Vík í Mýrdal
Vík í Mýrdal, also known as Vík, is a village in South Iceland.
Understand
Vík is a very small village, with about 300 inhabitants. Its importance comes largely from the fact that it's about half way along the south coast, and it's one of the few villages actually on the sandy beach that makes up most of the south coast of Iceland. The area is dominated by Mýrdalsjökull, the glacier which is home to Katla, one of Iceland's fiercest volcanoes. 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 sea - there have been cases of tourists drowning when caught by waves on the beach near Vík.
Get in
Vík lies on the Ring Road, in an area where there are very few other roads. It's a little under 200 km from Reykjavík to the west, and about 270 km from Höfn to the east.
The bus that travels along the south coast stops in Vík. It leaves from Reykjavík at 8:30am and gets in around midday.
Get around
Vík is absolutely tiny, so walking around the village is easy. For the wider area, however, it's a good idea to have a well-equipped car because many of the interesting sights are only accessible via gravel tracks.
See
The Black Sand Beach near Vík (known as Reynishverfi in Icelandic) 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.
- 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.
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 60km 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 Kötlusetur inofrmation center, Víkurbraut 28, 870 Vík, ☏ +354 555 5555, kotlusetur@kotlusetur.is. The Kötlusetur information center can be your first stop if you haven't planned what you are doing yet; they will provide useful tips on attractions, services, traveling and the best sights to see when it comes to the beautiful nature in the surrounding area.
- 2 True Adventure Paragliding, In the sky above Iceland (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.
- Horseback Riding, Mið-Hvoll, road 2160, ☏ +354 863 3238, mid.hvoll@gmail.com. This is only available in the summer and you can ride Icelandic horses in the countryside around Vik.
Buy
You can stock up on food from the local grocery store and if you want to buy any alcohol head up for the state-run liquor store Vínbúð. Vik also has a gift shop - Galleri Leirbrot og Gler - where you can buy souvenirs.
- 1 Galleri Leirbrot og Gler, Bakkabraut 6, Vik, Iceland, ☏ +3544871231. A small shop with a workshop attached to it. They raise a red flag when the gallery is open so you can see it from a distance. A selection of handcrafted items to buy as a memento from your visit to Vik.
Eat
There is a good choice of eateries in Vik suitable for most tastes and budgets.
- Ströndin Bar & Bistro, Austurvegi 18, 870 Vík, ☏ +354 487 1230, elias@vikurskali.is. June to August 17:00 to 22:00. Situated very close to Black Sand Beach, here you can take advantage of the views. Food ranges from traditional Icelandic to international.
Drink
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.
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.
- Hótel Edda Vík, Klettsvegi 1-5 (across the road from the N1 gas station, on the eastern edge of the village), ☏ +354 444 4840, edda@hoteledda.is. In addition to rooms in the main hotel, they have small cottages to rent. Like all Edda hotels, this hotel is only open during the summer. 17,000-22,000 kr..
- Hótel Katla, Klettsvegi 1-5 (5 km east of Vík i Mýrdal), ☏ +354 487 1208, info@hotelkatla.is. Offers 72 rooms, a restaurant and a bar. Location is suitable for day trips and activities around the area.
- Hótel Lundi, Víkurbraut 24a-26, ☏ +354 487 1212, fax: +354 487 1404, hotellundi@islandia.is. In an old building in the centre of the village. 16,000-26,000.
- Norður-Vík Hostel, Suðurvegur 5, ☏ +354 487 1106, fax: +354 487 1303, 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.
- Hotel Volcano, Ketilsstaðaskóli, 871 Vík, Mýrdal, Iceland (around 15km from Vík (before,coming from Reykjavík)), ☏ +354 486 1200. Really nice and modern hotel (new). Next to Vík. Family owned. Very generous, healthy and tasty breakfast. Huge rooms&bathrooms. Cosy leaving room. Open during the whole year. 90€/night (14.000kr).
- Vik Campsite, 870 Vík, Mýrdal, Iceland (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
Go next
From Vík it's only about 140 km 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 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 |
.