Discover Hafnarfjördur

Hafnarfjörður brings art and local history together with distinctive outdoor discoveries: at Hafnarborg Cultural Centre, you can explore exhibitions and events, while Víðistaðatún is a public park surrounded by lava fields. The city also has historic houses, an annual Viking festival and activities for active days. Which of these appeals to you most may also shape your choice of a holiday apartment in Hafnarfjördur.

Art, exhibitions and local history

Hafnarborg is a cultural and art centre that exhibits works by leading artists from Iceland and abroad. Its exhibition calendar features various media of contemporary visual art; works by Icelandic artists from the early 20th century are also regularly on display. Hafnarborg often hosts talks and symposia related to its exhibitions. Regular art workshops and art education for children round out the programme.

Guided tours of the exhibitions can be booked for groups on request. They are offered in Icelandic or English, and their content, focus and length can be tailored to the group’s preferences. Hafnarborg is easily accessible and meets Art without Borders’ green accessibility criteria.

The city’s houses and collections also tell different stories. Sívertsen House is the oldest house in Hafnarfjörður; Bjarni Sívertsen had it built in 1803–1805. The Hafnarfjörður Museum is dedicated to artefacts and photographs from the town. Siggubær has been preserved as an example of a working-class and seafarer’s home from the first half of the 20th century. The Bookless Bungalow at the Vesturgata site houses an exhibition about foreign shipping in Hafnarfjörður in the first half of the 20th century. The Folk Museum presents exhibitions at seven locations.

Víðistaðatún and distinctive discoveries

The Viking Festival at Víðistaðatún takes place every year during the week of 17 June. Its first festival was held there in 1995. The programme includes demonstrations of combat and games, storytellers, archery, crafts and a market. A Viking school for children and food stalls are also part of the festival. If you plan your trip around these dates, you can enjoy a varied festival programme; at other times, the park offers more ways to spend time outdoors.

Víðistaðatún has a six-hole disc golf course. It is free to use and does not require advance booking. An information board below Víðistaðakirkja shows the rules of play and a course map. The public park is surrounded by lava fields, creating a different setting from the city’s exhibitions and historic houses.

The Coastal Path runs along the harbour. Photo exhibitions along the route tell visitors about the daily lives and history of the people who built Hafnarfjörður. If you are interested in stories about hidden beings, Hellisgerði offers another distinctive connection: local belief holds that elves and hidden people live there. The systematic cultivation of Hellisgerði began in 1923, initiated by the Magni Speakers’ Club. A Hidden World Map of Hafnarfjörður, showing settlements of hidden beings, is available at the town hall service centre.

Routes, transport and choosing a location

Official hiking and running routes are available in Hafnarfjörður and the surrounding area. They include a highland hiking map, running routes, the Coastal Path, and hiking and cycling routes. Hvaleyrarvatn is also near Hafnarfjörður, where anyone can fish for free. These options offer different ways to shape your stay, so you do not have to focus your trip solely on art and local history.

Bus routes S1 and 21 run from Reykjavík to Hafnarfjörður and stop at Fjörður Shopping Centre; Hafnarborg is within walking distance from there. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you mainly want to explore the town’s exhibitions, historic sites and events, or also include routes and activities in the surrounding area.

More destinations

You can also discover Kópavogur, Garðabær, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær: Kópavogur, Garðabær, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes, Mosfellsbær.

Back to the main travel guide: Höfudborgarsvædi.