Höfn

Understand

thumb|300px|Fishing boats in the harbor of Höfn In spite of substantial territory, the population of the Hornafjörður area is only around 2400. Höfn is by far the largest settlement with around 2000 inhabitants. The rest of the population is spread along the very narrow patch of arable land between Vatnajökull and the Atlantic Ocean. Höfn's economic activities mainly revolve around fisheries, and the town is especially known for lobster which can be found in abundant quantities in the fishing areas surrounding the southeastern coast.

Despite its name which indicates a fjord, Hornafjörður is a very large lagoon with a blend of fresh and glacial water. The 40 km² lagoon is formed by interactions of the Atlantic Ocean and the Vatnajökull glacier, which by its constant movement produces clay and sand, carried by the glacier rivers and ending up as sediment in the lagoon. The lagoon is shallow, but nevertheless navigable by large ships and the town of Höfn (the name means harbor) is located at the first natural harbor on the south coast after Þorlákshöfn hundreds of kilometers to the west.

The area is dominated by large mountains, wide rivers, and the ever-present Vatnajökull glacier. All of this has combined to make the area one of the most remote in Iceland until the last few decades of the 20th century when roads were significantly improved.

Do

thumb|Vehicle for visiting the glaciers

Buy

The arts and crafts scene is very active in Höfn and some good souvenir shopping is possible if you keep your eyes open. A few artists have workshops and galleries in Mikligarður, an old building by the harbor. For day-to-day needs, head to the mini-mall in the center of town by Hafnarbraut.

Sleep

thumbnail|The sun is rising over the harbor

Go next

Höfn and the Hornafjörður area are right on the southeastern corner of Iceland. The area has traditionally been one of the most isolated in Iceland, and despite improved road connections distances remain great. To the north is the rest of East Iceland, starting with Höfn's nearest neighbour Djúpivogur (100 km by the Ring Road) and continuing to the East Fjords and Egilsstaðir. To the west is the south coast, the closest town to the west is Kirkjubæjarklaustur (200 km from Höfn by the Ring Road). The very adventurous (and well-prepared) can cross Vatnajökull, into either East Iceland or the Interior but this is understandably a dangerous route.