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Thorlakshofn
Thorlakshofn is a family friendly fishing village, located on the south coast of Iceland. There you can find a bank, post office, bakery, public library with hot spot service, a clock museum, outside playgrounds, an information centre and the cutest café in the south as well as several bistros.
It also has a modern, fully equipped sports facility, a nice swimming pool and a very challenging 18 holes sand golf course.
Thorlakshofn is the central town of the Olfus municipality, enjoying a wide range of beautiful landscapes with black sand beaches, cliffs, lava formations, caves, geothermal areas and vivid hot springs. The Olfus region is the largest horse breeding area in Iceland, so horse riding across the highlands and the vast black sand beaches is a big attraction.

Travel directory for Thorlakshofn
The official travel index of Iceland
Horse Activities
Travel Agency
Eldhestar - Volcano Horses
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
ON Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheiðarvirkjun
Swimming Pools
Þorlákshöfn Swimming pool
Hotels
Hotel Eldhestar
Day Tours
Black Beach Tours
Cafés
Hendur í höfn
Others
- Hafnarsandi
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 483-3009, 844-5756
- Egilsbraut 4
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 690-1111
- Selvogur
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 893-3910
- Faxabraut
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 650-6200
- Bjarnastaðir
- 816 Ölfus
- 844-6967
- Fákasel, Ingólfshvoli í Ölfusi
- 816 Ölfus
- 847-3460
Farm Holidays
Núpar Cottages
Travel Agency
Eldhestar - Volcano Horses
Hotels
Hotel Eldhestar
Farm Holidays
Hjarðarból Guesthouse
Others
- Fosssel
- 816 Ölfus
- Strýta
- 816 Ölfus
- 892-0344, 863-6417
- Unubakki 4
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 556-1600
- Krókur
- 816 Ölfus
- 483-5444
- Hvoll
- 816 Ölfus
- 845-2980
- Gata
- 816 Ölfus
- 483-1011, 863-9355
- Reykir, Axelshús
- 816 Ölfus
- 618-8000
- Skálholtsbraut
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 839-9091
- Bjarnastaðir
- 816 Ölfus
- 844-6967
- Gljúfur
- 816 Ölfus
- 892-6311, 483-4461
Farm Holidays
Hjarðarból Guesthouse
Restaurants
Hafið Bláa
Cafés
Hendur í höfn
Restaurants
Ingólfsskáli - Viking Restaurant
Others
- Unubakki 4
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 483-3320
- Selvogsbraut 41
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 8228998
- Selvogsbraut 41
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 483-5950, 892-2207
- Óseyrarbraut 15
- 815 Þorlákshöfn
- 483-3801, 8943858
History and Culture
Strandarkirkja church
Strandarkirkja church is located in Selvogur (Seal Cove) and was originally built in the 12th century. The story relates that during one night when a group of sailors tried to navigate back to Iceland in a storm. The southern coast of Iceland is notorious for its hidden reefs and rough coast. The distressed sailors prayed to God for a safe return and vowed to build a church wherever they landed. When they ended their prayer an angel, seemingly made of light, appeared before their bow. The angel guided them through the rough surfs and led them into a bay for safe landing. The sailors kept their promise and built a wooden church at the site and named it Strandarkirkja. The bay nearby is named Engilsvík (Angel's Bay) to commemorate the incident. Many miracles have been attributed to Strandarkirkja and there was a time when it was one of the richest churches in Iceland from the donations of Icelanders coming from all over the country in hopes of having their prayers and wishes come true. It has more supporters all over the world than any other church in Iceland and is often referred to as the 'miracle church' with the locals' longstanding belief that it has profound, divine powers.
Nature
Hengill area and Geothermal energy exhibition
Mt. Hengill is a dormant volcano which erupted around 2000 years ago. The geothermal area around the dormant volcano Mt. Hengill is perfect for hiking. There are numerous marked hiking trails coloured after difficulty.
The Geothermal Energy Exhibition at Hellisheiði Power Plant is an exploration into the utilization of geothermal energy in Iceland. The Hellisheiði Power Plant is a great example of how geothermal energy can be utilized in a sustainable manner and is a showcase for geothermal' s global role in a renewable and sustainable future. The exhibition is located at Hellisheiði power plant by road no. 1.
Nature
Selvogsviti Lighthouse
Selvogsviti is a lighthouse west of Thorlakshofn and has been saving lives since 1919.
The lighthouse is still in operation and is fully automated today.
Nature
Arnarbæli
Arnarbæli is a district in Ölfus and from the 12th century up until the beginning of the 20th century it was one of the best fields in Iceland to produce hey. Now there are large ruins from the old farm at Arnarbæli that are protected. Due to the wetlands around Arnarbæli you will find many interesting bird species in the area such as a Eurasian Oystercatcher, a Red-necked Phalarope and a Eurasian Wigeon.
Nature
Ölfus black sand beach
Ölfus has a black sand beach that stretches from Thorlákshöfn to Ölfusa river. A long walk on the beach surrounded by black sand and lyme grass is the perfect way to unwind from the day to day stress.
The beach is also a popular surfing spot and the waves are suitable for those taking their first steps at surfing. For more advanced surfers the waves by the lighthouse in Thorlákshöfn are superb.
History and Culture
Herdisarvik
The former estate Herdísarvík, now abandoned, stood on the synonymous cove in Selvogur. The steep cliffs of Mt Herdísarvíkurfjall (329m) protrude behind it to the north and several lava tongues in its slopes bear witness to prehistoric eruptions in the area and some of them reached the sea. Along the coastline are still a few obvious ruins of ancient fishing outfits, which were declared inviolate in 1973.
According to the legend, a woman, Herdís, lived in Herdísarvík in the past and her sister, Krýsa, in Krýsuvík. They did not see eye to eye and were constantly at each other's throat. Both sisters practiced witchcraft and constantly played tricks on each other.
The renowned poet and entrepreneur Einar Benediktsson spent the last years of his life in his house in Herdísarvík. In 1935 he donated it to The University of Iceland and union professors sometimes spend their holidays there.
Nature
Reykjadalur valley
Reykjadalur valley is the most popular and arguably the most beautiful hiking area in Ölfus. Hot springs and colourful areas full of geothermal activity entertain along a hiking trail which leads to a hot river. For some of the length of the river the temperature in it is perfect for bathing and that's a wonderful natural experience.
Nature
Hafnarnes lighthouse and viewpoint
Hafnarnes is an area on the edge of the town Thorlákshöfn where you are surrounded by beautiful cliffs and the majestic ocean. A viewpoint is located in the area and from there you have panoramic views over the mountains surrounding the area such as the volcanoes Mt. Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. This area is also very popular amongst surfers and usually you can spot a few surfing. There is a small lighthouse on the cliffs, it is not open for visitors but is very picturesque with the waves banging against the cliffs.
Nature
Raufarholshellir
There are many caves in the lava fields in Ölfus and the largest being Raufarhólshellir by road no. 39. A journey into Raufarhólshellir is a unique experience and a great opportunity to witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption as one walks in the path of lava that flowed during the Leitahraun eruption, which occurred east of the Bláfjöll mountains about 5200 years ago. Daily tours are available in Raufarhólshellir.