ÞorlákshöfnÞorlákshöfn at a Glance
Costs: USD 110-200 per day - standard Iceland prices; short stays cheaper than Reykjavík.
Safety: Extremely safe - very safe; quiet coastal community.
Best Time: May-September - summer for coastal walks, birdlife and day trips.
Why Visit Þorlákshöfn?
A low-key coastal hub, Þorlákshöfn provides one of the ferry links to the Westman Islands, making it a practical jump-off for puffin and volcano excursions to Heimaey. Local smokehouses and fish stalls highlight the town’s maritime roots, and nearby coastal cliffs offer raw shoreline walks away from crowds. A handful of cafés and geothermal pools mean visitors can combine sea-based adventure with relaxed Icelandic small-town comforts.
Best Things to Do in Þorlákshöfn
Lake
Þingvallavatn
Iceland's largest natural lake within Þingvellir National Park
Mountain
Hengill
Volcanic massif and geothermal area near Reykjavik
Lake
Úlfljótsvatn (lake)
Volcanic lake in southern Iceland near Hengill volcanic area
Mountain
Ingólfsfjall
Prominent Icelandic volcanic mountain near Reykjanes region
Mountain
Vífilsfell
Volcanic hill near Reykjavík in the Capital Region
Mountain
Hlíðar
Small locality in Iceland's Southern Region
Waterfall
Tröllafoss
Icelandic waterfall near volcanic landscapes
Þorlákshöfn Bucket List
Don't Miss
Þorlákshöfn Harbour - Active fishing harbour with scenic coastal walks and regular ferry connections.
Þorlákshöfn Church (Þorlákskirkja) - Modern concrete church overlooking the town and nearby coastline with distinctive architecture.
Local Seafood Restaurants - Harbourfront eateries serving fresh cod, langoustine, and locally caught fish dishes.
Hidden Gems
Small fish market - Small fish market selling daily catches and smoked specialties from local fishermen.
Harbour museum displays - Small harbour museum exhibiting fishing gear, nets, and town maritime history.
Coastal birdwatching spots - Quiet shorelines favored by seabirds and photographers, reachable with a short stroll.
Day Trips
Reykjavík - Iceland’s capital reachable in under an hour, offering museums, restaurants, and nightlife.
Blue Lagoon - Geothermal spa at Grindavík with milky-blue waters and spa facilities near Keflavík.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Þorlákshöfn
Þorlákshöfn is a low-key coastal town best visited in summer for mild weather and seaside walks. Winters are cool, windy and often rainy, though geothermal pools nearby warm things up.
Winter
Wet, windy winter days with short daylight; ferries or coastal trips often disrupted but locals enjoy steaming pools and quiet streets.
Spring
Thawing, wind-prone spring with steadily lengthening days; great for coastal walks and fewer tourists, but pack windproof and waterproof layers.
Summer
Calmer, mild summers perfect for beaches, birding and leisurely drives along the south coast; expect changeable weather but pleasant daytime temperatures.
Þorlákshöfn's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1283 mm/year), wettest in February.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 2° | -8° | 120 mm | overcast | 92% | 8.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.4h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 131 mm | overcast | 91% | 8.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.4h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 127 mm | overcast | 89% | 8.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 84 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 14.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 3° | 82 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 17.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 7° | 77 mm | overcast | 81% | 6.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 19.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 9° - 15° | 12° | 81 mm | overcast | 81% | 5.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 18.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 109 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 15.9h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 11° | 4° | 103 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 124 mm | overcast | 90% | 7.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 4° | -4° | 117 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 128 mm | overcast | 92% | 8.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.2h |
How to Get to Þorlákshöfn
Þorlákshöfn is a south-coast harbour town commonly used for ferry connections to the Westman Islands and is reached by road from Reykjavík. Ferry sailings can be seasonal and weather-dependent.
Keflavík (KEF) / Reykjavík (RKV): Þorlákshöfn has no airport; international visitors arrive at Keflavík and travel by road to Þorlákshöfn (about 45-70 minutes by car from Reykjavík depending on route).
Domestic flights: There are no scheduled passenger flights to Þorlákshöfn - domestic flyers land in Reykjavík and continue by road or ferry connections to Vestmannaeyjar from nearby ports.
Train: Iceland has no rail network.
Bus & Ferry: Þorlákshöfn is a coastal town used as an alternative harbour for some ferry sailings (Herjólfur operates between the south coast and Vestmannaeyjar from Landeyjahöfn and occasionally Þorlákshöfn depending on conditions). Bus routes connect Þorlákshöfn to Reykjavík and the south coast; check Strætó and ferry operator sites for current departures and fares.
How to Get Around Þorlákshöfn
Þorlákshöfn is reached mainly by road from Reykjavík; it functions as a harbour for ferries to the Westman Islands and is best accessed by car or bus, with ferry timetables subject to change.
- Bus (Strætó & local) (ISK 1,200-2,000) - Strætó runs services between Reykjavík and Þorlákshöfn; journey time is roughly 50-70 minutes by road. Buses are the main public option for reaching the town from the capital and nearby villages.
- Ferry to Vestmannaeyjar (seasonal/variable) (Varies (seasonal)) - Ferry services to Vestmannaeyjar (Heimaey) operate mainly from Landeyjahöfn but Þorlákshöfn is used when conditions or schedules require. Herjólfur is the principal ferry operator; schedules and fares change seasonally and due to weather.
- Car hire (ISK 6,000-18,000/day) - Driving from Reykjavík is the most flexible way to reach Þorlákshöfn and nearby coastal sites. Roads are well maintained; allow time for ferry queues in high season.
- Taxi / private transfer (ISK 3,000-12,000) - Taxis and pre-booked transfers are available for airport or group transfers. Useful for direct connections to ferry terminals or for luggage-heavy trips; more expensive than buses.
- Walking - Þorlákshöfn is compact with a small harbour and local services within easy walking distance; walking is practical for exploring the town centre.
Where to Stay in Þorlákshöfn
Budget
Harbour / Town Centre - $50-100/night
Very limited accommodation inside Þorlákshöfn. Budget stays are mainly family guesthouses and Airbnbs - book early in summer.
Guesthouses & B&Bs (Þorlákshöfn) - Small family-run stays, limited availability.
Airbnb listings in Þorlákshöfn - Basic private rooms and apartments.
Mid-Range
Local / Nearby towns - $100-160/night
Few mid-range hotels in-town. Many travellers stay in nearby Selfoss or Reykjavík for more choices and amenities.
Regional mid-range hotels (nearby) - Comfortable hotels in surrounding towns.
Selfoss hotels (20-40 minutes) - Larger selection a short drive away.
Luxury
Harbour / Nearby Reykjavík - $150-300+/night
Þorlákshöfn itself lacks luxury hotels. For upscale stays, base in Reykjavík or Selfoss and take day trips to the harbour.
Boutique coastal rentals - Private upscale homes available via booking sites.
Luxury hotels in Reykjavík (recommended) - More high-end options 30-50 minutes away.
Where to Eat in Þorlákshöfn
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Þorlákshöfn’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Þorlákshöfn
Nightlife is minimal. A couple of local cafés and restaurants serve evenings, but there’s no active late-night scene-more suitable for quiet nights and dinners.
Shopping in Þorlákshöfn
Shopping is basic: groceries, a few local shops and small services for residents and travelers. Expect limited choice for souvenirs or specialty shopping.