Southern Iceland Road-Trip in Winter in 10 Days – Day 10
It was the last day of our road-trip in Iceland. The 10 golden days in Iceland went off too soon indeed. We spent the last 2 days in Snaefellsnes Peninsula where we experienced almost everything the country has to offer. On the last day, we planned staying at a hotel close to the airport as we had our flight scheduled to Berlin, Germany at very early hours on the following day. Hence, we booked our stay for a night at Aurora Hotel at Keflavik Airport, which is located close to the international airport at Keflavik, Iceland. On our way back to Keflavik from Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we stopped at Borgarnes to visit The Settlement Center. Knowing the history of this wonderful place where we created lifetime memories was important, secondary reason of visiting the Settlement Center was its delicious Wellness Lunch Buffet – all vegan.
Highlights of the Day
- The Settlement Center at Borgarnes
- The Wellness Lunch Buffet
- Airport Hotel Aurora, Keflavik
The Settlement Center at Borgarnes
Groceries bought from Bonus supermarket at Borgarnes 2 days back were almost over. There were few fruits left that we had for breakfast. We packed our bags and checked out from the beautiful Grasteinn Guesthouse overlooking the Kirkjufell Mountain at around 10 AM. The sun was up, the sky was clear. Bidding bye to Snaefellsnes Peninsula was hard, but finally, we had to. We made a stop at Borgarnes. Our goal was to visit the Settlement Center there. It was around 11.30 AM when we reached there.
The Settlement Center at Borgarnes provides a wonderful insight into Iceland’s history in two exhibitions – The Settlement Exhibition and the Egils Saga Exhibition. You can book the tickets to the exhibitions online on their website or at the spot. We bought it there itself. The exhibitions recreate the fascinating drama of the sagas and the birth of this far-flung, deserted island nation. The goal is to make the ancient sagas accessible to all ages in an entertaining way. Apart from a gift shop, the Settlement Center has a restaurant on site, which was our main highlight of the day, I will eventually explain why.
The Settlement Exhibition
At the Settlement Exhibition, we learnt about the discovery of Iceland. We got to know about who was the first to arrive here and when, how sailors braved the North Atlantic to get here, and the reasons behind their rush to flee Norway and make a deserted island like Iceland their home. We were also enlightened about how the Icelanders formed clans around the island, and discussed the country’s development until the end of the Age of Settlement in 930 AD, with the founding of the Althing, or parliament, in Thingvellir, which we already visited on day 3 during our Golden Circle Day Tour from Reykjavik. I was really impressed by the way the story about the settlement of Iceland is portrayed by Icelanders.
The Egils Saga Exhibition
At the Egils Saga Exhibition, we learnt about the legendary viking and poet Egil Skallagrimsson. His story has been memorialized in the form of a saga. Saga is a long-form, poetic piece of text, which is an important part of Iceland’s long and influential history of literary tradition. We got to know about Egil’s father, Skalla-Grimr, who sailed to Iceland early in the settlement age and settled in Borgarfjordur, where Egil was born and raised. Egil’s life would be one of drama and intrigue, violence and vengeance, making the saga one of the country’s most renowned and beloved.
Lunch at the Settlement Center
The best part of visiting the Settlement Center at Borgarnes and the reason behind why I would always visit this place, every time I am coming to Iceland, is their amazing vegan buffet called The Wellness Lunch Buffet. I was amazed at the variety of food they offered us.
Blue Car Rental in Keflavik International Airport
On reaching Keflavik, we went to a diesel station to refill the tank of the car because we got a completely fueled car on day 1 while renting our car from Blue Car Rental. Only half of the tank had to be refilled, so we did that. Finally, we dropped our luggage at the lobby of the airport hotel we chose to stay at, and then went to the car rental office to hand over the car that we had rented from them for the last 9 days. It was around 3.30 PM when we handed over the car. We were around 3 hours late because we rented the car at 12.30 PM on day 1, and they count every 24 h as one single day. However, the manager was kind enough to ward any late fee off. We did the paperwork and got back to the hotel.
