Stays in Höfn
Höfn, a charming fishing town in southeast Iceland, is renowned for its striking views of the Vatnajökull glacier and its delicious lobster. It serves as a gateway to the Vatnajökull National Park and offers a blend of natural beauty and local culture.
Höfn, often called the 'lobster capital' of Iceland, is a picturesque coastal town nestled in the southeastern part of the country. It offers a unique blend of rugged natural beauty, with the majestic Vatnajökull glacier as its backdrop, and a vibrant local culture centered around its fishing heritage. Visitors to Höfn can expect a tranquil atmosphere, fresh seafood, and easy access to some of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.
Höfn in numbers
FamilyHöfn Apartments
Spacious one-bedroom apartment with mountain views and EV charging
Why guests love itHöfn Apartments offers a ground-floor one-bedroom unit with a terrace with mountain views, air-conditioning and a fully equipped kitchen. Free WiFi and a washing machine are included, and private on-site parking comes with an electric vehicle charging station. One bedroom suits a couple or a small family. A 9.8 rating across 46 reviews is outstanding, though the sample is small. I would choose it for a small family stopping in Höfn who wants to cook.
Ring RoadHaukaberg House
Family-run guesthouse at Hraunhóll, about 7 km from Höfn
Why guests love itHaukaberg House works for families who travel the Ring Road self-catering. The fully equipped shared kitchen and the TV lounge give children room in the evening, the garden is there in summer, and breakfast is included, which simplifies early starts toward Jökulsárlón. Rooms open through private entrances, so a family is not crossing a shared corridor at night. What it does not offer: restaurants on foot, as Höfn is about 7 km away, and the listings do not detail bathroom arrangements. With children, I would pair it with Höfn's geothermal pool, which has hot tubs and saunas, rather than the Hoffell tubs reached by a rough dirt track.
Glacier viewMiðsker 1
Elegant apartment with lake, garden, and mountain views in Höfn
Why guests love itMiðsker 1 is a whole apartment in Höfn rather than a hotel room: a kitchenette, a private bathroom, parquet floors, a dining area and a sofa. The private balcony faces lake, garden and mountains, and there is a sun terrace, a garden, free WiFi and free private parking. Guests rate it very highly. It suits couples and families who want a calm, self-contained base in town.
CoastalHvammur Apartments by the Harbour
Spacious harbour-side apartments with sea views and full kitchens
Why guests love itI would choose Hvammur Apartments for a family or longer stay in Höfn that needs space. The two-bedroom apartments have private balconies with sea views, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine, so cooking and laundry are covered. The location suits the coastal area and local hiking trails. Guests rate it 9.3 across 89 reviews. There is no hotel service listed, so I would pick it for independent stays.
Glacier viewOld Airline Guesthouse
Harbourside guesthouse in Höfn with shared kitchen and lounge
Why guests love itHöfn sits just off Route 1 in Southeast Iceland, and Old Airline Guesthouse stands by the harbour with modern rooms, a shared kitchen and lounge, and a washing machine for mid-trip laundry. Bathrooms are shared, which keeps the price down. Our editorial take for families and couples: cook with the local langoustine, dry the hiking gear overnight, and leave early for Jökulsárlón, about an hour's drive west, before the tour buses fill the car park.
CouplesREY Stays - House
A comfortable two-bedroom apartment with a private terrace and garden
Why guests love itREY Stays - House in Höfn is a comfortable two-bedroom apartment with a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. Guests have a private terrace and garden, free WiFi and on-site parking. Reviewers rate it highly for cleanliness, comfort and location. Guests score it 9.1 across 1,264 reviews, a strong and well-tested record for a self-catering stay. The terrace and garden are private.
FamilyGuesthouse Dyngja
Six rooms with private bathrooms and kitchen corners on Hafnarbraut, Höfn
Why guests love itDyngja is a small, self-run guesthouse rather than a hotel, and its six rooms are its whole offer: private bathrooms, a fridge and microwave in each, Wi-Fi, a garden and a terrace for long summer evenings. Families who book the larger rooms get a degree of independence that is rare on the Höfn stretch, where many guesthouses share bathrooms and a single kitchen. It sits within walking distance of the harbour restaurants, the stone museum and the Hornafjörður art museum, and walking trails along the shore start nearby. The trade-offs come from its size and model: no reception, a fixed evening check-in window and an early checkout. Reviews are consistently positive about cleanliness and the hosts' instructions; the hosts list English, Polish and Russian among their languages.
