Town history, food culture and the Ölfusá River are among the defining features of Selfoss. There is also a nearby forest and activities ranging from ceramics to swimming. When choosing where to stay, you can therefore weigh up whether you mainly want to explore the town’s culture and restaurants or also spend time in the surrounding area.
Skyr, food and town history
Skyrland explores Icelandic food culture through a multisensory experience, with a particular focus on the national dish, Skyr. The presentation may change over time. The Old Dairy Selfoss – Mjólkurbúið offers another perspective on Skyr: it has an exhibition on the history of Skyr as well as a food hall with eight restaurants. The restaurant line-up may change, so if you have a particular restaurant in mind, check the selection before your visit.
Selfoss Town Tours focuses on history and food tours around Selfoss with an experienced local guide. The tours stop at places of interest and include tastings at restaurants in town. Availability and booking options may change; check before booking. This brings town history and food together in a guided experience, rather than treating the two subjects separately.
Skyrland also offers groups a short guided walk through the new town centre. It covers the history of Selfoss and the history of the buildings in the centre. As this is a group activity, you should reconfirm it before booking.
Historic sites and local connections
Selfosskirkja was built from 1952 to 1956 and consecrated on Palm Sunday, 25 March 1956. The Ölfusárbrú also connects a specific place with a historical date: the 84-metre-long suspension bridge in Selfoss was first built in 1891. The Bobby Fischer Center displays, among other items, the score sheets from the Spassky–Fischer match and a replica of the chessboard used in the match. The Ölfusá flows through Selfoss and is another distinctive geographical feature of the town.
Chess enthusiasts will find a different perspective on the town’s history at the Bobby Fischer Center than at the church or bridge: the focus here is on the score sheets and the replica match chessboard. The current display of exhibits may change.
Swimming, ceramics and walks
Selfoss Swimming Pool has a 25-metre outdoor pool and a children’s pool with three slides. There is also a steam bath, a sauna, and warm and cold bathing pools. If a visit is important to your plans, check the current access conditions beforehand.
Hornið Creative Studio in the town centre offers pottery workshops and activities for children; the formats may change. Hellisskógur is close to Selfoss for a walk in the surrounding area. The forest has trails, walking paths and benches where visitors can stop and enjoy the surroundings. This gives you a choice between activities in town and paths through the forest, without assuming a particular walking time.
The annual Brúarhlaup race is also part of the events calendar in Selfoss. People from all over Iceland take part. If you would like to plan your trip around the race, check the current events programme separately.
Selfoss as a base for your trip
Selfoss is the main transport hub of South Iceland. The new Selfoss Centre opened in 2021 and houses shops, restaurants, hotels and various cultural activities. Individual businesses and programmes may change.
South Center is a tourist information centre in the centre of Selfoss. The Selfoss Information Office is located in Árborg Town Hall, Austurvegi 2, and serves residents and tourists. Opening hours and facilities may change; check the latest information before visiting.
Selfoss’s role as a transport hub is another factor to consider when planning trips around the region.
Discover more destinations: Grafarkirkja, Eyrarbakki, Villingaholt, Hvolsvöllur, Búðarhólshverfi, Stóri Núpur, Vestmannaeyjar, Úlfljótsvatn.
For the regional travel overview: Sudurland.
