Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland: travel guide
Black-sand beaches and sea stacks on Iceland's southern coast
Iceland's southernmost village, ringed by black-sand beaches, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and Reynisfjara. A key South Coast stop between the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and the glaciers of the east.
About Vík í Mýrdal
Vík í Mýrdal is a small village on the South Coast of Iceland, surrounded by some of the island's most dramatic coastal scenery. A black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, columns of basalt and the jagged Reynisdrangar sea stacks lie just along the coast.
Things to do in Vík include visiting Reynisfjara, taking in the coast from the village's hilltop church, walking along the cliffs and stopping at the great waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss on the road. The village itself has a handful of cafés and places to stay, and it is a natural overnight stop between Reykjavík and the glaciers to the east.
Vík suits road-trippers and photographers. Summer is the most accessible season, and the weather can change quickly at any time of year.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
Last updated
Top places to visit in Vík í Mýrdal
Dyrhólaey
promontory · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 120 m promontory with a lighthouse and a huge sea arch, offering sweeping South Coast views and summer puffin colonies.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
black-sand · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic black-basalt beach with columnar cliffs and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks — beware powerful, unpredictable sneaker waves.
Hjörleifshöfði (Yoda Cave)
cave · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
An isolated tuff headland on the Mýrdalssandur sands, home to the Yoda-shaped Gígjagjá cave and a settlement-era burial site.
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
sea-stacks · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Towering basalt sea stacks off Vík, said in legend to be trolls caught by the sunrise; best seen from the village cliff-top.
Víkurkirkja
landmark · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The little red-roofed hilltop church above Vík, the village's emblem and its designated safe refuge from a possible Katla glacial flood.
Skógafoss
nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 60 m curtain waterfall on the old coastline, throwing rainbows on sunny days; a staircase climbs to a clifftop viewpoint and the Fimmvörðuháls trail.
Seljalandsfoss
nature · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A slender 60 m waterfall you can walk fully behind — one of Iceland's most photographed falls, floodlit in winter.
Sólheimajökull Glacier
glacier · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
An accessible outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, a popular base for guided glacier hikes and ice climbing.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
landmark · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The skeletal wreck of a 1973 US Navy DC-3 on a black-sand plain, reached by a flat 4 km walk — an eerie photography favourite.
Things to do
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Adventure · 3 h · from ISK 13,990 per person
- Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep Adventure · 4 h · from ISK 22,900 per person
- Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobiling Adventure · 3 h · from ISK 29,900 per person
- Reynisfjara Black-Sand ATV Adventure · 1.5 h · from ISK 14,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Katla Ice Cave & South Coast 7 h · from ISK 22,900
Where to stay in Vík í Mýrdal
- Vík Village about ISK 34,000 per night
The small South Coast village, a convenient base between the waterfalls and the glaciers with the black beaches nearby.
Hotels
- Hótel Vík í Mýrdal 3-star · ISK 26,000 to ISK 48,000 per night
- Hótel Kría 4-star · ISK 30,000 to ISK 60,000 per night
- Puffin Hostel Vík ISK 8,000 to ISK 26,000 per night
Where to eat
- Suður-Vík Restaurant Icelandic, Asian, International · about ISK 5,000 per person
- Halldórskaffi Icelandic, Pizza, Café · about ISK 4,500 per person
- Black Beach Restaurant Café, Icelandic, Soup · about ISK 3,200 per person
- Skool Beans Café, Coffee · about ISK 1,200 per person
- Ströndin Bistro Bistro, Icelandic, International · about ISK 4,200 per person
Getting to Vík í Mýrdal
Nearest airport: Reykjavík (RKV), about 165 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Vík í Mýrdal
- Ring Road by car or intercity bus from Reykjavík By road from Reykjavík · common · unconfirmed
Vík sits on the Ring Road in South Iceland. Strætó's regional network includes the Reykjavík to Höfn line and a Höfn to Vík bus; check the planner for the stop pattern. Source: straeto.is
- Change at Selfoss on the regional buses By road from Selfoss · possible · unconfirmed
Selfoss is the hub of Strætó's South Iceland routes, so onward connections east toward Vík start there. Source: straeto.is
Getting around
- Car Rental Self useful for some trips
Many sights near Vík are a short drive away or down gravel tracks, so a well-equipped hire car is recommended for exploring.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
"Free" photo guide tips pressure
Reynisfjara / Vík
Occasionally individuals offer to guide you to photo spots then press aggressively for cash.
How to avoid it: Politely decline; all viewpoints here are free and well signposted.
Best time to visit Vík í Mýrdal
- Jan 2°C
- Feb 2°C
- Mar 3°C
- Apr 4°C
- May 7°C
- Jun 10°C
- Jul 12°C
- Aug 11°C
- Sep 9°C
- Oct 6°C
- Nov 3°C
- Dec 2°C
More in Iceland
Frequently asked questions about Vík í Mýrdal
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Vík í Mýrdal?
- The highest-rated places in our Vík í Mýrdal guide are Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Hjörleifshöfði (Yoda Cave).
- Where should I stay in Vík í Mýrdal?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Vík í Mýrdal: Vík Village.
- How do I get around Vík í Mýrdal?
- Ways to get around Vík í Mýrdal covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Vík í Mýrdal?
- Scams reported to us for Vík í Mýrdal include "Free" photo guide tips pressure. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Vík í Mýrdal?
- Average daytime highs in Vík í Mýrdal run from 2°C in Jan to 12°C in Jul.