Vik, Iceland

The village Vík is located in the south of Iceland, about 180 km from Reykjavík. It is an important service center for the inhabitants and tourists around the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. It also has the highest incidence of rainy days than the rest of Iceland.

An interesting feature is the beautiful black beach with the Reynisdrangar, black basalt columns sculpted by the sea. A folk tale says that they are former trolls which were caught outside at dawn. The sea around them is rather wild and stormy, so travelers will not be surprised to discover a monument to the memory of drowned seamen at the beach. The American journal Islands Magazine counted this beach as one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth in 1991.

The near-by mountain Reynisfjall is very famous in ornithology circles. Many species of birds are to be seen there in summer, especially puffins. These may also be observed at the peninsula Dyrhólaey some kilometres away.

Things to See & Do

* Reynisdrangar – black basalt columns
* Bird watching
* Mýrdalsjökull glacier
* Heiðardalur - a beautiful valley
* Sight seeing flights

General information

Cruise Season – May - Oct
Currency - Icelandic króna (ISK)
Language – Icelandic
Population – 600 approx
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT plus zero hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 354

Port Location – There is no harbour at Vik. The closest port is located at Thorlákshöfn; the only viable harbour on Iceland's southern coastline

Transport Links – Vik can be accessed by bus from Reykjavik.