Discover South Iceland
Glaciers – Geysirs – Volcanoes – Mountains – Waterfalls

Towns : Selfoss

With a population of over 4000 inhabitants, and only 50 km from Iceland's biggest market area, Selfoss has much to offer. It is far enough away from the stresses and strains of city life, yet so close that traveling to the city to work or to use services is not a problem. The town is growing fast; the local population has been rising much faster than the national average. The business life in Selfoss is known for its stability, and many employers have chosen Selfoss for this reason. In the past ten years, there has been a constant rise in the number of service companies in Selfoss. It is predicted to grow even more in coming years as residents will relocate to it because of lower property prices.

The town Selfoss started developing in 1891, when a suspension bridge was built across the most voluminous river in Iceland, Olfusa. This very impressive river runs through the town - filled with both glacial water and water from Thingvallavatn. The bridge here collapsed in 1944 and a new one was constructed immediately. The community was strengthened in 1930, when the co-operative shop and the dairy were established. Selfoss, sometimes referred to as the capital of the South, received its municipal rights in 1978 and the inhabitants base their livelihood on services rendered to the agricultural surroundings, small industries, commerce and tourism.

Selfoss is also the centre of communications and services in South Iceland. In addition to the Ring Road, Iceland's main highway, that runs east-west through the town, roads lead from Selfoss in all directions (north to the Golden Circle / Kerid route and south to Stokkseyri / Eyrarbakki / Reykjanes peninsula). The town is an excellent centre for day tours to the many places of interest in the area. Some salmon is caught downriver from the aforementioned bridge. All necessary services for tourists (including a hospital, pharmacies, banks, shopping center, restaurants, hotels, golf course, cinema, horse farms, airport and much more) are available in Selfoss.

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