Where To Stay In Vik South Iceland | An Ultimate Guide 2024
Are You Looking For The Best Places To Stay In Vik?
Vik is known locally as Vík í Mýrdal and is the most southern village in Iceland. It is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, black sand beaches, and natural wonders; if you are looking for bucket list destinations in Iceland, you’ve found one!
Vik may be small but there is certainly plenty to see and do! To help you plan your visit, we’ve got some great suggestions on the best accommodation, places to eat and things to do for families.
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Top Places To Stay In Vik Iceland
Best Guest House For Families – Arsalir Guesthouse Vik B&B
Best Hotel For Families – Vík Apartments
Where To Stay In Vik | South Coast Iceland For Families
Despite Vik’s small size, it has many accessible reasons to visit Iceland making it the perfect base with kids. Families are spoilt for choice with plenty of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, cottages and even a campsite.
We chose a cosy guesthouse for our first few nights in Vik, stopping in a hotel apartment on our way back to Reykjavik. Both are ideal for families with children but there are alternative options if these are not available.
💡Tip: Book your accommodation well in advance for staying in Vik.
Summer is busy, and not all accommodation options are available in winter.
Vík Apartments are ideally located on the ring road in the centre of downtown Vik, on the South Coast. They have a fully equipped kitchen, good-sized bedrooms, a large living area and a washing machine (which was very useful when we got soaked while visiting Glacier).
With a supermarket directly opposite, you can enjoy budget-friendly home-cooked meals or dine out in one of the various eateries within walking distance.
The apartments have a large open family space and separate bedrooms, giving families privacy and comfort during their stay. Our apartment slept six although they do vary.
🤩 Check Vik Apartment Prices and Availability
Best Hotels In Vik For Families
Family rooms that accommodate more than four people can be hard to find in Iceland. Here are our top recommended hotels in Vik for families.
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Vik | ✅ Book it!
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal delivers a touch of luxury and is located in the centre of Vik. It is within easy walking distance of the shops, restaurants and downtown attractions. It’s well-appointed modern-looking rooms are spacious, warm and comfortable with great views of the ocean or nearby cliffs.
The dedicated family rooms have a mezzanine floor with a separate sleeping area for the kids. Cots are available on request for very young children.
The breakfast buffet is unsurprisingly excellent! All dietary requirements are fully catered for with an excellent range of well-prepared food. Lunch and dinner are also served in the restaurant. The cosy bar is particularly welcome after a full day of exploring. and there is WIFI and ample free parking outside the hotel.
🤩 Check prices and availability for Hotel Vík í Mýrdal
Hotel Kría
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Vik | ✅ Book it!
Hotel Kría is a modern hotel with sleek designs, comfortable rooms and great mountain views. The on-site restaurant, bar and games room allow space for families to relax in comfort.
While there are no family rooms at Hotel Kría, the double and triple rooms are well sized and additional child beds are available on request. Be aware that this hotel is further from central Vik than some other hotels but the great views and amenities more than make up for it.
Hotel Katla
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Vik | ✅ Book it!
Hotel Katla has an excellent choice of family-friendly accommodation and is conveniently located on the eastern edge of Vik.
The spacious double and triple rooms offer extra beds upon request and provide great views of the surrounding countryside. Adult guests can use the in-house fitness suite or relax in the outdoor hot tub.
The hotel offers assistance with booking tours and has a Northern Lights call list for a chance to catch a glimpse of the best light show on earth.
Breakfast, including local Icelandic dishes, is priced in the room rate and has an excellent range of choices to help you start your day.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability For Katla Hotel
Best Guesthouses In Vik For Families
Guesthouses provide a more local accommodation style to modern hotels. They are a great option for families in Vik.
Arsalir Guesthouse B&B
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Vik | ✅ Book it!
Arsalir Guesthouse is a traditional family-friendly accommodation in Vik.
There are a variety of room layouts available. We had a twin and triple room next to each other on the first floor. Although not ensuite there are two shower rooms at the ends of the hallway.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. The breakfast area doubles as a day area for family time, where we had a family games night.
We stayed here over New Year and had the guesthouse to ourselves with great views of the local celebrations.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability at Arsalir Guesthouse in Vik
Prestshús 2 Guesthouse
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Reynisfjara, Vik | ✅ Book it!
Prestshús 2 Guesthouse is perfect for families wishing to stay in a quiet area outside downtown Vik. The cosy family room has four single beds with views of the south coast, Dyrhólaey and the glacier.
The guesthouse is within easy walking distance of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
Depending on when you stay, you may get a chance to meet some of the farm animals and, the friendly family dogs are sure to delight your kids! To top off an already impressive list of reasons to stay, the Prestshús 2 Guesthouse is a great spot for seeing the Northern Lights in winter and puffins in summer.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
Family Hostels In Vik Iceland
Hostels can offer a cheap, comfortable option for families to explore the local area.
The Barn
The Barn is a well-presented modern hostel with options for travellers.
They have private, family and mixed dorm rooms with double or bunk beds. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities add to the friendly atmosphere while a bar and chill area provides a space to relax. This is a great budget choice that doesn’t compromise your comfort.
🤩Check Price and Availability at The Barn in Vik
Family Camping In Vik
Whether you are road-tripping Iceland in a motorhome, campervan or with a tent, Vik has a well-positioned campsite.
