Höfn

Höfn í Hornafirði

Southeast

Höfn's identity revolves around langoustine. Restaurants call them lobster, menus in every price range feature them, and at the end of June the town throws Humarhátíð — the Lobster Festival — drawing food enthusiasts and live music to a town of around 2,200 people. The catch lands fresh at the harbour, so the langoustine here is genuinely good. Sitting 450 km from Reykjavík, Höfn is the natural base for the region: Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach lie about 80 km west, Vestrahorn and Stokksnes beach are a short drive east, and glacier tongues are visible from the road in both directions. The town has petrol, supermarkets, hotels and guesthouses, a swimming pool, and the Gamlabúð visitor centre with exhibits on Vatnajökull glacier. Allow a couple of hours to walk the harbour and eat well. Most travellers spend at least one night before continuing the Ring Road. The drive between Höfn and Vík is one of Iceland's best, with glacier tongues descending close to the road for long stretches — budget time to stop.

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