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| Home > City Guide - Reykjavik - Further Distractions | ||
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Further Distractions Hafnarfjördur (Harbour-fjord) Hafnarfjördur has long been know as the ‘Town in the Lava’ – due to its location right on top of the Burfell lava formation, which dates back to an eruption 7000 years ago. Nestled in the arc of a natural harbour, it has become a suburb of Reykjavik. In previous centuries, it gained status as a trading centre and, today, its reputation is as a centre for culture. Highlights include a sculpture garden on Vidistadir, a lighthouse and an archaeological site from pre-Lutheran times. It is also home to the Icelandic Maritime Museum, the Museum of Local History and the Museum of Postal and Telecommunications. The town also has two geothermally heated pools and the Keilier Golf Club. Hafnarfjördur Tourist Information Office Vesturgata 8, Hanarfjördur Tel: 565 0661. Fax: 565 2914. E-mail: tourist-info@hafnarfjordur.is Website: www.hafnarfjordur.is/tourist-info Transport: Bus 140. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730, Sat 0900-1500 and Sun 1200-1700 (summer); Mon-Fri only 1300-1600 (winter). Sigurjon Olafsson Museum The idiosyncratic Sigurjon Olafsson Museum is devoted to the life’s work of one artist, Sigurjon Olafsson (1908-1982), who was born and lived in Iceland. The sleek wooden floors and starched white walls are the perfect setting for his avant-garde work. Olafsson used a collage of wood, metal, plaster, stone and concrete in his work and his striking forms combined abstract styles with inspiration from the Icelandic Sagas. The museum is not one that many tourists go to or even know about but is much beloved of the locals and well worth a visit. During summer there are concerts in the museum on Tuesday evenings and there is also a café with lovely views over the ocean. Laugarestangi 70 Tel: 553 2906. Fax: 581 4553. Transport: Bus 4 or 5. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1400-1700 (summer); Sat and Sun only 1400-1700 (winter). Closed Dec and Jan. Admission: Free. |
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