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Kópavogur is a quiet suburb in the greater Reykjavík area home to families, young professionals, and immigrants, and it attracts people travelling on business or shoppers headed to the Smáralind mall or the island’s only IKEA and Costco. A couple of museums are worth checking out for local art and history.
Aerial view of a coastal suburb with tree-lined streets and quaint houses.
Distance from Reykjavík
5 km (3.1 mi)
Coordinates
64.1123° - 21.9103° W
Best time to Visit
All year round

Where is Kópavogur Located?

Kópavogur is a town in the Greater Reykjavik area of Iceland, adjacent to Reykjavik’s capital. While Kópavogur itself might not be known for major tourist attractions, its proximity to Reykjavik and the surrounding area offers a variety of interests and activities for visitors.

Kópavogur is just a 10-minute ride, 5 kilometres south of downtown Reykjavík by car. Take Route 40 to Route 49. Street parking is available, and it’s easy to find parking spots.

City buses go to Kópavogur, including buses 1, 2, and 28.

Aerial view of a residential district with tall buildings blanketed in snow during winter

Kópavogur Attractions

Kópavogur Art Museum

The Kópavogur Art Museum is named Gerðarsafn in Icelandic, after sculptor Gerður Helgadóttir, who died in 1975. In 1977, her family donated roughly 1,400 of her works to the municipality of Kópavogur so that a museum bearing her name would be opened. The museum opened in 1994. Gerður’s black-iron works in the 1950s made her a pioneer of three-dimensional abstract art in Iceland.

It’s a pretty museum with varied works of art, and it’s worth a visit if you’re in the neighbourhood.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is a great place to bring kids to learn about the animals and geology of Iceland. The exhibits fall into two categories: zoological and geological. The geology section, where you learn about Iceland's major rock types and minerals, is of more interest to adults.

The zoological part focuses on the country's mammals, fish, birds, and invertebrates. It’s educational and entertaining, and kids love the exhibitions of seals, foxes, and cute birds like puffins.

Person lounging in the infinity pool of Sky Lagoon, with the expansive ocean horizon in the background.

The Sky Lagoon Spa

Sky Lagoon is a new gem in Kópavogur, built in 2021 . This luxurious and serene retreat offers a unique, authentic Icelandic spa experience. The design of Sky Lagoon is inspired by Icelandic landscapes, featuring natural .materials that harmonize with the stunning surroundings.

The lagoon's design allows for panoramic views, most notably the vast Atlantic Ocean on one side. Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy the spectacular play of the Northern Lights in winter or the endless glow of the Midnight Sun in summer.

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