Iceland
Vík
Allow a full day for the waterfalls on the drive in plus black-sand beaches, and overnight in Vík. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 1 activity and 5 outdoor spots from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Jun – Sep
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- December
1 See · 1 Do · 5 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Iceland Ring Road
from our route notes
13°C / 55°F avg high
3°C / 38°F avg high
about 251 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Vík
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Vík.
Photo: Andrea Schaffer · CC BY 2.0SeeVíkurkirkja
Red-roofed hillside church overlooking Vík and the sea stacks.
Tip Short walk up for the view over town.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Vík in South Coast.
Photo: Jonathan Munin · GoogleDoSólheimajökull glacier walk
Guided glacier hike on an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull with crampons and axes.
Tip Book a guided tour; never walk on without a guide.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Vík. 4 of them are free.
Photo: Randolfo Santos · · GoogleOutdoorsSeljalandsfoss
60-meter waterfall with a path that loops behind the falls.
Tip Wear a rain jacket; paths get slippery.
Photo: Lauren Stephene · GoogleOutdoorsGljúfrabúi
Hidden waterfall in a narrow canyon just north of Seljalandsfoss.
Tip Wade through the stream to see it.
Photo: Michal Mrázek · GoogleOutdoorsSkógafoss
Wide 60-meter waterfall with stairs to a viewing platform.
Tip Climb the stairs; hike Fimmvörðuháls trail beyond.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsDyrhólaey
Headland with a sea arch, lighthouse and puffins in summer.
Tip Parts close in May–June nesting season.
Photo: Strwiki2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsReynisfjara
Black-sand beach with basalt columns and Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Tip Sneaker waves kill; stay well back from the water.
Eat
2 places to eat, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Alexandre Hartke · GoogleEatSuður-Vík
Restaurant in an old house serving lamb, burgers and Asian dishes.
Tip Popular; reserve in summer.
Photo: Julien V · GoogleEatHalldórskaffi
Cozy cafe in the old Brydebúð merchant house with soups and cakes.
Tip Lamb soup is a filling lunch.
Drink
1 bar or café for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Maryla · Google
How to fit Vík into a trip
Vík is stop 2 of 4 on our Iceland Ring Road route. Follow it as-is or lift Vík into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 4
Iceland Ring Road
Waterfalls, black sand & glacier lagoons
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Best season
- Jun – Sep
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Reykjavík
- Next: Jökulsárlón
Getting here and onward
- Vík to JökulsárlónJökulsárlón is about 155 km / 96 mi away in a straight line
- Reykjavík to VíkReykjavík is about 165 km / 103 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Vík month by month
Average daily highs run from 3°C / 38°F in January to 13°C / 55°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 251 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan3° / 38°F average high
- Feb4° / 38°F average high
- Mar4° / 39°F average high
- Apr6° / 42°F average high
- May8° / 46°F average high
- Jun11° / 52°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul13° / 55°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug13° / 55°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep10° / 50°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct7° / 45°F average high
- Nov5° / 40°F average high
- Dec4° / 38°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Vík weather and the best time to visit →
Near Vík
3 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.
Vík questions, answered
How many days do you need in Vík?
Our route notes suggest a full day in Vík. On our Iceland Ring Road route it is stop 2 of 4 in a 10-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 11 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Vík best known for?
Allow a full day for the waterfalls on the drive in plus black-sand beaches, and overnight in Vík. Standouts on our list: Víkurkirkja (Red-roofed hillside church overlooking Vík and the sea stacks); Seljalandsfoss (60-meter waterfall with a path that loops behind the falls); Gljúfrabúi (Hidden waterfall in a narrow canyon just north of Seljalandsfoss).
When is the best time to visit Vík?
Our Iceland Ring Road route is best Jun – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (13°C / 55°F), the coolest in January (3°C / 38°F) and the most rain in December (about 251 mm).
What are the best things to do in Vík?
Start with Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull glacier walk and Dyrhólaey. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 1 activity, 5 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Vík?
Our picks: Suður-Vík; Halldórskaffi (Vík). Popular; reserve in summer (Suður-Vík).
What is near Vík?
The closest destinations in our guides are Jökulsárlón (about 155 km / 96 mi), Reykjavík (about 165 km / 103 mi) and Mývatn (about 261 km / 162 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Vík with your crew
Open the Iceland Ring Road route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.