IS
Hofn
A fishing town below Vatnajökull, known for langoustine and as a base for Jökulsárlón and Vestrahorn
A fishing town below Vatnajökull, known for langoustine and as a base for Jökulsárlón and Vestrahorn
The working harbour is the heart of town, with fishing boats and restaurants close by. A short walking path around the spit gives views of the glaciers.
Photo: Shadowgate, CC BY 2.0
East of town, the jagged Vestrahorn rises over the black-sand dunes of Stokksnes. It reflects in the wet sand after high tide.
Access is across private land; a fee is charged at the Viking Café.
Photo: Daniel Oberhaus, CC BY 4.0
About 80km west, this glacier lagoon is filled with icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull. Seals are often seen, and the ice washes up on nearby Diamond Beach.
Go early or late to avoid the midday crowds.
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
From the Almannaskarð pass, just east of town, you can see Höfn on its spit with the lagoon and glaciers behind.
Photo: Rémih, CC BY-SA 4.0
From autumn to early spring, clear dark nights can bring the aurora. Head away from town lights.
Photo: Giuseppe Milo, CC BY 2.0
Langoustine is the local speciality, served grilled, in soup or on pizza; it is freshest from about May to August. Restaurants by the harbour specialise in it.
Iceland is expensive; a supermarket in town helps keep costs down.
Höfn is about 460km from Reykjavík, around five and a half hours’ drive along the Ring Road, and about three and a quarter hours from Egilsstaðir. Hornafjörður Airport has domestic flights to Reykjavík; check current schedules.
Bus links are limited and seasonal, so most visitors drive. In winter, check road conditions and weather before setting out.
Iceland uses the króna (ISK). Höfn is cheaper than Reykjavík for accommodation, but still expensive.
Two days for the coast and the glaciers.
Walk the harbour, eat langoustine, then visit Vestrahorn and Stokksnes.
Drive west to Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Iceland is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Freshest from May to August.
Check road conditions in winter.
September to April on clear nights.
Fill up; stations are far apart.
Quick answers for planning time in Höfn.
About 80km, roughly an hour’s drive west.
Langoustine, and its position near Vatnajökull and Vestrahorn.
About 460km, around five and a half hours by car.
Humarhátíð is held in late June.
June to August for long days and langoustine; September to April for northern lights.
Planning a wider trip? Our Iceland travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.