Two Icelandic stories in old Borgarnes buildings

The Settlement Center occupies two of Borgarnes's oldest buildings near the waterfront. One exhibition introduces Iceland's first settlers; the other follows Egils Saga, whose people and places are closely tied to Borgarfjörður.

This is a story-led museum rather than a hall of archaeological objects. Sets, carved figures and an audio guide carry the visit, giving travelers a clear introduction without requiring previous knowledge of Icelandic history or the sagas.

About the museum

Photo guide

The Settlement Center in photos

The museum is strongest when you have time to follow the staged story, not only glance at the displays.

A boat scene inside the Settlement Exhibition at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes.

The museum is strongest when you have time to follow the staged story, not only glance at the displays.

The Settlement Exhibition gives the wider history

The first exhibition explains the migration to Iceland and the world the settlers entered. The presentation uses scenes and narration to turn a broad historical period into a short, chronological story.

Carved figures and staged scenes support the narrated settlement story.
Carved figures depicting early Icelandic settlers inside the Settlement Center

Carved figures and staged scenes support the narrated settlement story.

It works well at the start of a West Iceland trip because names and historic sites around Borgarfjörður make more sense once you know who settled the region and why their stories survived.

Egils Saga is the local half of the visit

The second exhibition narrows the story to Egill Skalla-Grímsson, the poet and warrior at the center of Egils Saga. His family's connection to Borgarnes gives this part of the museum a strong local setting.

The Egils Saga exhibition uses dramatic sculptural details rather than a conventional display-case format.
Animal-head exhibit detail in the Egils Saga exhibition at the Settlement Center

The Egils Saga exhibition uses dramatic sculptural details rather than a conventional display-case format.

You do not need to have read the saga first. The audio guide supplies the essential characters and events, while readers who already know the story gain a clearer sense of its Borgarfjörður geography.

Allow about an hour for both exhibitions

The museum estimates about 30 minutes for each exhibition. An hour is therefore a sensible minimum; allow longer if you pause often or want time between the two stories.

The official exhibition page lists audio guides in 15 languages. Check the current list, opening details and admission before visiting, especially if a particular language is important to your group.

Plan the visit

  • Current descriptions, estimated duration and audio-language information for both exhibitions.

  • Official address and contact information for the museum in Borgarnes.

For more local context, Borg á Mýrum is associated with the saga landscape, while Hvanneyri adds a different view of Borgarfjörður's farming history. Borgarnes itself is worth exploring beyond the museum.

By ThorPublished Updated