Capital Region

Einarsreitur

About Einarsreitur

Einarsreitur is a site of historical and cultural significance in capital-region, connected to Iceland's rich tradition of folklore, sagas, and ancient stories passed down through generations.

📖 Story

Einarsreitur was created by the shipowner and merchant Einar Þorgilsson during the height of Iceland’s salted fish industry in the early 1900s. At that time, fish processing shaped everyday life in Hafnarfjörður, and drying grounds like this stretched across the lava fields between areas now known as Arnarhraun, Smyrlahraun, Álfaskeið, and Reykjavíkurvegur. Workers spread salted fish across these stone platforms to dry in the wind and sun before export—mainly to Southern Europe. Although urban development has reduced many of these sites, Einarsreitur remains a visible reminder of how central the fishing industry once was to the town’s identity and growth.

✈️ Why Visit

A culturally significant location tied to Iceland's rich history and folklore.

💡 Did You Know?

In the early 20th century, large parts of Hafnarfjörður were covered with stone-built fish drying grounds where salted fish was laid out to dry in the open air. These carefully constructed lava-rock platforms were essential to Iceland’s export economy at the time. Today, Einarsreitur is one of the few remaining sites where you can still see this historic infrastructure preserved in its original setting.