In Laugarbakki, the legends of Grettir the Strong, paths along the Miðfjarðará river and a distinctive former school building come together. The village lies directly east of the river.

Hotel and other accommodation options

Hotel Laugarbakki is located in the municipality’s former boarding school and has 56 rooms.

There is also a campsite and sleeping-bag accommodation in the area around the Ásbyrgi community centre. They are intended for groups and independent travellers. The hotel, campsite and sleeping-bag accommodation are different options for planning a stay in Laugarbakki.

Grettisból: saga, games and markets

Grettisból is a play area and complex of buildings in Laugarbakki, in Miðfjörður, managed by Grettistak ses. The outdoor area offers guided tours and various Viking games. Grettishátíð is also closely associated with the site: the annual festival is held mainly at Grettisból from 25 to 27 July. Individual programme items may vary; if you are planning your visit specifically around the festival, check the latest programme details.

A farmers’ market is held at Grettisból in summer. Regional food and handicrafts with historical connections are sold there. Spes-Sveitamarkað and Bardúsa-Verslunminjasafn are involved in the market. The Langafit craft market in Laugarbakki is separate: it offers handicrafts made by people from Laugarbakki and the surrounding farms.

Langafit also connects the village with the story of Grettir the Strong. In the story, the historic horse competition took place there. Bjarg í Miðfirði is about ten kilometres south of Laugarbakki; remains associated with Grettir the Strong have been preserved there. You can therefore encounter the legends of Grettir both in Laugarbakki and at this nearby site.

Langafit and the Miðfjarðará

The Langafit walking route starts in front of the Ásbyrgi community centre. It leads to the banks of the Miðfjarðará and then follows the river south. Birdlife along the Langafit route is varied in summer. If you are interested in nature watching, you can take this seasonal aspect into account when choosing when to visit. Trail conditions may vary. The timing of the activities differs: Grettishátíð takes place annually from 25 to 27 July, while the farmers’ market and birdlife along the Langafit route in Laugarbakki are also part of the summer season.

Two other local features are useful for finding your way around: the road to the Arnarsvatnsheiði heath passes through Laugarbakki. In addition, hot water from the Laugarbakki geothermal area is used to heat houses in the village. This allows you to combine different interests during your stay: Grettisból and its events, handicrafts and regional food, or the Langafit riverside trail.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Undirfell, Lækjamót, Varmahlíð, Svínavatn, Miklibær, Hólar, Húnavatn, Skagaströnd

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