A Complete Guide to Dyrholaey Peninsula, Iceland
Dyrholaey Peninsula, the southernmost point in mainland Iceland, is a must-visit place near Vik. Read our travel guide on what are the best things to see and do on Dyrholaey, when to go, how to get, where to stay, and what to expect. Enjoy the lighthouse, stone arch, the views of the black beach, puffins and much more.
It is a wonderful, sunny evening, that kind of evening we feel we cannot take for granted here in Iceland.
We woke up that day in Selfoss after driving the famous Golden Circle, and we knew we had a long day ahead of us.
Finally, after spending the whole day on the road and exploring some of the top waterfalls in the country, such as Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Kvernufoss, and after walking seven kilometers, roundtrip to the weird Solheimasandur Plane Wreck, we have the last stop on our itinerary.
Dyrholaey Peninsula.
It is late, but we take advantage of the midnight sun, a phenomenon during which the sun almost never sets here in Iceland, at the end of June.
The drive is incredibly scenic, especially the side road number 218 that leads to the viewpoints, so we stop often and take photos almost behind every turn.
We switch our camera as the views are mindblowing on both sides, and we cannot wait to get out of the car and explore Dyrholaey Peninsula, the southernmost point in mainland Iceland, on foot.
But suddenly, there is a barrier across the road, and we cannot get any further.
As we can read on a sign, except for the fact that Dyrholaey offers amazing views of the black sand beach, the unique stone arch, and photogenic lighthouse, it is also an important site for migrating birds who come to nest here.
Therefore, the place is closed until the end of June between 7 PM and 9 AM to protect the environment.
That's something we didn't know when we were planning our Iceland itinerary.
Even though it is unpleasant information - to be honest, we quickly used to the fact that all attractions in Iceland are open 24/7 - we decide to continue to Reynisfjara Black Beach and leave the visit of Dyrholaey Peninsula for the next day.
We only hope that the weather in the morning will be as lovely as it was today.
Let’s find out!
In this travel guide, we share with you everything you need to know before visiting Dyrholaey Peninsula.
Including the best things to see and do, how to get there, when is the best time to visit, and where to stay.
Dyrholaey literally means door hill island, so open that door, and let the place take you to another world.
How to Get to Dyrholaey Peninsula
Getting to Dyrholaey Peninsula is easy, in case you travel around Iceland in a car. Public transport is non-existent here because the cliffs are off the Ring Road.
Surprisingly, getting to Dyrholaey with a tour is not that easy either because most of the agencies offer the trip to the black sand beach, from where you can see the cliffs only in the distance, but they do not bother to take this worthwhile side trip.
However, we can understand that as no itinerary can simply cover everything.
But no worries, we'll cover all your options on how to get to Dyrholaey in this section.
Car
Getting to Dyrholaey by rental car or campervan is the easiest option as you are not dependent on anyone, and you can plan your trip as you like.
The turn-off to Dyrholaey is only 12 kilometers before Vik i Myrdal (in case you travel the Ring Road counterclockwise).
It is not well-signposted, but your GPS will navigate you safely.
Follow the paved road 218 to the very end, and here you can park the car.
You will notice that the paved road to the parking lot leads straight, but there is one more road on your right that leads to the lighthouse that is suitable for 4WD only.
You have a few options here.
In case you have 4WD, it is possible to park first at the Reynisfjara Beach viewpoint (it is the official parking with a cafe and toilets), and then drive up to the lighthouse.
If you travel in 2WD, you should park your car at the official car park, and from here, walk approximately 40 minutes uphill to the lighthouse and arch viewpoint.
We must admit that we drove to the lighthouse in our 2WD campervan as the road did not look that bad, and the weather was dry and sunny (plus, it was not an F-road).
However, unless you drive really slow and if conditions are not nearly perfect, we do not encourage you to do the same.
And in case you are tempted to avoid the hike (we were behind schedule due to the closure the previous night), always base your decision on the road and weather conditions that day.
Both parking lots are free of charge, the same as the whole Dyrholaey visit.
Tour
As we've mentioned before, it is not that easy to find a tour that includes the actual visit of Dyrholaey.
However, if you do not have a car or are simply not in a mood to travel to the peninsula alone, check out this South Coast Tour from Reykjavik that includes Dyrholaey, so that you can enjoy one of the most stunning points in Iceland.
Or if you are fine with walking the black beach and seeing Dyrholaey in the distance, check out this Southern Iceland Tour from Reykjavik.