Airport Hotel Aurora at Keflavik Airport Terminal
The most convenient hotel to stay if you have a flight from Iceland at early hours is Aurora Hotel. It is located super close to the international airport terminal at Keflavik. You do not have to wake up at wee hours to check out from the hotel in Reykjavik and drive down or take a public transport to the airport that is 1 h away. We had our flight at around 6 AM, so we chose to book a room there.
Bless Iceland!
We managed to have a sound sleep of around 6 hours before we got up at around 4 AM. We got ready and checked out from the room. The receptionist offered us to have complimentary breakfast that starts in the hotel from 4 AM itself. We were not such early eaters; however, we did not mind packing some fresh fruits from the breakfast buffet arranged at the in-house restaurant.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to the otherworldly country Richie and I have ever been to. To us, Iceland is like a different planet on Earth. In Iceland, we saw volcanic craters, dramatic mountains, lava fields, stunning beaches – both golden and black, waterfalls, fjords, hot springs, awe-inspiring gorges, lush meadows, twisting lava caves and cute fishing villages of colorful wooden houses. We created amazing memories there. Then off we were to Berlin!
Total Distance Traveled: 230 km
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the shared expenses of Day 10 in Iceland – Last Day in Iceland Including Borgarnes & Stay in Keflavik
- Ticket at the Exhibition Center: 23
- Wellness Lunch Buffet: 11
- Airport Hotel Aurora (1 night): 75
- Half Tank Diesel: 20
- Food and Miscellaneous: 11
Total expense (roughly): 140 USD
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading through each day of this epic 10-day trip to Iceland! I’ll admit, I’m a little sorry to see it come to an end, as you were. I loved hearing about Egil Skallagrimsson and the long form ‘Saga’ poetry at the Egils Saga Exhibition. It’s so great that the Settlement Center offers audio in 15 languages. (And, the buffet does look amazing!) It’s really impressive that the Airport Hotel Aurora has breakfast laid out for such early departures. They certainly know their customer’s needs! Thumbs up on that, for sure.
The settlement center is a knowledge hub indeed.
We remember Keflavik being just the airport but I didn’t know of these other places to see. I didn’t hear of Borgarnes when we were there but I’d really like to visit. Iceland has some incredible places.
Iceland is full of surprises.
Too bad I did not read about the heart of your Icelandic adventure. But this was a pleasant departure day. Love that your hotel was only 300 m from the airport entrance!!!
Yes, it was convenient to stay at the Airport Hotel just before your flight.
It sure sounds like you had an amazing 10 days in Iceland and saw so much. Your trip has certainly added some things for us to see when we go back one day. It really is like another planet in places. And I can understand the feelings when it was time to leave.
Yes Linda, the trip was remarkable.
I really enjoyed reading about your adventures in Iceland in winter. We went in summer and it was much more touristy. The settlement center at Borganes looks very worthwhile to visit. I will try to fit this in a future itinerary.
I would not mind Iceland in summer once.
I have never been to Iceland so I really enjoyed your 10 days trip through the country. You have covered so much and visited such amazing places during this time. It’s so nice that you would that vegan buffet at the Settlement Center, especially on your last day in the country. I like how they’ve named it, wellness lunch. I have stayed at Aurora hotels as well, but in the UK. They are very conveniently located close to airports.
I wish you visit soon, Joanna.
If I had not planned for Greece at the end of the year, probably would have chosen Iceland after going through your trip. Being a foodie the all-vegan buffet at The Settlement Center in Borgarnes looks awesome. And so is your hotel which looks very nice. The restaurant menu looks nice as well.
Glad to know that.
I believe that stopping in Borgarnes to see The Settlement Center is an excellent choice, as this museum appears to be interesting. The buffet dish looked delicious, and I’m sure you liked and were satisfied with your meal. Thank you also for recommending a place to stay; Aurora Hotel appears to be very comfortable and well-kept. The trip expenses are also highly useful for prospective Iceland visitors.
The meal was indeed satisfying.
That was a great trip! I was able to follow your 10 day experience and it was amazing and wonderful. Can’t wait to visit Iceland for ourselves and yes, will take your advice to stop at Borgarnes. I would love to experience their vegan buffet.
Yes, the food is bomb there.