Viking Village in Hafnarfjordur Travel Guide
You can visit the Viking Village in Hafnarfjordur as part of a self-drive summer tour of Iceland. Hafnarfjordur is in the Capital Region, about 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) from the Icelandic capital, so it's easy to visit as part of a day trip from your accommodation in Reykjavik.
The Viking Village, known as Fjörukráin in Icelandic, is one of the most popular attractions in the area for people who want to learn more about Vikings in Iceland. Visitors can stay in a comfortable hotel and try traditional Icelandic food to taste Viking life.
Photo by Regina Hronn Ragnarsdottir.
What Is the Viking Village?
The Viking Village is a popular tourist attraction in the city of Hafnarfjordur that offers visitors an immersive experience of what life was like in a Viking village. It consists of a Viking-themed hotel and restaurant that serves traditional Icelandic food so that guests can imagine what it was like to live in Viking-era Iceland.
The attraction offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and learn about Viking culture. Whether you visit for dinner or spend a few days at the hotel, you'll have fun learning about Vikings. There's also a gift shop that's the perfect place to buy souvenirs to take home with you.
Eating at the Viking Village
Photo by Regina Hronn Ragnarsdottir.
The restaurants are the main attractions at the Viking Village, and there's a choice of two options. Fjaran/Valholl is open every day from 17:00 and Fjorukrain from 18:00, but you can request a group lunch if you contact the restaurant beforehand.
The restaurants are located in the second-oldest house in Hafnarfjordur, in a building that dates back to 1841.
Fjaran/Valholl is the more elegant, offering visitors a sophisticated evening with a Viking theme. The dining area on the ground floor can seat up to 36 guests, but there's also a cozy area upstairs where you can have a cocktail before or after your meal. There's also a private dining room upstairs for up to 12 guests.
The Fjorukrain restaurant is larger, seating up to 350 diners. It's decorated in a Viking feasting hall style, with wooden features, large tables, and replica shields on the walls.
Fjorukrain focuses on recreating a Viking dinner. If you book a Viking Feast, you'll be served a traditional meal on a Viking-style tray. The Viking Feasts also have Valkyries and Vikings singing and entertaining, and a chieftain chooses a special guest to crown an honorary Viking.
The Viking Feasts are an excellent way to experience Viking culture. The special menu includes a selection of local starters, lamb as a main course, and Icelandic skyr for dessert. You can drink mead and a local Icelandic liqueur, Brennivin, served in traditional horns.
Groups traveling together can book a "Viking Kidnapping" experience. On arrival at the Viking Village, actors in Viking clothing will "kidnap" you from your bus and bring you into the restaurant.
They'll sing Icelandic folk songs, tell stories, and serve delicious mead as you eat. Cloaks are available to rent for these group bookings so you can dress up and enjoy a more authentic experience.
If you haven't booked the Viking Feast, the regular menu offers a fantastic selection of Icelandic delicacies, Viking-style dishes, and other local produce. The lamb steak and shank are popular choices for meat-eaters, and the lamb's head is ideal for adventurous eaters who want a memorable meal.
Visitors traveling with children don't need to worry, as plenty of menu options are suitable for young diners. Pizza, chicken burgers, and even fish and chips are great options. There's also a vegetarian special each day.
Staying at the Viking Village
Photo by Regina Hronn Ragnarsdottir.
Hotel Viking has 42 rooms available to guests, some decorated in a Viking style and others with a West Nordic theme. The rooms may be old-fashioned in their theme, but they're all comfortable and equipped with everything guests need for a relaxing stay, including tea and coffee-making facilities, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi.
Single, double, and triple rooms are available, and there are cottages at the property that can sleep up to five guests. The hotel has a geothermal hot tub and sauna for guests. It's a brilliant place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing in the area.
Where Is the Viking Village?
The Viking Village is in the town of Hafnarfjordur in Southwest Iceland. It's close to Reykjavik and on the way to the Reykjanes Peninsula.
To reach the Viking Village from Reykjavik, follow Route 40 southbound for about 5.5 miles (roughly 9 kilometers), then take Exit 2 toward Hafnarfjordur. Keep left at the fork to merge onto Route 41. After about 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometers), turn right onto Laekjargata, then left onto Strandgata. The Viking Village is soon after on your left.
If you're traveling by public transport, take the number 1 or 3 bus from downtown Reykjavik and get off at the Vidistadatun stop Hafnarfjordur. The journey takes about 25–30 minutes. Walk south along Strandgata street for about 10 minutes until you reach the Viking Village.
Does the Viking Village Host a Viking Festival?
The Viking Village in Hafnarfjordur used to host an annual Viking Festival to celebrate Viking culture and allow visitors to purchase Viking-style souvenirs. However, since 2018, the festival has been taking place at the nearby Vidistadatun Park instead.
The four-day festival takes place each year in June. You can visit a Middle Ages market to buy Viking-inspired jewelry, leather and fur goods, swords, and even drinking horns. The festival also has re-enactments and demonstrations, making it an excellent place to take children.
Is There Another Viking Village in Iceland?
If you want to visit a replica of a Viking Village, the Viking Village Film Set in East Iceland is a good alternative. Situated near the villages of Hofn and Hornafjordur, the settlement is an authentic reproduction of a real Viking village.
It was created as a movie set but now allows visitors to see what an actual Viking settlement would have looked like.
Other Attractions Near the Viking Village in Hafnarfjordur
Several other attractions are near the Viking Village. If you're staying at the Viking Village's hotel or visiting the restaurant for dinner, there's plenty in the surrounding area to entertain you and your family.
Hafnarfjordur
Hafnarfjordur is the third-largest settlement in the country (after Reykjavik and Akureyri). In addition to the Viking Village, Hafnarfjordur has many other attractions worth visiting if you're in the area.
The Hafnarfjordur Museum, located near the Viking Village, offers exhibitions and artifacts about the town's history. The Hellisgerdi Park is a beautiful green space in the city, with walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
The harbor area is also a popular destination for visitors, with gorgeous views of Faxafloi Bay, known for its large populations of whales and puffins.
The Fjordur Mall is a popular shopping center in the town that offers a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's only 1,300 feet (400 meters) from the Viking Village, so you can easily visit it on your way to or from the hotel and restaurant.
Reykjavik
The Viking Village in Hafnarfjordur is not far from Iceland's capital city. Reykjavik is the largest city in Iceland and has some fantastic attractions.
The Hallgrimskirkja Church is the largest church and one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. Its striking architecture makes it a popular spot for visitors. The architect, Gudjon Samuelsson, took inspiration from various elements of Iceland's geography and culture, including hexagonal basalt columns and Thor's hammer.
The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center is a modern building at Reykjavik's Old Harbor. Designed by the Danish–Icelandic architect Olafur Eliasson, the imposing glass structure hosts musical acts from around the world. However, it's worth visiting even if you don't have tickets to an event, as it's a stunning building.
Blue Lagoon
The Viking Village isn't far from the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. The spa is one of Iceland's most popular attractions, visited by thousands yearly. It's only about 23 miles (37 kilometers) from the Viking Village.
Visitors can soak in the milky-blue water of the lagoon, surrounded by a rugged lava field and steam rising from the hot water. The Blue Lagoon also offers spa treatments, including massages and skin treatments, and a range of restaurants and cafes that serve Icelandic cuisine.
Many Blue Lagoon tours can take you to this incredible hot spring, but you can also visit it by purchasing your own ticket to the Blue Lagoon.
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