Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús

Overview

Hafnarhús is the largest of the Reykjavík Art Museum's three locations, housed in a modernised 1930s harbour warehouse near the Old Harbour. It focuses on contemporary art with rotating exhibitions alongside a permanent collection of works by Erró, the Icelandic pop-art pioneer.

Highlights

• Erró Collection: Over 4,000 works donated by the artist, displayed in dedicated ground-floor galleries with vivid, collage-like compositions.
• Rotating Exhibitions: Ambitious shows by Icelandic and international contemporary artists across two floors of flexible gallery space.
• Architecture: The juxtaposition of raw concrete warehouse walls with sleek modern insertions creates a striking exhibition environment.

History

The building served as the main port warehouse for decades before being converted into an art space in 2000. Its harbourside location reflects Reykjavík's transformation from fishing town to cultural capital.

Visitor Tips

• Combined Ticket: One ticket covers all three Reykjavík Art Museum locations (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, Ásmundarsafn) and is valid for 24 hours.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.
• Café: The museum café overlooking the harbour is a pleasant spot for coffee.