Vík í Mýrdal
Vík í Mýrdal, also known as Vík, is a village in South Iceland. The area is dominated by Mýrdalsjökull, the glacier which is home to Katla, one of Iceland's fiercest volcanoes. It's about half way along the south coast, the largest settlement in the surrounding area and it's one of the few villages on the sandy beach that makes up most of the south coast of Iceland.
Understand
Vík is a very small village, with about 300 inhabitants.
The village and the surrounding countryside are in constant danger of floods that might result from a potential volcanic eruption, which has been expected for many years now.
On the other side of the village lies the Atlantic Ocean which is treacherous in these parts, waves can be big and small boats easily get swallowed up if the crews are not experienced enough. While there is no reason to worry about the volcano if you're a tourist, you should be very careful going into the ocean — there have been cases of tourists drowning when caught by waves on the beach near Vík.
- 1 Kötlusetur information centre, Víkurbraut 28, ☏ +354 555 5555, kotlusetur@kotlusetur.is. The Kötlusetur information centre can be your first stop if you haven't planned what you are doing yet; they will provide useful tips on attractions, services, travelling and the best sights to see when it comes to the beautiful nature in the surrounding area.
Get in
Vík is located on Iceland's famous Ring Road. There are few other roads in the area.
Vík is located 187 km (116 mi) east of Reykjavík, and Vík is 270 km (178 mi) southwest of Höfn. The drive from Keflavik International Airport, which has rental cars available, is about three hours.
Strætó operates buses from Reykjavík to the 1 Vík bus stop. The trip is about 3 hours 40 minutes, including a 50-minute layover in Selfoss (departs 12:00, arrives 15:42) or, in the summer, Skógar. The bus generally operates seven times a week, although weekend and holiday schedules sometimes vary. Bus fare is 38-70 kr.
There are no airports located near Vík.
Get around
Vík is absolutely tiny (1.5 km/1 mi at its widest point), so walking around the village is easy. For the many amazing sites in the surrounding area, however, it's a good idea to have a well-equipped car, preferably with four-wheel drive, because many of the interesting sights are only accessible via gravel tracks. Alternatively, most hotels can help arrange transportation to many of the popular sites around the area.
See
- 1 Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) (walk south from Vík towards the shore). The Black Sand Beach is famous with its basalt stacks and black lava sands. Here you can also admire the impressive Reynisdrangar rock formations and view the Dýrhólaey peninsula not far away. For those that are into bird watching, they can see the puffins nesting in the mountain in the summer. This beach is perhaps the most dangerous in Iceland and there have been many fatalities caused by "sneaker waves" (waves that sweep in much further into the beach than onlookers would expect) sweeping people out to sea.
- 2 DC-3 Plane Wreck, Sólheimasandur beach (follow the path that starts at a gate on the south side of the main road). The abandoned wreck of a U.S. Navy plane that had to make an emergency landing here in 1973.
- 3 Drangurinn turf houses, Drangshlíð 2, ☏ +354 487 8828. Abandoned turf houses, built into the landscape. When Iceland was first settled about 1,000 years ago, people used to build turf houses to live in. Turf houses are essentially semi-underground homes with a grassy roof. The Icelanders built them by building a foundation from flat stones, adding a wooden frame of birch or driftwood, and covering it all with layers of earth. Turf houses have a door as an entrance and occassionally windows, with a small ventilation hole in the roof. It is not safe to enter the turf houses though.
- 4 Kvernufoss, Safnavegur 1, Skógar (the 20-minute hike begins behind the Skógar Museum). A beautiful 30-metre (98-ft) high waterfall. During the summertime, you can even walk behind Kvernufoss in order to really feel its intensity!
- 5 Lava Show, Víkurbraut 5, ☏ +354 553 0005, info@lavashow.com. see website for showtimes. A show featuring a recreation of a volcanic eruption. Real lava is superheated live. Book tickets through their web site. Adults 5,900 kr; children (age 2-12) 3,500 kr; infants (age 0-2) free; optional backstage tour 1,490 kr additional per person.
