Region
Capital Region
Borders Reykjavik and Kopavogur
Gardabaer, Capital Region
A residential suburb in the Greater Reykjavik Area, home to the presidential residence and plenty of family amenities.
Population
~18,000
Capital Region • Residential suburb
Quick Answer
Gardabaer is a Capital Region municipality of about 18,000 residents between Reykjavik and Hafnarfjordur, with the Museum of Design and Applied Art, golf courses, and Urridavatn lake.
Gardabaer is a quieter residential part of the Greater Reykjavik metropolitan area, known for its green spaces, good schools, and the Bessastadir presidential residence on the Alftanes peninsula.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Gardabaer is well-connected to Reykjavik by road and public transport.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~18,000
Residential municipality
Known for
Bessastadir
Official residence of Iceland's President
Top Attractions in Gardabaer
Bessastadir
Presidential residence with historic church
Museum of Design and Applied Art
Contemporary art exhibitions
Urridavatn Lake
Lake for walking and birdwatching
Alftanes Peninsula
Coastal walks with views to Reykjavik
Golf Courses
Several courses in the area
Parks and Trails
Green spaces throughout the suburb
How to Get to Gardabaer
From Reykjavik: 15 minutes by car, or take Strætó bus routes that serve the area.
Best Time to Visit Gardabaer
Gardabaer is primarily residential, but Bessastadir and the coastal areas can be visited year-round. Summer has the best weather for walking the coast and trails.
A museum arranged like a home
The Museum of Design and Applied Art is at Gardatorg 1. Its published hours, checked September 10, 2026, are Tuesday–Sunday 12:00–17:00, closed Monday. Admission is 1,000 ISK for adults and 500 ISK for seniors; students, disabled visitors and children under 18 enter free.
The exhibition The Museum as a Home, listed through December 31, 2026, arranges about 200 examples of Icelandic design as a home floor plan. Furniture, clothing, tableware, books and textiles from different periods appear together. That makes this a useful stop for seeing how everyday objects were designed and used. Check the exhibition page if visiting after 2026.
Planning help
Gardabaer FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Gardabaer?
Gardabaer has approximately 18,000 residents and is one of the larger municipalities in the Capital Region.
What does Gardabaer mean?
Gardabaer means 'Farm Town' in Icelandic; the area was farmland before it became a residential suburb.
What is Gardabaer known for?
Gardabaer is a residential area with good schools, green spaces, and family amenities, and one of Iceland's wealthiest municipalities.
How far is Gardabaer from Reykjavik?
Gardabaer borders Reykjavik and Kopavogur, about 8-10 km from Reykjavik city center (15 minutes by car).
What attractions are in Gardabaer?
The main sights are the Museum of Design and Applied Art, Urridavatn lake, several golf courses, and parks and nature trails.
Does Gardabaer have good schools?
Yes, Gardabaer has a reputation for good schools and is a popular choice for families.
Does Gardabaer have swimming pools?
Yes, Gardabaer has geothermal swimming pools, including the popular Alftanes pool.
What is Bessastadir?
Bessastadir is the official residence of the President of Iceland, located on Alftanes peninsula in Gardabaer municipality.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.