capital region
Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
About Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
Laugardalur covers roughly 1.5 square kilometres of parkland, sports facilities and cultural institutions at the eastern edge of the city centre. The complex has grown piece by piece since the 1930s when the first outdoor pool was built on the valley floor. Today it contains: Laugardalslaug (Iceland's biggest public pool), the Botanical Garden (free entry), Reykjavík Zoo and Family Park, Ásmundarsafn (sculpture museum in the former studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson), Laugardalsvöllur (Iceland's national football stadium), and a series of parks, playgrounds and cycling routes. The valley is genuinely used by Reykjavík residents daily — it is not a tourist destination but a piece of the city's living infrastructure. Visitors who spend an afternoon here get a much more authentic picture of Icelandic life than those who stay on Laugavegur.
🐉 Where Reykjavík's Steam First Rose
The first settler Ingólfur Arnarson named all of Iceland's future capital after the steam rising from this very valley in 874 AD.
📖 History of Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
Laugardalur's hot springs were used for washing by Reykjavík residents from the earliest settlement. The name of the city (Reykjavík — 'Smoky Bay') likely refers to the steam visible from these same springs. An outdoor pool was built in 1930, and the complex grew with the expanding city. The national stadium Laugardalsvöllur was built in 1958.
💡 Did You Know?
The name Reykjavík ('Smoky Bay') was coined by the first settler Ingólfur Arnarson in 874 AD — he named the bay after the steam (reykur) rising from the Laugardalur hot springs, which he mistook for fire.
Key Facts
Contains Iceland's largest public swimming pool (Laugardalslaug)
Home to the Botanical Garden (free entry)
Laugardalsvöllur national stadium (capacity 9,800)
Ásmundarsafn sculpture museum located here
Cycling and jogging paths throughout the valley
💎 Hidden Gems
The Botanical Garden in Bloom
The Botanical Garden in June–July is surprisingly colourful this close to the Arctic. The rose garden is a particular highlight — nobody expects roses in Iceland.
Evening Jog Culture
On a summer evening, join the hundreds of Reykjavík residents jogging the valley paths — this is everyday Icelandic life at its most visible and welcoming.
🕐 Best Time
Summer evenings
🚗 Access
Sundlaugavegur, east Reykjavík
⏱ Duration
2–4 hours depending on activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there parking?▾
Yes, free car park at Sundlaugavegur. Also accessible by bus (routes 2, 5, 14).
Is the botanical garden free?▾
Yes, the Botanical Garden has free entry year-round.
📍 GPS Location
Book a Tour to Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
Find guided tours, day trips and activities. Compare prices and book instantly with free cancellation.
🌌 See the Northern Lights
Track real-time aurora activity and plan your Northern Lights trip with AuroraVision.