Hvolsvöllur sits 100 kilometres east of Reykjavík along Route 1, roughly an hour and twenty minutes by car. The town grew around farming services and remains the centre for exploring the sites of Njáls Saga and the Markarfljót river plains. Hvolsvöllur is worth visiting if you want to trace medieval saga landmarks by car and stage trips into the southern highlands. Look elsewhere if you want dense historic streets, lively evening bars, or extensive indoor cultural sights on rainy days.
Last updated 30 Sept 2026
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What to do in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Life in Hvolsvöllur lines the Ring Road, where fuel stops, bakeries, and gear shops serve those heading deeper into the southern floodplains. Mornings revolve around weather briefings and a strong coffee before setting off toward the glaciers. It suits independent motorists, walkers bound for rugged interior tracks, and anyone keen on Icelandic literature who does not mind the wind.
24 hours in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Begin with coffee and pastries at Eldstó, then spend the morning reading the tapestry at Sögusetrið. After a bowl of lamb soup, drive twenty minutes east along Route 1 to walk behind Seljalandsfoss. Finish with an evening soak in the town hot tubs on Austurvegur. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Use your second morning for the short drive south to Landeyjahöfn, boarding the morning ferry to Heimaey in the Westman Islands. Return to the mainland for salted cod and local ale at a quiet country guesthouse in the Rangárþing eystra district. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
A third day allows an early departure on the mountain bus to Þórsmörk. Spend hours hiking beneath the ridge of Tindfjallajökull, surrounded by birch woods and glacial meltwater, before driving west to inspect the pre-Viking sandstone chambers at Caves of Hella.
Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland itineraries by interest
Saga History in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Visit Sögusetrið to explore the 10th-century world of Njáls saga, Gunnar of Hlíðarendi, and the bloody feud at nearby Bergþórshvoll.
Waterfalls in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Drive twenty minutes east to walk behind the torrent at Seljalandsfoss and slip through the narrow rock canyon into Gljúfrabúi.
Thermal Pools in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Soak in the communal hot pots and steam baths at the town pool on Austurvegur, a daily ritual for local farmers and road-weary drivers.
Highland Excursions in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Board modified four-wheel drives along Route F249 across unbridged glacial torrents into the birch valleys of Þórsmörk.
Bakery & Coffee in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Stop at Eldstó Art Cafe for hearty sourdough bread, cardamom pastries, and soup served in handmade stoneware bowls.
Horse Trekking in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Ride five-gaited Icelandic horses along the gravel banks of the Rangá river system through low-lying pasture and volcanic plains.
Farmstead Dining in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Order slow-cooked mountain lamb soup, smoked sea trout, and skyr at rustic farmhouse restaurants dotted along the ring road.
Ferry Connections in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Drive fifteen minutes south to Landeyjahöfn to catch the 45-minute Herjólfur car ferry to the volcanic Westman Islands.
Subterranean Sites in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Tour the twelve ancient sandstone caverns at Caves of Hella, ten minutes west, carved before Norse settlement.
Glacier Views in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Track the southern flank of Eyjafjallajökull volcano and view active tongue glaciers spilling down towards the coastline.
Coastal Walks in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Walk the black basalt sands and windswept dunes near the mouth of the Markarfljót river looking toward the offshore archipelago.
Craft Traditions in Hvolsvöllur Suðurland Iceland
Browse hand-knitted lopapeysa wool sweaters and local ceramic tableware at the Saga Centre craft shop and nearby workshops.