Region
Northwest Iceland
About 356 km from Reykjavik
Hofsos on Skagafjordur
Home to a swimming pool overlooking the fjord, an infinity pool overlooking Skagafjordur fjord, and to the Emigration Center, which traces Icelandic emigration to North America.
Population
~200
Northwest Iceland • Famous pool
Quick Answer
Hofsos, a village of about 200 on Skagafjordur, is known for its infinity-edge swimming pool facing Drangey island and the Icelandic Emigration Center archives.
Hofsos is tiny, but there is more to see here than in most villages this size. The infinity pool appears to merge with the fjord below, and the Emigration Center draws visitors from around the world researching their Icelandic roots. There are also historic warehouses and basalt columns on the beach.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Check the municipal pool schedule and arrange an Emigration Center visit outside its summer opening season.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~200
Tiny village, major attractions
Known for
Infinity pool
One of Iceland's most scenic pools
Top Attractions in Hofsos
Hofsos Swimming Pool
Infinity pool with fjord views
Icelandic Emigration Center
Genealogy research and emigration history
Drangey Island Tours
Puffins and saga history boat trips
Basalt Columns
Natural rock formations on the beach
Historic Warehouses
Old harbor buildings
Skagafjordur Views
Fjord and mountain views
How to Get to Hofsos
From Saudarkrokur: 25 minutes via Route 76 along the coast of Skagafjordur.
From Akureyri: 1.5 hours via Route 1 to Varmahlid, then Route 75 and Route 76.
Day trip: Hofsos works well as a day trip from Akureyri or Saudarkrokur, combined with Glaumbaer turf farm.
Best Time to Visit Hofsos
Summer (June-August): Longer days, seasonal Drangey boat tours and regular Emigration Center hours.
Year-round: The pool has a winter schedule with a weekday afternoon break. Check the date-specific hours before traveling.
Book family-history help separately from an exhibition visit
The Emigration Center offers more than an overview of migration. Its Silent Flashes exhibition brings together nearly 400 emigrant photographs, many identifying the people, their parentage and their Icelandic home. You can visit for the portrait collection without having Icelandic ancestry. For your own research, the center asks visitors to make an appointment with a genealogy expert; a museum visit does not guarantee an on-demand research session.
The operator lists daily opening June 1–September 1, 11:00–18:00, or by appointment. A September 10 visit therefore needs an arrangement. Separately, the municipal pool timetable lists summer hours only through August 23 and winter hours from September 28. Those dates leave a gap: confirm the intervening weeks with the pool rather than assume either schedule applies. The listed winter weekdays split into 07:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00; weekends are 11:00–16:00.
Planning help
Hofsos FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hofsos?
Hofsos has approximately 200 residents. It is one of Iceland's smallest villages with major visitor attractions.
What is the Hofsos infinity pool?
The Hofsos swimming pool has an infinity edge design with views over Skagafjordur fjord to Drangey Island. It is one of Iceland's best-known pools.
What is the Icelandic Emigration Center?
This museum documents the mass emigration of Icelanders to North America (1870-1914). Many visitors come to research their Icelandic ancestry and family history.
How far is Hofsos from Reykjavik?
The Emigration Center gives approximately 356 km from Reykjavik. Check the route for your departure point and allow time for weather and stops.
Can I visit Drangey from Hofsos?
Boat tours to Drangey Island depart from nearby Reykir. The island has puffin colonies and appears in Icelandic sagas as an outlaw hideout.
What is the history of Hofsos?
Hofsos was one of Iceland's main trading ports from the 16th century. The old warehouse buildings now house the Emigration Center and other cultural exhibits.
What services does Hofsos have?
Despite its small size, Hofsos has the pool, the museum, a guesthouse, a café, and basic services. More extensive services are in Saudarkrokur; the Emigration Center gives a distance of about 37 km.
Are there basalt columns near Hofsos?
Yes, the beach at Hofsos has basalt column formations on the shoreline below the village.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.