Selfoss

Travel Guide

Selfoss featuring a cascade, rapids and a gorge or canyon
Skinnastadur which includes a gorge or canyon, a waterfall and a river or creek
Selfoss featuring a river or creek and a gorge or canyon
Skinnastadur featuring a gorge or canyon, a cascade and a river or creek
Selfoss featuring a gorge or canyon, rapids and snow
Trek around the mountains, active volcanoes and fjords in the varied terrain surrounding one of southern Iceland’s prominent towns.

The Ölfusá River flows through the town of Selfoss, where the skyline is dominated by the imposing Ingolfsfjall Mountain. With about 6,000 inhabitants, Selfoss is one of the most populated parts of southern Iceland and among the few trade and industry hubs in the country. Residents of ReykjavikOpens in a new window sometimes move to Selfoss for its slower pace of life.

Stroll along the Ölfusá River and enjoy the town’s tranquil setting. Capture photos of the Ingolfsfjall Mountain looming over the river at sunset. In winter, the mountain adopts a glowing pink hue when the sunset colors the snow.

Arrive in town in early August for the Summer in Selfoss Festival, where ribbons decorate residents’ gardens and a party takes place in a park. Walk around town and try some of the country’s specialties for a sense of Icelandic culture. These include saltfiskur, a dried fish, and a type of almond cake called mondlukaka.

Use Selfoss as a base for the many surrounding landmarks. Travel to Kopavogur in the northwest for its cultural highlights. Visit the Kopavogur Church for its atypical design with large arches. The concert hall and natural history museum are among the town’s highlights.

North of Selfoss lie the Geysir Hot SpringsOpens in a new window, where the impressive Strokkur erupts every few minutes. Stare at bubbling mud pits and capture photos of otherworldly natural features.

Fly to the airport at Reykjavik, which is 31 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of town. The drive from the capital to Selfoss, which is near the southern portion of the Golden Circle route, should take less than 1 hour. Nearby communes include HveragerdiOpens in a new window to the west, Eyrarbakki to the south and Hella to the east.

Stay at a hotel near the picturesque river and mountain of Selfoss before taking tours around its countryside.

Hotel Selfoss

Hotel Selfoss

3.5 out of 5
Eyravegur 2, Selfoss, Southern Region
$153 nightly
The price is $176 total per night from Nov 5 to Nov 6
$176 total
Nov 5 - Nov 6
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Selfoss. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (696 reviews)
Nice room with balcony and river view. Many dining option just outside the hotel

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2025

Hotel Selfoss
ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels

ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels

4 out of 5
Nesjavellir, Selfoss, South Iceland
$346 nightly
The price is $391 total per night from Oct 31 to Nov 1
$391 total
Oct 31 - Nov 1
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Selfoss. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (397 reviews)
Excellent

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels
Hotel Grimsborgir by Keahotels

Hotel Grimsborgir by Keahotels

4 out of 5
Asborgir 30, Selfoss, Southern Region
$215 nightly
The price is $245 total per night from Nov 15 to Nov 16
$245 total
Nov 15 - Nov 16
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Selfoss. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attraction ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (475 reviews)
Great hotel. Clean, ground floor rooms with private patio. Breakfast was excellent and service is top notch. Nothing to complain about at all. Highly recommended.

Reviewed on Oct 24, 2025

Hotel Grimsborgir by Keahotels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Minniborgir Cottages & Restaurant

Minniborgir Cottages & Restaurant

3 out of 5
Minni-Borg, Selfoss
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Selfoss. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 15 outdoor pools. Popular attraction Kerid Crater is located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (390 reviews)
They place was amazing, the rooms were a little cooler than expected.

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2025

Minniborgir Cottages & Restaurant
SAGA Circle Villas

SAGA Circle Villas

2 out of 5
1 Ásborgir, Selfoss, Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Selfoss. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and cable TV channels. Popular attraction Kerid Crater is located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Very quiet area. Incredibly quiet. Beautiful area and stay.

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

SAGA Circle Villas
Kerbyggd: Luxury House and Cottage in Golden Circle

Kerbyggd: Luxury House and Cottage in Golden Circle

4 out of 5
Kerbyggð 1, Selfoss, South Iceland
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Selfoss. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attraction Kerid Crater is located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (90 reviews)
Great location and wonderful stay for our family to explore the Golden Circle. We would definitely recommend! !

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2025

Kerbyggd: Luxury House and Cottage in Golden Circle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Selfoss

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
48
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
40
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The information center in the town hall was excellent. The worker there arranged for the Bobby Fischer Center to be opened for us and we had a wonderful experience there as well going south to the coast for beach hiking.

5/5 - Excellent

Rebecca

Loved Selfoss, quaint town and relaxing.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Growing, a lot of construction. Very good dinner at Cafe Kruz. New Almar Bakery very popular; good coffee and baked good for breakfast to go We went to Geysir and Gullfoss on way here from Vik; both destinations very worthwhile.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Centrally located for daily driving excursions.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great place!

5/5 - Excellent

TMAK

Selfoss is a great stop along the way. We liked that the town has convenient stores and restaurants: Jysk, Pizza Hut, Quiznos, etc. It feels like a little civilization along the beautiful Route 1!

Cities near Selfoss

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