The Reykjavík Botanic Garden, both a museum and a recreational area run by the
City of Reykjavík, is a remarkable collection of Icelandic plants, located in the heart
of Laugardalur. The garden was founded on Reykjavík’s anniversary in 1961, when
pianist Katrín Viðar and headmaster Jón Sigurðsson donated to the city their unique
collection of Icelandic plants, gathered during their travels all across the country.
That gift became the foundation of the Botanic Garden.
Today, the garden holds around 3,000 plant species, divided into eight collections,
offering a vivid picture of the flora that thrives here in the far north, from Hornbjarg in
the Westfjords to Höfn in Hornafjörður.
When Icelandic Times / Land & Saga visited, it was a delight to see the people
enjoying the garden — everyone from local preschool children to tourists from
France, and many more in between. Of course, no time of the year is better than the
next to visit the garden and enjoy the outdoors… except perhaps in autumn, when
the greenery shifts into brilliant reds and yellows.
the City of Reykjavik, is a remarkable collection of Icelandic plants, located in
the heart of Laugardalur. The garden was founded on Reykjavik’s anniversary
in 1961, when pianist Katrin Vidar and headmaster Jon Sigurdsson donated to
the city their unique collection of Icelandic plants, gathered during their travels
all across Iceland. That gift became the foundation of the Botanic Garden.
Katrin Vidar and headmaster Jon Sigurdsson donated to the city their unique
collection of Icelandic plants, gathered during their travels all across Iceland.
That gift became the foundation of the Botanic Garden.
Photos & Text : Páll Stefánsson
Reykjavík 25/09/2025 – A7C R : FE 2.8/100mm GM
