The 6 best things to do in Vik, ranked
Reynisdrangar sea stacks off Reynisfjara black beach
Six Vik-area highlights ordered by whether they’re worth building your day around.
The top three
1. Reynisfjara black sand beach — the basalt columns, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and the sneaker waves that kill tourists every year. Stay 30 metres back from the water. Free, ten minutes from town. 2. Dyrholaey promontory — the arch, the puffin cliffs in June-July, and the best view east back to Reynisfjara. Upper car park closes for nesting in May-June. 3. Skogafoss, 30 minutes west — 60 metres tall, and you can climb the staircase to the top and walk upriver.
Four through six
4. Solheimajokull glacier tongue — 25 minutes west, guided walks from 12,900 ISK, the easiest glacier access on the south coast. 5. The red-roofed church (Vikurkirkja) on the hill above town — free, five minutes, and the best view over Vik and the black beach. 6. Katla Ice Cave tour in winter — inside the Myrdalsjokull glacier, around 19,900 ISK, and the only real ice cave option this side of Jokulsarlon.
Before you book
What people ask before booking Vik.
One night minimum. Day-trippers from Reykjavik miss Reynisfjara at sunrise, which is when it's actually good.
Yes, genuinely. The Icelandic Met Office publishes a wave-danger forecast. Check it, and never turn your back on the sea.
