SafekipediaGarðabær
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Garðabær is a town and municipality located in the Capital Region of Iceland. It is one of the many communities that make up the greater Reykjavik area, where many people live and work. The town has grown over the years and offers various services and amenities for its residents.
Being part of the Capital Region, Garðabær is close to Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, which means it shares many of the same opportunities and attractions. People living in Garðabær can easily access schools, shops, parks, and other facilities that are important for daily life.
The area is known for its peaceful neighborhoods and natural surroundings, making it a nice place to call home. Garðabær plays an important role in the regional community, contributing to the overall growth and development of Iceland’s central area.
History
Garðabær is a growing town in the Capital Region. It is the fifth largest municipality in Iceland, with a population of 20,116 as of January 1, 2025.
People have lived in Garðabær since Iceland was first settled in the 9th century. The Book of Settlement, called Landnámabók, mentions two old farms in the area: Vífilsstaðir and Skúlastaðir. One farm was named after Vífill, a slave who was freed by Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first settler. After gaining his freedom, Vífill built his home at Vífilsstaðir.
Facilities
Garðabær is home to Iceland's only IKEA and Costco stores. The town also has Marel hf., the biggest company on the NASDAQ OMX Iceland.
It has 380 studios, where the children's TV shows LazyTown and LazyTown Extra are made. This is also where the headquarters of LTS Garðbær Studios is located.
Education
Garðabær has several schools for young learners. One of them is called Sjálandsskóli, which opened its doors in 2005. This school is also known because it shares its space with the International School of Iceland.
Sports
Garðabær has a popular sports club called Stjarnan. Its men's football team plays in the top league of Iceland, called the Icelandic Premier League, and won the league in 2014. The women's football team at the club has been very successful, winning the Icelandic Women's Premier League four times in the past six years.
There is also a golf club in Garðabær named the Oddur Golf Club, which started in 1990. It has hosted big golf events, including the Icelandic Golf Championship in 2006 and the European Ladies' Amateur Team Championship in 2016. Famous people from Garðabær include award-winning dancer Hanna Rún Óladóttir and strong athlete Páll Logason.
Notable people
One well-known person from Garðabær is Kolbeinn Kristinsson, who was born in 1988 and became a professional boxer in Iceland.
Music
Garðabær is a place where many musicians come from. Some famous groups and artists include Of Monsters and Men, Mínus, Dikta, and Ourlives. Two brothers named Ómar and Óskar Guðjónsson, who are part of ADHD, and a singer named Ragnheiður Gröndal all grew up in Garðabær. In 2002, a guitarist named Björn Thoroddsen was chosen as the town’s Artist of the Year.
Surroundings
Garðabær is surrounded by beautiful nature reserves, offering spectacular views. From many spots in Garðabær, you can see the impressive Snæfellsjökull glacier to the north-west, as well as Mt. Esja. You can also enjoy views over the capital city of Reykjavík and the nearby town of Kópavogur. To the south, you can see the mountains of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Bessastaðahreppur
Bessastaðahreppur was a municipality that joined Garðabær in 2012.
International Cities of Friendship
Bessastaðahreppur had friendly city ties as of January 1, 2007 with:
Nature
The Bessastaðahreppur area, also called Álftanes, is mainly a place where people live. It has beautiful mountain views. Many special birds live and nest along the beaches.
The Bessastaðir manor farm
This is the official home of the president of Iceland. It was built in 1766 and has been updated many times over the years.
Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Iceland
Garðabær has friendly partnerships with these places in other countries:
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Garðabær, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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