Selfoss

Gateway to Iceland’s South Coast

Selfoss is a small town in southwestern Iceland located along the scenic Route 1. It sits near the edge of a wide valley and close to the Hvítá River, which flows through the area. The town provides easy access to natural wonders such as waterfalls, hot springs and volcanic landscapes. Many visitors use Selfoss as a base for exploring nearby attractions like Gullfoss waterfall or the Golden Circle route. Its quiet streets reflect Icelandic rural life while serving travelers seeking outdoor adventure and peaceful surroundings.

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Town in Iceland

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.3

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Selfoss-hotels, restaurants, and shops all cater to English-speaking visitors, so communication is easy and friendly for travelers from abroad.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Selfoss Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Good for exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. Visit nearby waterfalls and geysers, drive scenic routes, relax in geothermal pools and explore volcanic landscapes.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Spotless

Van travel

Cosy towns

Natural sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

Iceland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type F Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Icelandic Króna (ISK) £1 ≈ ISK 163
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are highly common in Iceland, especially in cities. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, including smaller establishments. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not common in Iceland and not expected in restaurants. A service charge is usually included in the bill. Tipping taxi drivers or hotel staff is appreciated but not necessary.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed, especially in designated areas during festivals or outdoor events. Alcohol is also available at licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside of many restaurants and public buildings.

Icelandic National Day (June)	Expect parades and celebrations throughout the country. Hotels and tourist spots can get busy.
Christmas (December)	Christmas is widely celebrated, and it’s a great time to visit for festive markets, but accommodation can be more expensive.
Þorrablót Festival (January)	A festival celebrating Icelandic cuisine, it’s a popular time to visit, though some businesses may have reduced hours.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Hreyfill, Reykjavik Taxi
Other:	Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to prepare for sudden changes in climate. Always check weather forecasts before venturing into nature.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Selfoss, Iceland

🌨️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌧️

Apr

☁️

May

☁️

Jun

🌧️

Jul

☁️

Aug

☁️

Sep

🌬️

Oct

🌬️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - March, May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Northern lights season September to early April, best on clear nights away from town lights

Winter storms October to April can close roads and cancel tours at short notice

Nights stay bright from mid May to late July, no real darkness

Don't miss

🏠 Visit the Icelandic Turf House museum village
🌉 Stroll along the Ölfusá River and view suspension bridge
🏛️ See restored buildings in Selfoss New Old Town plaza
♨️ Relax in geothermal pools and hot tubs at local complex
🌋 Take a short journey to Kerið volcanic crater lake

You've been here?

Why travel to Selfoss?

Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland and a hub for culture, shopping and food – plus it’s surrounded by volcanoes, geothermal wonders and dramatic scenery. The town’s New Old Town is full of character, with rebuilt traditional buildings, cozy cafes and the unique Skyrland Exhibition. It’s also close to the famous Golden Circle and makes a great base for day trips to waterfalls, craters and hot springs. The weather can be unpredictable, especially in winter and Selfoss doesn’t have its own waterfall (despite the name). Still, it’s a welcoming, practical stop with a genuine Icelandic feel – just be ready for sudden rain, strong winds and higher prices than you might expect.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Eyrarbakki
2 Stokkseyri
3 Selfosskirkja

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Kerið Crater
2 Ölfusá

🎈Events

Selfoss Town Festival (summer)
Christmas Market
Local arts & crafts fairs
Food festivals at Old Dairy
Golden Circle Marathon
Cultural heritage days
Summer music events
Farmers’ market events
Sporting tournaments
Winter lights celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Use Selfoss as a base for Golden Circle trips.
Walk the Ölfusá river path and cross the bridge for wide water-and-mountain views.
Stock up here for the South Coast; services get sparse fast beyond the town.
Combine a quiet evening swim at the local pool with northern-lights watching on clear winter nights.

How to travel to Selfoss

Selfoss is about 50 minutes by car from Reykjavík, easily reached on the Ring Road (Route 1). Regular buses run from Reykjavík’s main bus terminal. The closest major airport is Keflavík International (about 90 minutes’ drive), with car rentals and shuttle options available.

Access summary

From Keflavík Airport (KEF): Airport bus or car via Reykjavik, about 1.5 hours.
From Reykjavik city: Bus or self-drive on Route 1, roughly 50–70 minutes.
From Reykjavik Airport (RKV): Local bus plus transfer or rental car, about 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Selfoss

Selfoss offers a good mix of accommodation, from stylish hotels and guesthouses to budget hostels and cozy B&Bs. Advance booking is wise in summer and during local festivals, but options are available year-round.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

summer house offers breathtaking views and horses

Countryside stay with horses

Golden Circle Domes Glamping Experience

Country Dream - Langholt 2

9.2

Gesthus Selfoss

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Selfoss

The town is compact and walkable, with most attractions in or near the center. Buses connect Selfoss with Reykjavík and other South Coast towns. For exploring the countryside, renting a car is best, as public transport is limited outside main routes.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+42 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 42% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ISK) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Kopavogur, Iceland - 42 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£99	£204	£543
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£90	£210
🍝 Food per day	£47	£99	£287
🚕 Transportation per day	£14	£15	£46

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£32
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£22
🍟 Fast food combo	£15
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£16
☕ Cappuccino	£4.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£8

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£3.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£35

Safety information overview

General safety

Selfoss is extremely safe, with very low crime. The main risks are natural: slippery roads, strong winds and sudden weather changes. Always check local conditions before outdoor activities or driving.

Health & Medical

Medical care is high-quality and accessible, with clinics and pharmacies in town. For emergencies or specialist care, Reykjavík is less than an hour away. Bring any needed medications, especially if heading into remote areas.

Accessibility

The town center and main attractions are accessible, but some older buildings and rural sites may have steps or uneven ground. Most hotels and public facilities are modern and cater to accessibility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is exceptionally clean and safe — some of the purest in the world. Public drinking fountains are rare, but you can refill bottles from any tap with confidence.