Towns

SkaftárhreppurSkaftárhreppur district is the center of the south of Iceland and the perfect location to stay while taking day tours to see many of Iceland's best known natural treasures, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Langisjór lake, Eldgjá fissure, Laki craters, the lava field Eldhraun and Fjaðrárgljúfur. The easy but very interesting 5 km hike trail is Ástarbrautin (The Love Path in Kirkjubæjarklaustur). This is an area where saga meets lava. On the web eldsveitir.is you can find more about history, culture and the nature in the area. The district is part of Katla geopark and the gateway to the western part of Vatnajökull National Park.  Kirkjubæjarklaustur - SkaftárhreppurKirkjubæjarklaustur was known in olden times as "Kirkjubær" (Church Farm) and was an important farming estate. It is one of the most tongue-twisting words to pronounce of any location in Iceland. Kirkjubæjarklaustur has developed into a village, the only center of population in the district, with about 150 inhabitants. Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated to "Klaustur", is centrally located in the district. Roads radiate from Klaustur in many different directions and the Ring Road runs through the district. The Fjallabak roads (north and south) lead from the Ring Road into the interior via Skaftártunga. The Laki road, just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, leads into the highlands.   Nearby tourist attractions include the Laki craters, the Eldgjá, and Skaftafell. Near the Ring Road, you find Fjaðrárgljúfur, accessible all year round. An attraction close to the village is Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns down in the earth, eroded and shaped by wind and waves, but only the top can be seen, and they, as the name suggests, have the appearance of a paved church floor. It is a protected natural monument. This lava formation has similar origins as the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. All these attractions contribute to the popularity of Kirkjubæjarklaustur as a stopping point for tourists. 

Mýrdalshreppur is one of the three municipalities within Katla Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Vík in Mýrdalshreppur is situated in the center of the Geopark and is also Iceland‘s southernmost village. The municipalityGeoparkGeopark is bordered by Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the north, Jökulsá River to the west, Blautakvísl River to the east, and black sand beaches to the south. Due to the sandy beaches and rough seas, Vík remains Iceland‘s only seaside village with no harbour. Despite the lack of a port, it has long been an important trading post for farmers along the south coast of Iceland. ActivitiesThe Vík area is truly a place of outdoor adventures. Mýrdalsjökull glacier offers opportunities such as guided glacier hikes, year-round ice cave explorations, glacier-lagoon kayaking, and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. The adrenaline will surely kick in on an ATV tour on the black sand beaches of Sólheimasandur, Zip-lining down a canyon or floating in the air in a thrilling paragliding adventure. For those who prefer to have both feet on the ground, there are numerous hiking routes and a golf course in beautiful scenery on the outskirts of Vík. Lastly, a horse riding tour along the black sand beach overlooking Reynisdrangar sea stacks is an unforgettable experience. Museums and exhibitionsThe Icelandic Lava Show is the only place in the world where you can safely see molten lava at 1100 degrees Celcius. It is a unique exhibition which no visitor should miss. At Katla centre, you will find a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the global Geopark the town is situated in. The town‘s unique seafaring history is depicted in the Skaftfellingur maritime museum, whose centerpiece is undoubtedly the wooden ship Skaftfellingur, used to freight products and people along the harbourless coast until the mid-20th century. HikingNestled between the black sands and the white glacier cap are grassy hills and mountains. A walk up Reynisfjall Mountain is a local favorite, providing views over the Atlantic and proximity to gorgeous bird cliffs. A walk up Hatta mountain will also give you a view over the glacier and Heiðarvatn lake. On Hjörleifshöfði cape, you will find ruins of an old farm and a Viking burial mound. A drive to Þakgil Canyon (accessible in summer only) will provide you with even more hiking opportunities. You will find maps and information about hiking and activities at the Katla information centre at Víkurbraut 28, Vík.

