Þorlákshöfn

Þorlákshöfn

Þorlákshöfn is a coastal town located within the Municipality of Ölfus in Árnessýsla, southern Iceland. The town has developed into one of the most important harbor communities in the region.

The origins of settlement in Þorlákshöfn are closely linked to fishing. In the late 1930s, the local cooperative Kaupfélag Árnesinga purchased the land with the support of Egill Thorarensen. Small fishing boats soon began operating from the area, and interest grew in establishing proper harbor facilities.

To enable harbor development, the land was transferred to public ownership and placed under the administration of a harbor committee. Fishing and maritime activity quickly became the foundation of the local economy and shaped the town’s continued growth.

Today, Þorlákshöfn serves as an important transportation and industrial hub on Iceland’s south coast. The harbor plays a key role in fisheries, cargo transport, and regional services, while the town benefits from its proximity to the capital area.

Þorlákshöfn is also a growing residential community offering modern services, strong sports culture, and a close connection between daily life and the Atlantic Ocean.