Vík í Mýrdal

Discover Iceland’s wild south coast from this charming village.

South Iceland
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance
Reynisdrangar sea stacks seen from the beach at Vík
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance
Reynisdrangar sea stacks seen from the beach at Vík
Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance
Best time to visit
All year
Parking
Free
Charging station
Yes

Surrounded by a volcano, glacier, and black sand beach, head here to immerse yourself in nature

With its colorful buildings and red-roofed church overlooking the village, you’ll find there’s an undeniable charm about Vík í Mýrdal. Though its picturesque appearance stands in contrast with the region’s rugged landscapes and its position beneath an active volcano.

This volcano is called Katla, derived from the Icelandic word for a kettle. Appropriate, as it’s thought to erupt every 50–100 years, which is pretty frequent in geological terms. The people who live here have drills to practice what to do in case there’s an eruption. 

Aside from the volcano, you’ll notice that there are countless other sights and attractions to explore when you’re visiting Vík. 

In the village itself, you could try the local cuisine, learn about the region’s geology at the visitor center, or go horseback riding. And not far away, you could look for puffins, take a guided tour of ice caves, or walk along the iconic Reynisfjara beach.

On top of its incredible natural beauty, the area is also known for handcrafted knitwear. So why not treat yourself to a lovingly-made woolen garment from the Katla wool factory? Their Icelandic designs are made using wool from native sheep. What better way to remember your trip to Vík than with a practical keepsake?

Other attractions near Vík í Mýrdal

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Sightseeing

Skógafoss

Marvel at the beauty of one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls.

34 km (21 mi)

View
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Sightseeing

Seljalandsfoss

Walk behind a powerful plume of fresh glacier water at this wonderful waterfall.

61 km (38 mi)

View
The edge of the Vatnajökull glacier

Sightseeing

Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park

Witness glaciers and wild landscapes up close with a visit to Iceland’s largest national park.

156 km (97 mi)

View
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise with a pink sky

Sightseeing

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Encounter one of Iceland’s natural wonders first-hand at this spectacular glacier lagoon.

193 km (120 mi)

View

FAQs about Vík í Mýrdal

Absolutely! If you’re exploring South Iceland or driving the Ring Road, you won’t want to miss the village of Vík í Mýrdal (also known as Vík). Although the village can boast that it’s the “warmest place in Iceland”, this probably isn’t why you’d come here.

It’s the dramatic scenery that’ll make your visit well worthwhile. During your time here you could glimpse a glacier-topped volcano, walk along black sand beaches, see nesting puffins, and more.

You’ll find Vík í Mýrdal on the coast of South Iceland. In fact, it’s known for being the southernmost village or town in Iceland.

Dramatic sea cliffs and black sand beaches lie to the south of the village. Meanwhile, if you look north you’ll be able to see Katla volcano and the glacier covering it, Mýrdalsjökull.

Located just off Iceland’s Ring Road, it’s a straightforward route from Reykjavík to Vík í Mýrdal. The 187-kilometer (116-mile) drive from the capital usually takes around 2½ hours.

The village is a popular place to stop for visitors discovering the south coast by car or on a group tour. This is because, as well as being pretty, the village has the best services in the area, including places to eat, shops, and public restrooms. So it’s a handy place to stop if you’re travelling around Iceland.

From Reykjavík, the easiest way to drive to Vík is by taking route 49 out of the capital. You’ll then join the Ring Road (or Route 1), which you can follow all the way to Vík í Mýrdal.

Here are some ideas for things you can do in Vík’s surrounding areas:

  • Stroll along Reynisfjara black sand beach and check out the basalt columns
  • Head to the Dyrhólaey rock arch in summer to look for puffins
  • Get close to Sólheimajökull’s glacier lagoon on a beautiful valley hike
  • Learn more about the nearby volcanoes at the Icelandic Lava Show exhibition
  • Immerse yourself in jaw-dropping scenery on a horse riding excursion
  • Pick up an authentic Icelandic souvenir at the local wool factory
  • Snap a photo from the iconic red-roofed church overlooking the village
  • Take a guided tour of Katla’s glacier ice caves in winter

While you won’t be short of activities to try near Vík, you’ll find there’s lots of natural beauty to soak up as well. You’ll get stunning views of these places not far from Vík:

  • Katla volcano
  • Mýrdalsjökull glacier
  • Reynisfjara black sand beach
  • Dyrhólaey lighthouse and rock arch
  • Solheimafjara beach
  • Skógafoss waterfall

What’s more, visit in winter – October to March – and you could chase the Northern Lights. Imagine seeing this magical phenomenon for yourself! Or, venture further along the south coast of Iceland to Vatnajökull National Park, and you’ll be rewarded with more epic scenery.

One of the best places to see puffins in Iceland is Dyrhólaey, just a 20-minute drive west of Vík. Make your way up to the lighthouse viewpoint for a breathtaking outlook over the nearby rock arch.

During the summer nesting season, you’ll be able to see puffins and other seabirds on the cliffs here. Plus, on a clear day, you can see for miles along the wild coastline.

Make sure to wrap up warm – this is a windy spot. And remember to pack your camera and binoculars.

Although Vík is just a small village, there’s lots to see and do nearby. You could spend as little as a day in the area, ticking off the top sights.

But if you want to delve deeper, 2 or even 3 days could be ideal for you. This way you won’t be rushed, and you’ll have more time to visit attractions, try activities, and soak up the natural beauty surrounding you.