| Höfn Höfn í Hornafirði | ||
 | ||
| State | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 6,317 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 2.166 (2013) | |
| Prefix tel | 354 | |
| Time zone | UTC | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Höfn (or Höfn í Hornafirði) is a city ofAusturland, inIceland Oriental.
To know
Despite the extensive territory, the population of the Hornafjörður area is just 2,400 inhabitants. Höfn collects most of them, while the rest of the population develops along the narrow spit of land between Vatnajökull and the Atlantic Ocean. Höfn's economy revolves mainly around fishing, and the city is best known for lobsters which are found in abundant quantities in the areas surrounding the southeastern coast.
Geographical notes
Despite its fjord name, Hornafjörður itself is a large lagoon with a mixture of fresh and glacial water. The 40 km² of lagoon are formed by the interactions between the Atlantic Ocean and the Vatnajökull glacier, which with its constant movement produces clay and sand, carried by glacial rivers and ending up as sediments in the lagoon. The lagoon is shallow, but still navigable by large ships, and the city of Höfn (the name means port) is the first natural harbor on the south coast after Þorlákshöfn (hundreds of kilometers to the west).
The area is dominated by large mountains and large rivers, as well as the ever-present Vatnajökull glacier. All of this made the area one of the most remote in Iceland until the last decades of the 20th century, when the roads were significantly improved.
When to go
Höfn and the Hornafjörður area, being on the east coast of Iceland, are on the leeward side of the prevailing winds. The area is hit by low rainfall and has been awarded the title of desert in Iceland (the high desert is the area east of Lake Mývatn).
How to orient yourself
Höfn: full screen map.How to get
By plane
Eagle Air flies assiduously between Reykjavík and Höfn. The airport is a little way out of Höfn, so you will have to equip yourself to reach it once you have landed.
By car
The Ring Road is the main road (in some places also the only one) that crosses the Hornafjörður area. Höfn is a few kilometers from the Ring Road, connected to it by road number 99. Höfn is just over 450 km from Reykjavík about 225 km from Egilsstaðir depending on the road you choose.
By bus
A BSÍ bus leaves at 8:30 from Reykjavík and arrives around 17:00 in Höfn, after stopping at various points of interest in southern Iceland. In the summer there is also a bus that gives Egilsstaðir leaves at 13:30 and arrives in Höfn at 17:00. The stop in Höfn is the N1 petrol station just off the main road into the city.
How to get around
By public transport
There are no public means of transport.
By taxi
Those who do not have their own vehicle can use the only taxi that can be booked at 354 865 4353 (although the city on a human scale).
By car
With a car it is easy to get around and difficult to get lost.
What see
Höfn can hardly be praised for its architectural beauty, but a stroll around the harbor can be enjoyable and there is a bird sanctuary south of the harbor with beautiful passages. Most of the attractions in the area are in fact all of a naturalistic nature. However, the city has a few museums that may be of interest:
- Gamlabúð Folk Museum (On the main road leading to the city). In an old white wooden building on the outskirts of the city, this museum focuses on the life of local people during the period between 1850-1950. The building with the museum has been moved to the port area.
- Hornafjörður Art Museum, Hafnarbraut 27. A small gallery that hosts exhibitions from the municipal art collection and local contemporary artists.
- [link not working]Huldusteinn, Hafnarbraut 11, ☎ 354 866 2820.
14:00-21:00. Collecting rocks is a popular hobby inEastern Iceland. This private collection of rocks was recently opened in the old Höfn swimming pool. Quite odd, but certainly interesting for geology enthusiasts. - Ice Land Glacier Exhibition, Hafnarbraut, ☎ 354 478 2665. From May to September 10 am-6pm. An exhibition dedicated to life near the Vatnajökull.
- Pakkhús Maritime Museum (At the port).
14:00-21:00. Collecting rocks is a popular hobby inEvents and parties
What to do
Shopping
The arts and crafts scene is very active in Höfn and there are also some good souvenirs for those who keep their eyes open. Few artists have workshops and galleries in Mikligardur, an old building near the port. For day-to-day needs, head to the Miðbær mini shopping center in the city center in Hafnarbraut.
- Handraðinn, Vesturbraut (At the N1 petrol station). From 1 May to 3 September, every day 9: 00-18: 00; in the rest of the year Fri 11: 00-18: 00, Sat 13: 00-17: 00. Center for local crafts.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Höfn is one of the most important lobster fishing ports in Iceland and many of the dining options in town include lobster dishes as a local specialty. The only supermarket is Nettó, in the small Miðbær shopping center in the city center, where there is also a local alcohol shop.
Moderate prices
- Hafnarbúðin, Ránarslóð 2, ☎ 354 478 1095. A fast food with the service of "drive-through".
Average prices
- Humarhöfnin, Hafnarbraut 4 (Near the port and the youth hostel), ☎ 354 478 1200. Specialized in lobsters (humar in Icelandic), this slightly above average restaurant serves absolutely delicious food in a historic building near the harbor. Officially open only in summer, but in low season they can also open the restaurant upon reservation / request without any extra charge.
- Kaffi Hornið, Hafnarbraut 42, ☎ 354 478 2600. 11:30 AM-10PM. A pleasant restaurant / café / pub with soups, sandwiches, pasta and other typical dishes at a good price.
- Víkin, Víkurbraut 2, ☎ 354 478 2300. A bar that also sells pizzas and burgers. On weekends, there is sometimes live music from local bands.
High prices
- Ósinn, Víkurbraut 24, ☎ 354 478 2200. Restaurant located in the same building as the Hotel Höfn, specializing in local dishes at rather high prices.
Where stay
Average prices
- Ásgarður Guesthouse, Ránarslóð 3, ☎ 354 478 1365, @[email protected]. Pension in a former dormitory, near the port (opposite the Hvammur guesthouse). The odd-numbered rooms have a view of the glaciers. Wifi connection.
- [link not working]Guesthouse Hvammur, Ránarslóð 2, ☎ 354 478 1503.
8,000 kr.. The main building of the pension is located next to the port with functional rooms (one bed and a wardrobe) and shared bathroom. A higher-end set of uptown rooms (right next to the N1 gas station where buses stop) offer quirky furniture and private bathrooms. However, you will need to walk to the main guesthouse to have breakfast. - Hótel Höfn. 17,000-20,000kr. Oct-Apr; 29,000-37,000 kr. May-Sept. 1960s style hotel with a great view.
- Höfn Hostel, Hafnarbraut 8 (Right next to Humarhöfnin), ☎ 354 478-1736, @[email protected]. 3200kr. (dorms). Open all the year.
8,000 kr.. The main building of the pension is located next to the port with functional rooms (one bed and a wardrobe) and shared bathroom. A higher-end set of uptown rooms (right next to the N1 gas station where buses stop) offer quirky furniture and private bathrooms. However, you will need to walk to the main guesthouse to have breakfast.
