Höfn í Hornafirði | The Majestic Town in South Iceland

Basic Information

Located in South East Iceland.
Population of 2200 people.
The Lobster Capital of Iceland – known for its lobster.
Camping site, hotels, restaurants and shops available for visitors.

Höfn í Hornafirði, commonly known as Höfn is situated on the shores of Hornafjörður. Based in Southeast Iceland, Höfn í Hornafirði is a big settlement with a population of 2200. The town consists of beautiful and vibrant houses that are quite picturesque. The place is highly popular for its country charm and boundless beauty. Hofn i Hornafirdi is a culturally rich and dominant town in the district.

Hornafjörður is a flourishing community and Höfn í Hornafirði is the district’s most densely populated settlement in that area. Höfn is located at the base of Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe. The town’s closeness with Vatnajökull makes for an incredible landscape. Of late, Höfn has witnessed massive growth in the tourist footfall. Tourism is one of the central factors responsible for boosting the region’s economy. Höfn í Hornafirði is peppered with camping sites, hotels, restaurants, and shops for visitors. Other facilities include swimming pools and golf courses. Höfn even has its own sports team known as Sindri.

Explore the Beautiful Town

Höfn í Hornafirði’s delicious lobsters are undoubtedly its major trademark. There are many local restaurants in the area that serve the best lobster dishes in Iceland. Owing to the tasty lobster delicacies, the town is nicknamed the Lobster Capital of Iceland. In the Hofn area, you will clearly notice the impact of the voluminous Vatnajökull glacier. The glacier rivers, stemming from Vatnajökull, have flushed away some of the rocks and flora in the area. You will be astonished to know that there used to be a glacier museum in Höfn which hosted glaciers exhibitions and geological lessons. For some reason, it was shut down in 2013. Höfn translates to “harbor” in English. This might be because one of the few natural harbors is situated in Höfn.

Events and Festivals for Visitors

Humarhátíð or “The Lobster Festival” is a great local event to satiate your taste buds with some local Icelandic lobster dishes. The festival takes place annually at the end of June. Held for many years now, this full-fledged lobster festival is graced by local chefs. It is undoubtedly among the best Icelandic festivals.

Sjómannadagurinn or “The Sailor Day” is another festival celebrated in Höfn í Hornafirði. Celebrated on the first Sunday of June, The Sailor Day is one of the oldest traditions of Iceland. The day is celebrated to commemorate the hard work, resilience, and bravery of the Icelandic sailors. Visitors can head to the harbor to see the magnificent parade. You can enjoy candy floss, musical acts, and much more on Sailor Day. This is an excellent event to experience with children as it informs them about the history and culture of Iceland.

Things to do around Town

In Höfn you can find a great swimming pool where visitors can enjoy a refreshing dip. The swimming pool is well-maintained and hygienic. You can also take part in a glacier tour on Vatnajokull. There are multiple glacier tour options for explorers in the region.

Whether you want to take part in a glacier hiking tour or an ice cave tour, Höfn is a perfect place to indulge in all activities. Glacier lagoons kayaking exhibitions also take place in the vicinity. You should definitely treat your taste buds with some fresh Nordic Lobster. Nýheimar Cultural Center, Gamlabúð, Hornafjörður Art Museum, and Huldusteinn Stone Museum are places worth stopping at. You can explore various informative and fascinating exhibitions. In case you run short on your essentials, Höfn í Hornafirði also offers all the basic amenities one might require including a pharmacy and a post office.

Some places cannot be missed if you want to taste some exquisite delicacies. Otto Matur og Drykkur is among the best-rated places in Hofn. It offers delicious seafood and Scandinavian cuisine. Jón Ríki is a brewery bar and a good place to order fresh meals. There are many amazing places such as Z Bistro, Hafnarbudin, and Ishusid Pizzeria Restaurant, where you can enjoy food made from organic Icelandic ingredients.