Region
South Iceland
105 km from Reykjavik
Hvolsvollur: LAVA Center and Saga Country
Home of the LAVA Center, gateway to Eyjafjallajokull, and the setting for Njal's Saga.
Population
~950
South Iceland • LAVA Center
Quick Answer
Hvolsvollur is a South Coast service town of about 950 people, home to the LAVA Center and the setting of Njal's Saga, 105 km from Reykjavik on the Ring Road.
Hvolsvollur has become a regular stop on the South Coast thanks to the LAVA Center, an interactive exhibition on Iceland's volcanic forces. The town sits below Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano whose 2010 eruption made headlines worldwide, and in the middle of the landscape described in Njal's Saga.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
The LAVA Center's real-time seismic displays show Iceland's volcanic activity as it happens.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~950
South Coast service town
Known for
LAVA Center
Volcanoes and saga history
An indoor stop and a mountain day need different plans
The LAVA Centre is at Austurvegur 14 in town. It lists daily opening at 08:30, closing at 17:00 from September through May and 19:00 from June through August, checked September 10, 2026. If you are arriving late in the day, check that seasonal cutoff before making the exhibition your final stop.
Þórsmörk and Fimmvörðuháls require separate route decisions. SafeTravel’s September 2026 alert advises against hiking Fimmvörðuháls while difficult conditions persist. Consult the dated trail alert before going; the museum’s opening hours do not indicate whether a mountain route is suitable.
Top Attractions in Hvolsvollur
LAVA Center
Interactive volcanic exhibition
Eyjafjallajokull
Famous volcano with glacier cap
Saga Centre
Njal's Saga history and exhibits
Thorsmork Valley
Highland hiking area
Fimmvorduhals Trail
Glacier-to-glacier hike
Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool and hot tubs
How to Get to Hvolsvollur
From Reykjavik: 1.5 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road), passing Selfoss and Hella.
To Thorsmork: 4x4 or super jeep required for river crossings. Organized tours available from town.
South Coast tours: Hvolsvollur is a standard stop on most South Coast day trips from Reykjavik.
Best Time to Visit Hvolsvollur
Year-round: The LAVA Centre is indoors and lists daily opening; check road conditions for the journey.
Summer: Check current highland-road and trail conditions before adding Þórsmörk or Fimmvörðuháls to a visit.
Planning help
Hvolsvollur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hvolsvollur?
Hvolsvollur has approximately 950 residents and is one of the main service towns on Iceland's South Coast.
What is the LAVA Center?
The LAVA Center is an interactive exhibition about Iceland's volcanic and seismic activity. It explains the geology beneath your feet.
How close is Eyjafjallajokull to Hvolsvollur?
Eyjafjallajökull is in the surrounding south-coast landscape. A distance to the mountain is not a driving route to its glacier: select a specific viewpoint or organized excursion before planning the journey.
How far is Hvolsvollur from Reykjavik?
Hvolsvollur is about 105 km from Reykjavik, approximately 1.5 hours by car via Route 1 (Ring Road).
What is Njal's Saga country?
The area around Hvolsvollur is the setting for Njal's Saga, one of Iceland's great medieval stories. The Saga Centre in Hvolsvollur tells the story.
Is Hvolsvollur near Thorsmork?
Yes, Hvolsvollur is a staging point for trips to Thorsmork valley. The road requires a 4x4 or super jeep due to river crossings.
What services are in Hvolsvollur?
Hvolsvollur has hotels, restaurants, the LAVA Center, supermarket, gas station, and swimming pool, everything needed for a South Coast trip.
Can I hike Fimmvorduhals from here?
Yes, Hvolsvollur is a base for the famous Fimmvorduhals hike between Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers, ending in Thorsmork.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.