A scenic slice of Southeast Iceland
Iceland earns its “fire and ice” reputation in the southeast as you see the mighty Vatnajökull glacier descend into black sands and hot streams of water erupting from frozen banks of ice. There’s a good reason why this is such a popular region for tourists. The town of Höfn, which means harbour, is the gateway to the Vatnajökull glacier and is a convenient base when exploring the southeast, with numerous restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, museums and a fantastic swimming pool with hot tubs and a sauna. The nature and hiking opportunities in the region are unrivalled, with breathtaking mountainous and glacial views. The town serves as a gateway to Vatnajökull National park, a true scenic slice of Southeast Iceland.
Whether you are staying at Höfn for a few hours or a few days, you can experience something new all the time – as the nature all around is like a painting that changes constantly and every season has its charm.
Höfn is a lively community and has been known for the now rarely seen lobster. It‘s a fishing town and like already mentioned, Höfn means “harbour“. At the vivid working harbour you can encounter the fishermen and see the catch of the day. There are numerous restaurants in town and why not enjoy fresh Icelandic fish or other local produce in one of them? The service level is high whether in one of the restaurants or wherever so you can be sure you get what you want all year round.
The town is culturally rich and it‘s worth mentioning Svavarssafn, Svavar Guðnason Art Museum, which is a contemporary art museum in the town. And then its Nýheimar Cultural Center where you can find the local library where you´re sure to have a warm welcome. The library frequently hosts smaller art exhibitions that are worth the visit.
Ósland nature reserve is a short walk by the shoreline from the central area. Ósland is known for bird life and you‘ll find walking trails by the beach and circling a pond. On the hill, Óslandshæð is a memorial about the local fishermen, and information boards about the surrounding natural area. Along the shore you can find a nature trail that takes you on a 2 km journey through the solar system, where the sizes and distances are in correct proportions.
If you prefer to relax after a busy day, why not enjoy the town‘s swimming pool or find a convenient spot for Aurora chasing? If weather permits and you like playing golf, Höfn boasts one of the most scenic golf courses you’ll ever visit. During the holiday season the little town is lit up with Christmas lights and you just might see the Icelandic Yule lads passing by.
