Is Höfn a good base for visiting Jökulsárlón?

Yes — Höfn is the closest town to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, roughly 75 km to the west. Most visitors can reach Jökulsárlón in under an hour on the Ring Road. Staying in Höfn lets you visit early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and you have flexibility for a second day at Diamond Beach.

Do I need to book accommodation in Höfn far in advance?

In July and August, yes — Höfn has limited accommodation for a town of its popularity, and the best options sell out weeks ahead. Book at least 6–8 weeks in advance for peak season. Shoulder season (May–June, September) is more forgiving, but we still recommend booking 2–3 weeks out.

Are there hotels closer to Jökulsárlón itself?

Yes — Hali Country Hotel sits between Höfn and Jökulsárlón, roughly 20 km from the lagoon. It's a mid-range farm hotel with a restaurant and a good base if you want to be even closer to the glacier. Fossil Hotel in the village of Skaftafell area is another option.

What is the cheapest way to sleep near Höfn?

Höfn HI Hostel offers dormitory beds from approximately ISK 6,500 per night as of 2026, making it the most affordable roof in town. The campsite is cheaper still. Both book up quickly in summer — reserve as early as possible.

Where to Stay in Höfn | The Icelandic Guide

Q: Is there a campsite in Höfn?

Yes. Höfn Camping (Höfnin Campsite) is located at the edge of town and open from late May to September. Pitches cost approximately ISK 1,800–2,200 per person per night as of 2026. Hot showers and a small kitchen facility are available on site.

Höfn is a small fishing town on Iceland’s southeast coast, population around 2,000, but it punches far above its weight as a travel base. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is 75 km to the west. Diamond Beach is right next to it. Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, fills the skyline to the north. The langoustine fishing fleet docks in the harbour below your window. All of this means accommodation in Höfn fills fast, prices run high in summer, and your choice of where to sleep will meaningfully affect how your days unfold.

Fossil Hotel Höfn

The Fossil Hotel is the most complete option in central Höfn — a purpose-built hotel rather than a converted guesthouse. Rooms are clean and well-equipped with private bathrooms, strong Wi-Fi, and views across the harbour toward the glacial mountains. Doubles start from approximately ISK 35,000 per night as of 2026, rising steeply in July. The in-house restaurant is competent if unremarkable; given that Pakkhús and Ósinn are a short walk away, it’s more useful as a breakfast venue than a dinner option. Book directly through the hotel’s website for the best rate.

Hali Country Hotel

About 20 km east of Jökulsárlón and 55 km west of Höfn, Hali Country Hotel sits on a working farm at the foot of Vatnajökull. It’s a thoughtfully run mid-range hotel with rooms ranging from approximately ISK 32,000 to ISK 50,000 per night depending on room type and season. The onsite restaurant serves local ingredients — lamb, skyr desserts, rye bread — and the setting, surrounded by glacier-fed rivers and moss-draped lava, is genuinely beautiful. Hali is a better choice if you’re spending multiple nights in the area and want to be close to both Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell National Park. It’s also quieter than Höfn town itself.

Guesthouse Dyngja

A family-run guesthouse on the edge of Höfn with a mix of en-suite rooms and budget options with shared bathrooms. Doubles with private bathroom run approximately ISK 28,000–34,000 per night as of 2026. Shared-bathroom rooms drop to around ISK 20,000. Breakfast is available for an additional charge. The owners are knowledgeable about local road conditions — useful if you’re heading into the highlands — and the guesthouse is within walking distance of the town centre restaurants.

Höfn HI Hostel

The Höfn Youth Hostel is affiliated with Hostelling International and offers the most affordable enclosed sleeping in town. Dormitory beds cost from approximately ISK 6,500 per night as of 2026, private rooms (where available) from around ISK 20,000. Facilities are basic but functional: shared kitchen, common room, lockers. It attracts the hiking and cycling crowd passing through on the Ring Road, and the communal dynamic can be enjoyable or exhausting depending on the time of year. Self-catering is the norm here.

Glacier Goose Guesthouse

Glacier Goose is a smaller property a short drive from Höfn town centre, popular for its rural setting and views of the glacier tongue above. It operates as a traditional Icelandic guesthouse: breakfast included, limited rooms, personal service. Doubles run approximately ISK 29,000–38,000 per night as of 2026 depending on season. A good choice for couples or pairs who want something more personal than a hotel but don’t need hostel-style common areas.

Höfn Camping

The municipal campsite in Höfn is open from approximately late May to early September. Pitches cost approximately ISK 1,800–2,200 per person per night as of 2026 — add ISK 600–800 for a powered hook-up. Hot showers, a communal kitchen, and basic laundry facilities are available on site. The campsite is within walking distance of Höfn’s restaurants and supermarket (Krónan), which matters on days when you’re road-weary and don’t want to drive for supplies. Camping here is genuinely pleasant in good weather; less so when the wind comes off the glacier.

What to Know Before You Book

Location matters more than you’d think. Staying in central Höfn puts you 75 km from Jökulsárlón. Staying at Hali Country Hotel or a guesthouse closer to the lagoon saves you an hour of driving each day. If you’re on a tight schedule — one night, one glacier day — lean toward accommodations west of Höfn. If you want Höfn’s restaurant scene and the harbour atmosphere, stay in town.

Self-catering cuts costs significantly. Dining out in Höfn is expensive by any standard. The Krónan supermarket in the town centre is well-stocked. If you’re in the hostel or camping with kitchen access, cooking your own meals will reduce daily spend by ISK 4,000–8,000 per person.

Winter driving applies year-round in the area. Even in June, the mountain roads around Vatnajökull can close without warning. Check road.is before any mountain excursion. Accommodation in Höfn proper is safer ground — you’re on the Ring Road (Route 1), which is the last to close.

The harbour view is worth paying for. Several guesthouses and the Fossil Hotel offer harbour-facing rooms at a small premium. The view of the fishing boats with the glacier mountains behind is the quintessential Höfn experience and worth the upgrade if budget allows.

Getting to Höfn

Höfn is 460 km southeast of Reykjavík on the Ring Road — a 5-hour drive in good conditions. The Strætó bus service connects Höfn to Reykjavík (via the south coast) roughly three times a week, with the journey taking around 7–8 hours. There is a small domestic airport (HFN) with Icelandair flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport; the 45-minute flight is significantly faster but much pricier. Most visitors arrive by rental car, and having a vehicle is essential for getting around the area once you’re here.

For things to see around Höfn, our Höfn things to do guide covers the glacier lagoon, Stokksnes, and more. For the region’s best dining, see best restaurants in Höfn.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

Pre-book Keflavík airport transfers — Flybus and private options for the 45-minute route to Reykjavík.

Browse Iceland tours — day trips, activity bookings, and multi-day packages across the country in one place.

Where to Stay in Höfn: Best Hotels, Guesthouses & Camping