Hafnarfjördur

Hafnarfjördur

Just a short drive or a bus ride from Reykjavík centre lies the small town of Hafnarfjördur. While technically a suburb of Reykjavík, Hafnarfjördur is an independent community and this charming and vibrant seaside town is well worth the visit to get to know the local spirit.

Home to about 30.000 people, Hafnarfjördur has been a fishing town and port for several centuries, thanks to its natural harbour. The town centre is a charming and cosy environment and just a stone’s throw away is beautiful unspoilt nature – rugged lava fields, clear lakes, and colourful geothermal areas. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the Hidden People, as Hafnarfjördur is rumoured to be home to a large population of these mythical creatures from Icelandic folktales and Legends.

The Heart of Town

The heart of Hafnarfjördur is the colourful town centre, down by the harbour. Surrounded by the old-fashioned corrugated iron-clad houses, in all the colours of the rainbow, and with a view of the ocean, the compact Hafnarfjördur town centre gives you an instant feeling of belonging. Following the Strandgata street, you’ll run into a myriad of charming little shops and boutiques, bookstores, designer’s workshops and so on. Many of the shops in Hafnarfjördur are tended to by the owners and designers themselves so take your time to chat with them if you want to get to know the local community. If the weather is less than optimal, don’t fret – simply head to the Fjördur shopping mall, home to several interesting shops and boutiques. The atmosphere is friendly, and the shops sell everything from clothes and jewelry to toys and baked goods!

If you’re feeling hungry, Hafnarfjördur has a wide variety of dining options, everything from fast food to fine dining. New and exciting restaurants have been opening in the centre for the past few years and if you feel like wiling away the hours at a cafe, people-watching or reading a book, you can choose between several establishments where trained baristas serve high-quality coffee and tea.

One part of the town centre merits special mention – the harbour. While Hafnarfjördur still has a bustling harbour with colourful fishing boats bobbing gently by the pier, some of the older factory buildings have found new purpose. In the past few years, new and exciting cafés, restaurants, and shops have been opening their doors in the former industrial area, so be sure to take a stroll along the harbour while you’re there.

Nature

A day in the town centre is a day well spent but if you’re feeling more active, Hafnarfjördur also offers several opportunities to experience natuer. Hafnarfjördur is on the outskirts of the Reykjavík area and surrounding it on most sides are mountains, endless fields of rough lava, and other natural wonders. The town is even sometimes known as the Town of the Lava.

Close to Hafnarfjördur is Mt. Helgafell, one of the most popular hiking spots in the Reykjavík area, The relatively low mountain makes for an easy climb, as the ascent is slow and steady, but due to the flatness of the surrounding landscapes, you’re still rewarded with a spectacular view when you get to the top.

Calm and quiet. Photo by Olga

If you don’t feel like climbing, why not go to the Krysuvik geothermal area? Iceland’s geothermal heat manifests in different ways and in certain regions, the effects of the underground heat are visible on the surface. Steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots are surrounded by colourful rock formations at this natural marvel, just a short drive always from Hafnarfjördur.

Hafnarfjördur is close to nature, with green and natural spaces in and around the town. Whether you’re just taking a stroll through Hellsgeroi park in the town centre, or riding a horse through the lava fields surrounding the town, you never feel far from nature in Hafnarfjördur. Take a horse riding tour, go hiking, go on an Elf Walk in Hellisgerdi park or just take a picnic in the Hafnarfjördur area.

Health and Lifestyle

the people of Hafnarfjördur like to keep active and the town’s gyms are a popular place to do so. In the summer, many locals take their training outside, choosing to spend their time running in the beautiful nature or practising their golf swing. Hafnarfjördur’s golf course is one of a kind, surrounded by lava fields and with stunning ocean views.

Much like the rest of Iceland, Hafnarfjördur has an abundance of geothermal heat and puts it to good use with its thermal pools. Hafnarfjördur has three different swimming pools and each of them offers different qualities.

Thermal Pools in Hafnarfjördur

Sudurbaejarlaug: this is perfect pool for basking in the sun on a summer day. There’s an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, steam baths, two waterslides and other toys for the kids to play with: Hringbraut 77, Hafnarfjördur.