Vik Camping & Cottages
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Vik | ✅ Book it!
Vik Camping is open for campers, motorhomes and tents throughout the summer. The well-maintained campsite has good cooking and washing facilities. If you don’t fancy staying under canvas, there are also cottages on site to hire.
The campsite can get busy during peak season, so early booking is recommended. Vik centre, beach and hiking trails are easily accessible on foot.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
Unique Places To Stay Near Vik
Black Beach Suites – Highly rated. well-priced friendly self-catered suites with amazing views of the coast. A great choice for families outside downtown Vik.
Mid Hvoll Cottages – Located just 15 minutes out of Vik, these cottages feature a well-equipped kitchenette and a terrace with sea and mountain views. In addition to everything you would expect to find in a self-catering cottage, you get a garden and outdoor BBQ. There is a great range of family-friendly activities on the doorstep including horse riding and hiking.
Restaurants In Vik Iceland
What Vik lacks in size it more than makes up for with its great variety of dining options. Here are our top family-friendly places to dine in Vik:
Quick Bites In Vik
🍴The Soup Company – Serves soups, salads and pasta, including the famous Icelandic ‘soup in a bread bowl’. Kids will love the lava soup and the free soup refill with extra bread is a welcome bonus!
🍴Crepes.is Food Truck – If you have a sweet tooth or are after a fast, tasty bite to eat, this food truck is for you! They have a huge selection of delicious sweet and savoury fillings in fresh hot crepes, all at very reasonable prices. This is a great option for families with kids.
Family Meals In Vik
🍴Black Crust Pizzeria – A central restaurant in downtown Vik offering novel black crust or sourdough pizzas. Good food at a good price with fast, friendly service.
🍴Suður-Vík – A homely restaurant overlooking Vik village. Serving a range of modern Icelandic and international meals ensuring there is something for everyone.
🍴Halldórskaffi – This historic restaurant serves various dishes, including pizza, lamb, fish, and burgers. Big portions, fast service and friendly staff.
🍴 Ströndin Pub – Said to have the freshest fish & chips in Iceland, this pub serves a mix of traditional Icelandic food and has a stunning view over Vikurfjara Beach.
🍴Black Beach Restaurant – This popular dining option has a good variety of Icelandic dishes and great views of the black sand beach. It is family-friendly and reasonably priced.
Hotel Dining In Vik
🍴Restaurant Berg at Hotel Kría – If your budget allows, this upscale restaurant is open for dinner only and has an excellent Icelandic menu that includes lamb, seafood, and vegetarian options. Make sure you book ahead, especially in the summer.
🍴Katla Restaurant at Hotel Katla – If you are looking for good food at a good price, the Katla Restaurant has a great atmosphere for a family meal in Vik.
Things To Do In Vik
Here are some top family-friendly things to do and see in Vik Iceland that you do not want to miss.
Families can visit Víkurfjara or Reynisfjara Beach with their black sand, and towering sea stacks or view them from a distance while exploring the Dyrhólaey Peninsula. Keep a look out for puffins, especially during their nesting season between May and late August.
Take a hike up to Vik’s church or Hjörleifshöfði for stunning panoramic views of the village and coastline. Natural wonders that our kids rated highly were the Yoda Cave and nearby waterfalls such as Kvernufoss and Skógafoss.
There is plenty for in the area for more adventurous families too; take a guided tour of the nearby glacier or venture into Katla Ice Cave. These tours often have minimum age and mobility requirements so do check before you book.
The Vik Lava Show has to be seen to be believed. See, hear and smell real lava flowing before your eyes as it hisses and cracks to solidify. The experience is unique to Iceland and you’ll kids will talk about it for years to come.
Getting From Reykjavik To Vik
There are several options to get from Reykjavik to Vik including by public bus or guided tour.
The most popular choice is to rent a car and head off on a family road trip, with the journey south taking approximately 2.5 hours along Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1). While the route is straightforward, it’s a good idea to allow extra time, as there are many easily accessible sites worth exploring along the way.
Public busses to Vik typically take between 3 and 4 hours from Reykjavik while guided tours are great for those looking for a stress-free option and will often pick you up from your hotel.
🤩Click here for the best South Coast Tour from Reykjavik to Vik
Visiting Vik | FAQ’s
With dozens of natural wonders including black sand beaches, iconic waterfalls and glaciers on its doorstep, Vik is worth visiting! There is plenty to explore in the area any time of year.
With a population of around 300 people, it’s fair to say that Vik is pretty small. Situated in Iceland’s Mýrdalshreppur region, it is surrounded by top attractions such as Reynisfjara Beach and the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier making Vik a popular stop for travellers.
Vik is a great location to stay in while exploring Iceland’s South Coast. Located on the ring road, close to many of Iceland’s must-see natural attractions, Vik is well worth staying in.
Final Thoughts | Where To Stay In Vik, Iceland
Iceland’s South Coast should be on every family’s bucket list. With so many things to see and do in Vik, you’ll want to return for more, however long you choose to stay. Make use of the familiy accommodation choices in Vik, by booking as far ahead as you can to get the best option at the best price.
Wherever you decide to stay in Vik, you will be within easy reach of stunning scenery, breathtaking natural wonders and enough exciting adventures to last a lifetime!
