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Iceland is home to hundreds of hot springs. Some are used in their natural settings, and others are used in our geothermal pools. The Hoffell Hot Tubs seem to fall between our two famous hot spring “niches” here in Iceland.
The one thing that we do know is that visiting Hoffell is a must while traveling through Iceland. Here’s why it should make it onto your trip itinerary and how to plan and prep for a visit.
The Hoffell Experience
The Hoffell Hot Tubs are five man-made tubs that utilize local hot spring water. The hot tubs are nestled underneath a cliff called Arnarbæli and offer absolutely breathtaking views across the Icelandic landscape and Hoffelsjökull Glacier (a part of the bigger Vatnajökull Glacier). It truly is a serene experience.
The tubs are on privately owned land, so the use of the tubs is only because of the family who respected the history of the place, built on its foundation (literally), and then generously allowed the public to experience the magic of the place for themselves.
Please note that the Hoffell Hot Tubs are family-owned and on private land, amenities and facilities are limited. But while you won’t be able to visit a spa here or grab something to eat at a restaurant, the basics are still covered, and you’ll find changing rooms, toilets, and an outdoor shower.
History of the Hoffell Hot Tubs
Although there weren’t always dark green tubs set in a neatly paved platform, Hoffell has been a hot topic for quite a while now. The geothermal waters in the area were discovered in 2000 (so fairly recent compared to most other hot springs in Iceland).
Initially, a 40 square meter fish tub was used so the children living on the farm and the workers could have a place to bathe. But the surroundings were so special that word spread like wildfire, finally urging the family to upgrade and revamp the site and open it up to the public.
But it’s not just the Hoffell Hot Tubs that the warm waters of Hoffell cater to. It also plays an important part in the geothermal heating of the district. This not only means providing residents and businesses with hot water, but also the heating they need for their homes and commercial properties.
Location and Accessibility
As the name suggests, the Hoffell Hot Tubs are located in Hoffell, just 10 kilometers north of the town of Höfn in South-East Iceland. The tubs are also conveniently located just off Route 1 or what is known as our popular road trip route, the Ring Road. This means the Hoffell Hot Tubs can be a welcome stop to unwind and re-energize for the rest of the trip.
Planning Your Visit
Below, you will find all the basic info you’ll need to plan your trip to the tubs:
Operating Hours
Unless specifically stated otherwise or anything unforeseen happens, the Hoffell Hot Tubs are open 7 days a week from 10:00 to 21:00. Please also keep an eye on the Iceland road conditions since that might impact whether you’re able to get to Hoffell in the first place due to things such as roadworks or extreme weather.
Costs and Payment at Hoffell Hot Tubs
The Hoffell Hot Tubs are perfect for those traveling on a budget and are probably one of the most affordable geothermal experiences one can have here in Iceland. Entrance is charged at 1,000 ISK ($7.20/€6.75) per adult and children 8 years and younger are free.
Best Time to Visit the Hoffell Hot Tubs
Hoffell Hot Tubs are technically open all year round, but as an outdoor venue, the weather and seasons will inevitably impact your visit. There are also a few other things to consider regarding one’s personal preferences and budget. The following factors will ultimately influence when you visit:
- As an outdoor venue, most prefer visiting during the warmer months, especially when it’s summer in Iceland. Summer means higher temperatures, milder weather, and plenty of daylight hours (you can even come and experience a Midnight Sun here at the tubs).
- While summer is a wonderful time to visit, it’s also peak season here on the island, so the tubs will be much busier than usual, Peak season pricing will also be the order of the day all around the country, making you burn through your holiday budget much quicker.
- To get some of the summer perks, but have a more affordable Iceland experience with fewer crowds, many opt to visit during one of the shoulder months (April/May or September/October).
- There are those (especially when it comes to us locals) who will tell you there’s nothing better than taking a dip in a hot tub during the colder months of the year.
In fact, there’s nothing more thrilling than soaking in a hot tub with the cold air brushing up against your face, staring out across the blanket of snow that wraps around the tub. We also repeatedly jump out and roll around in the snow before heading back into the warm waters again, but that’s a different story altogether.
- As exhilarating as the contrasting hot/cold experience of the hot tubs during the colder months can be, winters pose a few challenges. A bit of cold air is nothing, but when there’s a blizzard or 35+ kilometer winds blowing, you don’t want to be sitting in a hot tub. The roads can also be tricky to navigate, especially if you’re not used to conditions with snow and ice.
- Just like you have the chance to experience a Midnight Sun at Hoffell Hot Tubs mid-summer, you can also watch the Northern Lights. But for that experience, you’ll have to visit during the months when it’s colder and darker here on the island, so wintertime is the go-to for Northern Lights spotting.
- Hoffel Hot Tubs is one of the hot spring locales that hosts a few events, such as their popular Hot Tub Parties. If you would like to attend one of these during your trip to Iceland, you’ll need to ensure that your visit coincides with the event dates.
What to Bring for Your Visit to the Hoffell Hot Tubs
Since the Hoffell Hot Tubs are family-owned and on private land, you won’t find any of the added perks that you get at some of these geothermal resorts. For example, you won’t find any towel rentals here. That’s why it’s incredibly important to ensure you pack everything you need for your visit. We’ve created this handy checklist so that no essential item gets left behind:
- Swimwear.
