Attraction
Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavik's landmark Lutheran church on Skólavörðuholt hill, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, with a lift up the tower for views across the city and bay.
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhús
The Reykjavik Art Museum's contemporary art venue in a converted harbour warehouse on Tryggvagata, with a permanent showing of works by the pop artist Erró.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary art museum
- Area
- Old Harbour / Miðborg, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- listasafnreykjavikur.is
Good to know
- Erró collection
- Late opening on Thursdays
- Museum shop
Why we recommend it
Hafnarhús is one of the three venues of the Reykjavik Art Museum, Listasafn Reykjavíkur, which is the largest visual art institution in Iceland. It occupies a former harbour warehouse on Tryggvagata, between the old town and the harbour, which was fully renovated and reopened as a gallery in April 2000 with much of its original industrial character kept. The other two venues are Kjarvalsstaðir, by the park at Klambratún, and Ásmundarsafn, the former home and studio of the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson in Laugardalur.
Hafnarhús focuses on contemporary art. Its permanent feature is the collection of Erró, the Icelandic pop artist who has spent most of his career in Paris and who donated a large body of his work to the museum. His crowded, colourful collages of comic strips, politics and mass culture are always on show in some form; the current presentation is called Erró: Remix. The rest of the building hosts changing exhibitions of Icelandic and international art, and at the time of checking a show of works from the Bunkier Sztuki collection in Krakow was on display. The museum as a whole stages more than twenty exhibitions a year.
The building's large halls and courtyard also host talks, performances and events, and the museum runs family programmes. It suits art lovers, anyone interested in Icelandic culture beyond nature and history, and visitors looking for an indoor stop on a wet day in the centre.
Hafnarhús is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with late opening until 22:00 on Thursdays, which makes Thursday evenings a good time to combine a visit with dinner in town. Tickets can be bought online through the museum's web shop. Allow about an hour, or longer if you want to see every exhibition.
The museum is a few minutes' walk from Lækjartorg, Austurvöllur square and the Old Harbour. Harpa concert hall is a short walk away, and the shops and restaurants of Hafnarstræti and Tryggvagata are on the doorstep. Kjarvalsstaðir, which shows the work of the painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval, is a pleasant walk or short bus ride east of the centre if you want to see a second venue.
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhús FAQs
What are Hafnarhús opening hours?
Hafnarhús is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with late opening until 22:00 on Thursdays.
What can I see at Hafnarhús?
The museum shows contemporary Icelandic and international art in changing exhibitions, along with a permanent display from the Erró collection.
Who is Erró?
Erró is an Icelandic pop artist, born in 1932, who has lived and worked in Paris for decades and donated a large collection of his work to the museum.
What are the other Reykjavik Art Museum venues?
The museum also runs Kjarvalsstaðir at Klambratún and Ásmundarsafn, the former home and studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, in Laugardalur.
How long should I allow?
Around an hour is enough for most visitors.
Where is Hafnarhús?
It is at Tryggvagata 17, between the old town and the harbour, a short walk from Harpa concert hall.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes. Tickets are sold through the museum's web shop.
How do I contact the museum?
Hafnarhús can be reached on +354 411 6410 and the museum's general email is [email protected].