Þorlákshöfn is a charming fishing village on Iceland’s south coast with roads leading to many of the country’s best-known natural and historic attractions. Its rich natural beauty, strategic location, and growing tourist infrastructure offer easy access to many of the country’s most renowned natural and historical attractions. With a population of around 1,600, the village’s primary industries include fishing, fish processing, and retail services.
Þorlákshöfn harbour is one of only two general harbours on the south coast, the other being Höfn in the southeast, over 400 km away. This strategic location makes Þorlákshöfn a key transport hub, with excellent road, sea, and air links.
As the central town of the Ölfus municipality, Þorlákshöfn is surrounded by a diverse array of stunning landscapes. Visitors can explore black sand beaches, cliffs, lava formations, geothermal areas, hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls, historic sites, and geysers within easy reach.
Tourist services are on the rise, especially in rural areas, which offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, cafés, and horse-riding opportunities.
In the heart of Þorlákshöfn, you’ll find essential amenities, including a bank, post office, library, and information center. The town also features a guesthouse, café, small restaurants, and a bar. For recreation, Þorlákshöfn boasts a modern, fully equipped sports facility, a swimming pool spa, and a campsite. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a challenging 18-hole sand golf course on the outskirts of town, and surfing the waves is a popular local sport.
Attractions
The Ölfus region is the largest horse breeding area in Iceland, so horse riding across the highlands and vast black sand beaches is a big attraction.
The flat landscape makes it ideal for walking and biking.
Adventure tours
More adventurous tourists can hike into the mountains, bathe in a warm river and go on ATV or RIB tours.
Golden Circle
Within reasonable distance there are also other well known tourist attractions, such as Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir – all within a two-hour drive from the port of Þorlákshöfn.
Visit Our Neighbours
Þorlákshöfn’s nearest neighbours are the villages of Hveragerði and Eyrarbakki, the latter being one of the oldest villages in Iceland, and Selfoss, the largest town in Árnes county.
Driving along the coast to the east, you are greeted by glaciers, beautiful mountains, notorious volcanoes, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and bird cliffs.
You can also visit some fascinating museums and historic sites.
Some of the best-known places of interest are Seljalandsfoss, Eyjafjallajökull, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara.
In the autumn and wintertime, you can enjoy the northern lights (Aurora Borealis).
Within reasonable distance, there are also other well-known tourist attractions, such as the Blue Lagoon, Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir—all within a two-hour drive from the port of Þorlákshöfn.
- Popular tours
- Ölfus Circle
- Golden Circle
- Reykjanes Peninsula Circle
- Exploring the South Coast
- Experience the Vicinity
General information | |
Pilot | Yes |
Tidal movement | 3.5 m |
Maximum ship dimensions | |
Length | 170 m |
Draft | 8 m |
Air draft | No restrictions |
Beam | 30 m |
Anchorage | |
Available | Yes |
Pontoons | Yes |
Tugboats | Available Tel. +354-8936932 |
Type of bottom | Sand |
Minimum depth | 8 m |
Distance from anchorage to tender pier | 1 nautical mile |
Port services | |
Bunkers | yes |
Supplies | Yes |
Waste handling | Yes |
Fresh water | Yes |
Pilot channel | 12 |
Emergency channel | 16 |
Medical emergency | 112 |
ISPS approved | Yes |
Ship tenders | Yes |
Crew facilities | Yes |
Transportation | |
Shuttle services | Yes |
Excursion buses | Yes |
Taxis | Yes |
Public transportation | Yes |
Rental cars | Yes |
Passenger facilities | |
Terminal building for passengers | Yes |
Tourist information | Yes |
Shopping | Yes |
Restrooms | Yes |
Local currency | ISK |
Currency exchange | Yes |
ATM | Yes |
Internet access | Yes |
Guide service | Yes |
City maps | Yes |
Public telephones | No |
Mailboxes | Yes |
Distances | |
City centre | 0.2 km |
Airport | 55 km Reykjavík Airport (Domestic) / 85 km to Keflavík Airport (International) |
Contact info | |
Visiting address | Hafnarbakki 8, 815 Þorlákshöfn |
Contact person | Benjamín Ómar Þorvaldsson, Port Director |
Mobile | M: +3548610270 M: +354-9833659 (Port Guard) |
Website | www.olfus.is |
E1: benjamin@olfus.is E2: hafnarvog@olfus.is |