- Towel (preferably quick-drying, otherwise you’ll be lugging around a bunch of wet stuff all day long).
- Warm robe (especially handy during the colder months).
- Sunscreen (irrespective of season; you’ll be surprised how much you can burn even when it’s overcast or because of the reflection of the ice and snow).
- Sunglasses (similar to the above, these are a must irrespective of season).
- Flip-flops (for around the tubs and in the changing rooms and showers).
- A wet bag (this is just to chuck everything like your towel, swimwear, and flip-flops in immediately afterward so as to not make everything else wet).
- Camera (for those photographers among us - Hoffel Hot Tubs truly have spectacular views).
- Refillable water bottle.
- Some snacks.
How Long Does a Visit to Hoffel Hot Tubs Take?
Most spend 1 to 2 hours at Hoffel Hot Tubs, so if you’re planning your trip itinerary, we would recommend that you allocate at least 1 to 2 hours for your visit. But, ultimately, how long you stay there will rely solely on you, and you can extend or shorten your visit as you wish.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
There are many other interesting things to see and do around the Hoffel Hot Tubs, especially since it’s so close to Höfn and located on a main road. If you want to explore the area further, the following are some of the things you can consider:
In Höfn
Below you will find some of the things to see and do in the town itself:
Höfn Swimming Pool
The Höfn Swimming Pool is more like a waterpark than your average public pool. It has a large pool, a kiddie pool, a jacuzzi, and more than enough slides to keep both young and old entertained.
Gamlabud Visitor Center
Gamlabud Visitor Center is the perfect place to get the inside scoop on past and present Höfn, as well as insight into the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull Glacier, and the national park it’s named after.
The Thorbergur Center
The Thorbergur Center is dedicated to one of our great writers, Thorbergur Thordarson. Even if you know nothing about Thorbergur, it makes for an interesting visit, and the building’s design is fascinating, with one side of the museum painted as a row of books.
Kiddi’s Workshop
This one’s for all our geologists (in career and at heart). It holds a remarkable stone, rock, and mineral collection that will give you better insight into the geological makeup and history of South East Iceland.
Svavar Gudnason-Svavarssafn Art Museum
The Svavar Gudnason-Svavarssafn Art Museum is a gallery that generally showcases the work of Svarar Gudnason, but also features the work of a few other local artists. This is definitely a must-visit spot for any art lover.
Pakkhus Restaurant
Pakkhus Restaurant sits on the harbor in Höfn and is famous for its seafood, especially the lobster. You cannot visit Höfn and not enjoy at least one meal there. Just keep in mind that this is an incredibly popular spot and you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance.
Outdoor Activities
Below are a few things you can do when out and about near the Hoffell Hot Tubs:
Explore the Ice Caves
Iceland boasts extraordinary and almost other-worldly ice caves. Some of the most impressive can be found at Vatnajökull. The ice cave called the Crystal Ice Cave can be explored via a guided tour and promises to be an experience you’ll never forget.
Just keep in mind that this is a seasonal activity, and most ice caves are kept closed throughout the warmer months of the year here in Iceland.
Check Out the Vestrahorn Mountains
The Vestrahorn Mountain range is an intriguing geological site. It’s known for its jagged appearance due to the iron-and magnesium-rich gabbro rock, making it look more like something out of the Lord of the Rings than your average mountain.
Go Glacier Hiking
You can actually traverse the frozen landscape of Hoffellsjökull Glacier via a glacier hiking guided tour. It’s quite something to experience the icy surface with its deep crevasses and ice formations up close. All gear and equipment will be provided by your tour operator.
Explore Eldgja
Eldgja is the largest volcanic crater in the world, clocking in at 600 meters wide and 270 meters deep. It’s also part of the Katla Volcano system (one of the most active volcanic systems in Iceland).
Go Birdwatching
Höfn and the surrounding area are actually quite popular spots among avid birders. This is because the town has two shallow fjords called Hornafjördur and Skarsfjördur on each side where a wide variety of bird species have made their homes, and many migratory bird species come to visit.
Accommodation Options
If you are planning on exploring the area a bit more, the following are good overnight options:
- Hoffell aka Glacier World Guesthouse
- Birkifell Inn
- Setberg Guesthouse
- Fosshotel Vatnajökull
- Haukaberg House
Hoffell Hot Tubs: Time to Head to the Ultimate Hot Tub Hot Spot
The Hoffell Hot Tubs are the perfect hot tub hot spot for those who want to enjoy a relaxing soak in our famous geothermal waters without breaking the bank to do so. The fact that it’s also located next to the Ring Road, makes it the ideal stop for any budget-conscious travelers.
If you want to be even more budget-savvy on your trip, we recommend renting a campervan in Iceland. Not only is this a unique way of exploring the country, but it takes care of both your transport and accommodation needs, and you can take advantage of our beautiful, yet budget-friendly, campsites.
So, rent your campervan, and hit the road on your budget-friendly escapades around Iceland while looking forward to the soothing hot tub indulgence at Hoffell.
