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225 km
About 3 h 30 min
Car 1–4 · Van 5–7
Free cancellation 24 h
South coast · from KEF
About Vík and the drive
Vík í Mýrdal is the southernmost village in Iceland, a small community between green cliffs and a long black sand beach, with the white church on the hill above town as its landmark. It is the main stop for food, fuel and accommodation on the south coast, and many travellers spend a night or two here before continuing east towards the glacier lagoons.
The main reason to come is the coast. Just west of the village, Reynisfjara has basalt columns, sea caves and a view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the water. The beach is also known for dangerous sneaker waves, so keep well back from the water's edge. A little further west, the Dyrhólaey headland has a huge rock arch and, in summer, nesting puffins.
Your transfer from Keflavík Airport is a long, scenic drive on Route 1. After passing Reykjavík and crossing Hellisheiði, the road runs through Selfoss and the farmland around Hella and Hvolsvöllur, then along the foot of Eyjafjallajökull past Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Because both waterfalls are right by the road, many travellers agree a stop or two in advance and turn the trip into a gentle first look at the south coast.
Seasons and roads
Route 1 to Vík is open year-round but is exposed to strong winds, and stretches can close temporarily in storms. In midwinter there are only a few hours of daylight, while in June and July it hardly gets dark at all.
