Black sand beach, Dyrholaey, Iceland

Getty Images/Caiaimage

Dyrhólaey

Top choice in The South


One of the South Coast’s most recognisable natural formations is the rocky plateau and huge stone sea arch at Dyrhólaey (deer-lay), which rises dramatically from the surrounding plain 10km west of Vík, at the end of Rte 218. Visit its crashing black-sand beaches and get awesome views from atop the promontory. The islet is a nature reserve that's rich in bird life, including puffins; some or all of it can be closed during nesting season (15 May to 25 June).

There are two parking areas, one on the top of the cliff near the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and one at the base. Those without 4WD are best using the bottom car park as the road up is filled with deep potholes and can be tricky in rain. The best view of the archway is from Reynisfjara along the coast.

According to Njál’s Saga, Kári – the only survivor of the fire that wiped out Njál’s clan – had his farm here. Another Viking Age connection is the cave Loftsalahellir, reached by a track just before the causeway to Dyrhólaey, which was used for council meetings in Saga times.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Reynisfjara

2.06 MILES

On the western side of Reynisfjall, the high ridge above Vík, Rte 215 leads 5km down to the black-sand beach Reynisfjara. It's backed by an incredible…

2. Reynisdrangur

2.6 MILES

Vík’s most iconic cluster of sea stacks is known as Reynisdrangur, which rises from the ocean like ebony towers at the western end of Vík's black-sand…

3. Brydebúð

3.7 MILES

In town, the tin-clad house Brydebúð was built in Vestmannaeyjar in 1831 and moved to Vík in 1895. Today it houses the tourist office, the Halldórskaffi…

4. Víkurkirkja

4.11 MILES

High above town, Vík’s 1930s church has stained-glass windows in spiky geometrical shapes and awesome village views.

5. Sólheimasandur

9.74 MILES

On 21 November 1973, a US Navy aeroplane was forced to crash-land at Sólheimasandur. The crew all survived, but the wreckage of the militarised Douglas DC…

6. Hjörleifshöfði

11.35 MILES

About 13km east of Vík and just south of Rte 1, the small peak of Hjörleifshöfði (221m) rises above the black sands of Mýrdalssandur and offers good views…

7. Sólheimajökull

11.82 MILES

One of the easiest glacial tongues to reach is Sólheimajökull. This icy outlet glacier unfurls from the main Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and is a favourite spot…

8. Kvernufoss

14.18 MILES

Pretty much off the tourist radar (you'll likely have the place to yourself) is this hidden 20m waterfall that you can walk behind. The short trail to it…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "iceland/vik-around/attractions/dyrholaey/a/poi-sig/1414137/1318074",
      "destination": "The-South",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Iceland",
      "region": "The-South",
      "position": "superzone"
    }