The Akranes lighthouse (50 km north from Reykjavik) is a delightful place to visit, any time of the year. Away from bright lights, tourists and residents flock to the site in winter to catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing and flickering in the sky. In the summer, you can see locals having a picnic outside the lighthouse, and guests are often invited in where they can climb to the top.

Built in 1947, the larger of the two Akranes lighthouses has been used in recent years to host concerts and art exhibitions. Icelandic band Amiina filmed a video there for a single from their album The Lighthouse Project, and Ólafur Arnalds filmed part of the video there for his single ‘Old Skin.’ Akranesviti is the only  lighthouse in Iceland that is regularly open to tourists, and thousands of travellers have visited over the last few years.

The lighthouse has become so popular that the tourist information center is now based there. The lighthouse keeper welcomes guests and gives an overview of the history of the building.

The smaller lighthouse, built in 1918, is one of the oldest concrete lighthouses in Iceland. It served the fishing town until it was deactivated in 1947, in favour of a larger structure.

Ten ideas for recreation in Akranes and nearby:

1. Relax in Guðlaug, a natural pool by Langisandur shore in Akranes.
2. Visit the Akranes Museum in Garðar and learn about the history of the place over the centuries.
3. Hike up Mt Akrafjall, you won’t be disappointed by the view up there.
4. Visit the War and Peace Museum and learn  about the Hvalfjörður fjord important role during the second World War II.
5. Take a tour to Botnsdalur in Hvalfjörður and hike up to Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland (198 m).
6. Visit the recent Hvammsvík Hot Springs on the south side of Hvalfjörður.
7. Visit  the Agricultural Museum of Iceland in Hvanneyri and Ullarselið  (Whool-shop) there and learn about the history of agriculture in Iceland. Lot of old tractors on display.
8. Get to know the Icelandic goat, which is a unique breed, and its products at the goat farm in Háafell in Borgarfjörður.
9. Visit the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes and learn about the history of the settlement of Iceland as well as the warrior and poet Egill Skallagrímsson.
10. Soak in the Krauma Spa by Deildartunguhver in Borgarfjörður, the most powerful spring in Europe.

For further information and ideas go to www.west.is