Tjörnin Pond
Tjörnin is a shallow lake in downtown Reykjavík. It sits next to City Hall and is a short walk from the Parliament building. Locals use the 1.4-kilometer (0.9-mile) path daily for jogging, bird watching, or walking to work.
The pond covers 8.7 hectares (21 acres) and hosts 40 bird species. In summer, you will see nesting swans, Arctic terns, and ducks near the footbridges. In winter, the water freezes into a free outdoor skating rink used by people of all ages.
History of Tjörnin
Tjörnin was originally a tidal bay where seawater mixed with freshwater. During the 1700s and 1800s, residents used it for washing clothes and watering livestock. The city later cut the connection to the ocean to create the freshwater lake in Reykjavík you see today.
For generations, Icelanders nicknamed it “stærsta brauðsúpa í heimi,” meaning "the biggest bread soup in the world," because so many people fed bread to the ducks. The city now asks visitors not to feed the birds, particularly in summer when bread attracts gulls that prey on ducklings. Older residents still use the nickname today.
The lake is shallow, with an average depth of 1.9 feet (0.57 meters) and a deepest point of 2.7 feet (0.8 meters). Because of this, the surface freezes quickly in winter, and locals have been skating here for over a century.
Location and Nearby Attractions at Tjörnin
Tjörnin Pond sits in the oldest part of Reykjavík, just a few blocks from the main shopping street. Several major landmarks are within easy walking distance:
- Reykjavík City Hall: Right on the north shore, with a public viewing deck extending over the water
- Iceland's Parliament Building: Less than a two-minute walk from the eastern edge
- National Gallery of Iceland: Overlooks the water south of the lake, housed in a historic building from the early 1900s
- Fríkirkjan: A small Lutheran church on the south shore that frequently appears in photos of the pond
Most visitors come across Tjörnin while walking between downtown attractions. Several footbridges cross the narrower sections, letting you cut through or stop to watch the birds up close. Most people spend 20 to 30 minutes here.
Related: Top 17 Things to Do in Reykjavík
Top Activities Around Tjörnin
Tjörnin is free to visit and is located in central Reykjavík. Here are the most common things to do around the pond.
1. Walking and Cycling the Loop
A paved path circles the entire pond, popular with joggers and cyclists who run or bike the 1.4-kilometer (0.9-mile) loop as part of their daily routine. The flat trail works for strollers and wheelchairs, and you'll often see parents pushing babies while older kids ride bikes ahead. Locals treat this as their neighborhood park, stopping on benches to read or chat between errands.
2. Birdwatching
Over 40 bird species make Tjörnin their home at different times of the year. The pond lies along a natural migration route, so you'll see different birds each season. Spring and summer bring the most activity when nesting pairs raise their young along the shoreline.
You can spot these common birds around the lake Tjörnin:
- Whooper Swans: Large white birds with yellow-and-black beaks that are Iceland's year-round residents.
- Arctic Terns: Small, slender white birds with black caps and red beaks that dive-bomb anyone too close to their nests.
- Pink-Footed Geese: Grey-brown geese with pink beaks and legs that travel in flocks during migration.
- Mallard Ducks: Ducks with shimmering green heads that are always around, especially where people gather.
- Greylag Geese: Large, bulky birds with orange beaks that honk loudly at feeding time.
- Various Gulls: White and grey birds with yellow or red-spotted beaks that are always looking for an easy meal.
Related: Birds of Iceland
3. Photography
The water reflects the colorful houses along the shore, especially at sunrise and sunset. Fríkirkjan church and City Hall sit close to the water and make good backdrops. The birds are used to people, so they stay close and are easy to photograph.
4. Ice Skating in Winter
When the pond freezes solid, Tjörnin ice skating draws locals of all ages to the surface for a free outdoor rink. Beginners and confident skaters share the ice. No rentals are available, so bring your own gear.
The Tjörnin Experience Year-Round
The pond looks and feels completely different depending on which month you arrive, so plan your visit based on what interests you most.
Spring and Summer (May – August)
May to August is the nesting season in Iceland. Temperatures typically range from 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C). Arctic terns nest on the pond's islands and may dive-bomb visitors who get too close to nesting sites. Due to the midnight sun, the area remains bright enough for walking 24 hours a day in June and July.
Fall and Winter (September – April)
Migratory birds depart by September, leaving Mallards and a small population of Whooper swans. When temperatures remain below 32°F (0°C) for several days, the surface freezes. While the city may clear snow from the ice, there are no official safety monitors. Locals use the frozen pond for ice skating and hockey until the spring thaw.
Plan your trip around the season that suits you best by reading this guide to visiting Iceland in summer versus winter.
Why Tjörnin Should Be on Your Reykjavík Itinerary
Tjörnin is a central public space where residents commute and spend their free time. It is free, open 24 hours, and fits easily into a walking tour of downtown Reykjavík. You can walk the full loop in 15 minutes or spend more time watching the birds and exploring the path.
You will find the pond between major attractions, such as City Hall and the main shopping district. You will see locals jogging, commuting, or ice skating in winter. Because it is free and always open, it is a practical stop for any itinerary in the city center.
Make Tjörnin part of a longer Reykjavík adventure by browsing these multi-day tours across Iceland.
