Region
Capital Region
10 km south of Reykjavik center
Hafnarfjordur: the Town in the Lava
Iceland's Viking town: a historic harbor city built on lava fields, known for Norse heritage and hidden people folklore.
Population
~30,000
Capital Region • Third largest city
Quick Answer
Hafnarfjordur, Iceland's third-largest municipality, is built into a lava field 10 km from Reykjavik, with a fishing harbour, a Viking festival, and elf folklore.
Hafnarfjordur is part industrial harbor town, part folklore. Built on ancient lava flows, it's known for its Viking festival, its hidden people stories, and one of Iceland's busiest fishing ports.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Hafnarfjordur is part of the Greater Reykjavik Area, easily accessible by public transport.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~30,000
Iceland's third largest municipality
Known for
Vikings & elves
Annual Viking Festival and elf folklore
Top Attractions in Hafnarfjordur
Viking Village
Viking-themed restaurant and hotel with feasts
Hellisgerdi Park
Lava garden believed to house hidden people
Hafnarfjordur Museum
Local history in historic buildings
Harbor Area
Active fishing port with seafood restaurants
Hamarinn Culture Center
Concerts, theater, and cultural events
Lava Landscapes
Volcanic formations throughout town
How to Get to Hafnarfjordur
From Reykjavik: Regular Strætó buses or 15 minutes by car via Route 41.
From Keflavik Airport: About 30 minutes by car, or take airport bus to Reykjavik then local bus.
Best Time to Visit Hafnarfjordur
June: The Viking Festival fills the town with markets, reenactments, and traditional crafts.
Year-round: The harbor and lava parks can be visited through the year; museum buildings have different seasonal hours.
A free museum visit beyond the folklore
Pakkhusid at Vesturgata 6 covers the port’s trading and fishing history, with photographs, objects and film. Its attic toy exhibition includes old video games. The handball-history exhibition opened June 1, 2026, giving another way into the town’s recent history.
Admission is free. The museum’s timetable, checked September 10, 2026, lists Pakkhusid, Sivertsens-hus and Beggubud at 11:00–17:00 daily in June–August and weekends only from September through May. Other buildings follow different arrangements. On an autumn weekday, confirm a group visit in advance or use the museum’s outdoor photographic displays along the harbor’s Strandstigur; do not assume the indoor collection is open because the outdoor display is accessible.
Planning help
Hafnarfjordur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hafnarfjordur?
Hafnarfjordur has approximately 30,000 residents and is Iceland's third largest municipality.
What does Hafnarfjordur mean?
Hafnarfjordur means 'Harbor Fjord' in Icelandic. The name comes from its history as a trading port.
Why is Hafnarfjordur known for Vikings?
The town hosts an annual Viking Festival and has a Viking Village restaurant and hotel with Norse-themed feasts and cultural events.
Is Hafnarfjordur known for elves?
Yes. The town's lava formations are said to house 'hidden people' (huldufólk). Elf tours and an elf garden cover this folklore tradition.
How far is Hafnarfjordur from Reykjavik?
Hafnarfjordur is about 10 km south of Reykjavik city center, approximately 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus.
Is Hafnarfjordur still an active harbor?
Yes, Hafnarfjordur has one of Iceland's largest and busiest fishing harbors, with a significant aluminum smelter and industrial port.
What is special about the lava in Hafnarfjordur?
The town is built on and around lava fields from ancient eruptions. Many gardens and parks are laid out among the lava formations.
Does Hafnarfjordur have swimming pools?
Yes, Hafnarfjordur has geothermal pools, including the main Sundlaug with hot tubs and a water slide.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.