Asvallalaug: Opened in 2008, Asvallalaug is the newest pool in Hafnarfjördur. It is particularly family friendly, with a shallowkid’s pool, a wading pool and hot tubs for the parents, all indoors, away from the elements. If you still want to get a little sun, there are also outdoor hot tubs and even a lovely sunbathing area. Asvallalaug is the most easily accessible pool, with a state-of-the-art lift for disabled swimmers. Asvellir 2.

Sundhöll Hafnarfjördur: Hafnarfjördur’s oldest swimming pool, first built as an outdoor swimming pool in 1943 but converted to an indoor pool a decade later. With two outdoor hot tubs as well, this historic swimming pool offers plenty of opportunities to meet some locals and have a quiet swim befor relaxing in the hot tub. Herjolfsgata 10b.

Arts and Culture in Hafnarfjördur

Despite being so close to Reykjavík, Hafnarfjördur has an independent character and a distinct community spirit. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the museums and galleries of the area.

Hafnarfjördur Museum

There’s no place better to get to know the heart and soul of Hafnarfjördur than the Hafnarfjördur Museum. In fact, it’s not just one place, as the museum has exhibitions in a few old houses in the Hafnarfjördur centre, as well as on a walking path by the harbour.

You have the chance to see how a 19th century upper-class family lived in Hafnarfjördur, as well as labourers and fishermen, an exhibition on the town’s maritime and commercial history, and various temporary exhibitions as well. Address: Strandgata 4, Hafnarfjördur.

Hafnarborg

If you’re more interested in art than history, head over to the Hafnarborg (Hafnarfjördur) Center of Culture and Fine Arte, founded in 1983 on a substantial donation by Hafnarfjördur natives and art collectors Sverrir Magnusson and Ingibjörg Sigurjonsdottir. Not only did they donate their art collection but their house as well, and today it houses 10-12 art exhibitions per year. The exhibitions include everything from masterpieces from Icelandic art history to experminetal work by contemporary artists.

After exploring the wonderful museums in Hafnarfjördur, be sure to check out the program at Baejarbid, the town’s culture center and music venue. Built as the town’s cinema, Baejarbid is a historic building and regularly hosts some of Iceland’s most popular artists. Address : Strangata 34, Hafnarfjördur.

Events in Hafnarfjördur

Fishermen’s Day : June. Every fishing town in Iceland celebrates Fishermen’s Day once a year, and Hafnarfjördur is no exception. Every boat is docked by the pier as fishermen and their families join in the two-day celebrations by the harbour.

Vikinghatidin: June. Every year, the Viking village in Hafnarfjördur hosts a Viking fair, a four-day festival celebrating the ancient rites and traditions of the Viking community. The festival settling is a market day in Viking times when ships have brought goods, foods, and people from far across the sea.

June 17th: June 17th is Iceland’s Independence Day, celebrated in every town in Iceland. The people of Hafnarfjördur gather in the town centre as well as other locations around town to celebrate the day with a parade, live music, street art, rides for the kids and plenty of other events.

Christmas Village: November – December. In the weeks before Christmas, the Hafnarfjördur centre is transformed into a winter wonderland, with Christmas music, visits from the Icelandic Yule Lads, horse-drawn carriage rides, and stalls selling everything from Christmas gifts to snacks and hot drinks.

Museum Night: February. Hafnarfjördur’ museums take part in Reykjavík’s Winter Lights Festival’s Museum Night. On Museum Night, the museums stay open until late and put on special Museum Night Programs.

Swimming Pool Night: February. It’s similar concept as Museum Night but this time, it’s the swimming poools that are open late.

At Home Music festival: April. This unconventional music festival takes place every year at the same time as the Bright Days festival. The At Home music festival, or Heima, is an intimate musical experience, where instead of playing large music venues, Icelandic musicians put on shows in the homes and living rooms of Hafnarfjördur locals.

Bright Days: April. The festival takes place around the Fuirst Day of Summer, Iceland’s unique spring holiday, and focuses on the art and culture of the community. Events of the festival include artists in town opening up their workshops, concerts by popular Icelandic artists, children’s entertainment, and a parade in honour of the First Day of Summer