Hafnarfjörður’s oldest house dates from 1803 to 1805; an exhibition house about seafaring and a coastal path with historical photographs recall other chapters in the city’s history. A distinct cultural and historical focus emerges among its buildings, collections and public spaces. At the same time, the art centre, Viking Festival and park grounds offer different ways to shape your trip.
City history in houses and exhibitions
Sívertsen House is the oldest house in Hafnarfjörður. Bjarni Sívertsen built it between 1803 and 1805. Siggubær offers a different glimpse of the city’s history: the house 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 seafaring in Hafnarfjörður, also focusing on the first half of the 20th century.
The Hafnarfjörður Museum is a museum of artefacts and photographs from Hafnarfjörður. The Folk Museum presents exhibitions at seven locations. At the harbour, photo exhibitions along the Coastal Path tell visitors about the everyday lives and history of the people who built the city. Taken together, these places highlight different aspects: houses illustrate domestic and working life, while collections and photographs foreground personal belongings, images and city history.
Art and culture at Hafnarborg
Hafnarborg is a cultural and art centre that exhibits works by leading artists from Iceland and abroad. Its exhibition calendar covers a range of contemporary visual art forms and regularly features works by Icelandic artists from the early 20th century. The programme changes over time. Hafnarborg also frequently hosts lectures and symposia related to its exhibitions.
Regular art workshops and art education activities for children complement the programme. Groups can book guided tours of the exhibitions in Icelandic or English on request. The content, focus and length can be tailored to the group’s preferences; check the booking arrangements before your trip. Hafnarborg is easily accessible and meets Art without Borders’ green accessibility criteria.
Park, local traditions and the Viking Festival
Víðistaðatún is a public park surrounded by lava fields. It has a free six-hole disc golf course, for which no advance booking is required. An information board below Víðistaðakirkja shows the rules of play and a course map. You can plan your first throws using the information on site.
The Viking Festival takes place in the park every year, during the week of 17 June. The first Viking Festival at Víðistaðatún was held in 1995. The programme includes demonstrations of combat and games, storytellers, archery, crafts, a market, a Viking school for children and food for sale. Programme details and exact dates vary from one edition to the next; check the dates for your travel year.
Hellisgerði also combines local history with folklore: systematic cultivation of the garden began in 1923, led by the Magni Speakers' Club. There is also a local belief that elves and hidden people live there. Hafnarfjörður’s Hidden World Map marks settlements of hidden beings and is available at the town hall service centre.
Getting around and other options
Bus routes S1 and 21 run from Reykjavík to Hafnarfjörður and stop at Fjörður shopping centre. Hafnarborg is within walking distance from there. As routes and stops may change, check your connection before travelling. There are also routes for walking and running in Hafnarfjörður and the surrounding area. These include a highland hiking map, running routes, the Coastal Path, as well as hiking and cycling routes.
Another option nearby is Hvaleyrarvatn, where anyone can fish for free near Hafnarfjörður. You can choose between art and history sites, a park, routes and a fishing trip without combining these different options into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Garðabær, Seltjarnarnes, Kópavogur, Reykjavik, Mosfellsbær.
Back to the main travel overview: Höfudborgarsvædi.
