Destinations
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keyboard_arrow_rightSelfoss
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airplanemode_activeFlights to Selfoss ()
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filter_dramaUnderstandSelfoss 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 [wiki=4a7c62998268c4d4e579c358b35a2afa]Þingvellir[/wiki] and [wiki=06bcdb922f00177f26c8eb300a770d28]Gullfoss and Geysir[/wiki] to be noticed, and too close to [wiki=9a7923b47d5119e2e4e0c32a7d166d46]Reykjavík[/wiki] 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 equivilent 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 [wiki=2ff9c56979e216aedcd8dba213c8a2cc]Stokkseyri[/wiki] and [wiki=481395c35514e1d3eb774e855527328a]Eyrarbakki[/wiki]. 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. -
filter_dramaGet inSelfoss sits on the Ring Road, about 60 km east of Reykjavík. It's also well connected by roads to the towns on the south coast and to [wiki=06bcdb922f00177f26c8eb300a770d28]Upcountry Árnessýsla[/wiki].
The Reykjavík bus system, Strætó [url=http://www.straeto.is/english],]runs buses to Selfoss. The route is number 51 and buses leave from Mjódd interchange station in Reykjavík, goes through Hveragerði and terminates at Fossnesti in Selfoss. One ride between Reykjavík and Selfoss costs 1,400 kr. and buses leave close to once every hour during weekdays, less frequently on weekends.
There are also buses that run between Selfoss and [[Eyrarbakki[/url]] and [wiki=2ff9c56979e216aedcd8dba213c8a2cc]Stokkseyri[/wiki] on the south coast, with several stops in each town. The schedule is rather irregular so it's best to ask around locally.
Finally, it should also be mentioned that many Golden Circle buses run through Selfoss. -
filter_dramaGet aroundAs with most Icelandic towns, it's easy enough to get around by walking. The aforementioned bus to the towns on the south coast has a few stops in Selfoss, so it's possible to use it to get around town but you'll probably spend so long waiting that it won't be worth it.
The local taxi company is called Bifreiðastöð Árborgar, their number is +354 482 3800 and they have a taxi rank on Eyrarvegur outside the building which houses Hótel Selfoss and the cinema. -
filter_dramaSee
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filter_dramaDoThe festival is held each year in early August.
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filter_dramaBuy
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filter_dramaEatIf you you are on a budget or just want a easy meal there is a Subway and a Dominos pizza just next to the main roundabout in the city. A bit further down road 1 there is a supermarket with a relatively large selection.
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filter_dramaDrink
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filter_dramaSleepA hostel with both dorms and various sizes of rooms, by the main street through town.
* In the winter, these fully furnished apartments are used by local students, in the summer they're turned into a hotel. Clean and nice rooms, and you can make some basic food in the kitchen. Breakfast is included in the price. Each apartment has its own entrance, and with a car park right in front of the building it feels more like a motel than is the norm in Iceland.
* Four star hotel with satellite TV and (cable) internet in rooms. The location right by the river means there are great views from some of the rooms. The hotel also has a spa and a restaurant.
* A very small guesthouse, four double rooms, above a Thai restaurant. Shared bathroom and living room. -
filter_dramaContactMobile phone coverage is good in Selfoss. It's possible to connect to the internet at the local library:
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filter_dramaGet outGetting out of Selfoss is really one of the main reasons for staying there. While to town itself may not be too interesting, it's close to the coastal towns [wiki=481395c35514e1d3eb774e855527328a]Eyrarbakki[/wiki], [wiki=2ff9c56979e216aedcd8dba213c8a2cc]Stokkseyri[/wiki] and [wiki=7914ede68e09992d7687ba97b90197ae]Þorlákshöfn[/wiki], to the rural heartland and tourism hotspot of [wiki=06bcdb922f00177f26c8eb300a770d28]Upcountry Árnessýsla[/wiki] (location of Gullfoss and Geysir), to [wiki=4a7c62998268c4d4e579c358b35a2afa]Þingvellir National Park[/wiki] and and of course the capital [wiki=9a7923b47d5119e2e4e0c32a7d166d46]Reykjavík[/wiki]. 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 [wiki=46ab49725b51257dd8507c1baed3a324]Vík[/wiki] and [wiki=ecf7aaa6b7e3595a5e48e193841d67eb]Kirkjubæjarklaustur[/wiki], or the saga-rich landscape of [wiki=78454aae22404f5d3d6f246de98bd8cf]Hella[/wiki] and [wiki=c2537e9a88b692a4a6d6709e843cc661]Hvolsvöllur[/wiki]
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