Things to do in Vik

Things to do in  Vik

Gateway to glaciers

Vík í Mýrdal lies along a dramatic stretch of coastline in South Iceland. The small village sits in the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers Katla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. Vík is the perfect base for exploring the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, both within walking distance. Exploring the ice cave beneath Katla, ice climbing on Sólheimajökull glacier, and snowmobiling on Eyjafjallajökull glacier are also popular things to do in Vík.

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Top 8 attractions in Vik

#1

Sólheimajökull Glacier

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Among Iceland’s most famous peaks, the notoriously difficult-to-pronounce Eyjafjallajökull volcano made headlines when it erupted in 2010, spewing an enormous cloud of volcanic ash that grounded air traffic all across Europe. The imposing, ice-capped volcano has three main peaks, the tallest of which reaches 5,417 feet (1,651 meters).More
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#2

Reynisfjara Beach

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A place of stark, wild beauty, this black-sand beach on Iceland's south coast is one of the country's most photogenic locations. Here, roaring Atlantic waves batter the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the black pebble shoreline, and the pyramid-like cliff of basalt columns known as Garðar, where you can spot puffins and guillemots.More
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#3

Skógafoss

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Stretching 82 feet (25 meters) across the Skógá River, into which its teeming waters plunge 197 feet (60 meters) from a rocky cliff, Skógafoss clocks in as one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls. Its clouds of spray regularly create vivid rainbows—often double rainbows—across the waters. The waterfall is also an important site for local folklore.More
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#4

Seljalandsfoss

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A slim cascade of water slicing through the air and pooling in the Seljalands River below, Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls. Because the falls’ chute of water is so narrow, visitors can also step behind Seljalandsfoss for a unique vantage point.More
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#5

Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

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Covering more than 270 square miles (700 square kilometers) and reaching a thickness of as much as 2,460 feet (750 meters) in places, this vast glacier is Iceland’s fourth largest. It sits atop the active Katla Volcano, which has erupted many times over the centuries, spewing meltwater, rock fragments, and ash into the air.More
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#6

Skogar Museum

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Just off the Ring Road, in the heart of Iceland’s countryside, you’ll find one of the country’s most popular museums. Founded in 1949, Skogar Museum is a cultural heritage collection of around 15,000 artifacts exhibited in three museums and six historical buildings. Together, they tell rich stories about Icelandic social history.More
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#7

Fimmvörðuháls Volcano

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The Fimmvorduhals Volcano is most well-known for the Fimmvorduhals Trail—aka the Fimm. It’s arguably Iceland’s best day hike, bringing hikers across 26 waterfalls, volcanoes, ice caps and glaciers, lava fields, and rivers, all in just roughly 15 miles (25 kilometers). Most hikers do the trek in a day; others overnight in one of two mountain huts to extend the spectacular journey.More
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#8
Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar

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An uninhabited and unspoiled expanse of volcanic terrain, Landmannalaugar is a great choice if you’re looking to get off the beaten track in Iceland. It’s a top hiking destination famous for its spectacular scenery, which comprises multicolored rhyolite mountains, rugged lava fields, and steamy thermal pools backed by the looming Hekla volcano.More

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Top activities in Vik

Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik
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Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik

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$203.08
Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik

Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik

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$108.60
Solheimajokull Glacier 3-Hour Small-Group Hike

Solheimajokull Glacier 3-Hour Small-Group Hike

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$112.94
Small Group Glacier Experience from Solheimajokull Glacier

Small Group Glacier Experience from Solheimajokull Glacier

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$97.74
Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour from Vik

Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour from Vik

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$200.91
Tandem Paragliding Flights from Vik
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Tandem Paragliding Flights from Vik

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$255.21
Thorsmork by Super Jeep with Optional Hike

Thorsmork by Super Jeep with Optional Hike

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$342.08
Lava Show Vik Admission Ticket

Lava Show Vik Admission Ticket

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$42.50
Small-Group Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing on Sólheimajokull Glacier

