13-11-2024
Discover the town of Höfn in Southeast Iceland in our complete guide to this authentic Icelandic fishing town, including where it is, how to get there and the best activities you can enjoy in Höfn. Let’s go!
Formerly known as Hornafjardarbær, Höfn is the second-largest town in Southeast Iceland. One of only a few active ports in South Iceland, the name ‘Höfn’ literally means port in Icelandic. This fishing town has a population of around 2,500 people and is surrounded by a collection of small islands off its eastern coast.
Höfn was first established as a trading post in 1897 and the construction of a bridge in the area in 1961 led to rapid economic growth and a rise in population. When Höfn gained municipal status in 1988, the town had around 1650 inhabitants.
Home to one of the largest fish factories in East Iceland, the main economic activity of Höfn is fishing, which involves both fishing at sea and factory processing. Tourism is the other major economic activity of Höfn, with many tours departing from the town in high tourist season during the summer months.
As with all of Iceland, dynamic and ever-shifting geological processes take place in the area around Höfn. In particular, glacial rivers flow around Höfn, forming lagoons and sand reefs that are constantly moving.
Höfn can be found on the southeastern coast of Iceland at the far end of a peninsula close to the beautiful Stokksnes area. Above Höfn sits the expansive Vatnajökull National Park, which covers 13% of the country’s landmass and is home to the epic Vatnajökull Glacier. This Icelandic fishing town sits nearby the Hornafjörður fjord and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.
To reach Höfn from Reykjavik, you’ll need to drive along the main Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1) for around 5 hours and 50 minutes. Just over 450 kilometers away from the Icelandic capital, Höfn sits on the opposite side of the southern coast from Reykjavik.
This scenic route will take you past the historic fishing village of Vik, the amazing Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, the spectacular Diamond Beach, and many incredible waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss and Svartifoss. So, you may wish to make your visit to Höfn an epic road trip along the south coast of Iceland, stopping to admire the stunning natural attractions along the way.
Wondering what to do in Höfn? Take a look through our list of the best things to do and activities to enjoy in Höfn to get some inspiration for your visit.
While in Höfn, you definitely have to take the time to soak in the beautiful coastline views. Simply strolling around the harbor is a great way to experience the fresh Icelandic sea air, admire the incredible sea views, and get a taste for life in this historic fishing town.
During the summer months, many tours to Vatnajökull Glacier take place from Höfn, as it’s the perfect place from which to explore this epic glacier. Whether you choose to go on an adrenaline-filled adventure, such as a glacier hike or ice cave tour, or simply enjoy the amazing glacier views from Höfn itself, Vatnajökull Glacier is definitely a major draw of the town.
Every July, Höfn holds a Lobster Festival called ‘Humarhátíd’ in Icelandic, where you can enjoy a range of fun cultural events, including concerts, activities and, of course, lots of delicious food. Joining in with this festival will give you a beautiful taste of traditional Icelandic town life.
One of the best things to do in Höfn, exploring the town’s museums gives you a unique glimpse into this area of Iceland’s rich cultural history and fascinating geology. Learn more about the ecology of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier and explore the story of the historic Icelandic farming society in Gamlabúd Folk Museum. You can also find art and maritime history exhibitions in Hornafjörður Cultural Center and explore the works of famous Icelandic writer, Thórbergur Thórdarson, in the Thórbergur Center.
Did you know that the Höfn area has been used as a filming location for several blockbusters? Some stand-outs include Batman Begins, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and the James Bond movies, Die Another Day and A View to a Kill. Explore the beautiful surroundings of Höfn and see how many you can spot!
Excited to take your own trip to Iceland to explore the charming towns, bustling capital, incredible glaciers, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, fiery volcanoes and more? Make this dream a reality by planning your own ideal Icelandic vacation, starting with selecting your rental car in Iceland, perfect for taking you all around the island.
Traveling by car is by far the best way to explore Iceland, allowing you to access hidden gems, travel on your own schedule and explore to your heart’s content. Got any questions about your upcoming vacation? Don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful country soon!