Things to do in Hofn

Things to do in  Hofn

Break through the ice

The mighty Vatnajökull glacier dominates Höfn, a small fishing town on Iceland’s southeast coast. The town’s proximity to Vatnajökull National Park makes it a hub for outdoor adventurers who have access to various glacier activities, from ice climbing to exploring ice caves. Crossing the black-sand beach of Sudurfjörur in an ATV is another popular thing to do in Höfn, as is taking a dip in Höfn swimming pool, visiting the Hornafjördur Art Museum, and exploring the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, which is around an hour’s drive west.

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Explore Hofn by interest

Top activities in Hofn

Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon

Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon

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$129.00
Vatnajökull Glacier Walk from Hali
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Vatnajökull Glacier Walk from Hali

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$134.66
Blue Ice Cave Adventure
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Blue Ice Cave Adventure

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$282.36
Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure

Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure

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$172.58
Private Jeep Tour from Höfn | Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach & Secret Glacier

Private Jeep Tour from Höfn | Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach & Secret Glacier

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$796.86
Picking wild berries and making your own jam in Iceland

Picking wild berries and making your own jam in Iceland

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$83.53
VIP Tour on Super Jeep - Day Tour from Höfn - The Eastfjords

VIP Tour on Super Jeep - Day Tour from Höfn - The Eastfjords

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$1,244.86
Glacier and Ice Cave Private Photoshoot - 15 Shot Photo Package
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Glacier and Ice Cave Private Photoshoot - 15 Shot Photo Package

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$670.05
Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group

Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group

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4
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$170.00
Private Full-Day Tour of the Vatnajökull Glaciers from Höfn

Private Full-Day Tour of the Vatnajökull Glaciers from Höfn

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$548.28
Ice Cave and Glacier walk into blue glacier canyon
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Ice Cave and Glacier walk into blue glacier canyon

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$241.00
Early Bird Ice Cave with 5 Professional Photos

Early Bird Ice Cave with 5 Professional Photos

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$260.64
Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull

Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull

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$160.00
Crystal Ice Cave Adventure

Crystal Ice Cave Adventure

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$184.62
Blue Ice Cave Exploration (from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon)
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Blue Ice Cave Exploration (from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon)

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$211.86
Private Zip Line and Glacier Adventure from the Glacier Lagoon
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Private Zip Line and Glacier Adventure from the Glacier Lagoon

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$3,800.94
per group
Glacier Hike + Ice Cave Adventure with Professional Photos
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Glacier Hike + Ice Cave Adventure with Professional Photos

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$417.02
Ice Climbing Captured - Professional Photos Included in Iceland
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Ice Climbing Captured - Professional Photos Included in Iceland

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$504.98
Crystal Blue Ice Cave - Super Jeep From Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Crystal Blue Ice Cave - Super Jeep From Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

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$184.62
Treasure Iceland - Ice Cave Discovery

Treasure Iceland - Ice Cave Discovery

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$274.44
See all Hofn tours

All about Hofn

When to visit

Winter is peak season in Höfn, since many travelers use the small town as a base for exploring the ice caves of Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón. The area is also a top spot for seeing the northern lights, which are at their best between October and April. Summer visitors will be able to fit more outdoor activities into their days, thanks to the extended daylight hours. There’s also a lively Lobster Festival (Humarhátið) on the first weekend of July.

Getting around

The town itself is compact, and its attractions can be easily reached on foot. For adventures further afield, take the number 51 public bus, which travels between Reykjavík and Höfn, making stops at places of interest along the way, including Selfoss, Vík, Skaftafell, and Jökulsárlón. That said, you can save time and see more sights if you rent a car or book a guided tour from Höfn.

Traveler tips

Höfn’s swimming pool is an impressive facility for a town of its small size. The Höfn Swimming Pool (Sundlaug Hornafjarðar) on Víkurbrauthas has a heated, outdoor, 82-foot-long (25-meter-long) pool where you can swim laps. There are also hot tubs and a steam room, which are great for relaxing after a day spent exploring the countryside and meet some of the locals.

Local Currency
Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Time Zone
GMT (UTC 0)
Country Code
+354
Language(s)
Icelandic
Attractions
0
Tours
28
Reviews
1,576
EN
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People Also Ask

Is Höfn worth visiting?

Yes, Höfn is worth visiting. Once a small fishing town on Iceland’s southeastern coast, Höfn is now a popular tourist hub with plenty of great attractions and a thriving restaurant scene. Close to Vatnajökull—the largest ice cap in Iceland—as well as ice caves, glaciers, and fjords, it is an ideal jump-off point for exploring the region.

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What is Höfn known for?

Sitting in the shadow of Vatnajökull glacier, Höfn is popularly known as Iceland’s lobster capital and enjoys a vibrant culinary scene to match. However, for most visitors, it’s Höfn’s natural surroundings that steal the show, with fjords, ice caves, and mesmerizing landscapes featured in both James Bond movies and Game of Thrones.

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How long should I spend in Höfn?

A key stop on the Icelandic Ring Road, Höfn is also often the furthest port of call for road trippers from Reykjavik who want to visit Jökulsárlón and Vatnajökull. While some visitors stay just a night, ideally you’ll want a few days to really take in all the sights.

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What is there to do in Höfn in the winter?

Höfn is great all year round, but it’s extra special in winter. This is the prime time to explore the ice caves of Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón, go on glacier walks, and see the northern lights. The town itself is also very winter-friendly, with plenty of museums, lobster restaurants, and even a heated local swimming pool.

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What makes Höfn the lobster capital of Iceland?

Sitting in a harbor, Höfn may be surrounded by natural wonders; but in town, seafood is the main attraction. The specialty here is Icelandic langoustine, with local restaurants offering their own take on the local catch. Every summer, the town also hosts one of Iceland’s most popular festivals, the Humarhátíð Lobster Festival.

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What is there to see between Vik and Höfn?

Southeast Iceland is jam-packed with things to see and do, and the 170-mile (272-kilometer) section of the Icelandic Ring Road between Vik and Höfn is no exception. Highlights include Fjadrargljufur canyon, Svartifoss and Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Beach, as well as Iceland’s youngest turf church, Hofskirkja.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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What are the top activities in Hofn?
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