In 60 seconds
Spanning the rushing glacial waters of the Ölfusá river and the steaming geothermal valleys of Hengill, Selfoss and neighboring Hveragerði represent the vibrant culinary and geothermal heart of South Iceland. Known for naturally heated greenhouses, vibrant dining, and Reykjadalur—where hikers bathe in a natural steaming geothermal river.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You are expecting raw desolate arctic tundra; this is South Iceland's green, fertile agricultural valley.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Selfoss & Hveragerði fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Natural thermal steam valley where hot spring currents blend with cool mountain streams into a warm bathing river
Hike 3.5 kilometres through smoking volcanic hills to soak in the natural outdoor river.
Vibrant newly built town core replicating iconic historic Icelandic timber and corrugated buildings with modern food halls
Explore artisanal food hall Mjólkurbúið and local design boutiques.
Active downtown thermal park with boiling mud springs, mineral geysers and bread-baking steam boxes
Boil an egg in a natural bubbling hot spring and taste geothermal rye bread.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
No booking, no ceremony, reliably good.
Pioneering microbrewery and wood-fired pizzeria powered entirely by natural geothermal energy
Sip house-brewed geothermal pale ales alongside thin-crust artisan pizzas.
Buzzing gourmet food hall inside the reconstructed dairy building featuring eight artisanal food vendors
Sample fresh bao buns, wood-fired tacos, local lamb flatbreads and craft beer.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Historic 1890 riverside inn at the foot of the Ölfusá bridge serving refined regional South Iceland cuisine
Taste wild smoked goose, pan-roasted arctic char and Icelandic lamb with garden herbs.
Beloved two-story wooden cafe in Selfoss famous for colossal homemade cakes, fresh pastries and hearty soups
Relax in the cozy vintage salon with hot cocoa and apple pie.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
3,000-year-old volcanic caldera holding an intense aquamarine lake framed by crimson volcanic rock walls
Walk the perimeter rim trail and descend wooden steps to the water's edge 15 minutes north.
Intimate museum dedicated to World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer, who won the 1972 Match of the Century in Iceland and is buried nearby
View historic chess boards, match photographs and personal artifacts.
Expansive network of marked volcanic wilderness trails crossing mossy lava fissures and steaming vents
Trek across colorful geothermal mountains with horizon views to the Westman Islands.
After dark
Riverside lounge overlooking the rushing Ölfusá rapids offering regional craft beers and classic cocktails
Watch churning glacial rapids from the outdoor terrace at dusk.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Pedestrianized cultural quarter featuring faithfully reconstructed historic architecture and dining
Stroll through lively pedestrian courtyards between cafes and boutiques.
Green hill settlement famous for flower nurseries, thermal steam vents and riverside walking paths
Walk through peaceful residential lanes where warm thermal steam drifts from backyards.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Upscale riverside hotel featuring outdoor geothermal hot tubs and river-view spa terraces
Exceptional relaxation surrounded by steaming volcanic hills.
Modern hotel situated on the banks of the Ölfusá river with on-site thermal spa and dining
Convenient base for exploring the Golden Circle and South Coast.
Practical
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
Construction of the historic suspension bridge across the roaring Ölfusá river establishes Selfoss as the vital hub of South Iceland.
Geothermal drilling transforms Hveragerði into Iceland's greenhouse capital for tomatoes, cucumbers and tropical flowers.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Iceland's most voluminous waterfall, cascading across broad basalt shelves on the Þjórsá river
Feel the ground tremble beneath the immense volume of glacial water.
Rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart
Walk between colossal black basalt canyon walls at the ancient Alþingi parliament site.
