IS
Selfoss
South Iceland’s largest town, on the Ölfusá river, and a base for the Golden Circle and south coast
South Iceland’s largest town, on the Ölfusá river, and a base for the Golden Circle and south coast
The fast-flowing glacial river runs through town, with a riverside path near the bridge.
Photo: Olga Ernst, CC BY-SA 4.0
About 15 minutes’ drive north, this red volcanic crater holds a blue-green lake. A path runs around the rim and down to the water.
A small entry fee is charged.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
A short drive east, this broad waterfall on the Þjórsá is one of Iceland’s most powerful by volume.
Photo: Netha Hussain, CC0
The new centre has shops, restaurants and a food hall in buildings modelled on historic Icelandic houses.
Photo: Themrme1, CC0
South of Selfoss on the coast, this former trading village has old timber houses and a local heritage museum.
Photo: Tyrateit, CC BY-SA 3.0
The food hall in the new town centre has several counters, from Icelandic lamb soup to pizza and ice cream. Bakeries and a large supermarket help with self-catering.
Langoustine is served in the coastal villages of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki.
Selfoss is about 50km from Reykjavík, under an hour by car, on Route 1. Strætó buses connect it with Reykjavík and the south. Keflavík Airport is about an hour and a half away.
A car is the easiest way to visit the Golden Circle and south coast. Check road and weather conditions in winter.
Iceland uses the króna (ISK). Selfoss is cheaper than Reykjavík but still expensive.
Two days covers the area.
Drive to Kerið, Geysir and Gullfoss, returning via Þingvellir.
Visit Urriðafoss, then drive the south coast towards Seljalandsfoss, or visit Eyrarbakki.
🛂 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
Best for exploring.
Try the local swimming pool.
Look north on clear winter nights.
Cheaper than staying in Reykjavík.
Quick answers for planning time in Selfoss.
About 50km, under an hour by car.
It is a convenient base; Kerið is just north and Geysir and Gullfoss are further on.
The Ölfusá, Iceland’s largest river by volume.
Yes, Strætó buses connect it with Reykjavík.
June to August for long days; winter for northern lights.
Planning a wider trip? Our Iceland travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.