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Voykit pocket guide · Iceland
Kópavogur
Spend a half‑day in Kópavogur for shopping, a cinema or pool; otherwise stay in Reykjavík and treat Kópavogur as a quick side‑trip.
Kópavogur is Iceland’s second‑largest municipality, bordering Reykjavík. Its main draws are the Smáralind mall, Smáratorg Tower, a modern cinema and geothermal pools. All attractions fit within a few hours, so most travellers visit as a brief stop while based in Reykjavík.
- Country
- Iceland
- Best months
- All year – summer offers longer daylight for walking the Kársnes peninsula.
- Avoid
- Winter storms can limit bus service; check local forecasts.
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ISK
- Money
- Currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK, kr). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including remote petrol stations and toilets. About 145 ISK to €1 — check.
- Daily spend
- Budget 12,000–18,000 kr excl. bed · Mid 18,000–26,000 kr excl. bed · High 26,000 kr+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EEA roaming applies: EU/EEA SIMs work at home prices.
- Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance 112 · Non-urgent doctor (Læknavaktin) 1700
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Not expected.; Tour guide: Optional; ISK 1,000–3,000 for an excellent guide.; Taxi: Nothing.
- Water
- Cold tap water is excellent; hot tap water is geothermal and smells of sulphur — do not drink it.
- Toilets
- Few on long drives; petrol stations and paid toilets (ISK 200–500) at sites.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cinema ticket (Smárabíó) | 1,350 kr |
| Geothermal pool entry (Salalaug or Kópavogslaug) | 500 kr |
| Coffee at a café | 400–600 kr |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KEF · Keflavík International Airport
- About 45 km (28 mi) (≈45 min) by bus or car.About 28 mi (45 km) (≈45 min) by bus or car.
Typical fares
- Strætó bus Kópavogur ↔ Reykjavík
- about 1,500 kr for a day pass (check)
- Smárabíó cinema ticket
- 1,350 kr adult (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
City buses (Strætó) link Kópavogur to Reykjavík (≈10 min). Walk or bike on well‑marked paths; car rental optional.
See and do
Known for
- Smáralind shopping centre
- Smáratorg Tower
- Smárabíó cinema
- Salalaug and Kópavogslaug pools
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | Strætó bus line 4 or 5, about 10 min from Kópavogur centre | ≈20 min total |
Sleep
- Lily Guesthouse
- Close to Smáralind, offers private rooms and free Wi‑Fi.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallóhahl-oh |
| How much? | Hvað kostar það?kvat kostar that |
| Where is the bus stop? | Hvar er strætóstoppið?kvar er strae-toh-stoppith |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, first names; avoid: Using titles or surnames — there usually is no family name
- Pools: Shower naked first, keep the hot pot conversational; avoid: Swimwear in the showers
- Driving: Pull into lay-bys for photos, dip lights on single-lane bridges; avoid: Stopping on the road
- Nature: Stay on paths, carry litter out; avoid: Stone stacks, walking on moss
- Conversation: Ask about books, music, weather and the elves with good humour; avoid: Lecturing on whaling
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited historic sites – most attractions are modern commercial venues.
- Cinema and pool prices are in Icelandic króna; confirm current rates on arrival.
Kópavogur is safe; typical city precautions apply – keep an eye on belongings in busy malls.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kópavogur yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Smáralind shopping centre
- Smáratorg Tower
- Smárabíó cinema
- Salalaug and Kópavogslaug pools
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kópavogur, revision 5212670 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5212670
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kopavogur). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.