Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the interior is quite cosy. Erlingur, the owner, offers up great home cooking at the restaur-
ant (three-course dinner Ikr5700).
Rauðanes
Heading south from Raufarhöfn, there's excellent hiking at Rauðanes, where marked trails
lead to bizarre rock formations, natural arches, caves and secluded beaches. The turn-off to
Rauðanes is about halfway between Raufarhöfn and Þórshöfn (it's a small sign), but the
track is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. All cars can park 1.5km from Rte 85, from where
it's a 7km loop through the strange terrain.
Þórshöfn & Around
Pop 380
Þórshöfn has served as a busy port since Saga times and saw its heyday when a herring-
salting station was established here in the early 20th century. Today it's a modest place but
makes a good base for the remote Langanes Peninsula.
Sauðaneshús
(adult/child Ikr800/free; 11am-5pm Jun-Aug)
, the old vicarage on the
church estate 7km north of town (en route to Langanes), provides insights into how locals
lived 100 years ago, and houses a cafe. For tourist information in town, stop by the large
swimming-pool/gym complex
Iþróttahús
(Langanesvegur 18;adult/child Ikr600/300;
8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat & Sun Jun-Aug, shorter hours Sep-May)
.
Þórshöfn has a
campsite
(sites per person Ikr1000)
and the handsome timber
Lyngholt
without bathroom Ikr18,000/14,000)
, 18km west of town. Pancakes and big smiles from host-
ess Bjarnveig greet guests in the morning. Sleeping-bag accommodation is possible
(Ikr4500), as is dinner (and kitchen facilities), plus info on fishing and hiking in the area.
Dining options in Þórshöfn are slim. The most reliable option is the unglamorous
grill
at the N1 (burgers, lambchops etc). There's a restaurant down at the harbour (behind the
N1) that changes name and incarnation frequently - it may be worth checking out. Self-
cater via the
Samkaup-Strax
( 9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat)
supermarket.
