Singh’s guidebook

Pritpal Singh
Pritpal Singh
Singh’s guidebook

Convenience Stores

Here you will find a list of towns which are most convenient to shop in before arriving to the cottage. Or should you need to go once you have arrived. If you wish to shop in Reykjavik there are plenty of supermarkets and stores. The stores in Reykjavik do tend to open later. The main supermarket chains here in Iceland are: Kronan, Bonus & Hagkaup
Mosfellsbær is one of the last towns leaving Reykjavík, it is a good idea to stop here for groceries. Alcohol is not sold in super markets, we have dedicated wine stores called Vínbuðin. There is also a Vínbuð in Mosfellsbær. The two largest super market chains Kronan & Bonus are also both located here. As well as a bakery and pharmacy.
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Mosfellsbær
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Mosfellsbær is one of the last towns leaving Reykjavík, it is a good idea to stop here for groceries. Alcohol is not sold in super markets, we have dedicated wine stores called Vínbuðin. There is also a Vínbuð in Mosfellsbær. The two largest super market chains Kronan & Bonus are also both located here. As well as a bakery and pharmacy.
Akranes is the closest town with supermarkets, pharmacy, restaurants, bakery and Vinbuðin (a store for alcohol). The town is a 15-20 minute drive away from the cottage and the last town you will pass when driving from Reykjavík. There is also an amazing bathing experience called Guðlaug Baths. At Langisandur Beach you can take a swim in the sea and enjoy the view from the comfort of Guðlaug Baths hot pools which can be found in Langisandur‘s rock garden.
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Akranes
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Akranes is the closest town with supermarkets, pharmacy, restaurants, bakery and Vinbuðin (a store for alcohol). The town is a 15-20 minute drive away from the cottage and the last town you will pass when driving from Reykjavík. There is also an amazing bathing experience called Guðlaug Baths. At Langisandur Beach you can take a swim in the sea and enjoy the view from the comfort of Guðlaug Baths hot pools which can be found in Langisandur‘s rock garden.
Borganes is a quaint little town located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður in Iceland and is the largest town in the Borgarbyggð municipality with a population of about 3800 residents. It is a main junction in Iceland and the gateway to the Snaefellsnes National Park and Peninsula. It has a supermarket and pharmacy and has some breath taking views as you drive towards the town.
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Borgarnes
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Borganes is a quaint little town located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður in Iceland and is the largest town in the Borgarbyggð municipality with a population of about 3800 residents. It is a main junction in Iceland and the gateway to the Snaefellsnes National Park and Peninsula. It has a supermarket and pharmacy and has some breath taking views as you drive towards the town.

