Garðabær () is a town and

municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality' ...

in the Capital Region of

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

History

Garðabær is a growing town in the Capital Region. It is the fifth largest municipality in Iceland with a population of 20,116 (1 January 2025). The site of Garðabær has been inhabited since Iceland was first settled in the 9th century.

Landnámabók (, "Book of Settlements"), often shortened to , is a medieval Icelandic written work which describes in considerable detail the settlement () of Iceland by the Norse in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. is divided into five parts and ov ...

, the Book of Settlement, tells of two farms on the site of Garðabær: Vífilsstaðir and Skúlastaðir. The former was named after Vífill, who was a slave of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland. Ingólfur gave Vífill his freedom and he made his home at Vífilsstaðir.

Facilities

The only

IKEA IKEA ( , ) is a Multinational corporation, multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in Sweden that designs and sells , household goods, and various related services. IKEA is owned and operated by a series of not-for-profit an ...

store in Iceland is located in Garðabær, as is the only

Costco Costco Wholesale Corporation is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of membership-only big-box warehouse club retail stores. As of 2021, Costco is the third-largest retailer in the world, and as of August 2024, Cos ...

store. The town is also home to Marel hf., the largest company on NASDAQ OMX Iceland by market capitalisation. 380 studios, the TV studio for the children's television programmes ''

LazyTown ''LazyTown'' () is an Icelandic children's educational musical television series created by aerobics champion Magnús Scheving. Originally produced in English, it has been broadcast in dozens of languages globally. Designed to encourage health ...

'' and '' LazyTown Extra'' and the headquarters for Lazytown Entertainment, is located in the town.

Education

Among schools in the town are seven elementary schools including Sjálandsskóli. Sjálandsskóli was established in 2005, and may be better known internationally for providing space in its building for the International School of Iceland.

Sports

The town's main sports club is Stjarnan, best known for its men's football team that plays in the Icelandic Premier League and won the competition for the first time in 2014. The club's women's football section has been even more successful; it is the currently reigning champion of the Icelandic Women's Premier League and has won four of the last six titles. The Oddur Golf Club was established in 1990 and has hosted the Icelandic Golf Championship in 2006 and the European Ladies' Amateur Team Championship in 2016. Award-winning dancer Hanna Rún Óladóttir and strength athlete Páll Logason live in Garðabær.

Music

Musicians from Garðabær include members of

Of Monsters and Men Of Monsters and Men is an Icelandic indie folk/Folk rock, rock band formed in Garðabær in 2010. It consists of lead singer and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, singer and guitarist Ragnar Þórhallsson, Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson, ...

Mínus Mínus are an Icelandic alternative rock/post-hardcore band from Reykjavík, formed in 1998. They were signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone ...

, Dikta and Ourlives. Brothers Ómar and Óskar Guðjónsson of

ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple ...

, as well as Ragnheiður Gröndal, all hail from the town. Guitarist Björn Thoroddsen was named Garðabær Artist of 2002.

Surroundings

There are many nature reserves surrounding Garðabær, and the view from various sites in Garðabær is spectacular. From many areas in Garðabær the impressive Snæfellsjökull (Snæfells Glacier) can be seen to the north-west, as well as Mt. Esja, and there is also a good view over the capital Reykjavík and the neighbouring town of

Kópavogur Kópavogur () is a town in Iceland that is the country's second-largest municipality by population. It lies immediately south of Reykjavík and is part of the Capital Region (Iceland), Capital Region. The name literally means ''seal pup inlet''. ...

. The view to the south includes the mountains of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Bessastaðahreppur

Bessastaðahreppur was a municipality that became part of Garðabær in 2012.

International Cities of Friendship

Bessastaðahreppur's Cities of Friendship as at January 1, 2007: *

Gjøvik Gjøvik () is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the Gjøvik (town), town of Gjøvik. Some of the villages in Gjøvik include Biri, Norway, Biri, Bybrua, ...

- Norway *

Gävle Gävle ( ; ) is a Urban areas in Sweden, city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 79,004 inhabitants in 2020, which makes it the List of cities in Sweden, 13th-most-populated city in Sweden. I ...

- Sweden * Rauma - Finland *

Næstved Næstved () is a town in Næstved Municipality, the municipality of the same name, located in the southern part of the island of Zealand (Denmark), Zealand in Denmark. Næstved has several adult education centers, five Primary education, elemen ...

- Denmark

Nature

The Bessastaðahreppur (or Álftanes) area is primarily a residential area. There are fine mountain views. Many rare shore birds breed here along the beaches.

The Bessastaðir manor farm

The official residence of the

president of Iceland The president of Iceland () is the head of state of Iceland. The incumbent is Halla Tómasdóttir, who won the 2024 Icelandic presidential election, 2024 presidential election. The president is not involved in the running of the country, bu ...

, built in 1766, heavily renovated over the years.

Twin towns – sister cities

Garðabær is twinned with: * Asker, Norway * Eslöv, Sweden *

Jakobstad Jakobstad (; , ) is a town in Finland, located on the west coast of the country. Jakobstad is situated in Ostrobothnia (administrative region), Ostrobothnia, along the Gulf of Bothnia. The population of Jakobstad is approximately , while the Jako ...

, Finland * Rudersdal, Denmark

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gardabaer Municipalities of Iceland Populated places in Capital Region (Iceland)