Reykjanesbær (Keflavik/Njardvik) on the Reykjanes Peninsula is the fourth largest town
in Iceland, with 22,911 inhabitants. Nowhere in Iceland has the population grown as
quickly or as much: in the past ten years, the town’s population has increased by 53.5%.
By comparison, Reykjavik grew by 16.8% over the same period. Among the larger
municipalities in Iceland, Reykjanesbær also has the highest proportion of foreign
citizens — 34.4% of its residents hold foreign nationality. The main driver of this
growth is Keflavik International Airport, located right by the town. Tourism has
expanded rapidly over the past decade, fueling the increase.
But Reykjanesbær is more than just the airport. Hidden treasures can be found here: old
gems, beautiful churches, museums, and a harbor atmosphere that recalls earlier days
when fishing and fish processing were the backbone of Keflavik and Njardvik, which
merged into one municipality in 1994, together with Hafnir and Asbru, the settlement
of the U.S. Navy at Keflavik Airport. The Americans left the base in September 2006,
when the Cold War had long ended, after maintaining operations there since 1951.
Njardvik, focused on the discovery of America and the world and worldview of the
Vikings
as the town’s population has grown by over 50% in ten years
harbor at Grof
passengers last year (2024)
capital of pop music in Iceland during the Beatles era
Photos & Text : Páll Stefánsson
Reykjanesbær 11/09/2025 – A7C R, RX1R II : FE 2.8/100mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z
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