Viking Sites in Iceland

Orustuhóll, meaning "Battle Hill," is located near the site of the Battle of Örlygsstaðir in 1238, one of the largest conflicts in Icelandic medieval history. Although slightly later than the Viking Age, the battle reflected the continuing power struggles between chieftain families whose origins traced back to Viking settlement leaders.

Reykjavík was founded around the year 874 by Ingólfur Arnarson, considered Iceland's first permanent settler. According to tradition, he threw his high-seat pillars into the ocean and settled where they washed ashore.

Þingvellir was the meeting place of Alþingi, Iceland's national assembly founded in the year 930. Viking chieftains gathered here each summer to create laws, settle disputes and govern the country without a king.

Drangey Island was the final refuge of Grettir the Strong, one of Iceland's most legendary outlaw heroes. He lived here for years before being defeated by enemies who climbed the island cliffs.

Skálholt became one of the most important religious centers in Iceland after Christianity was adopted around the year 1000 during the Alþingi assembly at Þingvellir.

Keldur was once home to powerful Viking-age families mentioned in medieval sagas. The site includes underground tunnels believed to have been used as defensive escape routes.

Reykholt was home to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval writer who preserved Norse mythology in the Prose Edda, one of the most important sources of Viking beliefs about Odin, Thor and Loki.

Gásir was one of the most important medieval trading centres in northern Iceland where merchants from Norway and mainland Europe exchanged goods with Icelandic farmers.

Explorer Garðar Svavarsson stayed in Húsavík after sailing around Iceland and proving the land was an island during the 9th century.

The Westman Islands were named after Irish slaves who escaped after killing their Viking master Hjörleifur. Ingólfur Arnarson later tracked them to the islands during the settlement period.

Borg á Mýrum was the home of Egill Skallagrímsson, one of Iceland's most famous Viking warriors and poets whose life story is preserved in Egils saga.

The Laugarvatn region lay along important inland travel routes used by Viking settlers moving between coastal farms and assembly sites such as Þingvellir.

Eiríksstaðir is believed to be the birthplace of Leif Erikson, the Viking explorer who reached North America around the year 1000, nearly five centuries before Columbus.