# A day in Selfoss: Home to skyr and the Bobby Fischer memorial

- URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/a-day-in-selfoss/
- Published: 2024-04-16
- Last updated: 2026-08-19

> Selfoss is the largest settlement in southern Iceland and a hub for excursions along the Golden Circle.

Selfoss is a place where people sleep, eat and maybe do some fishing in the river Ölfusá: this commuter-town located an hour's drive from Reykjavík is the default Ring Road stop with an impressive number of restaurants and accommodation options.

*Image: The Ölfusá bridge. A new bridge is in the making east of town, to ease chronic traffic jams.*

### **The New Downtown** 

Selfoss has always been a hub for the surroundings: The town was established with the completion of a suspension bridge over the mighty glacier river Ölfusá, linking together the southern coast and the agrarian lowlands. Farmers and fishers had a meeting point.  Today, Selfoss is a hub for [**Golden Circle**](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-golden-circle) and [**South Coast** ](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-south-coast)excursions. The Ölfusá Bridge remains central, like a harbor in seaside community. 

Arriving over the bridge, the cluster of houses facing the incoming roundabout are the entrance to [**the New Downtown**](https://midbaerselfoss.is/). The ambitious development, set to finish in 2026, is a recreation of buildings from Iceland's architectural past. **The Old Dairy Food Hall**, home to eight vendors, is modeled after the old the original diary factory in Selfoss, created by the first Icelander to receive education in architecture, Guðjón Samúelsson. 

*Image: Viewing the interactive Skyrland exhibition inside the Old Dairy food hall.*

### **Skyr and chess** 

_Skyr_, a type of yogurt, has conquered the world in recent years. Almost all skyr in Iceland is made in Selfoss – but how? To learn about this protein-rich ‘superfood’ head to the smart **Skyrland exhibition** in the basement of the Old Dairy food hall.  

Another peculiar exhibition, certainly more out of character for Selfoss, is the **The Bobby Fischer Center** honoring the memory of the American chess champion. To make a long story very short, Fischer was granted citizenship in Iceland 2004 after a dramatic escape from Japan. He passed away four years later and was buried in the middle of the night at a quiet cemetery by the small **Laugardælakirkja** outside of town. 

*Image: Walking passed the new downtown on Austurvegur (Rte 1)*

### **Walk along Main Street**  

The variety of independent, family-owned stores and restaurants gives visitors a great sense for small-town Iceland. Most businesses are by the streets of Austurvegur and Eyrarvegur.  

Among landmark establishments are the **Alvörubúðin** knitting store, **Pylsuvaginn** hot dog stand, **Ísbúð Huppu** ice cream store, **Motivo** gift store, **Karl úrsmiður** watch store, **Skóbúð Selfoss** shoe shop, **Bókakaffið** second-hand bookstore, **G&K** artisan bakery and **Baldvin og Þorvaldur** horse equipment. 

For a more relaxed walk, the path along River Ölfusá, extending from the iconic Selfoss Church to the hospital, is a delightful stroll. For a longer walk, on the other side of the river, head to the public park at **Hellisskógur public park**, or hike the **Ingólfsfjall mountain** like the locals. 

*Image: Kayaking in the calm canals of Stokkseyri is a popular activity for groups*

### **Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki** 

Selfoss is the largest inland town in Iceland, but its local municipality (known as Árborg) has a coastal frontier. **Stokkseyri** and **Eyrarbakki** are twin towns, each with about 500 residents, rich with history and coastal life. 

One of Iceland's oldest house, built by Danish traders in 1765, is **Húsið** (The House) in Eyrarbakki. The regional [**Heritage Museum**](https://www.byggdasafn.is) is based inside Húsið, overlooking a street of timber houses from the heyday of trade and stature; home to the oldest primary school in the country. **Restaurant Rauða Húsið** (the Red House) is among the landmark buildings.  

Between Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri is Iceland's maximum security prison **Litla-Hraun**, with its surprisingly low fences. 

Stokkseyri is known for langoustine (Icelandic lobster) at the **restaurant Fjöruborðið**, although the days of fishing and processing lobster have long passed. The town's former fish factory **Hólmaröst** is an art residency. **Knarrarósviti Lighthouse**, on its outskirts, is a good spot to explore the beach. 

[**Kayaking in the calm canals**](https://www.south.is/en/service/kayak-tours-stokkseyri) of Stokkseyri is a popular activity for groups, reasonable for all levels of fitness and experience. 

**_Getting to / from Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri:_** Local buses, known as [**Árborgarstrætó**](https://www.arborg.is/media/uncategorized/akstursleidir-6.-desember.png), travel from Selfoss. The landscape is flat, with bike paths running alongside the road most of the way, too.