Harpa Concert Hall

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Harpa Concert Hall, also known as Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, rises at Austurbakki by Reykjavík's old harbour, where its glass façade reflects Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja. Inside, the dramatic red hall Eldborg anchors a packed calendar of concerts, festivals, and city events.

For a strong first experience, book a scheduled guided tour in the summer season, then add an evening performance to feel the building at full energy.

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Some experiences and attractions are seasonal and might close temporarily.

6 tips for visiting the Harpa Concert Hall

Pick the right time window

If you want calmer foyers and easier photos, aim for late morning on Sunday to Tuesday, before pre-show lines build. On major event nights in Eldborg, arrivals rise quickly after 5 pm, so earlier entry saves waiting and keeps the visit relaxed.

Pair a tour with a show

If your priority is understanding the building, start with a guided tour, then keep the evening for a live performance. Scheduled tours are mainly seasonal, while private tours require advance request and at least 10 paying participants, so planning early gives you more choice.

Use the underground car park on windy days

On a windy harbour day, enter through Harpa's underground car park and take the elevators straight into the building. The garage is open 24 hours with EV charging, and this route keeps your arrival dry and low-friction so you can focus on the visit, not the weather.

Start from Lækjartorg

If you are using public transport, treat Lækjartorg as your anchor point, then walk the final minutes toward the old harbour. This keeps transfers simple, and you can finish with a short waterfront walk through Reykjavík without backtracking.

Plan accessibility details before arrival

If you need wheelchair space, hearing support, or guide-dog seating, reserve this when you arrange tickets. Harpa has strong access infrastructure, but the specific spots in Eldborg, Silfurberg, Norðurljós, and Kaldalón are managed by reservation, and booking ahead avoids last-minute friction.

Build a smart city pairing

If you want a culture-focused half day, pair Harpa with Perlan; if you prefer an easy downtown flow, continue on foot through Reykjavík. For a longer Iceland day after your city stop, classic add-ons are Great Geysir and Gullfoss.

How to plan a Harpa stop in downtown Reykjavik

A smooth visit to Harpa is mostly about sequence: choose format first, time your entry around event flow, then build the right nearby pairing. This order saves time and keeps the experience focused.

Choose your first Harpa format

Best for first-time visitors: start with a guided tour when you want architecture and history context, then add a performance ticket for the evening. If you are organizing a group, private tours offer deeper access but need advance request and minimum participant volume. Book now.

Time your entry around event flow

If your priority is a quieter atmosphere, enter before the pre-show rush and use daytime hours for façade views and foyer exploration. If your priority is energy and atmosphere, arrive closer to curtain time in Eldborg, but keep a small time buffer for security and seat finding.

Build a practical downtown pairing

Families often prefer a short city loop with Reykjavík, while architecture-focused visitors pair Harpa with Perlan for a strong design-to-nature contrast. If you only have half a day, keep transfers short and let Austurbakki be your anchor point.

Why Harpa became Reykjavik's modern landmark

Harpa is not just a venue schedule. It is a long-planned civic project, a signature design statement, and a working cultural engine that shapes how many visitors first read the city.

From early vision to opening in 2011

The idea of a dedicated concert hall appeared in public debate as early as 1881, then gained formal structure in 1983 and major state-city agreements in 2006. Construction started in 2007, paused in 2008 during the financial shock, resumed in 2009, and finally opened in 2011, with the first Iceland Symphony Orchestra concert in Eldborg on May 4, 2011.

Design language built from light and landscape

The visual identity comes from the collaboration between Henning Larsen Architects, Batteríið Architects, and artist Ólafur Elíasson. The glass skin was shaped to mirror Icelandic light conditions and changing weather, so the building keeps shifting with the harbour sky through the day.

Inside the halls: Eldborg, Silfurberg, and Norðurljós

Eldborg is the main stage and can seat up to 1,734 guests, while Silfurberg and Norðurljós handle flexible conference, festival, and amplified formats. This hall mix is why Harpa can move from orchestra nights to major congresses without losing identity or visitor flow.

Awards that confirmed global status

Major recognitions include the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2013 and the USITT Architecture Award in 2018. Those awards matter for visitors because they reflect what you feel on-site: strong acoustics, clear circulation, and a building that performs as well as it photographs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harpa free to enter?

Yes. Access to the public areas of Harpa is free. You only pay for specific products such as guided tours, exhibitions, or performance tickets.

How long should I plan for a first visit?

For a first stop without a concert, plan around 60 to 90 minutes. Add more time if you include a guided tour, dinner, or an evening show in Eldborg.

Are guided tours available all year?

Scheduled tours are mainly offered during the summer season, with occasional additional periods. Private tours can be arranged year-round on request, subject to availability and the minimum group requirement.

Is Harpa accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. Harpa has step-free routes and elevators connecting parking and upper levels. Wheelchair spaces in the main halls are available, but you should reserve them in advance.

Can I take photos or videos inside Harpa?

Personal photography is possible with prior coordination, but commercial use requires permission and may involve fees. Concert recordings are not allowed unless explicit approval has been granted.

What are the current building opening hours?

As of March 2026, Harpa is open from 10 am to 6 pm Sunday to Tuesday, and from 10 am to 8 pm Wednesday to Saturday. The Box Office is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and often longer on event nights.

How do I get to Harpa from Keflavik Airport?

Transfer to central Reykjavík usually takes around 45 minutes. Airport buses stop at BSÍ, then continue to Harpa by local bus, taxi, or a short walk depending on your luggage and weather.

What nearby places pair well with Harpa?

For a city culture loop, pair Harpa with Perlan, then continue through Reykjavík. If you are extending to a longer Iceland day, many visitors add Great Geysir and Gullfoss.

General information

opening hours

As of March 2026, Harpa is open Sunday to Tuesday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm. The Box Office is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and often longer on event nights. The underground car park is open 24 hours.

tickets

Entry to the public areas of Harpa is free. Guided tours are paid and seasonal, while private tours require advance request and a minimum of 10 paying participants. Performance pricing depends on the event and date, so booking early gives you the best availability.

address

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Austurbakki 2
101 Reykjavík
Iceland

website

Official site: https://www.harpa.is/how-to-get-to-harpa/

how to get there

Harpa sits by the old harbour in downtown Reykjavík. Lækjartorg, one of the city's main bus hubs, is a short walk away, and Harpa is also on the hop-on hop-off route. Transfer time from Keflavík Airport to central Reykjavík is typically around 45 minutes; airport buses stop at BSÍ, then you continue by local transport, taxi, or a short walk.

accessibility

Harpa has step-free access with elevators from the parking level to upper floors. Wheelchair spaces in Eldborg, Silfurberg, Norðurljós, and Kaldalón should be reserved in advance. Hearing-support equipment is available in the main halls, and guide/assistance dogs are accommodated in designated reserved seating areas.

photography and filming

Personal photo sessions are possible with prior inquiry, but commercial filming and wider promotional shoots require permission and can involve fees. Concert audio/video recording is not allowed without explicit permission. If you want to shoot inside or around Harpa, confirm your plan in advance so you avoid access issues on the day.

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