CoastalApartment by the Sea
Self-catering apartment with panoramic sea views and a private terrace
Why guests love itI recommend Apartment by the Sea to families and couples who want a self-catering base on Iceland's south-eastern coast. The heated apartment has modern decor, an open-plan dining and lounge area and a well-equipped kitchen, with a terrace and sweeping sea views, and free WiFi throughout. Self-catering helps in a part of the country where restaurants are few. Guests rate it 9.1 across 180 reviews, a high score.
CoastalVikingcafe
Beachfront guest house with sea views and family-friendly comfort
Why guests love itVikingcafe in Höfn is a guest house with direct beachfront access and sea views. Family rooms have private bathrooms and soundproofing, and a daily continental breakfast, a bar, outdoor seating and free WiFi in public areas are on offer. A beachfront position is a real draw for families who want the water on the doorstep. A 9.0 rating across 1,893 reviews is a large, reliable sample. I would choose it for a family or couple who value the setting.
CouplesCentral Stay Hofn
Ground-floor units with private entrances and essential amenities in Höfn
Why guests love itHöfn sits just off Route 1 in Southeast Iceland, the main town between Jökulsárlón and the Eastfjords, and Central Stay keeps things simple for couples: ground-floor units with private entrances, walk-in showers and parking right outside. Our editorial view: unload straight from the car after a long drive, walk into town for dinner at the harbour, and set off early for the glacier lagoon, roughly an hour to the west.
CoastalSauðanes Guesthouse
Country house charm with sea and mountain views in Höfn
Why guests love itSauðanes Guesthouse near Höfn is described as an elegant country house, with a sun terrace, a garden and an outdoor seating area. Each room has a private bathroom and sea and mountain views, and guests share a kitchen. WiFi and private parking are free, and pets are welcome. The setting is a country house rather than a town hotel. Guests rate it 9.0 across 656 reviews, a solid and dependable sample.
Glacier viewLambhus Glacier View Cabins
Family cabins with glacier views, kitchenettes, and an outdoor play area
Why guests love itLambhus Glacier View Cabins in Höfn offers family rooms with private bathrooms, kitchenettes and mountain views. Each unit has a dining area, a sofa bed and parquet floors. Guests have free WiFi, an outdoor play area, barbecue facilities and free private parking. It is 24 km from Hornafjörður Airport and 49 km from Jökulsárlón. Guests rate it 9 across 959 reviews.
Glacier viewSefdalur
Bright apartment with glacier views, a kitchenette, and a private terrace
Why guests love itI recommend Sefdalur to families and couples who want a self-contained apartment near Höfn rather than a room in town. It sits 7 km from the village, with a private entrance, a kitchenette, a furnished terrace, free WiFi and free parking. The Vatnajökull Glacier is visible from the apartment, and the Ring Road is on the doorstep. Guests rate it 9.0 across almost 400 reviews, which suggests the bright, simple setup delivers.
Glacier viewHöfn Hostel
An all-year HI hostel in Höfn with family rooms and a big shared kitchen, 80 km east of Jökulsárlón
Why guests love itFamilies do well here. Höfn Hostel has dedicated family rooms, linen included, a large kitchen where you can cook for children on your own timetable, and common areas with board games for a wet evening. Free parking, lockers and laundry make a two-night stop easy halfway round the island, and the building is wheelchair accessible, which also helps with a pushchair. The 16:00 to 21:00 check-in is the one constraint: with children asleep in the back after a day at Jökulsárlón, 80 km away, it is easy to run late. I would plan the lagoon in the morning, arrive in Höfn mid-afternoon, and keep the evening for the hot tubs at Hoffell.
