Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús

About Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús

Hafnarhús is the contemporary art branch of Reykjavík Art Museum, at Tryggvagata 17 by the old harbour in central Reykjavík. The building was once the harbour's warehouse, and after a complete renovation that kept its original architecture it opened as a museum in April 2000, the newest of the art museum's three sites.

The permanent draw is the work of Erró, the Icelandic pop artist born in 1932 who has lived and worked in Paris for decades. He donated a large collection to the city and has kept adding to it, and part of it is always on show at Hafnarhús. The rest of the building is given over to changing exhibitions of Icelandic and international contemporary art, spread across six galleries and a courtyard, and a multi-purpose room hosts events that range from concerts to poetry readings.

The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00 and until 22:00 on Thursdays, with special hours around Christmas, New Year and Easter. An adult ticket costs 2,550 ISK and students pay 1,550 ISK, while under-18s and disabled visitors enter free. The ticket is valid for 24 hours at all three Reykjavík Art Museum sites, so it also covers Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn, and the Reykjavík City Card gives free entry.

The building has wheelchair access, automatic doors, lifts and accessible toilets, and guide dogs are welcome. There is a café area on the second floor. Hafnarhús is a few minutes' walk from the Settlement Exhibition, Austurvöllur square, the Kolaportið flea market and Harpa concert hall, so it fits easily into a day in the city centre, and the Thursday late opening makes it a good option for an evening visit.