Bessastadir Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Bessastadir. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Sky Lagoon with Skjól Ritual Spa and Transfers from Reykjavik

• Reykjavik City Private Tour

• 3 Hour Private Reykjavik Driving Tour

• Reykjavik the Northernmost capital in the world

• 4-hour Private Reykjavik City Tour

Bessastadir has been the official residence of the President of Iceland since 1944, but the area's past dates back to the early settlers of Iceland. The site has a rich history; it was a farm that belonged to poet Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century, which was claimed by the King of Norway in 1241. The main building was constructed in 1761, and the property was donated to the state in 1940.

While the majority of the buildings at Bessastadir are not open to the public, you can visit the site and view the buildings from the outside. You can go inside the church at Bessastadir; the church may appear stark from the outside, but it is filled with lovely stained glass and paintings depicting scenes from Icelandic history.

Bessastadir is about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from Reykjavik. The best way to get there is by car, and the journey should take around 15 minutes, depending on your starting point. Taxis from Reykjavik are also an option, or book a tour with transport included. If you prefer public transportation, bus routes from Reykjavík take around one hour.

Bessastadir is located on the Alftanes Peninsula, just outside of Reykjavik. Many tours stop first at Bessastadir to visit the historic church before continuing to the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you can experience the volcanic landscape. The Reykjanes Lighthouse and the fishing village of Grindavik are other popular stops in this area.

Yes, Bessastadir is worth visiting to learn about the area's history, and it is an easy stop when heading out of town to explore the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula. The church has some lovely stained-glass windows that depict scenes from Iceland's Christian history, and behind the altar is a triptych painted by the painter Muggar in 1921.