Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
ACCOMMODATION
Campsite
Hafnarfjörður Guesthouse
Helguhús
Hótel Viking
HAFNARFJÖRÐUR
1
1
2
3
Víðistaðatún
Park
R
U
A
SK
Hafnarjörður
Museum &
Sívertsens-Hús
R
G
A
Library
U
R G ATA
CAFÉS & RESTAURANTS
Café Aroma
Fjaran
Fjörugarðurinn
Gamla Vínhúsið
Gló
Súfistinn
Tilveran
4
6
6
1
5
2
3
Bus to
Reykjavík
Hafnarborg
Arts Centre
N
Hamarinn
Fjörukráin
0
200
metres
Keflavík airport & Swiming pool
Íshestar riding centre
erupted 7000 years ago, spewing lava out along the northern side of the fjord that is
now home to Hafnarfjörður, and creating a protective wall. At the beginning of the
fifteenth century the village became a strategic centre for
trade
with England, which
was then just starting up, and the harbour was often full of English boats profiting
from the then-rich fishing grounds offshore. Seventy-five years later, a dispute broke
out between the English and newly arrived German fishermen who challenged, and
won, the right to operate out of the burgeoning town. Their victory, however, was
short-lived, since Hafnarfjörður fell under the trade monopoly of the Danes in 1602,
which lasted until 1787, when the place fell into obscurity.
Today, Hafnarfjörður is known for its inhabitants, called
hafnies
, the unfortunate
subjects of many an Icelandic
joke
- it's said, for example, that local children take
ladders when they start at high school, which their parents also use to go shopping with
if they hear that prices have gone up. Needless to say, Icelandic humour can be an
acquired taste.
The harbour
he
harbour
is the best place to start your wanderings. Home port for many of
Iceland's ocean-going trawlers, it's an interesting spot for watching the bustle as
fishermen land their catches, wash down their vessels and mend their nets.