Best Things to See and Do on Dyrholaey
Dyrholaey Peninsula was one of the most photogenic spots we've visited along the southern part of the Ring Road, and it took us approximately two hours to see all its highlights.
When it rains, Dyrholaey looks gloomy and mysteriously, when the weather is sunny you can enjoy amazing views in all directions.
Dress according to the weather on the day of your visit, but there is one item you are going to need regardless of the conditions.
Dyrholaey is incredibly windy, so pack a windbreaker, and if the weather is cold, a hat, gloves, and warm hiking pants are also worth packing.
For more packing tips, head to this article: Iceland Summer Packing List.
But back to the topic, here's the list of the best things to see and do when visiting Dyrholaey.
Loftsahellir Cave
We've already mentioned that road 218 leading to the cliffs is incredibly scenic.
When driving it, make sure you stop at Loftsahellir Cave, a site that will be on your left when heading to the peninsula.
The cave is quite small, but the views from here are wonderful.
Dyrholaey Lighthouse
One of the highlights of Dyrholaey is the lighthouse standing on top of the cliffs since 1927.
It is a short and windy walk from the upper parking lot but take your time as the views of the building, and crashing waves are stunning.
The long black sand beach you can see on the right side can, in our opinion, easily compete with the famous Reynisfjara beach.
Stone Arch
If there is one view that represents the whole Dyrholaey, it must, for sure, be the stone arch.
Actually, these 120 meters high cliffs were named after this arch, door-hole.
This high basalt rock rising from the sea was shaped by the neverending force of waves crashing mercilessly to the rock until it shaped a large hole in the middle.
The hole is so big that boats can navigate through it when the sea is calm.
The stone arch is best to be seen from the upper parking lot, so simply follow the path leading around the lighthouse until you get to the viewpoint.
Viewpoints
Did we mention that anywhere you look on Dyrholaey, you will get otherwordly views?
The whole area is incredibly scenic, so enjoy the vistas of the cliffs, sea, waves, Mýrdalskjökull glacier, and birds flying above.
Puffins
Dyrholaey is a nature reserve that protects the unique birdlife. And yes, you can see puffins at Dyrholaey.
If you travel to the Land of Fire and Ice in the summer, approximately between May and August, you can expect to see puffins in Iceland.
And Dyrholaey itself is a great place to observe these wonderful birds.
Because of the nesting and protecting the fragile environment, Dyrholaey can sometimes be closed (as we found out ourselves), but it is usually only during the evening and night to give the birds some space.
Unlike places such as Borgarfjorður and Latrabjarg, puffins were in areas a little bit further from the trail.
Bring a good telephoto lens.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Reynisfjara Beach
From the edge of the lower parking lot, you will get a spectacular view of the popular Reynisfjara Black Beach.
Even though we recommend you to visit Reynisfjara Beach separately, do not miss out on this view.
Where to Stay Near Dyrholaey Cliffs
It is good to know that during the main season, between June and August, the small village of Vik is one of the places in Iceland where it is hard to secure accommodation.
Southern Iceland is extremely popular because of its accessibility and a large number of top attractions, so we heard that during these months, hotels within 100 kilometers from Vik are often booked out.
Where is the best place to stay near Dyrholaey cliffs?
We've handpicked the three best hotels within driving distance for every type of traveler.
Hotel Dyrholaey | Great location, newly renovated rooms, restaurant, and perfect views, these are the main reasons to stay a few kilometers away from Vik.
Hotel Vik i Myrdal - Wonderfully decorated hotel is close to some of the top attractions in Iceland, so it cannot surprise you it is super-popular.
The Barn | It is often not easy to find a budget-friendly hotel in Iceland. This hostel is the best place to spend a night, in case you are looking for cheaper yet comfortable and clean accommodation.
The Best Time to Visit Dyrholaey
Dyrholaey is an all-year-round destination, but there are a few things you should know.
First of all, the site is very popular among travelers, so to avoid crowds and tour buses and in general, to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere, we recommend you to arrive either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
This is also the best in case you are in Iceland in the summer, as it is the best time for bird watching as well (check out the closure times).
Winter is cold, so dress appropriately, but you can expect cold winds regardless of the season, and because there is nowhere to hide, you should be ready for a bit of discomfort - Dyrholaey is well worth it.
For more information, check out our guide on the best time to visit Iceland.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
