Transportation
- Regional Travel
- Strætó Bus Line 51 (Reykjavik to Höfn) stops in Selfoss
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Hreyfill (Call +354 588 5522); No Uber/Bolt in Iceland
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Selfoss Guesthouse often provides rentals; Hopp e-scooters available in town
- Best Beach Nearby
- Stokkseyri/Eyrarbakki black sand beaches (15 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (domestic flights from Reykjavik Airport RKV)
- Top International Airline
- Icelandair, Play (operating from Keflavik KEF, 1.5 hours away)
- Highway Access
- Located directly on Route 1 (The Ring Road)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Selfoss Bus Terminal (Center); No trains in Iceland
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó bus app; single local fare approx. 500 ISK
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Heilsugæsla Suðurlands (Sólvellir 2, Selfoss)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Laugarás Yoga and local sessions at the Sports Center; Selfoss Swimming Pool (Sundhöll)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- World Class Selfoss (Suntún 1); Day pass approx. 2,800 ISK
- Laundry Services
- Selfoss Hostel or local guesthouses often offer services for a fee
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Aha.is (Limited service in Selfoss; most call direct for pickup)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pylsur (Islandic hot dog) at Pylsuvagninn; Plokkfiskur (Fish stew)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Kaffi Krús (Austurvegur 7) offers vegan pizzas and salads
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ísbúð Huppu (Austurvegur 3) - famous Icelandic soft serve
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Krónan or Bónus (Austurvegur) - cheapest grocery options
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Elko.is for electronics; Heimkaup.is for general goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Heimkaup.is (delivers to Selfoss from Reykjavik)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The New Town Center (Miðbær) cluster of bars like Messinn
- Local Brewery
- Ölvisholt Brewery (located 10 mins outside Selfoss)
- Wine Bars
- Vinstúfan Tenór (New Town Center)
- Street Food Stalls
- Pylsuvagninn Selfossi (Stationed near the bridge)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Lily & Bloom (Italian/Global); Smiðjan Brugghús (Burgers)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Selfosskirkja (Church) and the Old Bridge over Ölfusá
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bobby Fischer Center (Austurvegur 21) - dedicated to the chess champion
- Historical Sites
- The Old Dairy (Mjólkurbúið) - restored as a food hall/cultural hub
- Religious Sites
- Selfosskirkja (Modern Lutheran architecture)
- Annual Events
- Sumar á Selfossi (Town festival in August)
- Cultural Districts
- The New Center (Miðbær) featuring reconstructed historical buildings
- Theater Venues
- Leikfélag Selfoss (Local theater group performances)
- Local Markets
- Handverk og hönnun (Local crafts often found in the Old Dairy)
- Music Scene
- Live music at Smiðjan Brugghús and local pubs
- Street Art
- Murals on building walls in the Old Town section near the river
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Farmers Association (Búnaðarsamband Suðurlands)
- Art Galleries
- Listasafn Árnesinga (Arnesinga Art Museum) in nearby Hveragerði
- Historic Buildings
- Tryggvaskáli (The oldest house in Selfoss, built 1890)
- Local Heritage
- Dairy farming history; commemorated at the Mjólkurbúið museum
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hellisheiði geothermal area and Reykjadalur steam valley
- National Parks Nearby
- Þingvellir National Park (45 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Path along the Ölfusá river and trails through Hellisskógur forest
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Ingólfsfjall Mountain overlooking the town
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ölfusá delta and the nearby coast at Ölfus
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas during Áramótabrennur (New Year's Eve bonfires)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Larsenstræti 1)
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvun (Eyravegi 32)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Íþróttahús Selfoss (Sports Center/Gymnasium)
- Language Classes
- Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands (FSU) offers adult Icelandic courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bókasafn Árborgar (Austurvegur 2)
- Community Centers
- Hvítasunnukirkjan or local sports clubs
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; local youth centers (Félagsmiðstöðin) have setups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling and casinos are illegal in Iceland)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 850,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 34,000,000 ISK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 720,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 28,000,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 800,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 48,000,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 680,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 40,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 750,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 60,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 640,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 51,000,000 ISK)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; progressive individual rates
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25% (combined state and municipal)
- VAT
- 24% standard; 11% reduced rate (food, books)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with interests in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Municipal property tax (Fasteignaskattur) approx. 0.2% - 0.5% of valuation
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals on deed registration; 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Worker Visa allows 180-day stays without local tax residency
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (for limited liability companies)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22%
Essentials
- City
- Selfoss, Árborg, Southern Region, Iceland
- Population
- 9,600
- Internet Speed
- High-speed Fiber optic widely available; average 100-500 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 140 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 152 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality glacial water from every tap
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F (Schuko) sockets
- SIM Card
- Siminn, Vodafone, and Nova; Prepaid 10GB starter packs approx. 2,900 ISK
- Banking for Expats
- Landsbankinn or Arion Banki; Revolut and Wise widely used
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and Airbnb; monthly rates approx. 250,000 - 350,000 ISK
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Iceland is almost entirely cashless; cards accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Bungalo.com (for cabins)
- Budget Accommodation
- Selfoss Hostel (Austurvegur 28); bunk beds from 6,500 ISK per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- New Town Center (Miðbær Selfoss) for proximity to restaurants and shops
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Residential areas near Austurvegur for walkability and services
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Skyrríkið (Eyrarbakkavegur 2) - modern community workspace
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bókakaffið (Austurvegur 22) - cozy bookshop cafe with reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Árborg Municipality business meetups; often promoted on 'Selfoss.is'
- Social Events for Expats
- ‘Expats in Iceland’ and local ‘Selfoss’ Facebook groups