Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland.
Selfoss is rarely seen as a tourist destination in its own right. Although it sits by a beautiful spot by the Ölfusá river, it's simply too close to places like Þingvellir and Gullfoss and Geysir to be noticed, and too close to Reykjavík for most people to think of it as a place to stay the night.
The town is young, even by Icelandic standards. Its history starts out of nothing in the early 20th century, when a new bridge was built across Ölfusá. When several important companies were placed close to the bridge (it made sense, economically) the town grew into an important hub for the agricultural area that surrounds it and today it produces most of the dairy products consumed in South, West and Southwest Iceland.
Culturally, Selfoss is in Iceland connected to what could be called the Icelandic equivalent of the British chav. The Icelandic word is hnakki, which means the back of the neck. There is definitely some truth in this, and Selfoss has been home to some of the most iconic bands identified with hnakki-music. But there is much more to the town, and it is maybe unfairly judged. Being the largest town in South Iceland (with a population just under 7,000) and the main hub of an important agricultural area, it also plays an important role in the wider regional culture. Selfoss remains an undiscovered destination and its main appeal really lies in the surrounding areas, but it's a friendly enough town and can be a nice place to stay.
Selfoss is part of the Árborg municipality, along with Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki. Don't get confused when you see some signs mentioning Árborg and others mentioning Selfoss - the former simply means these three towns and the rural areas between them.
- Bobby Fischer Center, Austurvegur 21, +354 894 1275. 1300 to 1600. Small museum dedicated to United States born chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, with a strong focus on his famous match with USSR grandmaster Boris Spassky in 1972
Bobby Fischer Center, Austurvegur 21, +354 894 1275. 1300 to 1600. Small museum dedicated to United States born chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, with a strong focus on his famous match with USSR grandmaster Boris Spassky in 1972
- Summer in Selfoss Festival. The festival is held each year in early August.
Summer in Selfoss Festival. The festival is held each year in early August.
- Bónus, Larsenstræti. Low-cost supermarket chain.
Bónus, Larsenstræti. Low-cost supermarket chain.
- Kaffi Krús, Austurvegur 7. Icelandic café. Each meal costs around 1000 - 2500 kr?
- Menam, Eyrarvegur 8. Asian cusine. Each meal costs around 1000 - 4000 kr.
Kaffi Krús, Austurvegur 7. Icelandic café. Each meal costs around 1000 - 2500 kr?
Menam, Eyrarvegur 8. Asian cusine. Each meal costs around 1000 - 4000 kr.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Selfoss. It's possible to connect to the internet at the local library:
- Bókasafn Árborgar, Selfossi, Austurvegi 2 (same building as the tourist information centre, +354 480 1980. 10AM-7PM M-F, 11AM-2PM Sa. 150 kr for half an hour of internet.
Bókasafn Árborgar, Selfossi, Austurvegi 2 (same building as the tourist information centre, +354 480 1980. 10AM-7PM M-F, 11AM-2PM Sa. 150 kr for half an hour of internet.
Getting out of Selfoss is really one of the main reasons for staying there. While to town may not be too interesting, it's close to the coastal towns Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri and Þorlákshöfn, to the rural heartland and tourism hotspot of Upcountry Árnessýsla (location of Gullfoss and Geysir), to Þingvellir National Park and of course the capital Reykjavík. If you have a car, each of these can be very nice destinations for day trips.
Further afield, the rest of South Iceland lies ahead, with destinations like Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, or the saga-rich landscape of Hella and Hvolsvöllur