Hólar is located in the Hjaltadalur valley, some 379 km (235.50 mi) from the national capital at Reykjavík. Hólar has a population of around 100. Hólar is the site of the main campus of Holar University College, a site of historical buildings and archeological excavation, home to the Center for the history of the Icelandic horse, Hólar cathedral and the turf house Nýibær.
The first printing press in Iceland was introduced to Hólar in 1530. Hólar Agricultural College was founded 1882. The college was renamed Hólar University College in 2003
