marine biology research centre, an airport, botanical gardens, and several museums. Pop. (2006 est.) 16,534.

29/07/2022

Westfjords
The remote Westfjords are a distinct region in Iceland that differ from the rest of the country both historically and geologically, with rock formations up to 14 million years old. Actually, the Westfjords are the oldest part of Iceland!
They are the so-called “head” of the monster that many see when they look at Iceland on a map. In the Westfjords, land meets sea in the most dramatic terms imaginable, with sheer mountains rising from the sea and deep fjords dotted with occasional fishing villages snuggling against the slender seaboard.

The Westfjords are the most scattered populated region of Iceland. Nowadays with many farms deserted and enormous plains of land without any (human) inhabitants. Driving around the fjords you can spend an hour without seeing a single settlement, with only the company of eagles, sheep and the occasional arctic fox!
The population of the Westfjords is about 6.780 (2017) however in 1920 it was at 13.443 and, the biggest of the settlements is Isafjordur. Often dubbed the capital of the Westfjords.

Things to do in Westfjords
Hiking
Bird watching
Sea Kayaking
Take Road Trips
Skiing
Chase Waterfalls
Bath in Natural Hot Springs
Visit the Arctic Fox Center
Find inner peace at Rauðisandur beach
Isafjordur is the main town in this region, Capital of the West, with a population of over 3500 people. It is known for its excellent restaurants as well as being an artsy yet sporty town. However many of its neighboring villages are also worth the visit. Many of which have great museums or historical features of their own. Some of our favorite ones are Bolungarvik with its Natural history museum, Holmavik with its Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft museum and Bildudalur with its Sea Monster Museum.

The possibility for activities in this part of Iceland are endless. In the wintertime, extreme sport enthusiasts travel to the area for sport activities such as heli-skiing, where you ski straight from the top of the mountain down to the sea. Mountain biking, hiking, paragliding, mountaineering, you name it, Westfjords can serve it all.
For calmer activities, there are several golf courses in the region, and sea kayaking is a peaceful way to spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque fjords. Outdoor bathing in natural hot springs is a common activity enjoyed in the Westfjords, which has many hidden bathing spots in remote locations. Many locals spend their summer months in the Westfjords hiking the countless mountains and ridges that dominate the area. One of the more popular hikes to do is in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve which offers breathtaking views and serenity without comparison!

For the animal lovers, the Arctic Fox Center is a guaranteed hit where the usually wild animals have grown to be affectionate and playful with humans and other animals. This place will make your cheeks ache with adorableness.

Fun Facts about the Westfjords
The towns and municipalities in Westfjords are called: Reykhólahreppur, Vesturbyggð, Tálknafjarðarhreppur, Bolungarvík, Ísafjarðarbær, Súðavíkurhreppur, Árneshreppur, Kaldrananeshreppur, Strandabyggð and Bæjarhreppur. Try saying those out loud!
The Westfjords are the oldest part of Iceland.
You can fly from Reykjavík to the Westfjords in under an hour.
In winter, some days go by without any sunlight reaching down the mountain slopes and into the villages. No wonder the locals like to hike!
The Westfjords have one glacier, Drangajokull.
The largest town in the Westfjords has less than 4000 people living there.
In fall time the western hills turn blue with blueberries and crowberries which grow wild every year from the end of August-early October. They are good until the first frost!
Culture and history in Westfjords
If you want a bit of social life and culture in your visit to the Westfjords, Isafjordur is a scene for plenty of social activities, with several cafés, a thriving harbor and annual festivals such as the commercial weekend Swamp Soccer Tournament and the Easter-weekend music festival Aldrei fór ég suður.
Although the Westfjords are the least active volcanic zones in Iceland at this time they offer excellent natural sources of hot water bubbling from the ground. Thankfully, for us, this means even more swimming pools than usual. A ration which is already pretty high in Iceland. This means that any little village or hamlet will have their own pool and even some farms! Make sure to keep a lookout for the signs and ask the locals. In our self-drive tour guiding apps you can also find amazing information on these sorts of inside info!

The Westfjords were renowned in the olden times for sorcerers and wizards, and today the village of Holmavik hosts an exhibition on the matter that might make for an unusual experience.

Birdlife in Westfjords
The Westfjords are rich in birdlife, the birds outnumber the inhabitants many times over. One can see the seabirds on their rugged cliffs and the Arctic foxes in their lairs. Breidafjordur is a mecca for birdwatchers, and there you will find the three largest bird cliffs in Europe. The most known one being Latrabjarg which also happens to be the westernmost point of Europe!
Many records were broken when this paradise of a place was made. However, when visiting it is important to follow instructions carefully and make sure not to get too close to the brim. There is a reason why only the flying kind of beings choose this place as their home.

Nature attractions in Westfjords
One of the most spectacular and majestic waterfalls in Iceland is Dynjandi, located in Arnarfjordur fjord. For that sight alone, a trip to the Westfjords is worth it. The way it cascades down the steep mountain steeps without a doubt makes it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
Another spot we can’t help but mention twice is Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. It deserves as much. It’s rather remote and off limits to all motorized traffic, so the pure and wild nature makes it an ideal destination for hikers and nature lovers alike.

On the southern shore of the Westfjords is the Raudasandur beach, meaning ‘The Red Sand Beach’. A lot of people associate Iceland only with black beaches, but Raudasandur beach throws that assumption out the window, with its golden and red colours set in magnificent surroundings of black cliffs and blue ocean.
For more detailed information about attractions, villages and activities in the Westfjords be sure to go through our destination guide.

29/07/2022

Wonderful )

Бора-Бора – небольшой остров Французской Полинезии в южной части Тихого океана

29/07/2022

Beautiful )

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