Your guide to Raufarhöfn, Iceland
Perched on the wild Melrakkaslétta peninsula, Raufarhöfn village is as far north as it gets in Iceland. Wander down to the harbor, swap stories with the friendly locals, and take in the untouched beauty of the Arctic wilderness.
Raufarhöfn is one of Iceland’s northernmost villages, and you can feel its history in the quiet streets and old fishing docks. In the early 20th century, herring fishing put Raufarhöfn on the map, bringing jobs and growth to the village. By 1944, it had become Iceland’s second-largest herring hub.
Today, you’ll find that Raufarhöfn is much quieter than in its herring boom days, with a small population and a slower pace of life. While the fishing industry has declined, the village is finding new life through tourism.
Since it’s close to the Arctic Circle, it’s an excellent place to experience the midnight sun in summer or chase the Northern Lights in winter – especially at the Arctic Henge. Inspired by the poem Völuspá (Prophecy of the Seeress), the Arctic Henge is Iceland’s answer to Stonehenge.
Raufarhöfn is about a 6-hour drive from Reykjavík, taking you along dramatic coastal roads and through rugged tundra. If you’re coming from Akureyri, you’ll drive about 2 ½ hours through some of North Iceland’s most untouched and stunning landscapes.
