Selfoss, Iceland: travel guide
The largest town in South Iceland, on the Ölfusá river — the main service hub and gateway to the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) and the South Coast.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
Top places to visit in Selfoss
Þingvellir National Park
Heritage · about 2 h
UNESCO World Heritage rift valley where the Alþingi, the world's oldest parliament, met from 930 AD, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the North American and Eurasian plates.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Nature · about 1 h
The hot-spring field that gave the world the word "geyser"; the reliable Strokkur erupts up to 20-30 m every few minutes.
Gullfoss
Waterfall · about 1 h
The "golden falls", a thundering two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá glacial river and the climax of the Golden Circle.
Kerið Crater
Nature · about 0.8 h
A 3,000-year-old volcanic crater with steep red slopes cradling a vivid aquamarine lake, on the Golden Circle route.
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
Activity · about 2 h
Iceland's oldest swimming pool, a natural geothermal lagoon in the village of Flúðir surrounded by steaming vents.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm
Activity · about 1.5 h
A geothermal greenhouse where you dine on tomato soup and fresh bread among the vines, plus an Icelandic-horse show.
Skálholt Cathedral
Church · about 0.8 h
One of Iceland's two historic episcopal seats and a cultural centre for eight centuries, with a modern cathedral and crypt.
Ölfusá Bridge & Selfoss Centre
Heritage · about 0.8 h
The historic suspension bridge over the Ölfusá river and the revived old-town square of reconstructed timber houses at the heart of Selfoss.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Valley
Nature · about 3 h
A steaming geothermal valley above Hveragerði where a 3 km hike leads to a warm river you can bathe in.
Things to do
- Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Sightseeing · 9 h · from ISK 11,900 per person
- Reykjadalur Hot Spring Hike Nature · 3 h · from ISK 8,900 per person
- Hvítá River Rafting Adventure · 3 h · from ISK 14,900 per person
- South Iceland Horse Riding Adventure · 2 h · from ISK 12,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon 9 h · from ISK 13,900
Where to stay in Selfoss
- Selfoss Centre about ISK 30,000 per night
The main South Iceland service town and Golden Circle gateway, with hotels, shops and restaurants.
Hotels
- Hótel Selfoss 4-star · ISK 26,000 to ISK 52,000 per night
- Hótel South Coast 3-star · ISK 22,000 to ISK 44,000 per night
- Gesthús Selfoss ISK 15,000 to ISK 38,000 per night
Where to eat
- Tryggvaskáli Icelandic, Nordic, Fine Dining · about ISK 9,500 per person
- Kaffi Krús Café, Bistro, Icelandic · about ISK 3,800 per person
- Menam Thai, Asian · about ISK 3,500 per person
- Fjöruborðið Seafood, Icelandic · about ISK 8,500 per person
- Hjá Höllu Café, Healthy, Icelandic · about ISK 2,600 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.