Glacier viewMilk Factory
Converted milk factory with glacier views and free bikes near Höfn
Why guests love itMilk Factory is a converted milk factory in Höfn, 4 km from the town centre, with views of the Vatnajökull glacier. Rooms are simply decorated with private bathrooms, and Wi-Fi and private parking are free. Guests can borrow bicycles at no charge, and golf and horse riding are options nearby. Guests rate it 8.9 across 1,856 reviews, and I would pick it for drivers who want glacier views and an easy, well-reviewed base.
FamilyApotek Guesthouse
Mountain-view rooms in a former pharmacy, with shared kitchen and free parking
Why guests love itApotek Guesthouse is set in a former pharmacy building in Höfn. It has a shared kitchen and free WiFi, which suits budget travellers and families. Guests can choose rooms with a private or a shared bathroom, all with mountain views, and free private parking is on site. Guests rate it 8.9 across 1,744 reviews, a solid record for a simple guesthouse.
Glacier viewDynjandi Guesthouse
A simple guesthouse on a horse farm near Höfn, with glacier access
Why guests love itDynjandi Guesthouse sits on a horse farm along the Ring Road, with bright, basic rooms, mountain views and free WiFi. Breakfast is included, which keeps mornings easy for a family before a day on the road. The Hoffellsjökull Glacier and the Höfn area are the draws, and there are hiking opportunities nearby. A rating of 8.9 across 392 reviews says guests value the setting. I would choose it for a family happy with simple rooms and a farm setting.
FamilyLodge Borgarbrekka in Lón South East of Iceland - Birta Rentals
Spacious chalet with mountain views, ideal for families and groups
Why guests love itFive bedrooms and two bathrooms let Lodge Borgarbrekka, in the Lón area, take a large family or several families at once. The fully equipped kitchen and barbecue handle group meals, and the garden, terrace and balcony look out to the mountains. A PS4 and streaming services help on wet days, and a washing machine keeps a long stay manageable. Höfn is a short drive away for supplies. Guests rate it 8.8 from 12 reviews.
Glacier viewThe Greyhouse "Big Apartment"
Spacious apartment near Vatnajökull National Park, perfect for families
Why guests love itThe Greyhouse Big Apartment gives families and larger groups four bedrooms, one bathroom, a terrace and a fully equipped kitchen, so it works best for self-catering. It is listed in Seljavellir and sits close to Vatnajökull National Park, which suits a glacier-focused trip, and parking on site is free. It is a little secluded and has no hotel services. I would choose it for space and the setting, with its 8.8 rating from 49 reviews as the honest benchmark.
Glacier viewGuesthouse Nypugardar
Farm stay with fjord and mountain views, home-cooked meals
Why guests love itNýpugarðar is a family-run guesthouse on a working sheep farm near Höfn, just off Route 1, with views over Hornafjörður to Iceland's highest mountain. Rooms are simple with shared bathrooms, and the home-cooked breakfast and dinner buffet solves the evening meal far from town. More than 2,200 guests rate it 8.8. Our editorial view for families: eat the dinner buffet, watch the light on the ice caps, and leave early for Jökulsárlón.
FamilyHeppa Apartments
Spacious apartments with balconies and diverse dining in Höfn
Why guests love itHeppa Apartments in Höfn are spacious apartments with private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and balconies, and the views take in the sea, the mountains and the town. The property has a family-friendly restaurant with vegan options and a coffee shop, plus free WiFi and free private parking. That mix of kitchen and restaurant gives a family a choice each evening. Guests rate it 8.8 across 314 reviews.
Glacier viewThe Blackhouse
Spacious apartment near glaciers with modern comforts and free parking
Why guests love itI would book The Blackhouse in Höfn for the space of a three-bedroom apartment with its own living room, which suits a family or a group sharing. It has free private parking, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV, and Vatnajökull National Park and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon are the area's big draws. Guests rate it 8.7 across 128 reviews. There is no hotel service here, so I would choose it for an independent, self-catering stay.
CouplesREY Stays - Small & Cozy Studio
Cozy studio lodge with mountain views and a private entrance in Höfn
Why guests love itThis is a small self-catering studio in Höfn rather than a hotel, so families should treat it as a simple, independent base. It has a private entrance, a kitchenette for breakfasts and easy dinners, a sun terrace and a garden, plus free WiFi and free private parking. Mountain views come with the setting. The space is compact, so it suits a couple or a parent with one small child better than a larger group. I would choose it for a practical stay.
