Region
Capital Region
Directly borders Reykjavik to the south
Kopavogur: Iceland's Second-Largest Municipality
Iceland's second largest municipality: a residential city in the Greater Reykjavik Area, home to the country's largest shopping mall.
Population
~38,000
Capital Region • Second largest municipality
Quick Answer
Kopavogur, population about 38,000, is Iceland's second-largest municipality, bordering Reykjavik and home to Smaralind, the country's largest shopping mall.
Kopavogur is a residential city that runs straight into Reykjavik; together they form Iceland's main metropolitan area. It has Iceland's largest shopping mall, quieter neighborhoods than the capital, and frequent bus connections into the city.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Kopavogur is part of the Greater Reykjavik Area and shares most services and attractions with the capital.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~38,000
Iceland's second largest municipality
Character
Residential suburb
Quiet residential city next to the capital
Top Attractions in Kopavogur
Smaralind Mall
Iceland's largest shopping center with 90+ stores
Gerdarsafn Art Museum
Contemporary art exhibitions
Natural History Museum
Iceland's geology, wildlife, and nature
Kopavogskirkja
Modern church with distinctive architecture
Kopavogssundlaug
Geothermal pool with hot tubs and slides
Elliðaárdalur Valley
Green valley with walking paths and salmon river
How to Get to Kopavogur
From Keflavik Airport: Take the Flybus or Airport Direct to Reykjavik, then bus or taxi to Kopavogur (total about 55 minutes).
From Reykjavik: Regular Strætó buses connect the cities. By car, it's about 10 minutes from central Reykjavik.
Best Time to Visit Kopavogur
As part of the Greater Reykjavik Area, Kopavogur can be visited year-round. The swimming pools are open in any weather, and Smaralind covers rainy days.
Start a museum visit at Hamraborg
Gerdarsafn at Hamraborg 4 presents modern and contemporary art and honors the artist Gerdur Helgadottir. For a bus journey, use Hamraborg as the destination in the Straeto journey planner. A trip to Smaralind shopping mall is a different stop, so choose the destination before planning transport.
The museum lists daily hours of 12:00–18:00, checked September 10, 2026. Adult entry is 1,200 ISK, students and visitors 67 or older pay 600 ISK, and under-18s and disabled visitors enter free. The restaurant has its own longer evening hours on some days; those do not extend access to the galleries.
Gerdur’s studio is a space for visitors to make art, including families. The museum also runs workshops related to its exhibitions. Check the events program for an organized session rather than assuming a workshop takes place every day.
Planning help
Kopavogur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Kopavogur?
Kopavogur has approximately 38,000 residents and is Iceland's second largest municipality after Reykjavik.
What does Kopavogur mean?
Kopavogur means 'Seal Pup Bay' in Icelandic, named after the seals that historically inhabited the bay.
How far is Kopavogur from Reykjavik?
Kopavogur directly borders Reykjavik to the south; the two essentially merge into one urban area. The centers are about 5 km apart.
What is Smaralind?
Smaralind is Iceland's largest shopping mall, located in Kopavogur. It has over 90 stores, restaurants, and a cinema.
What attractions are in Kopavogur?
Key attractions include the Gerdarsafn Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Smaralind mall, and the Kopavogskirkja church with its distinctive architecture.
Is Kopavogur mainly residential?
Yes, Kopavogur is primarily a residential suburb of Reykjavik with its own services and schools. Many people live here and commute to Reykjavik.
Does Kopavogur have swimming pools?
Yes, Kopavogur has several geothermal swimming pools, including Kopavogssundlaug with hot tubs, steam baths, and water slides.
Is Kopavogur connected to Reykjavik by public transport?
Yes, Strætó buses run frequently between Kopavogur and Reykjavik. The towns are well-connected and function as one metropolitan area.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.