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
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 last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
Kopavogur is part of the Greater Reykjavik Area and shares most services and attractions with the capital.
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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
Kopavogur 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.
Planning help
Kopavogur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.