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

Horses
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.
PilotYes
Tidal movement3.5 m
Length170 m
Draft8 m
Air draftNo restrictions
Beam30 m
AvailableYes
PontoonsYes
TugboatsAvailable Tel. +354-8936932
Type of bottomSand
Minimum depth8 m
Distance from anchorage to tender pier1 nautical mile
Bunkersyes
SuppliesYes
Waste handlingYes
Fresh waterYes
Pilot channel12
Emergency channel16
Medical emergency112
ISPS approvedYes
Ship tendersYes
Crew facilitiesYes
Shuttle servicesYes
Excursion busesYes
TaxisYes
Public transportationYes
Rental carsYes
Terminal building for passengersYes
Tourist informationYes
ShoppingYes
RestroomsYes
Local currencyISK
Currency exchangeYes
ATMYes
Internet accessYes
Guide serviceYes
City mapsYes
Public telephonesNo
MailboxesYes
City centre0.2 km
Airport55 km Reykjavík Airport (Domestic) / 85 km to Keflavík Airport (International)

Contact info

Visiting addressHafnarbakki 8, 815 Þorlákshöfn
Contact personBenjamín Ómar Þorvaldsson, Port Director
MobileM: +3548610270 M: +354-9833659 (Port Guard)
Website www.olfus.is
Email
E1: benjamin@olfus.is E2: hafnarvog@olfus.is