13 Incredible Things to Do in Vik, Iceland
Vik is a small fishing town on the south coast of Iceland and is in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Although it is a small town with a population of around 300 people, it does not lack things to do. Vik is near some of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, mountains, beaches, and glaciers, so it should be on every bucket list!
Vik is one of my favorite places in Iceland! It is near some of my favorite waterfalls, hiking trails, and beaches, and I recommend adding it to your bucket list if it is not on there already. Trust me, you will fall in love with the area as quickly as I did once you visit!
Whether you want to snowmobile on a glacier, walk behind a waterfall, explore a black sand beach, or enjoy delicious food overlooking the ocean, Vik has something to do for everyone. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, make sure to add Vik to your itinerary! This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Vik, Iceland!
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Tips for Visiting Vik Iceland
Vik is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland and quickly became one of my favorite towns in the country! It is near some of the most beautiful landscapes, including waterfalls, beaches, glaciers, and mountains.
And the best part? It is not difficult to get to, and most of the popular attractions are not far from Vik. Trust me, you have to visit Vik when you travel to Iceland! I think it will quickly become one of your favorite places.
Important Things to Know
The amount of sunlight varies drastically in each season. In June and July, Iceland has about 21 hours of sunlight, but it has about five hours of sunlight in December and January. As you can imagine, winter brings less tourism because of the sunlight and cold weather, which means attractions will be less crowded, but winters in Iceland are harsh. On the flip side, summer has high tourism, so many of the best things to do have crowds, but the weather is much better.
Pack layers and rain gear. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable, making it crucial to pack layers and a rain jacket. I have visited Vik twice and both times the weather changed quickly. We learned from our mistake of not packing a jacket the first time we visited and were much more prepared the second time. I recommend packing a rain jacket and insulated jacket. You should also supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots. And last but certainly not least, make sure to pack a backpack with water and snacks for your hikes.
Rent a 4x4 so you can drive on F roads. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads with anything from rocks to river crossings. Although you can stay on the Ring Road to see many of the things to do in Vik, F roads bring you to some of the most beautiful areas in Iceland. If you are up for driving on F roads, you should rent a 4x4 because they are the only cars allowed on them.
Get all of the car rental insurance. I cannot stress enough how important insurance is when renting a car in Iceland, especially if you will be driving on F roads. It made us feel better about being protected just in case.
Get a discount gas card. Gas is expensive in Iceland, so I highly recommend getting a discount gas card if you are renting a car. Some rental car companies will even provide one to you!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Where to Stay in Vik
Vik has a small downtown area with a few great places to stay during your trip! Whether you are staying for a few days or just passing by, it has everything you need, including restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores.
Although Vik is becoming one of the top places to visit in Iceland, it is still a small town. It does not have a ton of places to stay and most accommodations are on the more expensive side, but more accommodations are built each year accommodating more budgets.
Best Vik Hotels:
The Best Things to Do in Vik Iceland
Dyrholaey
If you are looking for one of the most beautiful places with cliffs, mountain views, and a black sand beach, look no further! Dyrholaey is a 390-foot arch standing in the ocean near Vik that you can see from a beautiful cliff across from it. The area also has a lighthouse and expansive views of the surrounding black sand beach and mountains.
To get to the cliff you have to drive on a steep road, and once you are at the top, you can walk around to take in the views of Dyrholaey, the black sand beach, and the surrounding mountains. The stunning views will leave you in awe!
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is the iconic black sand beach in Iceland and is easily one of the most popular things to do in Vik. The sand has eroded volcanic rock, which gives it its beautiful black color. You can view the beach from the parking lot or walk along the beach to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the Hálsanefshellir sea cave, and the Gardar cliff. All three attractions on Reynisfjara are worth the walk!
The black sand beach is quickly becoming one of the most busiest places because of its beautiful features. They are continuously building more parking lots, but sometimes they are full. I recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid most crowds.
Note: The waves along Reynisfjara are known to be crazy. Reynisfjara is known for its sneaker waves, which can appear out of nowhere and sweep you off your feet. It is crucial to pay attention while you are exploring Reynisfjara!
Vik Restaurants
One of the best things to do in Vik is enjoying delicious food. Eating out in Iceland, in general, can be expensive, but I highly recommend eating in at least one Vik restaurant. The small fishing town has delicious food! Here are some of the best Vik Restaurants:
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk)
Thorsmork is a stunning valley and mountain range between three glaciers, Tindfjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and Eyjafjallajokull. Because Thormsork is difficult to get to, I highly recommend spending at least a full day there. If you do, it will be one of the most beautiful areas you visit near Vik!
