Tjörnin
Tjörnin features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Reykjavík. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type park
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Reykjavík Reykjavík guide
About Tjörnin
A shallow bird-filled pond at the heart of Reykjavík, barely half a metre deep, ringed by the City Hall, parliament and the National Gallery; the city grew up around it.
Tjörnin is a small, shallow lake, in effect a pond, at the centre of Reykjavík; its name simply means 'the pond'. It averages only about 0.57 metres deep, with a deepest point near 0.8 metres, and often freezes over for skating in winter. Geologically a lagoon behind a barrier beach, the city grew up around it, with the earliest houses built between the pond and the northern shore. The postmodern City Hall stands at its northwest corner, seeming to rise from the water.
Between forty and fifty species of water birds visit the pond, from mallards and eider to whooper swans, and the arrival of the Arctic tern is taken to mark summer. The National Gallery of Iceland occupies a former 1916 freezing plant on the eastern shore, and paved banks lead south to the statue-dotted Hljómskálagarður park.
Did you know? Tjörnin means simply 'the pond', and it earns the name: it averages about 0.57 metres deep and reaches only around 0.8 metres at its deepest, shallow enough to freeze solid for winter skating.
How long is a visit to Tjörnin?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Tjörnin. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Tjörnin worth your time?
Tjörnin is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Reykjavík, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Reykjavík
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Tjörnin and read more:
Day 1 of the Reykjavík in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Tjörnin
Preview the Reykjavík tour free in the Gingerguide app.