📖 About Höfn

Höfn (pronounced "hup") is a small fishing town in southeast Iceland, serving as the gateway to Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. With only about 2,300 residents, this remote community punches far above its weight as a tourism hub and service center for one of Iceland's most spectacular regions. The town's name means "harbor" in Icelandic.

Dramatically positioned between glacier and sea, Höfn offers views of ice-capped mountains plunging toward the North Atlantic. The town developed around fishing, particularly for langoustine (Icelandic lobster), which remains a local specialty. Modern Höfn serves Ring Road travelers exploring southeast Iceland's otherworldly landscapes.

Visitors come for glacier experiences—ice caves, glacier hikes, and the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The northern lights illuminate winter skies. Despite its remoteness, Höfn provides essential services, excellent seafood restaurants, and comfortable accommodation for exploring one of Earth's most dramatic landscapes.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Höfn's economy balances fishing with tourism. The langoustine fleet brings valuable catches to the harbor. Fish processing provides employment. Tourism has grown dramatically—glacier tours, accommodations, restaurants, and services employ many residents. The season extends year-round with summer's midnight sun and winter's ice caves and aurora. Despite tiny population, Höfn serves as the main regional center.

Icelandic culture characterizes Höfn life—strong community bonds, self-reliance, and connection to land and sea. The langoustine festival celebrates local identity. Residents navigate extreme seasonal light variation—near-constant summer daylight and winter darkness. Icelanders' famous hospitality welcomes visitors to this remote corner. The town maintains services—schools, healthcare, shops—that sustain year-round community despite isolation.

📜 History

Settlement in the Höfn area dates to Iceland's medieval period, though the harsh environment limited population. The area remained isolated—the southeast coast was one of Iceland's most inaccessible regions until the 20th century. Glacier rivers and lack of harbors hindered development. Höfn town developed only in the early 1900s when harbor improvements enabled fishing industry growth.

The Ring Road's completion to this region in 1974 finally connected Höfn to the rest of Iceland, transforming accessibility. Tourism developed gradually as glacier attractions gained international fame. Jökulsárlón's appearance in James Bond films boosted visibility. Climate change accelerates glacier retreat, changing the landscape visitors experience. Today's Höfn balances traditional fishing economy with booming glacier tourism while watching ice disappear from surrounding mountains.