Höfn í Hornafirði

Höfn sits on a small peninsula jutting into Hornafjörður lagoon, connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Route 1 passes through the town, making it a natural overnight stop for Ring Road travellers. The Vatnajökull ice cap dominates the northern horizon, its outlet glaciers descending toward the coastal plain. The black sand flats around the bay are formed from glacial sediment carried down from the ice and deposited at the coast over centuries.

The town's full name, Höfn í Hornafirði, means harbour in Hornafjörður. It functions as the main service hub for southeast Iceland, with fuel, groceries, accommodation, restaurants, and a bank. Distances on the Ring Road from this point are considerable in both directions, making Höfn a practical stopping point regardless of whether you are circling clockwise or anticlockwise.

Jökulsárlón is 45 minutes west of Höfn along Route 1 and is the most visited attraction in the area. Icebergs calve from the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier into the lagoon and drift slowly toward the sea. Amphibian boat tours and zodiac tours operate in summer. Diamond Beach, directly across the road from the lagoon, is where ice washes ashore on black sand. Most visitors to Höfn make this a half-day trip and return to town for dinner.

Höfn is one of the main departure points for glacier activities in Vatnajökull National Park. Guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours are available from operators based in the area, with access points at Skaftafell to the west and at outlets closer to Höfn. Ice cave tours into the glacier run primarily from October to March when ice conditions are stable. Summer glacier hikes run year-round from Skaftafell. Booking in advance is recommended for both.

Twenty minutes east of Höfn, the Stokksnes peninsula offers one of the most distinctive mountain-and-coastline combinations in Iceland. Vestrahorn rises sharply from the black sand, with the dunes and shallow tidal pools in front of it producing reflections that make it a well-known photography location. There is an entry fee paid at the café near the gate.

A short walk from the town centre, the Ósland headland gives a panoramic view over Höfn, Hornafjörður lagoon, and the glaciers to the north. It is the best elevated viewpoint accessible on foot from town and a practical stop for anyone spending the night.

The town swimming pool is a standard feature of Icelandic community life and Höfn's is well regarded. It includes a main pool, hot pots at varying temperatures, and views toward the surrounding mountains. It is open to visitors as well as locals and is worth an hour after a long day on the road.

Höfn has a strong reputation within Iceland for langoustine, the small clawed crustacean fished from the cold waters of the southeast coast. It is often referred to locally as lobster, though it is technically a different species. The cold, clean waters around Höfn produce langoustine with a particularly sweet flavour, and several restaurants in town specialise in them.

Pakkhús is the main fine dining option in town, with langoustine preparations and views over the harbour. Humarhöfnin focuses specifically on langoustine dishes in a more casual setting. Most cafés and mid-range restaurants in town also serve them.

Humarhátíð, the annual langoustine festival, takes place in late June or early July and brings visitors from across Iceland. Accommodation books up quickly during the festival period.

Höfn is on Route 1, approximately 460 kilometres from Reykjavík, a drive of around five hours. From Akureyri in the north the drive south takes around four and a half hours. There is a small domestic airport at Höfn with flights to and from Reykjavík, operated seasonally. Fuel is available in town and is worth topping up before continuing east toward the Eastfjords or west toward Skaftafell, as the distances between stations increase.

For Ring Road travellers, Höfn works well as a two-night base that allows day trips to Jökulsárlón, Stokksnes, and Skaftafell without having to move accommodation. It is also the natural starting point for exploring the Eastfjords, which begin immediately east of the town. The stretch of Route 1 east of Höfn through the Eastfjords is one of the more demanding sections of the Ring Road in winter, with steep mountain passes susceptible to closure in bad weather. Checking road conditions before departing is advisable outside of summer.