The Golden Circle

This is a full day tour and you should plan your route carefully. The total route is approximately 300/400-Km depending on your route plan and sights you visit. Essentially it takes you in a circle in to the south and more centrally into Iceland, hence the name „Golden Circle“. The main sight seeing sights give you a taste of Iceland and just some of the natural beauty Iceland has to offer. You will see the impressive and powerful waterfall known as Gullfoss (The Golden Falls) as well as travel in to the very active geo-thermal hot spring area of Haukadalur where you will be able to witness the amazing spectacle of the active geysers. You will also visit Þingvellir (pronounced: Thingvellir) National Park where you can see the cultural, historical and geological importance of the site. Here you will also see the mid-atlantic ridge and the very clear sepration of where the American & Eurasion tectonic plates collide. Addtionally this site is also known for the Alþing (pronounced: Althing), the site of Icelands parliament from the 10th to 18th century. The parliament or Alþingi was established at Þingvellir in 930 and remained there until 1789.
Gullfoss is the furthest point from the cottage. The Hvítá river flows southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 metres or 36 feet, and 21 metres or 69 feet) into a crevice 32 metres (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 metres (66 ft) wide and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 141 cubic metres (5,000 cu ft) per second in the summer and 80 cubic metres (2,800 cu ft) per second in the winter. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site.
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Gullfoss Waterfall lookout
Gullfoss Parking
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Gullfoss is the furthest point from the cottage. The Hvítá river flows southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 metres or 36 feet, and 21 metres or 69 feet) into a crevice 32 metres (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 metres (66 ft) wide and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 141 cubic metres (5,000 cu ft) per second in the summer and 80 cubic metres (2,800 cu ft) per second in the winter. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site.
The research of sinter shows that Geysir has been active for approximately 10,000 years. The oldest accounts of hot springs at Haukadalur date back to 1294, when earthquakes in the area caused significant changes in local neighbouring landscape creating several new hot springs. Changes in the activity of Geysir and the surrounding geysers are strongly related to earthquake activity. This is a true spectacle and a very interesting stop. There is an opportunity to stop for lunch and bathrooms at this location. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site.
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Geysir
Haukadalsvegur
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The research of sinter shows that Geysir has been active for approximately 10,000 years. The oldest accounts of hot springs at Haukadalur date back to 1294, when earthquakes in the area caused significant changes in local neighbouring landscape creating several new hot springs. Changes in the activity of Geysir and the surrounding geysers are strongly related to earthquake activity. This is a true spectacle and a very interesting stop. There is an opportunity to stop for lunch and bathrooms at this location. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site.
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It's known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site. Please also note that you have to pay for parking.
Thingvellir Visitor Center
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. It's known for the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures like the huge Almannagjá fault. There is also a restaurant, visitor centre and bathrooms on-site. Please also note that you have to pay for parking.
Friðheimar is a tomato farm. They have a restaurant on site and do an amazing tomato soup. This is a great location to stop for refreshments and nourishment. They do get busy, advanced reservations are highly recommended. Friðheimar is very much a family affair, run by Knútur Rafn Ármann and his wife Helena Hermundardóttir. He is an agronomist from Hólar University College in north Iceland, while she is a horticulturalist from Reykir Horticultural College. Their five children, Dóróthea, Karítas, Matthías Jens, Arnaldur and Tómas Ingi, all play an active part in the family business.
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Friðheimar
Friðheimar
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Friðheimar is a tomato farm. They have a restaurant on site and do an amazing tomato soup. This is a great location to stop for refreshments and nourishment. They do get busy, advanced reservations are highly recommended. Friðheimar is very much a family affair, run by Knútur Rafn Ármann and his wife Helena Hermundardóttir. He is an agronomist from Hólar University College in north Iceland, while she is a horticulturalist from Reykir Horticultural College. Their five children, Dóróthea, Karítas, Matthías Jens, Arnaldur and Tómas Ingi, all play an active part in the family business.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the Grímssnes area in south Iceland, along the Golden Circle. It is one of several crater lakes in the area, known as Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone, which includes the Reykjanes peninsula and the Langjökull Glacier, created as the land moved over a localized hotspot, but it is the one that has the most visually recognizable caldera still intact. There is a small fee to pay to visit this site.
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Keridin kraatteri
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Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the Grímssnes area in south Iceland, along the Golden Circle. It is one of several crater lakes in the area, known as Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone, which includes the Reykjanes peninsula and the Langjökull Glacier, created as the land moved over a localized hotspot, but it is the one that has the most visually recognizable caldera still intact. There is a small fee to pay to visit this site.
Öxarárfoss is a waterfall situated within Þingvellir National Park in Southwest Iceland. Explore this region on a tour of the Golden Circle and enjoy the view of Oxararfoss waterfall. The waterfall flows out the river Öxará, cascading in two drops over the cliffs of Almannagjá gorge, which marks the eastern boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Öxarárfoss
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Öxarárfoss is a waterfall situated within Þingvellir National Park in Southwest Iceland. Explore this region on a tour of the Golden Circle and enjoy the view of Oxararfoss waterfall. The waterfall flows out the river Öxará, cascading in two drops over the cliffs of Almannagjá gorge, which marks the eastern boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Local Sightseeing

