Things to Do in Höfn: Svavarssafn, Ósland, Jökulsárlón Boat Trip and Haukafell

Höfn í Hornafirði sits by a harbour, and right beside it lies Ósland, a conservation area joined to the mainland by a man-made land bridge. Start with Svavarssafn, the contemporary art museum inside the city hall, and with Ósland. Glaciers of Höfn, an indoor attraction open all year, gives you a third stop whatever the weather does.

At a glance

• Top sights to see first: Svavarssafn, Ósland, Glaciers of Höfn
• Museums: Hornafjörður Cultural Center, six museums
• Boat trip: 30-40 minutes among icebergs on Jökulsárlón
• Langoustine festival: June 26 at 10:00 a.m. to June 28 at 10:00 p.m.
• Best season to visit: July and August, with highs of 57°F (14°C)

What are the best things to do in Höfn?

Svavarssafn art museum

Svavarssafn is a contemporary art museum named for Svavar Guðnason (1909-1988), the first Icelandic abstract painter, who was born in Höfn. It was founded when Hornafjordur received several important works from his widow, Ásta Eiríksdóttir. Today it owns about 500 works by Svavar and other artists from the area.

The museum is at Hafnarbraut 27, in the city hall. It hosts various Icelandic exhibitions over the year, on average three a year, mixing contemporary artists with pieces from the collection. A visit fits well on a rainy day, and it is the natural first stop in town.

Ósland

Ósland is a conservation area by the harbour in Höfn.

Its position beside the harbour makes it an easy add-on to a walk through the village. Pair it with the museum visit, since both are in the town itself.

Glaciers of Höfn

Glaciers of Höfn is a new indoor attraction in Southeast Iceland, and it stays open year-round. It gives the town a glacier-themed stop that does not depend on the sky.

Because it is indoors, it works in any month. Save it for the days when the weather is at its worst.

Jökulsárlón boat trip

A guided boat trip of 30 to 40 minutes sails on Jökulsárlón among icebergs more than a thousand years old. It is short enough to fit into a day of driving along the coast.

Book ahead in July and August, when highs reach 57°F (14°C). Local Langoustine, a food cart at the lagoon, makes a convenient stop afterward.

Haukafell

Haukafell is an outdoor recreation area just east of Fláajökull, a short distance from Route 1. It has several trails, including a hiking route connecting Haukafell to Fláajökull that crosses a footbridge over Kolgrafardalsá.

It also has a well-equipped campsite. Wear shoes that grip, since the route includes a footbridge and a river crossing point, and go in the warmer months.

Höfn Local Guide

Höfn Local Guide offers customized hiking tours, yoga, mindfulness, kayak paddling and local food tasting. It also runs village walks and guided tours to nearby spots.

Pick a village walk if you have only a short time in town. The hiking and kayak options suit a longer stay.

Höfn Swimming Pool and Silfurnesvöllur golf course

Höfn Swimming Pool is a 25 meter family friendly outdoor pool that opened in 2009. Hornafjörður Golf Club’s course, Silfurnesvöllur, has 9 holes and par 70.

Take a swimsuit if you plan a cold-weather soak, and check the golf club before you go if you want to play.

When is the best time to visit Höfn for sightseeing?

July and August have highs of 57°F (14°C), and June follows at 54°F (12°C). May and June each get under 3 inches of precipitation. The langoustine festival falls in late June, so that is the time for a lively town. Winter highs stay at 39°F (4°C), with lows of 29°F (-2°C), so museums and the indoor Glaciers of Höfn carry the days. October brings 7 inches (174 mm) of precipitation.

What to eat in Höfn

Kaffi Hornið is a restaurant and coffee house on Höfn’s main road, at Hafnarbraut 42. Pakkhús restaurant is on the second floor of a two-storey house overlooking the harbour.

At Jökulsárlón, the Local Langoustine food cart offers langoustine, hot dog and vegan sausage. Try it after the boat trip.

Things to do in Höfn at night

Its programme is for the whole family: concerts, entertainment and food culture. Plan to be in town for the evenings of that weekend.

Things to do in Höfn with kids

Höfn Local Guide offers village walks and kayak paddling. Ask about the options for families, and choose the warmer months for anything outdoors.