southeast iceland
Höfn
Höfn is a small fishing town in Southeast Iceland — the practical base for Jökulsárlón, Stokksnes and Vatnajökull, and famous locally for langoustine.
Key facts
- What it is
- Fishing town / South Coast base
- Region
- Southeast Iceland
- Population
- ~2 000
- Time needed
- 1–2 days (as a base)
- Best months
- may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct
- Family friendly?
- Yes
- Winter accessible?
- Yes
- 4×4 needed?
- No
- Price level
- medium
What is Höfn?
Höfn (“harbour”) sits on a peninsula in Hornafjörður, in Southeast Iceland. The town looks across the bay at the Vatnajökull ice cap and is the only settlement of any size between Vík (270 km west) and Egilsstaðir (200 km north).
Why stop?
- Practical base for Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach, Stokksnes and Vatnajökull tours.
- Iceland’s most concentrated langoustine restaurants.
- A real supermarket, fuel and hospital if you need them.
- Northern lights are visible from the harbour on clear winter nights.
Frequently asked questions
Why eat langoustine in Höfn?
Höfn's fleet has fished langoustine (humar) in the Atlantic shelf for decades, and several restaurants in town specialise in it. Expect to pay more than for fish-and-chips, but quality is excellent.
How far is Höfn from Jökulsárlón?
About 80 km west on the Ring Road — roughly an hour of driving in good conditions.
Is Höfn worth an overnight stop?
For a 7-day Ring Road or 4+ day South Coast trip, yes. It splits the longest stretch of the South Coast and gives you Jökulsárlón at off-peak hours.