Small-Group Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing on Sólheimajokull Glacier

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$185.70
Sólheimajökull Ice Climbing and Glacier Walk

Sólheimajökull Ice Climbing and Glacier Walk

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$221.54
Zipline and Hiking Adventure Tour in Vík
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Zipline and Hiking Adventure Tour in Vík

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$103.17
2-Hour Black Sand Beach Buggy Tour from Hella

2-Hour Black Sand Beach Buggy Tour from Hella

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$331.00
Lava Centre Interactive Volcano Exhibition

Lava Centre Interactive Volcano Exhibition

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$31.49
Kayaking on the Sólheimajökull Glacier Lagoon
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Kayaking on the Sólheimajökull Glacier Lagoon

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$131.00
Snowmobiling Experience on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
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Snowmobiling Experience on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

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$248.00
Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur
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Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur

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$175.00
3-hour Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull
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3-hour Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull

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$117.00
Private South Coast Tour from Reykjavik

Private South Coast Tour from Reykjavik

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$651.59
1-Hour Buggy Adventure in Icelandic Nature

1-Hour Buggy Adventure in Icelandic Nature

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$162.90
Þórsmörk Buggy Adventure Tour in Southern Iceland

Þórsmörk Buggy Adventure Tour in Southern Iceland

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$830.78
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All about Vik

When to visit

The best time of year to visit Vík varies depending on what you want to do there. Summer offers the advantages of relatively warm temperatures and long days, which let you can pack in more outdoor activities like quad biking on lava sands and horseback riding. But if you want to explore an ice cave and look for the northern lights, the colder, darker months from September to April are best.

Getting around

You can reach Vík by taking the public bus that travels along the entire southern section of the Ring Road. While the village itself is tiny and easy to explore on foot, you’ll want your own vehicle if you plan see many of the surrounding attractions, such as the Dyrhólaey Peninsula. To visit ice caves, glaciers, and the highlands, skip the hassle of driving and book a guided tour.

Traveler tips

Smiðjan Brugghús, Vík’s local pub, offers 10 Iceland craft beers on tap as well as hearty meals such as burgers, sandwiches, and wings (as well as vegan options). It’s a casual spot and is ideal for refueling and warming up after a day exploring South Iceland’s rugged landscape. If you’re near the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, Ströndin Pub is another good option for lunch, dinner, or a drink (and it’s open until midnight).

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People Also Ask

What is Vik, Iceland, known for?

On Iceland’s southern coast along the main Ring Road, the small seafront village of Vik is best known for its austere white church picturesquely perched just below the Katla volcano. It’s also known for its proximity to the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

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How many days do you need in Vik, Iceland?

You really only need a few hours to see Vík and its surroundings, but the village’s location makes it worth spending the night. Vik is right in the middle of the South Iceland region, which means that several of Iceland’s top natural attractions—including Thingvellir National Park and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon—are within easy reach.

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What is there to do in Vik in winter?

If you’re visiting Vik in winter, you can still enjoy strolling along the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara but should practice caution and never approach the waves. You can also explore ice caves and go hiking or snowmobiling on a glacier with guided tours that depart from Vik.

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What is there to see between Reykjavík and Vik?

You can break up your drive from the capital to Vik by stopping at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss and by taking a dip in the geothermal water of the open-air Seljavallalaug swimming pool. All lie on, or just off, the main Ring Road (Route 1), which connects Reykjavik and Vik.

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How far is Vik from the Golden Circle?

Vik is 117 miles (189 kilometers) south of the Golden Circle, or around a two-hour drive. If you are coming from Reykjavik, you can visit Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall before continuing on to Vik.

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Is Vik worth visiting?

Yes, Vik is absolutely worth visiting. The charming village is itself very small, but the surrounding area is filled with incredible landscapes, from the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and sea stacks of Reynisdrangar to nearby dramatic glaciers and volcanoes.

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