Selfoss, Iceland: travel guide
A South Iceland service town and gateway to the Golden Circle
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.
About Selfoss
Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, set on the Ölfusá river on the road east of Reykjavík. It is a practical, friendly place, with shops, restaurants and pools, and it is a useful base for exploring the country's southern lowlands.
Things to do from Selfoss centre on its position. The Golden Circle sights of Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss lie within easy reach, as do the waterfalls and black beaches of the South Coast. In the town itself you can walk beside the river, visit the local pool and eat well in its restaurants.
Selfoss suits road-trippers who prefer a quieter base to the capital. Summer offers the longest daylight and the easiest driving, and winter brings the northern lights.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
Last updated
Top places to visit in Selfoss
Þingvellir National Park
national-park · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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
geothermal · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The hot-spring field that gave the world the word "geyser"; the reliable Strokkur erupts up to 20-30 m every few minutes.
Gullfoss
nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The "golden falls", a thundering two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá glacial river and the climax of the Golden Circle.
Kerið Crater
crater · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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)
thermal · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Iceland's oldest swimming pool, a natural geothermal lagoon in the village of Flúðir surrounded by steaming vents.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm
food-experience · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A geothermal greenhouse where you dine on tomato soup and fresh bread among the vines, plus an Icelandic-horse show.
Skálholt Cathedral
heritage · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
townscape · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
geothermal · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Selfoss
Nearest airport: Reykjavík (RKV), about 51 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Selfoss
- Strætó route 51 from Reykjavík By road from Reykjavík · common
Route 51 links Selfoss and Reykjavík, stopping in Selfoss at N1, FSU and the Town Hall. Source: straeto.is
- Route 52 Reykjavík - Höfn By road from Reykjavík · possible
Runs through Selfoss on a few days a week, useful for onward travel east. Source: straeto.is
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus stop to town centre unconfirmed
Buses stop at N1, FSU and the Town Hall; the Town Hall stop is in the centre. Source: straeto.is
Getting around
- Bus
Strætó buses run between Reykjavík's Mjódd terminal and Selfoss via Hveragerði, and many Golden Circle buses also stop in the town.
- Car Rental Self
Selfoss sits on the Ring Road with good road links to the south coast, so a car makes nearby day trips easy.
- Walking
Best time to visit Selfoss
- Jan 1°C
- Feb 1°C
- Mar 2°C
- Apr 5°C
- May 8°C
- Jun 12°C
- Jul 14°C
- Aug 13°C
- Sep 10°C
- Oct 5°C
- Nov 2°C
- Dec 1°C
More in Iceland
Frequently asked questions about Selfoss
- What are the main places to visit in Selfoss?
- Places covered in our Selfoss guide include Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss, Kerið Crater, Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin).
- Where should I stay in Selfoss?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Selfoss: Selfoss Centre.
- How do I get around Selfoss?
- Ways to get around Selfoss covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What is the weather like in Selfoss?
- Average daytime highs in Selfoss run from 1°C in Jan to 14°C in Jul.