The Capital Area
About 250,000 people live in the capital area – nearly two out of every three Icelanders. The area covers seven municipalities on Faxaflói Bay and is the centre of government, business, education and culture in Iceland.
The municipalities
| Municipality | Population (approx.) | Town charter | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | 140,000 | 1786 | Capital, city centre, Harpa |
| Kópavogur | 40,000 | 1955 | Cultural centre in Hamraborg, Smáralind mall |
| Hafnarfjörður | 32,000 | 1908 | Lava town, elves, old harbour |
| Garðabær | 20,000 | 1976 | Museum of Design and Applied Art, Urriðavatn |
| Mosfellsbær | 14,000 | 1987 | Álafoss, Gljúfrasteinn |
| Seltjarnarnes | 5,000 | 1974 | Grótta, birdlife |
| Kjósarhreppur | 250 | – | Rural district by Hvalfjörður |
History and growth
The capital area was sparsely populated for a long time. Around 1900 only about 6,000 people lived in Reykjavík. During the 20th century people flocked from the countryside to the capital and the surrounding towns grew quickly, especially after the Second World War. Kópavogur grew from a summer-cottage settlement into the second-largest municipality in the country in just a few decades. Today the municipalities form a continuous urban area.
Nature and outdoor life
Despite the urban setting, nature is never far away. Heiðmörk is the largest recreation area in the capital region, about 3,200 hectares of woodland, lava and lakes. Mount Esja (914 m) is Reykjavík's "home mountain" and the most popular hike in the country. Other popular spots include Elliðaárdalur, where salmon run up the river within the city limits, Grótta on Seltjarnarnes, Helgafell above Hafnarfjörður and Úlfarsfell.
Culture and museums outside the city centre
- Gljúfrasteinn in Mosfellsdalur – the home of Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness, now a museum.
- Museum of Design and Applied Art in Garðabær.
- Gerðarsafn in Kópavogur, named after the sculptor Gerður Helgadóttir.
- Hafnarborg – Hafnarfjörður's centre of culture and fine art.
- Árbær Open Air Museum – old houses in Reykjavík.
- Hafnarfjörður Museum and the Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður.
Transport
Strætó runs public transport in the capital area. Work is under way on Borgarlína, a bus rapid transit system that will link the municipalities. Cycle paths have been greatly extended and electric scooters have become common. Main roads lead in all directions from the capital area, but most foreign visitors arrive through Keflavík Airport in Suðurnes, about 45 minutes' drive from Reykjavík.
Frequently asked questions
How many municipalities are in the capital area?
There are seven: Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes and Kjósarhreppur.
How far is Keflavík Airport from Reykjavík?
The distance is about 50 km, and the drive takes about 45 minutes.