NEIGHBOURING TOWNS

HAFNARFJÖRÐUR

Situated in the middle of a lava field, the small town of Hafnarfjörður is the perfect getaway from Reykjavík. It’s a lovely place to spend the day, with its vibrant town centre and beautiful culture. Hafnarfjörður is a hidden gem, containing some of the best experiences that Iceland offers – fresh local cuisine, great geothermal pools, lava, stunning natural phenomena, and a boatload of activities, including a yearly Viking festival! It is the third largest town in Iceland with 30,000 residents, and it’s only 20 minutes away from Reykjavík city centre. Bus no 1 will take you straight to Hafnarfjörður. First and foremost, Hafnarfjörður offers a chance to experience the local lifestyle of Icelanders. Do as the locals do!

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

A great way to start the day is a stroll along the Hafnarfjörður river, simply known as Lækurinn (The Creek). The path along Lækurinn is especially popular with families as the kids get to experience the lively birdlife. The main shopping area is Strandgata, often called the heart of Hafnarfjörður. It’s a charming street with colourful old buildings filled with small boutiques – perfect for buying a local souvenir from a friendly shop owner. Many of the shops in Hafnarfjörður 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. Hafnarfjörður is also home to Fjörður mall, offering a variety of shops and services.

NECESSARY NOURISHMENT Hafnarfjörður has a lively culinary scene that’s growing every day. If you feel like breakfast, why not stop by one of the superb bakeries or cafés in town. For lunch, Hafnarfjörður has a plethora of great restaurants serving delicious food and if you want to go for a nice

dinner, the town centre and the harbour area have some great options. If you just need a quick bite before heading off for your next adventure, Hafnarfjörður also has plenty of fast food restaurants where you can get some indulgent treats.

NATURAL BEAUTY Hafnarfjörður is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, hugged by mountains, lava fields, and the seemingly endless North Atlantic. Close to the town centre is the beautiful Hellisgerði park which, according to local folklore, is populated by elves. It’s a charming park full of small caves where you can get to know Icelandic flora. In the park, you’ll find the Little Elf store, a cosy café selling Icelandic design focused on local folklore. Hellisgerði is perfect for family picnics, and the Little Elf store will even lend you a blanket and picnic basket!

Idyllic lake Hvaleyrarvatn, surrounded by lush nature and grey lava fields, is worth a visit as well, with its numerous trails as well as on-site public barbecue facilities. Closer to home is the dominating Hamarinn cliff, a protected natural site overlooking the harbour area. You’ll see plenty of Hafnfirðingar, as the residents of Hafnarfjörður are called, out and about on these walking routes. perfect for beginners as well as experienced riders. Taking a ride through the lava fields of Hafnarfjörður lets you experience Iceland much like the first settlers of Iceland did.

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE The residents of Hafnarfjörður like to keep active, and the town’s gyms are well visited. In summer, many locals take their training outside, choosing to spend their time running in the beautiful nature or practising their golf swing. Hafnarfjörður’s golf course, Keilir, is one of a kind, surrounded by lava fields and with stunning ocean views.

Hafnarfjörður has an abundance of geothermal heat, and the town puts it to good use with its thermal pools! Hafnarfjörður has three swimming pools, and each of them offers different qualities.

THERMAL POOLS IN HAFNARFJÖRÐUR

SUÐURBÆJARLAUG Suðurbæjarlaug is perfect for basking in the sun on a summer’s 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, Hafnarfjörður +354 565 3080 | Open: Mon-Thu 6.30-22, Fri 6.30-20, Sat 8-18, Sun 8-17

SUNDHÖLL HAFNARFJARÐAR Sundhöll Hafnarfjarðar is Hafnarfjörður’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 locals and have a quiet swim before relaxing in the hot tub.

Herjólfsgata 10b, Hafnarfjörður Tel: +354 555 0088 | Open: Mon-Fri 6.30-21

ARTS AND CULTURE

Hafnarfjörður has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The museums are top quality and as an added bonus, entrance is free!

After exploring the wonderful museums in Hafnarfjörður, be sure to check out the programme at Bæjarbíó, the town’s cultural centre and music venue. Built as the town’s cinema, Bæjarbíó is a historic building and regularly hosts some of Iceland’s most popular artists.

HAFNARFJÖRÐUR MUSEUM Hafnarfjörður Museum has exhibitions in a few old houses in Hafnarförður’s centre, as well as on a walking path by the harbour. You can see how a 19th-century upper-class family, as well as labourers and fishermen, lived in Hafnarfjörður, and you can visit an exhibition on the town’s maritime and commercial history plus a variety of temporary exhibitions.

Strandgata 4, Hafnarfjörður Tel: +354 585 5780 Open: Jun-Aug, Daily 11am-17pm Sep-May, Weekends 11am-17pm www.byggdasafnid.is ÁSVALLALAUG Opened in 2008, Ásvallalaug is Hafnarfjörður’s newest pool. Ásvallalaug is particularly family friendly, with a shallow kids 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. Ásvallalaug is the most easily accessible pool, with a state-of-the-art lift for disabled swimmers.

Ásvellir 2, Hafnarfjörður Tel: +354 512 4050 | Open: Mon-Thu 6.30-22, Fri 6.30-20, Sat 8-18, Sun 8-17

HAFNARBORG If you’re more interested in art than history, head over to Hafnarborg, the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art, founded in 1983 on a substantial donation by Hafnarfjörður natives and art collectors Sverrir Magnússon and Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir. The exhibitions include everything from classic masterpieces to experimental work by contemporary artists.

Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjörður Tel: +354 585 5790 Open: Wed-Mon 12am-17pm www.hafnarborg.is