Vík, Reynisdrangar & Dyrhólaey: South Iceland's Dramatic Coastline

Vík í Mýrdal: A Village Between Fire and Sea

The small town of Vík í Mýrdal — often just called Vík — sits at the foot of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which hides the mighty (and closely watched) Katla volcano beneath its icy surface. Despite this dramatic backdrop, Vík is peaceful, home to a tight-knit community, a red-roofed church with a famous view, and travelers seeking beauty that doesn't need filters.

The town has become a favorite rest stop for those exploring the South Coast, but there's more here than gas stations and coffee. Local bakeries serve traditional Icelandic pastries, shops sell handmade wool goods and volcanic jewelry, and small museums tell stories of survival in one of Iceland's most weather-exposed areas.

In summer, the surrounding cliffs come alive with puffins, who nest in the soft earth and launch themselves into the wind.

Reynisfjara & Reynisdrangar: The Black Beach That Roars

Just a short drive from Vík is Reynisfjara, Iceland's famous black sand beach, where the Atlantic crashes with breathtaking force. The sand, made from volcanic basalt, is soft and dark, and the cliffs are lined with perfectly symmetrical basalt columns that look almost sculpted by hand.

Out at sea, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the waves. According to legend, they were once trolls who tried to drag a ship ashore — but were caught by the sunrise and turned to stone. Whether you believe the tale or not, the view is unforgettable.

A word of caution: the waves at Reynisfjara are dangerous. Known as sneaker waves, they can appear suddenly and with great power. Stay well back from the water's edge — no photo is worth the risk.

Dyrhólaey: The Arch and the Edge

To the west of Vík rises Dyrhólaey, a high promontory named "Door Hill Island." From the top, you can see for miles in every direction — endless black sands stretching toward Mýrdalssandur to the east, glacier tongues descending in the north, and on clear days, the Westman Islands out to sea.

The headland's most famous feature is the arch-shaped rock that juts into the sea, large enough for a boat — and once even a small plane — to pass through. Below the cliffs, waves churn around sea stacks and caves, and in summer, puffins nest along the grassy edges, often just a few feet from the walking paths.

Dyrhólaey is also a protected nature reserve, and access may be limited during nesting season to ensure the birds' safety.

Why It Matters

At Key to Iceland, we don't just highlight places for their popularity — we share them because they still move us, no matter how often we return. Vík, Reynisdrangar, and Dyrhólaey offer more than dramatic scenery. They are reminders of Iceland's constant transformation — a place where every wave, gust of wind, or shifting stone is part of something much older.

You can visit for the views, but you'll leave with a story—about light and dark, sea and stone, and the feeling of standing at the edge of the world.

Let Iceland's southern coast show you how alive the land is.