Travel Guide of Vik in Iceland by Influencers and Travelers

Vik is a small town in Iceland (or rather a village) that one inevitably passes through when touring the island,...

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How to visit Vik ?

To get to Vik, you can fly into Keflavik International Airport, which is just outside Reykjavik, and then drive along the scenic Ring Road (Route 1) for approximately 180 kilometers. The journey takes about 2.5 hours and offers breathtaking views of Iceland's dramatic landscape.

Before your trip, it is advisable to book a rental car in advance to ensure availability and to get the best rates. If you plan to visit popular attractions like Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Dyrhólaey, and the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, there is no need to book in advance, as these sites are open to the public for free.

The costs of visiting Vik can vary depending on your travel style. Budget accommodations, such as hostels and guesthouses, can be found for around $50-$100 per night, while mid-range hotels can cost between $100-$200 per night. Dining can also be affordable, with meals at local restaurants in the $15-$30 range.

Some of the best things to do in Vik include:
1. Exploring Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and its iconic basalt column cliffs.
2. Visiting Dyrhólaey, a small peninsula with a picturesque lighthouse and stunning views of the ocean and coastline.
3. Hiking to the top of Reynisfjall mountain for panoramic views of the village and surrounding landscape.
4. Discovering Fjaðrárgljúfur, a majestic canyon carved by the Fjaðrá river over thousands of years.
5. Birdwatching at Ingólfshöfði, a nature reserve that is home to puffins, guillemots, and other seabirds.

For dining options in Vik, consider the following:
1. Sudur Vik: This cozy restaurant offers traditional Icelandic dishes, such as lamb and fish, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Strondin Bistro and Bar: Located by the beach, this bistro serves a variety of casual dishes, including burgers, seafood, and salads.
3. Halldorskaffi: A popular café among locals and tourists alike, serving sandwiches, soups, and homemade cakes.

Recommended accommodations in Vik include:
1. Icelandair Hotel Vik: A modern and comfortable hotel with stunning ocean views, offering a range of amenities including a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi.
2. Black Beach Suites: These cozy and stylish self-catering apartments provide a home-away-from-home experience, with fully-equipped kitchens and private balconies.
3. Puffin Hostel Vik: A budget-friendly option with both private rooms and dormitories, offering a communal kitchen and lounge area.

Off the beaten path:
For a truly unique experience in Vik, consider embarking on a guided ice cave tour in the nearby Mýrdalsjökull glacier. These tours take you into the heart of the glacier, where you can witness the captivating beauty of the ice caves and learn about the geological history of the area. This unforgettable adventure offers a chance to explore a hidden side of Iceland's natural wonders.

The Best Things to Do and Visit around Vik

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1 - Reynisfjara Beach

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2 - Reynisdrangar

Reynisdrangar are basalt sea stacks situated under the mountain Reynisfjall near the village Vík í Mýrdal, southern Iceland which is framed by a black sand beach that was ranked in 1991 as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world.

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3 - Paragliding in Vik i Myrdal

Paragliding is the calmest and safest form of free flying known to man. A tandem flight is always performed with an experienced paragliding instructor pilot and the True Adventure Pilots have the highest professional qualifications and years of exper...

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4 - Vik i Myrdal Church

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5 - Vík í Mýrdal

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6 - Espeleología in Vik i Myrdal

Discover one of the rarest natural phenomenons in the world on this tour of the Katla Ice Caves! Buried deep under an active volcano, the famous 'Dragon Glass' caves of Myrdalsjokull Glacier are a unique ice formation renowned for its iconic blu...

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7 - Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey, formerly known by seamen as Cape Portland, is a small promontory located on the south coast of Iceland, not far from the village Vík. In fact, Dyrhólaey is the southernmost point in mainland Iceland. It was formerly an island of volcanic origin, which is also known by the Icelandic word eyja meaning island.

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8 - Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

The Dyrhólaey Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the central south coast of Iceland.

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9 - Zip-Lining in Vik i Myrdal

!! ATTENTION !!** CHILDREN MUST BE BOOKED WITH AN ADULT **** ANY BOOKING WITH ONLY CHILDREN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ** Take the leap and zip line through a river canyon and magnificent waterfall after a short hike in this heart pumping activity in Vik. ...

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10 - Cape Portland

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11 - Skógafoss

   27 km away

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward, the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.

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12 - Caving in Vik i Myrdal

Discover one of the rarest natural phenomenons in the world on this tour of the Katla Ice Caves! Buried deep under an active volcano, the famous 'Dragon Glass' caves of Myrdalsjokull Glacier are a unique ice formation renowned for its iconic blu...

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13 - Mýrdalsjökull

   27 km away

Mýrdalsjökull is an ice cap in the south of Iceland. It is to the north of Vík í Mýrdal and to the east of the smaller ice cap Eyjafjallajökull. Between these two glaciers is Fimmvörðuháls pass. Its peak reaches 1,493 m in height and in the year 1980 it covered an area of approximately 595 km². The icecap of the glacier covers an active volcano called Katla. The caldera of the volcano has a diameter of 10 km and the volcano erupts usually every 40–80 years. The last eruption took place in 1918.

