Located on Iceland’s Ring Road, Hvolsvöllur is one of the only towns in the country not located by the coast or on a river. It provided the backdrop to one of the most well-known Icelandic sagas, which explores the blood feuds that took place here during the 10th and 11th centuries.
Things to do in Hvolsvöllur
Don’t miss the Saga Centre, which houses a permanent exhibition titled “The Story of Burnt Njáll”. Aside from detailing the main characters and storyline of this legendary saga, it houses exhibits about Viking cosmology and the literary arts in Iceland. Also within the Saga Centre is an exhibition about the country’s history of trade and a model of one of the world’s oldest parliaments, Alþingi.
Hvolsvöllur is also home to the Lava Centre, an interactive museum that explores the natural forces behind the volcanoes and earthquakes that shape the country. In the cinema, you can watch some of the volcanic eruptions that have taken place over the last century. Before you leave, visit the Rammagerdin gift shop, which is well-stocked with Icelandic design objects.
A short drive east of Hvolsvöllur is the Drangurinn Rock, a giant boulder at the base of the Eyjafjöll Mountains that is shrouded in Icelandic folklore. Combine your visit with a stop at the Seljavallalaug, a 1928-built outdoor swimming pool offering magnificent views across the surrounding landscape. Also nearby is Seljalandsfoss, a 60-metre-high waterfall you can walk behind.
Getting around Hvolsvöllur
Hvolsvöllur is around a 1.5-hour drive from Reykjavík and two hours from Keflavik International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Hvolsvöllur and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.