Höfn

Höfn (pronounced something like "herpn", also known as Höfn í Hornafirði, is a town in East Iceland, at the south-eastern corner of the country. Höfn sits by the lagoon (or fjord) Hornafjörður which is also the name of the large municipality of which the town is the centre and which covers the entire area of the county Austur-Skaftafellssýsla. This guide covers the town and the surrounding municipality, excluding the westernmost part which forms one of the main gateways to Vatnajökull National Park. For tourism purposes, the area calls itself the Vatnajökull Region: nowhere else is quite as dominated by Europe's largest glacier, nowhere else have people learned to live in such close quarters

See: 3
Do: 5
Eat: 4
Buy: 1

13 places

See

Gamlabúð Folk Museum

In an old, white timber building on the outskirts of town, this museum focuses on the lives of local people during the period between 1850 and 1950. (The building and the museum have been moved to the harbor area.)

Eat

Hafnarbúðin

A fast food joint with burgers and subs. It also functions as a drive-through, though given that Höfn is less than a kilometer across the popularity of this is intriguing.

See

Hornafjörður Art Museum

A small gallery which hosts exhibitions of the municipal art collection and contemporary local artists.

See

Huldusteinn

Collecting rocks is a popular hobby in East Iceland. This private collection of rocks has been opened in Höfn's old swimming pool. Rather odd, but definitely interesting for geology enthusiasts.

Open now · closes 9 pm

Eat

Humarhöfnin

Specializing in lobster (humar in Icelandic), this slightly up-scale restaurant serves absolutely delicious food in a historic building close to the harbor. Officially only open in summer, but do phone in low season, they may open the restaurant just for you with no extra fees.

Eat

Kaffi Hornið

A cozy restaurant/café/pub with rather typical soups, sandwiches, pasta dishes, etc., at fair prices.

Open now · closes 10 pm

Swimming pool

Sundlaug

The town offers few activities, although the swimming pool is impressive for a town of this size.

Mon-Fri 06:45-21:00, Sat Sun 10:00-19:00

Eat

Ósinn

Restaurant located the same building as Hótel Höfn, specialising in local food at rather high prices.

Do Not mapped

From Coast to Mountain

Öræfaferðir

A number of different tours including ice climbing, kayaking and bird watching.