Rangárþing eystra, with a population of about 2100, is a vast district in central South Iceland and ranges from the highlands to the sea. It boasts many geological wonders, which led the area to be a part of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark along with two other districts to the east: Mýrdalshreppur and Skaftárhreppur. Rangárþing eystra is known for its many beautiful nature scenes like the waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, Þórsmörk which is a paradise for hikers, and the famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Welcome to Hvolsvöllur, a charming town nestled in the heart of South Iceland! With approximately 1200 residents, Hvolsvöllur thrives as a vibrant hub for agriculture, local services, and tourism. Unlike many Icelandic towns, Hvolsvöllur's unique character lies in its inland location, serving as a vital service center for the surrounding areas. Conveniently located just 100 km from Reykjavík, Hvolsvöllur offers an ideal base for exploring the wonders of South Iceland. Whether venturing out for a day of discovery or seeking a tranquil retreat after exciting adventures, Hvolsvöllur provides a perfect balance. You'll find a variety of accommodations to suit every taste, ensuring a restful night's sleep before your next adventure. Take a stroll through the picturesque greenery of the town center, where families can relax, children can play, and picnickers can indulge in the serene surroundings. Don't miss the captivating outdoor exhibitions by local photographers, adding a touch of artistic flair to your visit. Marvel at Afrekshugur is an impressive replica of the renowned statue from the Waldorf Astoria, proudly displayed in Hvolsvöllur's center. Just a 30-minute drive from Hvolsvöllur lies Landeyjahöfn, the gateway to adventure. Here, you can embark on a scenic ferry journey to the enchanting Vestmannaeyjar islands, immersing yourself in this unique archipelago's breathtaking landscapes and rich history. At Hvolsvöllur, you can visit The LAVA center, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland. You can walk up on the roof of the building, and the view is breathtaking. At Hvolsvöllur, you can also visit a local product store, Una, where you can find fresh vegetables, meat, and all kinds of local arts and crafts. In Una, you can also enjoy art exhibitions like pictures from Njálurefillinn and a 90m tapestry where you can see the story of Brennu-Njálssaga. At Hvolsvöllur, there is a bank, a hotel, guesthouses, camping sites, restaurants, shops, a pharmacy, a healthcare center, a fully equipped sports center, a swimming pool, car services, a rescue team, gas stations, and other businesses and public services.

The Westman Islands are a group of islands off the south coast of Iceland. They consist of 15 islands in addition to 30 cliffs and skerries that make up the archipelago. Heimaey is the only island inhabited all year long. The first sources of the Westman Islands can be found in Landnáma, a medieval Icelandic written work that describes the settlement of Iceland. Landnáma tells the story of Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first settler. His foster brother, Hjörleifur Hróðmarsson, was killed by his slaves. The slaves fled to the islands but Ingólfur Arnarson hunted them down and killed them. These slaves, originated from Ireland, were known as the West Men, thus the name, the Westman Islands. Still today, many places in the Westman Islands bear names from the event. The first settler of the island of Heimaey was Herjólfur Bárðarson, who lived in the valley Herjólfsdalur, approx. in the year 900. Three times in the history of the Westman Islands, the population has taken considerable dives. First in the year 1627 during the events known as The Algerian Pirate Raid when 234 people were captured by pirates from Algeria. The islanders also suffered greatly in the early 18th century, when more than half of all newborns died from neonatal tetanus. Lastly, the population of the Westman Islands went from 5100 to 200, temporarily, during the 1973 volcanic eruption, as all the inhabitants fled to the mainland. Today around 4.300 people live in the Westman Islands. There are two ways to get to Vestmannaeyjar, by ferry or by plane. The ferry Herjolfur sails up to five times a day from the harbor at Landeyjahöfn to Vestmannaeyjar and back again. The ferry ride takes approximately half an hour. Make sure to book in advance, especially if you intend to bring your car or motorcycle or caravan with you, as the ferry is very popular during summer when Icelanders are on holidays, too. The ferry Herjolfur can be found online and on Facebook if you want to plan your trip early, and there is a bus servicing travelers wanting to get to Landeyjahöfn or back to Reykjavík, as well. Vetsmannaeyjar is only 20 minutes away from Reykjavik by plane. Eagle Air Iceland flies two times a day to and from Vestmannaeyjar. For further information please turn to Eagle Air‘s website where you can get detailed information on flight schedules and prices as well as book online. It’s possible to fly with Atlatsflug from Bakki to Vestmannaeyjar. The tourist information in Vestmannaeyjar is also more than ready to assist you if you have any questions regarding your trip. Visit Vestmannaeyjar invites you to explore our website and find out what the tourist industry has to offer for our visitors in Vestmannaeyjar. On our site, you will find general information about the members of the tourist industry, services, and upcoming events on the island. You can look for information on how to plan your journey, by ferry or by plane. Entertainment, boat trips, and museums, you will find it in visitvestmannaeyjar.is! If you plan to stay overnight, which we totally recommend, you can find information on accommodation and of course where to dine, restaurants, cafés or just at the typical Icelandic “sjoppa”, we have it all.