Hólavallagarður Cemetery
About Hólavallagarður Cemetery
Hólavallagarður is Reykjavík's old cemetery, opened in 1838 on the west side of downtown between Suðurgata and Ljósvallagata. It's a short walk from Tjörnin pond, and with its tall trees and moss-covered stones it's one of the most wooded corners of the city center.
The first person buried here was Guðrún Oddsdóttir, the wife of a local magistrate, who died in November 1838. Icelandic folk belief holds that the first person laid in a new graveyard becomes its guardian, so she is still known as the guardian of Hólavallagarður. Burials filled the ground quickly, and by 1932 nearly every plot had been reserved, so the city's main cemetery moved to Fossvogur.
Walking the paths is a quiet lesson in Icelandic history. Among the graves are those of independence leader Jón Sigurðsson, painter Jóhannes Kjarval, Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, who composed the national anthem, and Hannes Hafstein, Iceland's first government minister.
Hólavallagarður cemetery is free to enter, and the gates on several sides are usually open. Half an hour is enough for a slow loop, longer if you want to find particular graves. Keep voices low, stay on the paths and remember it's still a working burial ground.
Summer is the best time to visit Hólavallagarður, when the trees are in full leaf and the stones sit in green shade. In winter the paths can be icy and daylight is short, so go around midday.
Good to know
Where is Hólavallagarður cemetery?
Hólavallagarður is in western downtown Reykjavík, between Suðurgata and Ljósvallagata, a few minutes' walk from Tjörnin pond.
When was Hólavallagarður founded?
The cemetery opened in 1838. By 1932 nearly all its plots had been reserved, and Fossvogur took over as Reykjavík's main cemetery.
Who is buried in Hólavallagarður?
The graves include independence leader Jón Sigurðsson, painter Jóhannes Kjarval, composer Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson and Hannes Hafstein, Iceland's first government minister.
Who is the guardian of Hólavallagarður?
Guðrún Oddsdóttir, the first person buried there in 1838. By Icelandic folk belief, the first burial in a new graveyard becomes its guardian.
Does it cost anything to visit Hólavallagarður?
No. The cemetery is free to enter and its gates are usually open, but please treat it as the working cemetery it still is.
Trip planning — free, no commitment
Put Hólavallagarður Cemetery on your route
Tell us your dates, pace and can’t-miss list — a local planner builds the route, stays and tours around it, and stays a text away while you travel.