Vik is situated 110 kilometers from ReykjaVik, just south of the Katla volcano, which sits beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Many of you will have seen a photo of Vik, displaying the towering red-roofed church which stands tall above the other houses in the village. It is the only place that offers services and supplies in between Skógar and the West bank of the Mýrdalssandur outwash plain making it the perfect place to stop on your Iceland Fly Drive holiday.
How to get to Vik Iceland
The village of Vik can be found just over 100 miles from Reykjavik, located on the main ring road, also known as Route One, that runs around the island and connects most of the largest conurbations. It is an important place for locals and tourists alike as it is one of the only places that offer services and supplies in between Skógar and the west edge of the Mýrdalssandur glacial outwash plain. It is the perfect place to top up your tank if you are visiting Vik í Mýrdal as part of a self-drive tour because fuel stations are very few and far between.
What to do in Vik Iceland
Vik Church
The white church with the red roof standing high on a hill above the village has become a totem of Vik. You rarely see a photo of Vik where the church isn’t the main focus and once you have laid your eyes on it, you know why. It’s a stunning statue-like building and certainly adds a unique charm to the small village of only 300 people. The church is called Vikurkirkja and was built in the years 1932 to 1934, which was about time, as a priest had lived in the village since 1911. Still today, the church is actively used and the priest of the congregation.
Dyrhólaey
The small peninsula, Dyrhólaey is located just on the edge of Vik. The name Dyrhólaey means the hill-island with the door-hole which comes from the black arch of lava which stands in the sea in front of the peninsula. The sights which can be seen from Dyrhólaey are stunning, with views of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the lava columns of the Reynisdrangar and the south coastline on a clear day. Also, during the summer months, the puffins that can be found on the south coast of Iceland, nest on the cliff faces.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Reynisfjara black sand beach is the most famous beach on the South Coast of Iceland. Its beautiful black sand, powerful waves, and the nearby Reynisdrangar sea stacks make Reynisfjara a truly unique place to visit and a popular filming location for films and shows like Game of Thrones and Star Wars. It is a place of wild and dramatic beauty where the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean power ashore with tremendous force. In 1991, Reynisfjara appeared on the top ten list of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, and it is very easy to see why it was chosen!
If you would like to visit Vik on your self-escorted Iceland Fly Drive holiday, visit our website our get in touch with us at info@icelandholidays.com. We are excited to help you plan your dream Iceland holiday!