Meet a farmer, knitter and guide who transforms raw wool into warm, weather-proof pieces of cultural heritage. In Iceland you’ll notice both locals and visitors wearing knitted wool sweaters. Many of them feature a distinctive patterned yoke across the shoulders and chest. This type of sweater is called a lopapeysa – literally translated as “wool-sweater”. However, the art isn´t limited to sweaters alone – socks, hats, mittens and even “beer mittens” are commonly made from Ic

While Icelanders celebrate traditional holidays such as Easter and Christmas, we also have our own unique national celebrations. One of the most important days is Iceland's National Day, celebrated on June 17 each year. The day marks the founding of the Republic of Iceland in 1944, when Iceland became an independent nation and ended its union with Denmark. In Icelandic, the holiday is called Þjóðhátíðardagurinn. Why June 17? The staff at Caves of Hella celebrating June 17 The

In the heart of the Icelandic winter, when daylight is scarce and the weather often feels at its most powerful, Icelanders mark the arrival of Þorri—a traditional month in the old Icelandic calendar. Þorri begins in late January and lasts until late February, and offers a window into Iceland’s history, food culture, and communal traditions.

Hella is like many small towns in Iceland – but then again, every small town here is special thanks to its people, history, and surroundings. The population of Hella is about one thousand and in the municipality about 1900. So, what makes Hella unique, and what is there to do while you´re here? Photo: Visit South Iceland Despite its size, Hella has everything you need. There´s a grocery store, bakery, pharmacy, doctor´s office, swimming pool & gym, popular wool market, hair s

In Iceland, rumors of Huldufólk—the country’s most common type of elf—have persisted for centuries. The human-esque people are said to...

For the longest time, the history of Iceland has been told this way: Noble Norwegian chieftains wanted to be free of the aggressive king...

A team of American scientists is currently working on the age determination of the caves at Ægissíða in Rangárþing ytra and their...

Hotel Rangá is helping guests have an unforgettable dining experience inside one of Iceland's most historic caves. Few hotels embrace the...

There are ideas to better map the man-made caves at Hella and use the information to strengthen their position as a tourist destination....

The caves of Hella are a wonder to behold. Nobody knows for sure how old they are, but many historians date them back to the early/mid-9th century, right before the Viking Ingólfur Arnarsson cast two carved pillars into the sea off the coast of Iceland, and settled where they landed. That would make the caves the oldest man-made structure in Iceland. But who built them? With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, I ventured south to explore the halls myself. Vikings, monks and

Newly renovated man-made caves by the farm Ægissíða, near Hella, South Iceland, have been popular among visitors lately, Morgunblaðið reports. “This is a new and exciting destination, and we’ve had many guests since we opened again [following closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic],” states Árni Freyr Magnússon, one of the guides. This is a family project, and the proceeds from admissions will be used toward the renovation of the rest of the caves. A guided tour of the caves is