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14 - Eyjafjallajökull

   31 km away

Eyjafjallajökull is one of the smaller ice caps of Iceland, north of Skógar and west of Mýrdalsjökull. The ice cap covers the caldera of a volcano with a summit elevation of 1,651 metres.

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15 - Trekking | Vik

This tour combines two great tours: the Þórmörk and the Eyjafjallajökull Super Jeep tours.

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16 - Seljavallalaug

   33 km away
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17 - Thórsmörk

   37 km away

Thórsmörk is a mountain ridge in Iceland that was named after the Norse god Thor. It is situated in the south of Iceland between the glaciers Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull.

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Learn More about Vik

Vik is a small town in Iceland (or rather a village) that one inevitably passes through when touring the island,

Or at least when discovering the southern part of it. But beyond this geographical situation, Vik and its surroundings have several things to do and see. And not the least because some of them are characteristic points of Iceland that we could qualify as "must-sees".

The village of Vik and its emblematic church

Vik is a village and even a small village... There are only about 300 inhabitants.

Therefore, one should not expect to find many things in Vik as such. There are a few restaurants, a supermarket, a gas station, and a few hotels and guest houses. I will come back to these elements later in the article.
But what is most notable as a visit to Vik itself is its church. This one is representative of this village, and even of Iceland because it presents some particularities:

it is located on the heights of Vik and distinguishes itself from the landscape with its white and red colors.
it allows (if the weather allows it) to make beautiful photos of this area. With the church in the field of course, but also the mountains and the ocean with notably the black rock formations which come out of the water.
You can get there by following a small road, and you can park in front of the church. 

The black sand beach of Reynisfjara: 2km from Vik

This beach is surely what represents the village of Vik the most. It is a postcard landscape of Iceland. And it represents in general a must-see during a trip in Iceland.

The particularities of this beach of Reynisfjara near Vik are multiple because:

• it is thus of black sand. This is not specific to this beach, because more globally the south coast of Iceland is composed of beaches of this type. This is linked to the presence of volcanoes in Iceland.
• It is partly on the side of rocks. A big part of the cliff is made of basalt columns. It is at the same time very beautiful, impressive, and photogenic of course. This cliff shelters a small cave where we find these structures of basalt also inside.
• A set of rocks seems to come out of the water a little bit offshore. They are rocky peaks named Reynisdrangar, with globally a first rather massive rock. And a second one just next to it with a more elongated shape.

To have the best view of Vik and its surroundings, it is necessary to walk a few hundred meters from the parking of this church. To do so, you have to follow the small path that goes east and that leads to the cemetery.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Vik

How to observe puffins near Vik?

The village of Vik, or rather its surroundings at the level of the cliffs overhanging the ocean, is famous for sheltering colonies of puffins
Puffins are seabirds easily recognizable by their white and black coats, as well as their pointed orange beaks. They spend most of their time at sea and usually nest on the cliffs during heir breeding season.
In fact, with a bit of luck, you can see them near the Dyrhólaey cape. But you should know that :
This puffin colony near Vik is not the largest in Iceland.
The breeding season of puffins is generally from April to August. Outside this period, there is little chance to see them because they are at sea, in the open sea.

What to do around Vik?

• The Hjörleifshöfði cave with the shape of Master Yoda it is located about fifteen kilometers east of Vik.

Concretely, it is the shape of the entrance of the cave, which is seen under a certain angle that makes it possible to see a kind of body appear. But especially a head above reminding the one of Yoda, with its pointed and elongated ears on the side!
To reach it, the easiest way is to go there by car. There is a dirt road, from the N1, which leads not far from the entrance of the cave. This road is not very practical, and it is better to have an SUV or 4×4 vehicle to get there, especially in winter. On the spot, some parking places (in the ground always).
The cave is located in the big rocky mass, on the left, just at the edge of the "beach".

• Getting closer to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier by snowmobile 

An unusual activity to do in Vik is snowmobiling. However, this is not a classic ride, but a trip to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, located to the north. The principle is to go through snowy landscapes, sometimes downhill, with a view of the glacier.
Different stops are made along the way to take pictures, to enjoy the landscapes, but also to have explanations from the guide about the geology of the region (especially about the glacier and the volcano). At the time when we make the stops, we can also change the driver. Considering the price of the excursion, it is preferable to reserve one snowmobile for 2 people and to alternate.

   Where to Stay near Vik

   More Travel spots to explore around Vik

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Discover more travel spots to explore around Vik

  ⛰️ Cliff spots     ⛰️ Hill spots     🌊‍ Ocean spots     🏖️ Shore spots     🏖️ Beach spots     ⛰️ Hill station spots     🗼 Landmark spots     🏞️‍ Waterfall spots     🏖️ Coast spots     🌲 Ecoregion spots     ️🏜️ Natural arch spots     🚢 Lighthouse spots     ⛰️ Mountain spots     Cave spots     ️🏜️ Desert spots     🌲 Plain spots     🛣️ Road trip spots     🏰 Church spots     ⛰️ Summit spots     🏄‍ Surfing spots     ❄️ Tundra spots     ❄️ Glacial landform spots  

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