Glymur is our local spectacle. The hike through the canyon to the waterfall can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours depending on your capabilities. It is a moderate - difficult hike and should strictly be attempted in summer months only. Be sure to dress accordingly and pack provisions including water. There are 2 river crossings so be prepared to get your feet wet. It is advised to take a second pair of shoes you do not mind getting wet, the rocks are sharp in the river bed and are painful to walk barefoot. Please be sure to take extra caution and do not attempt this in the winter! It is advised to research any hike and take all necessary precautions Glymur is the second-highest waterfall in Iceland, with a cascade of 198 m. It was long regarded as the tallest until being surpassed by Morsárfoss, a newly measured waterfall near Morsárjökull in 2011. The river Botnsá runs from the Hvalvatn lake and after a short distance the water falls down alongside the Hvalfell mountain into a steep canyon. The waterfall can be accessed from a parking area at the end of the road. Hikers can view the waterfall from marked paths on the east side of the river Botnsá.
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Glymur Waterfall
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Glymur is our local spectacle. The hike through the canyon to the waterfall can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours depending on your capabilities. It is a moderate - difficult hike and should strictly be attempted in summer months only. Be sure to dress accordingly and pack provisions including water. There are 2 river crossings so be prepared to get your feet wet. It is advised to take a second pair of shoes you do not mind getting wet, the rocks are sharp in the river bed and are painful to walk barefoot. Please be sure to take extra caution and do not attempt this in the winter! It is advised to research any hike and take all necessary precautions Glymur is the second-highest waterfall in Iceland, with a cascade of 198 m. It was long regarded as the tallest until being surpassed by Morsárfoss, a newly measured waterfall near Morsárjökull in 2011. The river Botnsá runs from the Hvalvatn lake and after a short distance the water falls down alongside the Hvalfell mountain into a steep canyon. The waterfall can be accessed from a parking area at the end of the road. Hikers can view the waterfall from marked paths on the east side of the river Botnsá.
Just a short drive away is the War and Peace museum. The unique and remarkable history of the occupation period in Iceland 1940-45 unfolds at the War and Peace Museum. The exhibition tells the story of how a peaceful countryside was transformed, in the context of world events and its importance to the victory of the Allies in World War 2. Here you can explore the collection of artefacts and feel the memories from this fateful time of upheaval. Open 1st June - 26th August: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 13:00 to 17:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Hlaðir - War and Peace Museum
Hvalfjarðarvegur
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Just a short drive away is the War and Peace museum. The unique and remarkable history of the occupation period in Iceland 1940-45 unfolds at the War and Peace Museum. The exhibition tells the story of how a peaceful countryside was transformed, in the context of world events and its importance to the victory of the Allies in World War 2. Here you can explore the collection of artefacts and feel the memories from this fateful time of upheaval. Open 1st June - 26th August: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 13:00 to 17:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
"Hot pools at Langisandur Beach, Akranes, overlooking the ocean. At the beach you can bathe and swim in the ocean and enjoy the view from the comfort of Guðlaug Baths located in the rockgarden. Parking at Akraneshöllin. Guðlaug Baths has three levels. The third level is a viewing platform with gorgeous views over the sea and often to Reykjavík. Underneath, on the second level is the larger and hotter of the two pools along with showers and activity/equipment space. Finally, on the lowest level is a shallow wading pool. Stairs join the three levels together and also provide access down to the beach. Guðlaug Baths can be defined as a natural pool or a leisure pool. Additionally, there are changing rooms and outdoor showers for guests to use."
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Guðlaug Baths
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"Hot pools at Langisandur Beach, Akranes, overlooking the ocean. At the beach you can bathe and swim in the ocean and enjoy the view from the comfort of Guðlaug Baths located in the rockgarden. Parking at Akraneshöllin. Guðlaug Baths has three levels. The third level is a viewing platform with gorgeous views over the sea and often to Reykjavík. Underneath, on the second level is the larger and hotter of the two pools along with showers and activity/equipment space. Finally, on the lowest level is a shallow wading pool. Stairs join the three levels together and also provide access down to the beach. Guðlaug Baths can be defined as a natural pool or a leisure pool. Additionally, there are changing rooms and outdoor showers for guests to use."
This is the very local swimming pool, just a 5-10 minute drive away. Opening hours are limited and you should check their fb page for opening hours.
Sundlaugin Hlöðum
This is the very local swimming pool, just a 5-10 minute drive away. Opening hours are limited and you should check their fb page for opening hours.