FamilyGuesthouse Mikael
A cozy, family-owned guesthouse near Höfn harbour with private bathrooms
Why guests love itGuesthouse Mikael is a family-owned guesthouse in Höfn village, a short walk from the harbour and the public swimming pool. Rooms are brightly decorated with wooden floors and a private bathroom, and free WiFi and parking are included. With 813 reviews and an 8.6 score, I recommend it to families, couples and budget travellers who want a simple, welcoming base for exploring southeast Iceland's landscapes.
Glacier viewBrunnholl Country Guesthouse
A family-run farm stay with homemade ice cream and glacier views
Why guests love itBrunnholl Country Guesthouse is a family-run guesthouse on a working farm 30 km from Höfn, with rooms that have private bathrooms and views of mountains and glaciers. There is a common room with free WiFi, and a daily breakfast buffet with farm products and homemade ice cream from the dairy farm. A restaurant is available on site. It is a farm setting, not a town base. Guests rate it 8.5 across 923 reviews.
FamilyArnanes Country Hotel
A family and pet-friendly country hotel with a spa near Hofn
Why guests love itArnanes Country Hotel, near Höfn, presents itself as family-friendly and pet-friendly, with a spa for relaxing and a certification from Valpas as bed bug-safe, which some parents will find reassuring. The listing gives few details about rooms, so check what suits your party before booking. The countryside setting sits outside Höfn rather than in town. Guests rate it 8.5 across 1,704 reviews, a large and dependable sample.
Ring RoadDilksnes Guesthouse
Simple comfort with scenic views, just off the Ring Road near Höfn
Why guests love itDilksnes Guesthouse is a privately run guesthouse just off the Ring Road, 4 km from Höfn town centre. Rooms are simply furnished with private bathrooms and scenic views, and Wi-Fi is free. Guests can use a furnished garden terrace and a small communal kitchen in the main building. Guests rate it 8.5 across 318 reviews, and I would pick it for drivers who want a quiet, simple stop near Höfn.
Northern LightsAurora Cabins
Family cabins with kitchenettes and garden views near Höfn
Why guests love itHöfn sits just off Route 1 in Southeast Iceland, with Jökulsárlón about an hour west and Skaftafell beyond it, and Aurora Cabins gives families a kitchenette, a balcony and a garden to spread into. The barbecue and sun terrace earn their keep on long summer evenings. Our editorial advice: cook dinner on site, put the children to bed early, and check the aurora forecast, as the cabins look onto open sky on clear winter nights.
What to expect
- Gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest glacier.
- Famous for its lobster, with several restaurants specializing in local seafood.
- Striking views of glaciers, mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- A quiet town offering a peaceful retreat from more crowded tourist spots.
Local tips
- Book accommodation in advance, especially during peak season, as options can be limited.
- Try the local lobster; it's a culinary highlight of the region.
- Rent a car to explore the surrounding areas, including glacier lagoons and black sand beaches.
- Pack layers of clothing, as the weather can change rapidly, even in summer.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
What are the main attractions in Höfn?
Höfn's main attractions include its harbor, the Huldusteinn Stone Museum, and its proximity to Vatnajökull National Park, where you can explore glaciers and ice caves. The town is also a great base for scenic drives along the Ring Road.
What kind of accommodation can I find in Höfn?
Höfn offers a range of accommodation, from guesthouses and hotels to farm stays and campsites. Many options provide views of the surrounding natural landscapes, including glaciers and mountains.
When is the best time to visit Höfn?
The best time to visit Höfn depends on your interests. Summer (June-August) offers milder weather and longer daylight hours for outdoor activities. Winter (November-March) is ideal for northern lights viewing and ice cave tours.
How do I get around Höfn and its surroundings?
While Höfn itself is walkable, a rental car is highly recommended for exploring the surrounding areas, including Vatnajökull National Park and other natural wonders. Public transport is limited in this region of Iceland.