The F road to Thorsmork is incredibly bumpy and difficult to drive with deep river crossings. I highly recommend booking a ticket on a mountain bus that can easily take you into and out of Thorsmork. Once you are in Thorsmork, you can explore the beautiful area, including hiking to Valahnukur, a beautiful 1.5-mile roundtrip trail offering views of glaciers, volcanoes, and cliffs. If you visit, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best things to do near Vik!
Seljalandsfoss
If you want to visit waterfalls when you are in Vik, you are in luck! Vik has many stunning waterfalls nearby. Seljalandsfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland! You can experience the beautiful 197-foot waterfall from the parking lot or behind it. If you want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss, it is only about a 0.2-mile hike, so it is perfect for all hiking levels!
Gljufrafoss
Although Gljufrafoss is close to Seljalandsfoss, it is sometimes overlooked. Gljufrafoss is a 131-foot waterfall hidden behind a cliff, so it is difficult to see from the road. If you want to visit this beauty (which I highly recommend you should!), it is a quick 1.2-mile trail from Seljalandsfoss. You can walk right up to it and get an up-close and personal experience with the unique waterfall.
Skógafoss
Not too far down the road from Seljalandsfoss is another iconic waterfall, Skógafoss. This 82-foot wide and 200-foot tall waterfall is powerful and epic! You can walk up to the bottom or hike to the top. The easiest way to experience it is to walk the flat path to the bottom of the Skógafoss.
If you are up for a fun hike, you can hike up about 530 steps to the top. Although the steps are steep, it rewards you with an incredible view of Skógafoss and the surrounding area. It is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland for good reasons!
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull is one of the smaller glaciers in Iceland, but it does not lack beauty! It is actually part of a larger glacier, Mýrdalsjökull. If you want to explore a glacier when you visit Vik, Sólheimajökull is perfect! You can take a guided hiking tour of the glacier to explore crevasses and freezing water cauldrons. It will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in Vik!
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Although Fjaðrárgljúfur is about an hour past Vik, I highly recommend visiting it! Fjaðrárgljúfur is a gorgeous canyon about 330 feet deep and over a mile long. You will feel like you are on another planet because of how insanely beautiful the area is.
An easy two-mile roundtrip trail follows along the canyon rim, offering incredible views of the moss-covered canyon and waterfalls. I have hiked Fjaðrárgljúfur twice, and the views never get old. Trust me, you will quickly fall in love with this beautiful canyon!
Svartifoss
Svartifoss is another beautiful waterfall near Vik. Svartifoss is surrounded by black basalt columns, which is where it gets its name, Black Falls. The trail to Svartifoss is only a 2-mile hike from the Visitor Center and leads you to a beautiful view of the waterfall.
If you are looking for a longer trail, have no fear! There are fun trails that bring you by Svartifoss, a beautiful 360° viewpoint of glaciers at Sjónarsker, and turf-roofed houses at Sel. No matter how you experience Svartifoss, you will fall in love with the beautiful waterfall!
Jokulsarlon
Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon at the base of Vatnajökull Glacier with huge icebergs. And yes, it is as beautiful as it sounds! Across the street from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is Diamond Beach which has huge ice blocks along the beach that look like diamonds in the sun. It is easily one of the best things to do near Vik, especially during sunrise!
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull is one of the largest ice-caps in Europe and is the perfect area for glacier hikes and ice cave tours. There are a variety of tours, including ice caves, glacier walks, and snowmobiling, and you can choose from half-day to full-day adventures! No matter how you experience Vatnajökull, you will not be disappointed!
Snæfell Wilderness Area
Want to hike more and enjoy a beautiful area near Vik? Snæfell Wilderness Area has you covered. Snæfell is the tallest mountain in Iceland outside of glaciers and offers a variety of hiking trails that will take you off the beaten path. Many hikes are over 12 miles, so be prepared for a long day or multi-day treks (if you have the time).
One of the most popular trails is a strenuous 10-mile hike leading to the summit of Snæfell. Crampons are a requirement most of the year, so make sure to be prepared! Oh, and Snæfell Wilderness Area is the perfect place to see Reindeer.
If you are visiting Vik, this guide is the best place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Vik, Iceland.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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