Region
Southeast Iceland
450 km from Reykjavik
Hofn: Iceland's Langoustine Town
Iceland's lobster capital: a fishing town beneath Vatnajokull glacier, known for langoustine and the gateway to Jokulsarlon.
Population
~2,200
Southeast Iceland • Lobster capital
Quick Answer
Hofn is a Southeast Iceland harbor town known for langoustine and glacier views. The approach from the west changed with the new Hornafjordur Ring Road section in June 2026.
Hofn sits on a peninsula facing Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap. The fishing town is Iceland's langoustine capital, and its restaurants are known for their seafood. It's a natural overnight stop for Ring Road travelers and a base for glacier trips.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Hofn is the main service town for Southeast Iceland and gateway to Vatnajokull glacier.
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Official sources to check
Population
~2,200
Fishing and tourism town
Known for
Langoustine
Humarhatid festival
Top Attractions near Hofn
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Iceberg lagoon, 1 hour west
Diamond Beach
Icebergs on black sand
Vatnajokull Glacier Views
Ice cap views from town
Langoustine Restaurants
Fresh lobster at local restaurants
Hoffellsjokull Glacier
Accessible glacier tongue nearby
Stokksnes & Vestrahorn
Mountain and black sand coastline
How to Get to Hofn
From Reykjavik: 5-6 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road), passing South Coast attractions.
From the East: 2-3 hours from Egilsstadir via the Eastfjords.
By air: Small airport with occasional domestic flights.
Best Time to Visit Hofn
June/July: Long daylight. The 2026 Humarhatid dates were June 26–28.
Year-round: Jokulsarlon and the glacier are worth visiting in any season.
The approach to Hofn changed in June 2026
The Road Administration opened the new Hornafjordur section on June 24, 2026. It shortened the Ring Road by 12 kilometers and the approach to Hofn from the west by about 14.6 kilometers. Use a current map for the turn into town and for journeys toward Jokulsarlon; an older itinerary may follow the former inland route.
Spolur lists a single-trip toll of 1,500 ISK for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, with collection scheduled from September 1, 2026. Cameras record plates as vehicles pass, so there is no payment booth to stop at. Rental-car drivers should check the current payment instructions and the rental agreement: if the rental company handles an unpaid toll, its own service fee may apply.
For an event-led visit, use the municipal Humarhatid listing. The 2026 edition was scheduled for June 26–28. A general reference to a summer lobster festival does not establish the dates for a future year.
Planning help
Hofn FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hofn?
Hofn has approximately 2,200 residents.
Why is Hofn the lobster capital?
Hofn is associated with langoustine and the Humarhatid festival. The municipality listed the 2026 festival for June 26–28; check future editions separately.
How far is Hofn from Reykjavik?
Hofn is about 450 km from Reykjavik, approximately 5-6 hours by car via the Ring Road. It's often an overnight stop when driving the Ring Road.
What glacier views are there from Hofn?
Hofn looks out on Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier. Several glacier tongues are visible, including Hoffellsjokull nearby.
How far is Jokulsarlon from Hofn?
Jokulsarlon is west of Hofn along the Ring Road. Check the route from your accommodation: the new Hornafjordur road opened in June 2026 and shortened the approach to town from the west.
When is the Lobster Festival?
The municipality listed Humarhatid 2026 for June 26–28. Those dates are now past; check the official events calendar for the next edition.
What services does Hofn have?
Hofn has supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and is the main service town for Southeast Iceland.
Is Hofn in East or South Iceland?
Hofn is technically in Southeast Iceland, at the boundary between South and East regions. It is the gateway to the Eastfjords.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.