Region
Capital Region
Northeast edge of Greater Reykjavik
Mosfellsbaer: Town at the Edge of the Highlands
Gateway to Iceland's highlands: a town at the edge of open country, known for horse farms, the Laxness Museum, and access to Thingvellir.
Population
~12,000
Capital Region • Gateway to highlands
Quick Answer
Mosfellsbaer, population about 12,000, sits at the edge of Greater Reykjavik, with the Laxness Museum, Mosfellsdalur horse farms, and roads to the highlands.
Mosfellsbaer sits where the capital area meets open country. The town holds Nobel laureate Halldor Laxness's home, the horse farms of Mosfellsdalur valley, and the road out to Thingvellir and the highlands.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Mosfellsbaer has easy access to both Reykjavik's services and the countryside beyond.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~12,000
Growing municipality with nature access
Known for
Laxness Museum
Home of Nobel Prize-winning author
Top Attractions in Mosfellsbaer
Laxness Museum (Gljufrasteinn)
Nobel laureate's preserved home and estate
Mosfellsdalur Valley
Valley of horse farms
Mount Esja
Popular hiking mountain near town
Lagafellslaug Pool
Geothermal swimming with hot tubs
Horse Riding Tours
Riding tours on Icelandic horses
Route to Thingvellir
Gateway to Golden Circle
How to Get to Mosfellsbaer
From Reykjavik: 20 minutes by car via Route 1 north, or Strætó bus service.
Best Time to Visit Mosfellsbaer
Summer: Best for horse riding and hiking Mount Esja.
Year-round: Gljufrasteinn has seasonal opening days. In November–February its published timetable is Tuesday–Friday only.
Gljufrasteinn: match the house visit to the season
Gljufrasteinn’s visitor page, checked September 10, 2026, lists March–May and September–October hours of 10:00–16:00 Tuesday–Sunday, June–August daily 10:00–17:00, and November–February 10:00–16:00 Tuesday–Friday. That winter weekend closure matters if you are adding the writer’s house to a Golden Circle drive.
Adult admission is 1,500 ISK, with a 1,200 ISK rate for pensioners and students; children and disabled visitors enter free. Groups should book ahead through gljufrasteinn@gljufrasteinn.is or +354 586 8066. The ground floor has wheelchair access and accessible toilets, but the upper floor does not. An audio guide and virtual visit are available on the ground floor, so contact the museum to plan the visit around your access needs.
Planning help
Mosfellsbaer FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Mosfellsbaer?
Mosfellsbaer has approximately 12,000 residents and is a medium-sized municipality in the Capital Region.
What is the Laxness Museum?
The Laxness Museum is the former home of Halldor Laxness, Iceland's Nobel Prize-winning author. It's now a museum about his life and work.
Why is Mosfellsbaer called the gateway to the highlands?
Mosfellsbaer is located at the edge of the Greater Reykjavik Area, where roads lead to Thingvellir and the interior highlands.
Is Mosfellsbaer known for horses?
Yes, the Mosfellsdalur valley is known for Icelandic horse farms. Many riding tours and horse shows operate from the area.
How far is Mosfellsbaer from Reykjavik?
Mosfellsbaer is about 15 km northeast of Reykjavik, approximately 20 minutes by car.
Does Mosfellsbaer have swimming pools?
Yes, Mosfellsbaer has a good geothermal swimming pool (Lagafellslaug) with hot tubs and family facilities.
What nature is near Mosfellsbaer?
Mount Esja (914m), Mosfellsdalur valley, and the route to Thingvellir are all close by for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Is there geothermal activity in Mosfellsbaer?
Yes, geothermal hot water from the area supplies heating to much of the Greater Reykjavik Area.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.