Have a look inside the Visitor Centre. It is in a new building close to the view spot at Hakið, where a footpath leads down into the great Almannagjá fault. The exhibition in the Visitor Centre is almost exclusively based on interactive multimedia and is the first of its kind in Iceland. The exhibition is therefore quite modern in design, although good care has been taken to make it easily accessible to the visitors. The history and nature of Ãingvellir and its surroundings literally "come alive" on large TV monitors, playing a wide variety of illustrative video and audio material. Using conveniently placed touch screens, you can choose narrative and subtitles in four different languages: Danish, English, German, French and Icelandic a wider selection of languages will be added to the program later then decide for yourself which particular sections of the multimedia program you want to view. For instance, you might be prompted to "dive into" the habitat of lake Ãingvallavatn and view unique close-up footage of fish in the lake, such as the brown trout.It takes about 40 minutes to view the whole multimedia program, but, as indicated before, visitors use the touch-screen interface to select which parts they prefer to view. Each program section is intended to provide the general national park visitor with some interesting and useful information about the subject at hand.
The exhibition is open daily 9AM-5PM from 1st April to 1st November. During the winter months the exhibition is open every weekend from 9AM-5PM and during the summer months June to August the centre is open from 9AM-7PM. Admission is free.
Take a walk around the old parliament sit and and have a look inside the church which is open daily during the summer months. Every Sunday there is mass in the church at 2PM and all visitors are welcome.
Diving is permitted in two submerged rifts in the Park, Silfra and DavÃðsgjá. Silfra is one of the best spots for diving in Iceland and many people find the rift unique on an international scale.
The reason for its fame is the astounding visibility in the clear, cold ground water and the magnificent surroundings. DavÃðsgjá is in the north-eastern part of Lake Ãingvallavatn. The rift is in the lake itself and to reach it you have to swim some distance. It is quite shallow nearest to the bank, but deepens and widens further out.
Divers have to fulfill all regulations and conditions regarding qualification and equipment for diving. They must abide by all rules concerning diving and agree to respect the National Park regulations. It is prohibited to dive alone, to enter caves while diving and to dive to a greater depth than 30 metres. Diving is entirely at the divers' own responsibility and risk.
