Hella City Guide
Image by Tom Podmore via unsplash

Iceland

Hella City Guide

Southern Region

Hella is a small town in Iceland's Southern Region, sitting along the Ytri-Rangá river. While it's mainly a service hub for agriculture, tourists often stop here on their South Coast adventures with its volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls nearby. Expect a quiet setting with limited urban amenities for remote work.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Local cuisine focuses on lamb, fish, and dairy. International variety is limited. Vegetarian and vegan options are rarer here than in bigger towns.

Local Dishes:
Lamb dishes, Fish dishes, Dairy products
International Cuisine:
Limited international variety
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
2

Nightlife options are minimal, mainly consisting of local pubs.

Coffee Culture
Limited
4

Limited to local spots or guesthouses. Unique cafes are rare outside Reykjavik.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping isn't common or expected. Prices usually include service charges. Feel free to tip for exceptional service.

Top Attractions
Ytri-Rangá River
Nature
A peaceful natural spot, great for walking and salmon fishing.
Hekla Volcano
Nature
A stunning active volcano, about an hour's drive away.
Seljalandsfoss
Nature
Scenic waterfall you can walk behind, not far from Hella.
SIM Cards

Buy SIMs at Keflavík Airport, convenience stores, and mobile provider stores in larger towns. Providers like Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova offer good coverage. eSIMs depend on your provider.

Available at:
Keflavík Airport
Síminn
Vodafone
Nova
Recommended Apps
Veður(Weather)
112 Iceland(Emergency)
Wapp(Outdoor)
Strætó(Transport)
Parka(Parking)
Google Maps(Navigation)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

Known for its cleanliness and sanitation, like much of Iceland.

24/7 Services
Poor
2

Minimal 24/7 amenities like late-night pharmacies or clinics. Plan essentials during the day.

Groceries
Bónus
Krónan
Nettó

Local grocery stores may be smaller, but you'll find key items. Main supermarkets like Bónus, Krónan, and Nettó are more available outside Hella.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Iceland is highly cashless, and most spots, including small shops and taxis, accept cards. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs

ATMs are more common in larger towns. Hella may have limited options, so withdraw cash in bigger centers if necessary. Fees vary by bank.

Schools
International

Local schools teach in Icelandic, with international options in Reykjavik.

Available Schools:
Hella Primary School
International School of Iceland

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Limited
Hella Bakarí
A bakery and café perfect for a quiet work session.
Árhús Restaurant
Part of a guesthouse, offers calm dining space.
Alternatives:
Hotel Rangá
Lobby or restaurant area might be used for quiet work.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

No significant digital nomad scene. Any community is likely online and not specific to Hella.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Excellent access to natural green areas surrounding this small town, great for outdoors fans.

Running
Good
7

Scenic routes with high safety. Little specific infrastructure but excellent views.

Gyms
Available

The sports center offers gym and pool facilities.

Available Gyms:
Íþróttamiðstöð Hella
Tennis
Limited
5

Outdoor courts might be at the sports center. Padel is less common.

Padel
Poor
2

Padel courts aren't typical in small towns like Hella.

Yoga
Poor
3

Yoga studios are rare. Maybe offered at guesthouses.

Martial Arts
Poor
2

Dedicated martial arts facilities are unlikely in Hella.

Skiing
Poor
2

Skiing spots are hours away, mainly near Reykjavik or in the north. Not an option close by.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Kayaking or paddleboarding might be possible, but not organized as a main feature in Hella.

Surfing
Poor
3

Surfing isn't local to Hella. It's more than an hour to spots like Reykjanes Peninsula, with cold water conditions.

Diving
Good
6

Diving happens mainly at Silfra fissure, about 1.5-2 hours away, offering unique clear-water dives.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Basic healthcare is in Hella, with larger services in Selfoss and Reykjavik. English spoken by many. Emergency dial 112.

Hospitals:
Heilsugæslustöð, Hella
Selfoss Hospital
Landspítali, Reykjavik
Pharmacies:
Apótek, Hella
Apótek, Selfoss
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water here is perfectly safe to drink and of great quality, like the rest of Iceland.

Common Scams
Overpaying for services due to lack of research, not intentional scams., Ignoring weather or travel warnings, leading to trouble.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Family-specific facilities are limited, but nature attractions are plentiful. Safety levels are high, making it family-friendly.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

High acceptance and legal protections across Iceland. Hella might not have specific venues, but safety is good.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Strict import rules for pets, but once in, they are generally accepted. Vet services nearby.

Communities
Travel in Iceland (Online Group)
South Iceland Travel (Online Group)

Quick Facts

Population
861
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power is very reliable due to geothermal and hydropower. Outages are rare and brief.

Beach Access
Available

The black sand beaches of Reynisfjara are about an hour away, with their dramatic landscape.

Mountains
Available

Surrounded by mountains and volcanic sights, hikes are plentiful within an hour's drive.

Languages
Icelandic(100%)
English(85%)
Emergency
112
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Short daylight hours in winter
October, November, December, January, February, March, April
Very short daylight can affect daily activities.
Midnight sun in summer
June, July, August
24-hour daylight can make sleeping challenging without blackout curtains.

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