Region
South Iceland
55 km from Reykjavik
Selfoss Iceland: South Iceland Hub & Golden Circle Base
South Iceland's hub—the region's largest town and an ideal base for exploring the Golden Circle, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Population
~7,500
South Iceland • Regional hub
Selfoss straddles the Olfusa river and serves as South Iceland's commercial heart. While not a tourist destination itself, it's an excellent base with full services, good restaurants, and easy access to the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls, and glaciers.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
Selfoss offers all services and is centrally located for South Iceland exploration.
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
Hveragerdi
Greenhouse town, 15 minutes away
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 year-round, with all services open regardless of season.
Planning help
Selfoss FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.