Top 5 Things to Do in Hvolsvollur, Iceland

15-11-2023

A small Icelandic town of around 1000 people located in the south of the island, Hvolsvollur is an incredibly beautiful and interesting place to visit during your Iceland vacation. Home to fascinating museums, cascading waterfalls and even an interactive volcano exhibit, Hvolsvollur is only around 108 kilometers from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

 

Let’s learn more about this charming Icelandic town and explore the top things to do while in Hvolsvollur.

Interesting Facts About Hvolsvollur, Iceland

 

• Hvolsvollur translates to ‘hillfield’ in Icelandic, which is definitely appropriate given the town’s rural surroundings!

• The port of Landeyjarhofn, where you can take the ferry to the Westman Islands, is only around 25 minutes from Hvolsvollur by car.

• Hvolsvollur is unique in that it’s one of very few Icelandic towns located inland, as the majority of Iceland’s population live along the coast. In fact, all the largest cities in Iceland are coastal cities.

• You can see the world-famous Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano from Hvolsvollur on a clear day. This iconic volcano shot to fame in 2010 for erupting and causing widespread disruption to air travel due to ash clouds and smoke plumes.

• The town of Hvolsvollur is the setting of the famous 13th century Icelandic saga, Njals saga, which is one of the longest, most famous and well-regarded Icelandic sagas.

• Most inhabitants of Hvolsvollur earn their living from working in agriculture, including tending to the surrounding farms and their livestock. This has been the case since the town was first established.

Where is Hvolsvollur and How Can You Get There?

Hvolsvollur is situated in South Iceland, right between the Icelandic towns of Hella and Vik, which are also popular with visitors.

If you’re planning to take a road trip along the famous South Coast of Iceland, Hvolsvollur is the perfect place to stop for a quick cultural visit during your journey. Located directly off the main Ring Road in Iceland, it is an easy and quick detour. 

Hvolsvollur is easy to get to from Reykjavík, as it’s only 108 kilometers to the southeast of the capital city. To reach this South Icelandic town, you’ll need to take the Ring Road (also known as Route 1) for about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík. 

The Ring Road conveniently takes you almost directly to Hvolsvollur. You’ll just need to turn left onto a road called Hlidarvegur and drive for 1 minute to reach the center of Hvolsvollur.

Top 5 Things to Do in Hvolsvollur, Iceland

 

Here are our favorite things to do while in Hvolsvollur – enjoy!

1. Experience an Interactive Volcanic Exhibit at the Lava Centre 

 

Hvolsvollur is most famous for its interactive volcano exhibition, the amazing Lava Centre, and for good reason!

Here, you can learn all about the inside story of volcanoes and Iceland’s geology through dynamic and high-tech exhibits, plus experience a lava movie and real-time volcano monitoring. A must-visit during your time in Hvolsvollur, the Lava Centre is perfect for all the family.

2. Tour the Beautiful Waterfalls of Hvolsvollur

 

Several amazing waterfalls are located very close to Hvolsvollur town center, including the famous Seljalandsfoss, which you can even walk behind! Just remember to bring a waterproof coat. You’ll also find Nauthusagil, Gljufurarfoss and Gluggafoss (Merkjarfoss) nearby, which each offer incredible views of cascading water and lush greenery.

3. Explore the Amazing Katla Geopark

 

Another unmissable stop during your Hvolsvollur visit is the UNESCO Katla Geopark. As Iceland’s first geopark, this incredible destination is open all year round and is home to a spectacular range of stunning geosites and cultural highlights, from glacial rivers to national monuments and the birdwatchers’ paradise of Dyrholaey.

4. Visit the Charming Breidabolstadarkirkja Church

 

With its iconic red roof and stand-out white walls, Breidabolstadarkirkja makes for a striking photo opportunity, contrasting beautifully against the surrounding hills and fields. Visiting this Lutheran church will give you a unique glimpse into Icelandic history, with the site dating back to around 1100. The church building that currently stands on the site was opened in 1893.

5. Meet Icelandic Horses at the Nearby Farms

 

While in Hvolsvollur, we recommend taking the short drive to Smaratun Farm to meet the gorgeous Icelandic horses and even enjoy a horse riding adventure. If you’re visiting Iceland in May, aka lambing season, you’ll also be able to meet the new lambs – so cute! You can reach the farm by taking a 10-minute drive down Route 261 from the center of Hvolvsvollur.

Visit Hvolsvollur in Iceland For Yourself

 

Who’s ready to set foot in the beautiful Icelandic town of Hvolsvollur during their epic Iceland road trip? Let’s make this dream a reality by starting to plan the perfect Icelandic vacation today.

One of the first things to get sorted is finding a quality car rental in Iceland, perfect for traveling all around the island and visiting wherever your heart desires. We can help you out with our brilliant selection of reliable and affordable cars to rent in Iceland – take a look, pick your favorite and we’ll do the rest!