- 6 Skógafoss. At 60-m-tall (200 ft) and 25 m wide (80 feet), this is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland. The water produces so much spray that it is common to see rainbows on sunny days. Be prepared to get wet from all of the spray! There is an optional 527-step staircase leading to a view from atop the waterfall. From there, it is possible to hike to another nearby waterfall, Hestavaðsfoss. In the final season of the television series Game of Thrones, two of the characters fly atop a dragon to Skógafoss and kiss by the waterfall.
- 7 Sólheimajökull. An outlet glacier of the huge icecap of Mýrdalsjökull. It is probably the most accessible glacier in South Iceland, located just off of the Ring Road. It is also shrinking rapidly each year, as evidenced by the glacier lagoon at its base, which increases by the length of an Olympic swimming pool each year.
- 8 Yoda Cave (Gígjagjá), Hjörleifshöfði. A massive cave formed in a volcanic eruption underneath a glacier over 100,000 years ago. It gets its name because its opening looks like the character Yoda from the Star Wars movies. The cave itself was featured in Star Wars Rogue. There are also ruins of a former farm, and look for a small waterfall in one of the hills.
Do
There are many activities to be enjoyed if you are visiting Vík í Mýrdal. If you are into hiking you will find endless routes to take advantage of — there isn't another settlement in a radius of over 60 km so you will not be disturbed by much on your walks. Jeep tours are available as well as different types of guided tours for those who enjoy bird-watching, want to look at geologic formations, explore a glacier or even see a crashed U.S. Navy airplane.
- 1 Ice Cave Tour, Austurvegur 16 (meeting point), ☏ +354 849 4404, info@katlatrack.is. Three different tour companies offer guided tours of the naturally occurring ice caves on the nearby Kötlujökull glacier. A guided tour is required in order to see the ice caves. Each tour company includes transportation to and from the glacier, helmets, and crampons. A one-in-a-lifetime experience. Ages 6+. 27900 kr age 16+; 22900 kr ages 6-15.
- 2 True Adventure Paragliding (take-off location depends on the weather so the best way to locate these guys is to get in touch), ☏ +354 698 8890, info@trueadventure.is. With True Adventure you can try a tandem paragliding flight with experienced instructor pilots.
- 3 Horseback riding, Mið-Hvoll, road 2160, ☏ +354 863 3238, mid.hvoll@gmail.com. It is only available in the summer and you can ride Icelandic horses in the countryside around Vik.
- 4 Sundlaugin Vík (Vík Swimming Pool), Mánabraut, ☏ +354 487 1174. M-Th 12:00-19:00, F-Su 12:00-17:00. There are two outdoor swimming pools. The main pool is 16.7 metres (55 ft) long, and the temperature is around 28°C (82°F). The children's pool is kept at around 37°C (99°C). The hot tub is kept at about 41°C (106°F). They also have a sauna. Adults 1,250 kr, children 400 kr.
Buy
You can stock up on food from the local grocery store here because there are no other nearby supermarkets. If you want to buy any alcohol head up for the state-run liquor store 1 Vínbúð.
- 2 Icewear / Vík Wool, Þjóðvegur 20, ☏ +354 487 1250. Daily 08:00-21:00. A very popular wool factory outlet. You can stock up on yarn and purchase other wool products (hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters).
- 3 Krónan, Austurvegur 20, ☏ +354 585 7000. Grocery store.
- 4 Prjónastofa Katla (Katla Wool Studio), Sigtún 2, ☏ +354 844 6056. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-16:00, closed Su. Clothing and blankets, all made in Iceland with Icelandic wool yarn.
Eat
There is a good choice of eateries in Vik suitable for most tastes and budgets. Fish and lamb are some of the more popular items on most menus. Vegetarian options are available at nearly all restaurants.
- 1 Black Crust Pizzeria, Austurvegur 16, ☏ +354 854 6611. Daily 12:00-21:00. Pizzeria featuring many types of toppings. Vegan pizza is also available.
