Hveragerði: Geothermal Energy, Nature and Culture

Hveragerði combines geothermal experiences with nature and cultural activities that appeal to a wide range of interests. In the heart of the town is Hveragarðurinn, the Geothermal Park. Here, visitors can cook eggs in a hot spring and sample rye bread baked using geothermal heat. This makes the park a special place to get to know geothermal energy not only as a subject, but also through hands-on experiences. The visitor centre in the Geothermal Park also covers microbiology, geology and volcanic activity.

Hot Springs and Outdoor Activities

Reykjadalur is also within the municipal area of Hveragerði. The valley, with its hot river, lies within the town limits and offers opportunities for hiking, running and cycling in a geothermal landscape. If you would like to include outdoor exercise in your stay, you can make these activities a focus of your visit. The hot river and surrounding landscape give the nature experience a distinct geothermal character.

Another way to explore the town is along Söguleiðin. This walking trail runs through Hveragerði, with information boards along the way covering the town’s history and culture. It offers a chance to gain a historical and cultural perspective on Hveragerði. When planning your holiday, you can decide whether to spend more time on these insights into the town or on activities in the geothermal landscape.

Art, Horticulture and Local Discoveries

LÁ Art Museum houses a collection of contemporary and traditional Icelandic art. Changing exhibitions showcase works by local and regional artists. Together, they present a range of artistic perspectives: the collection includes both contemporary and traditional art, while the exhibitions feature rotating selections of works from the region. Another art attraction is the outdoor exhibition “Listamannabærinn Hveragerði” in Lystigarðurinn á Fossflöt park. Nine glass panels introduce nine artists, along with their works and biographies.

Flowers and greenhouses are a visitor attraction in Hveragerði, reflecting Icelandic horticultural practices. Visitors can buy flowers and plants there. Those interested in plants and horticulture will find this offers a different way to explore the area than art, local history or geothermal features.

The Varmá also appeals to a particular leisure interest: the river is popular with salmon fishers, and anglers come here to fish year after year. Hveragerði’s golf course is in Gufudal, above the town, in a scenic setting. These activities differ considerably in both type and location. If fishing or golf is among your travel interests, you can take them into account when deciding which experiences matter most for your stay.

Getting Your Bearings

Hveragerði’s tourist information centre offers brochures, maps, a booking service and internet access. It also has an earthquake simulator that lets visitors experience a strong earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale. For more in-depth information about geothermal energy, microbiology, geology and volcanic activity, the visitor centre in the Geothermal Park is another place to visit. The two information centres therefore have distinct focuses: practical visitor information at the tourist information centre and natural science topics at the visitor centre.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Hveragerði, the experiences you have planned may be the deciding factor—whether that means geothermal energy and nature, art and local history, or fishing and golf. If you would also like to explore other destinations, you can find Keldur, Þykkvibær, Skeiðflötur, Sólheimar, Villingaholt, Ásólfsskáli, Kálfafell and Vestmannaeyjar here.

For the broader travel overview: Sudurland.