Selfoss town has been rapidly growing for the last few years, much faster than the national average. It is within a one-hour drive of all Iceland’s major nature attractions in the south, including the Golden Circle wonders and the South Coast waterfalls and black sand beaches.
Selfoss got its municipal rights in 1978, and Icelanders sometimes refer to it as the capital of the South. The town started developing in 1891, when Icelanders built a suspension bridge across the Ölfusá river. Ölfusá runs through the town, filled with both glacial water and lake water from the Þingvallavatn.
The people of the town base their livelihood on small industries, commerce, agricultural services and tourism. In fact, some Selfoss residents commute to work in Reykjavík, which is about one hour away by car. They enjoy the town’s friendly and family-oriented atmosphere.
A Town in Touch with the Past
Some towns are old, and some are new. However, in Selfoss the past connects with the present in a truly unique way. Thirty-five historic buildings that had been fire damaged or had fallen into disrepair now have a new life. The locals have reconstructed the buildings to serve as a beautiful cultural centre in the downtown area. The charming Selfoss Centre hosts shops, restaurants, accommodation and cultural activities of different kinds. One particularly interesting site to visit is Skyrland, an interative exhibit about Iceland’s dairy product that originated from Viking age recipes and is popular internationally.
Selfoss is a great base to explore South Iceland, and visitors will find plenty of choices for dining and activities. Additionally, the town has one of the largest geothermal swimming pool complexes in South Iceland.