- 2 Crepes.is, Austurvegur 7, ☏ +354 781 4171. Tiny restaurant serving crepes. Outdoor seating only.
- 3 Drangar Restaurant, Sléttuvegur (located in Hótel Kría), ☏ +354 416 2100. Traditional Icelandic food with modern flair.
- 4 Halldórskaffi, Víkurbraut 28, ☏ +354 487 1202. Daily 12:00-21:00. Icelandic restaurant featuring lamb, arctic char, salmon, burgers, and pizza.
- 5 Restaurant Suður-Vík, Suðurvíkurvegur 1, ☏ +354 487 1515. Daily 12:00-21:00. Charming, rustic restaurant.
- 6 Ströndin Bar & Bistro, Austurvegi 18, ☏ +354 79 01442, elias@vikurskali.is. June to August 17:00 to 22:00. Food ranges from traditional Icelandic to international. It is located very close to the Black Sand Beach, and you can enjoy the views.
Drink
As most restaurants also serve beer and wine, you can have a drink in a variety of settings in Vik. From the more informal and easy going atmosphere of the Strondin Bistro and Bar to the more formal surroundings of some of the hotel bars like the Icelandair Hotel. A few have happy hour specials with cheaper drink prices in the late afternoon.
Sleep
You can find a variety of accommodation options here, however it can get very busy during the summer months so it's a good idea to book well in advance.
- 1 Guesthouse Galleri Vík, Bakkabraut (in the village), ☏ +354 849 1224. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00.
- 2 Hótel Katla, Klettsvegi 1-5 (5 km east of the village), ☏ +354 487 1208, info@hotelkatla.is. Offers 72 rooms, with an on-site restaurant and a bar. There is a sauna and a small, warm, outdoor pool. Free breakfast. The location is suitable for day trips and activities around the area.
- 3 Hótel Kría, Sléttuvegur, ☏ +354 416 2100, hotelkria@hotelkria.is. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Modern hotel located right off of Ring Road. Free breakfast.
- 4 Hotel Volcano, Ketilsstaðaskóli, 871 (around 15 km west of the village), ☏ +354 486 1200. Really nice and modern hotel (new). Next to Vík. Family-owned. Free very generous, healthy, and tasty breakfast. Huge rooms&bathrooms. Cosy leaving room. Open during the whole year. €90/night (14 000 kr).
- 5 Kósý Vík, Hátún (in the village), ☏ +354 567 9845. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Bed and breakfast run by Hrund and Gúst since 2014. The house was built in 1925 and 1926.
- 6 Guesthouse Norður-Vík, Suðurvegur 5b (in the village), vik@hostel.is. Charming little hostel in an old building. Has a common room and shared kitchen facilities. 2,900 kr in sleeping bag dorm.
- 7 Vik Campsite (on the eastern side of the village, not far from the hotel Edda), ☏ +354 487 1345, vikcamping@gmail.com. Standard camping services: electricity, toilets, warm and cold running water, dining.
Connect
- Free wifi is often available at hotels, restaurants, and stores.
Stay safe
- 2 Healthcare Clinic, Hátún 2, ☏ +354 432 2800. M-F 09:00-13;00, closed Sa Su. The only medical facility between Hvolsvöllur (80 km west of Vík) and Höfn (270 km east of Vík)
Do not go into the ocean at the black sand beach. The ocean waves and the undertow are much more dangerous than they appear. The beach itself is perfectly safe if you stay on the sand and keep a distance away from the water's edge. Tourists have died in the ocean.
Go next
From Vík it's only about 140 km (87 mi) by the ring road to Skaftafell, the most popular entry point into Vatnajökull National Park. Kirkjubæjarklaustur is the nearest village to the east, similarly small but with 4x4s it's possible to drive up into the highlands from there. To the west lies Hvolsvöllur, 80 km (50 mi) away, and further afield are the more popular destinations of South Iceland such as the Golden Circle.
| Routes through Vík í Mýrdal |
| Reykjavík ← Hella ← | W  E |
→ Kirkjubæjarklaustur → Egilsstaðir |
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