Major city · Iceland
Raufarhöfn
Half a day is enough for the Arctic Henge and a walk around the harbour; use it as a stop on a North Iceland road trip, not a base.
Raufarhöfn is Iceland's northernmost town, a quiet fishing settlement of about 200 people. Its main draw is the Arctic Henge, a concrete sundial under construction inspired by Stonehenge. The town works best as a short stop between Húsavík and Þórshöfn or as a detour from the Ring Road via Dettifoss. Most visitors spend a couple of hours here, then move on.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ISK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, storms)
- Airports
- AEY · THO
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Raufarhöfn112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Raufarhöfn, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK, kr).Iceland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEEA roaming applies: EU/EEA SIMs work at home prices.Iceland-wide
- Tap waterCold tap water is excellent; hot tap water is geothermal and smells of sulphur — do not drink it.Iceland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected.Iceland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Iceland-wide
- SafetyRaufarhöfn is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew on long drives; petrol stations and paid toilets (ISK 200–500 (≈ US$2–5)) at sites.Iceland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 1700 Non-urgent doctor (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany rural guesthouses and cafés close October–April; highland huts only in summer.Iceland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAEY Akureyri Airport (About 2.5 h drive; the closest airport with scheduled flights.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeekr 500–700
- Sit-down mealDinner at hotel restaurantcheckkr 4,000–6,000
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomISK 12,000 (≈ US$100)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomISK 18,000 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomISK 25,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ISK 8,000 (≈ US$65) · Mid ISK 15,000 (≈ US$130) · High ISK 30,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AEY Akureyri Airport (About 2.5 h drive; the closest airport with scheduled flights.) · THO Þórshöfn Airport (About 40 min drive; limited service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
May
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Jun
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jul
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Aug
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Sep
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Oct
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest May (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Raufarhöfn: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
12 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
13 rd
Apr
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Jun
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Jul
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Aug
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Sep
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Oct
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
13 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For the Arctic Henge, it's a 10-minute walk from the harbour. A car is needed to reach Raufarhöfn.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Húsavík
goDoor to door: 1 h
Road 85, about 1 h
Whale-watching capital of Iceland.
Mývatn
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Road 85 then Road 1, about 1.5 h
Volcanic landscapes, hot springs and birdlife.
Dettifoss
goDoor to door: 1 h
Road 864 (unpaved), about 1 h
Europe's most powerful waterfall; check road conditions.
Þórshöfn
goDoor to door: 40 min
Road 85, about 40 min
Small fishing village with a local airport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
All accommodation is within walking distance of the harbour and Arctic Henge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- High
- kr 30,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × ISK 18,000 | ISK 18,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ISK 15,000 | ISK 30,000 |
| Dinner at hotel restaurant2 × ISK 5,000 · check | ISK 10,000 |
| Petrol from Húsavík (round trip)1 × ISK 4,000 · check | ISK 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ISK 6,200 |
| Trip total≈ ISK 34,100 per person per day, bed included | ISK 68,200≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in ISK; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Dinner at hotel restaurantcheck | kr 4,000–6,000 |
| Coffee | kr 500–700 |
| Petrol (per litre)check | kr 300–350 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No petrol station in town: fill up in Húsavík or Þórshöfn.
- Services are limited: check restaurant hours in advance.
- Road 870 around the peninsula is unpaved and can be rough in wet weather.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 112
- Non-urgent doctor
- 1700
Pocket card
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RaufarhöfnRaufarhöfn
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Á þetta heimilisfang, takkTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance112
- Non-urgent doctor1700
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Húsavík → Raufarhöfn (car): about 1 h, 70 km (43 mi)about 1 h, 43 mi (70 km)
- Akureyri → Raufarhöfn (car): about 2.5 h, 180 km (112 mi)about 2.5 h, 112 mi (180 km)
Say or show
- Halló — Hello (ha-loh)
- Takk — Thank you (tahk)
- Já — Yes (yow)
- Nei — No (nay)
- Hvað kostar? — How much? (kvath kost-ar)
- Hvar er salernið? — Where is the toilet? (kvar er sa-ler-nith)
English is widely spoken; these phrases are a courtesy.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Raufarhöfn. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, storms) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialArctic Henge official site
- officialHótel Norðurljós
- secondaryWikivoyage: Raufarhöfn, revision 3496137 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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