The Snaefellsness Peninsula - West Coast Iceland

You have to plan this day and route carefully. There is so much to see you may not get to cover everything. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a region in western Iceland known for its dramatic landscapes. At its western tip, Snæfellsjökull National Park is dominated by Snæfellsjökull Volcano, which is topped by a glacier. Nearby, a trail leads through lava fields to black-pebble Djúpalónssandur Beach. In Stykkishólmur fishing village, the 19th-century wood-frame Norwegian House is a regional museum with a craft shop.
For a little but of fun and Icelandic folklore this is a great site to stop. There are some trolls lurking around, be careful. Take the troll walk and learn about trolls and folk tales. Nearby are Troll Waterfalls; in the cliffs next to them, the formation of a troll face can be seen amongst the rocks. For those staying at the hotel, there is a troll walk, where visitors can learn many local tales while enjoying the verdant countryside. The beautiful Skessuhorn mountain dominates the scenery, and the rushing river Grímsá is an excellent place to watch salmon jumping in summer.
Fossatún
Borgarfjarðarbraut
For a little but of fun and Icelandic folklore this is a great site to stop. There are some trolls lurking around, be careful. Take the troll walk and learn about trolls and folk tales. Nearby are Troll Waterfalls; in the cliffs next to them, the formation of a troll face can be seen amongst the rocks. For those staying at the hotel, there is a troll walk, where visitors can learn many local tales while enjoying the verdant countryside. The beautiful Skessuhorn mountain dominates the scenery, and the rushing river Grímsá is an excellent place to watch salmon jumping in summer.
Kirkjufell is a 463 m high hill on the north coast of Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country. Kirkjufell was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones season 6 and 7, featuring as the "arrowhead mountain" that the Hound and the company north of the Wall see when capturing a wight.
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Kirkjufell Mountain
Snæfellsnesvegur
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Kirkjufell is a 463 m high hill on the north coast of Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country. Kirkjufell was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones season 6 and 7, featuring as the "arrowhead mountain" that the Hound and the company north of the Wall see when capturing a wight.
Photographic hotspot with panoramic views of an iconic waterfall & distinctly shaped mountain.
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Kirkjufellsfossin vesiputous
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Photographic hotspot with panoramic views of an iconic waterfall & distinctly shaped mountain.
Stykkishólmur is a beautiful town and municipality situated in the western part of Iceland, in the northern part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a center of services and commerce for the area. Most of the people make their living from fishing and tourism.
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Stykkishólmur
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Stykkishólmur is a beautiful town and municipality situated in the western part of Iceland, in the northern part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a center of services and commerce for the area. Most of the people make their living from fishing and tourism.
This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefell- and Dalir Deanery. Until 1878 the hamlet belonged to the Helgafell benefice, when a new parish for the people there was established. The old church of the small town has been renovated and still protrudes into the main street. It was built in 1879. The new church is a concrete architectural adventure with seats for 300 people. It was consecrated in 1980 and has been used as a concert hall as well from the beginning. Its stands rather high and is very prominent from land and sea.
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Stykkishólmskirkja Church In Iceland
Borgarbraut
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This church belongs to the Stykkisholmur benefice in the Snaefell- and Dalir Deanery. Until 1878 the hamlet belonged to the Helgafell benefice, when a new parish for the people there was established. The old church of the small town has been renovated and still protrudes into the main street. It was built in 1879. The new church is a concrete architectural adventure with seats for 300 people. It was consecrated in 1980 and has been used as a concert hall as well from the beginning. Its stands rather high and is very prominent from land and sea.