Hafnarfjordur: Iceland’s Bustling Port Town
The town of Hafnarfjordur derives its name from the Icelandic phrase meaning, “harbor fjord”, serving as a testament to the town’s history as a natural harbor. The town’s coat of arms also features a lighthouse. This port town is situated along the southwestern coast of Iceland, a few miles from the city of Reykjavik. Hafnarfjordur, Iceland is the country’s third most populous city, with a population of nearly 30,000 over an area of 55 square miles. One of the airports near Hafnarfjordur is Keflavik International Airport.
Best Time to Visit
At any time within the year, the weather in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland can vary greatly, from reaching peak heat to dropping to chilly lows all within the same month. This means that in terms of weather, any time is ideal for visiting Hafnarfjordur, as any month is likely to bring both heat and cold. For avoiding busy tourist crowds, a good time to visit is in April or in November. Around June, the town also holds annual Viking festivals, displaying both traditional Viking attire and hosting weapon-wielding competitions.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Ulfarsfell Mountain is an ideal mountain to hike for beginners. A hike to the top will take less than two hours and the resulting view spans the whole of Hafnarfjordur and the surrounding sea. The Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is an artificially constructed beach that brings together geothermal water and the naturally cold Icelandic waters. Hafnarfjordur accommodations include the Iceland Comfort Apartments, with sleek, modern interiors with a view of the fjord, and Hotel Smari, with clean, comfortable rooms and filling breakfast buffets.