What is Hveragerdi known for?

Hveragerdi translates to “the town of hot springs” in Icelandic. Locals even joke that hot springs are literally found in people’s backyards! Not short of nicknames, Hveragerdi is also known as “the earthquake town.” The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through the town, making it an active earthquake location. Luckily, most tremors are mild.

How to get to Hveragerdi in Iceland?

The town is located about 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Iceland’s capital city. If you’re going by car, take Route 1 (the Ring Road) south of Reykjavik. After about 45 minutes, you’ll arrive at a roundabout where you’ll turn left to enter Hveragerdi. You can also reach the town by bus.

Can Hveragerdi grow tropical fruits?

At one point, Hveragerdi decided that with enough geothermal energy they could grow nearly anything, including tropical fruits. Today, Hveragerdi is the northernmost banana producer in the world. Still, it takes a lot longer to grow tropical fruits in Iceland than in South America or Africa!

How did you learn about the Hveragerdi - stone and Mineral Museum?

We first learned about this wonderful museum through the "Museums in Strange places" podcast. When we arrived in Iceland, the Hveragerdi - Stone and Mineral Museum was a must see on our itinerary. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. Our 5 year old, still talks about his visit, 4 months after returning home!