Tourist Attractions & Monuments Iceland

Álftanes is a town in Iceland, about 10 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik. The town stretches along the Bessastaðatjörn marine lake, where the official residence of the President of Iceland, Bessastaðir, is located. Álftanes has a rich history, being one of Iceland's first colonized territories. Over the centuries, the peninsula has become an important part of the country's history, hosting the 12th-century saga writer Snorri Sturluson. Today, Álftanes is an interesting tourist destination, with points of interest such as the Bessastaðir church, which can be visited, and the shores of Lake Bessastaðatjörn offering panoramic views of the surrounding towns of Garðabaer and Kópavogur. Visitors can also take advantage of bus links to get around the region, and Keflavík international airport is around 40 kilometers from the city center.

Austurland, also known as East Iceland, is a region of Iceland characterized by small villages, spectacular coastlines, narrow fjords, waterfalls and mountains. Nature is always close by, and the scenery is breathtaking. The region offers exceptional outdoor experiences all year round. There's a wide variety of some of Europe's best hiking trails, as well as rugged and exciting high plateaus. Highlights include the Stuðlagil canyon, Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður, the Hengifoss waterfall, birdwatching at Hafnarhólmi, the Hólmanes nature reserve and the Vök baths. Visitors can also enjoy local festivals, museums, cultural centers and art festivals. For relaxation, there are swimming pools and spas, as well as numerous restaurants and accommodations such as hotels, guesthouses, inns and cottages. Austurland is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

If you're staying overnight and fancy a short walk, take the Bakkavegur road from the harbour to reach the hiking trail that leads to the edge of the cliffs. Mostly frequented by locals, this picturesque footpath is a haven of tranquillity where lupines thrive in fine weather. Nevertheless, it's best to take closed shoes, especially if it's raining, as there are many rocks that can be slippery. Be careful not to get too close to the edge, as there is a risk of falling.

This area (now located near Highway 59) belonged to Höskuldur Dalakollsson and his wife Jórunn, whose progeny appears prominently in many sagas. Their daughter is only Hallgerður to the Long Legs, wife of Gunnar de Hlídarendi in the Saga of Njáll le Brûlé. The Saga of the Val-au-Salmon staged Bolli Þorleiksson, the son of Þorleikur, the legitimate son of Höskuldur. But Höskuldur also has an illegitimate son, Ólafur le Paon, with an Irish slave who, herself, is the illegitimate daughter of an Irish king…

From the Naustavegur road, a footpath leads through the marshes of Tjarnarhólsmýri. In the cliffs of Hamrahamrar, behind Naustaborgir, an interesting flora grows in the stones.

A hiking path leads from Leirhnjúkur to the crater Hófur. It takes 1 hour round trip.