Region
South Iceland
55 km from Reykjavik
Selfoss: South Iceland's Largest Town
South Iceland's hub: the region's largest town and a practical base for the Golden Circle, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Population
~7,500
South Iceland • Regional hub
Quick Answer
Selfoss, population about 7,500, is South Iceland's largest town and its main service hub, 45 minutes from Reykjavik and a practical Golden Circle base.
Selfoss straddles the Olfusa river and is South Iceland's commercial center. It is not a tourist destination in itself, but it makes a solid base, with full services, good restaurants, and easy access to the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls, and glaciers.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Selfoss offers all services and is centrally located for South Iceland exploration.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~7,500
South Iceland's largest town
Known for
Regional hub
Services and Golden Circle access
Attractions near Selfoss
Golden Circle
Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss nearby
Kerid Crater
Colorful volcanic crater lake
Olfusa River
Salmon fishing opportunities
Selfoss Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with hot tubs
Skyrland
Dairy-history exhibition and tasting at the Old Dairy
South Coast Waterfalls
Gateway to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss
How to Get to Selfoss
From Reykjavik: 45 minutes via Route 1 (Ring Road).
From Keflavik Airport: About 1 hour via Route 41 and Route 1.
Best Time to Visit Selfoss
Selfoss is a practical base through the year. Check individual opening hours and the conditions on your onward route.
Make the Old Dairy a stop in its own right
Skyrland, in the Old Dairy at Eyrarvegur 1, follows the making of skyr through domestic life and food history. Its interactive story wall and miniature turf-house display offer something more specific than another general Iceland overview. The exhibition ticket includes a tasting; a meal in the neighboring food hall is a separate choice.
The operator’s hours and prices page, checked September 10, 2026, lists daily opening 10:00–18:00, adult entry at 1,990 ISK, and 995 ISK for seniors and disabled visitors. Children under 12 enter free with an adult. If the tasting is the reason for your visit, contact skyrland@skyrland.com about dietary requirements before booking.
Planning help
Selfoss FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Selfoss?
Selfoss has approximately 7,500 residents and is the largest town in South Iceland.
Is Selfoss the hub for South Iceland?
Yes, Selfoss is the main service and commercial center for South Iceland, with supermarkets, banks, restaurants, and all essential services.
How far is Selfoss from Reykjavik?
Selfoss is about 55 km from Reykjavik, approximately 45 minutes by car via Route 1.
Is Selfoss near the Golden Circle?
Yes, Selfoss is close to the Golden Circle route. Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss are all within an hour's drive.
What river runs through Selfoss?
The Olfusa river, Iceland's largest by volume, flows through Selfoss. It's famous for salmon fishing.
What is Tryggvaskali?
A historic restaurant building in Selfoss, known for quality Icelandic cuisine and its distinctive architecture.
Does Selfoss have a swimming pool?
Yes, Selfoss has a geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs and water slides.
Is Selfoss a good base for exploring?
Selfoss is a useful base for South Iceland and the Golden Circle. Compare accommodation for your dates and include the driving required for each day; prices are not always lower than Reykjavik.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.