Dyrholaey
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Geologic Formations
Read more
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Top ways to experience Dyrholaey
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 5 kms
Attractions
10 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,950 reviews
Excellent
1,388
Very good
462
Average
95
Poor
4
Terrible
1
WannaBeObjective
Switzerland545 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
It’s easy to miss the turn from the Ring road during winter/foggy conditions if one doesn’t use the GPS, so keep a good eye. The views are spectacular!
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jill S
Chicago13 contributions
Jan. 2023
This is a beautiful area, a short drive from Black Sand Beach. The road was not particularly well plowed, but worth the effort to ascend. The light house, rock formations, and walking area were beautiful and the vistas were unmatched.
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jesse S
Highland, NY48 contributions
Nov. 2022
Having just come from Reynisfjara, where the wind was crazy and fun, we decided to go to the Dyrholaey lookout point. I'm sure on a nice day, this place is great as the views are incredible and I would have loved to explore more. But when we went, it was... well... windy... I mean like, knock a 200 lb man backwards type of wind. Needless to say, we didn't stick around for long.
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul B
Alton, UK156 contributions
Nov. 2022 • Couples
I just love it up here. I could sit for hours and just take in the View. Absolutely stunning. Car parking is decent and the road up, despite being very windy, is good. Would come back again and 100% recommend anyone to stop and take a look
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
McB921
Algonquin, IL581 contributions
Sep. 2022
Beautiful views of the black sand beaches and the ocean. We enjoyed our little stop here and we were glad it was a sunny day.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JrnyJunkie
Cleveland, OH862 contributions
Jul. 2022
We saw the puffins here and the amazing views. So many interesting formations to see here...very beautiful and dramatic.
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH4,482 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Couples
When you get here there are 2 roads.
1- Drive up to Lighthouse- lncredible lookout
One way over Reynisfjara Beach and other way over Dyrholaey Arch & Solheimfjara Beach. Despite overcast skies and gale force winds, we loved the sights from the lighthouse perch.
2- Drive down for closer look at beach. Just incredible scenery down here as well. The black beach, rock formations, pounding surf and old ship tie ups of some kind we fascinating. There is a large clean restroom here, but remember your credit card.
1- Drive up to Lighthouse- lncredible lookout
One way over Reynisfjara Beach and other way over Dyrholaey Arch & Solheimfjara Beach. Despite overcast skies and gale force winds, we loved the sights from the lighthouse perch.
2- Drive down for closer look at beach. Just incredible scenery down here as well. The black beach, rock formations, pounding surf and old ship tie ups of some kind we fascinating. There is a large clean restroom here, but remember your credit card.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JFLeBlanc
Moncton, Canada3,396 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Couples
Very beautiful views offered from up here. Very well worth the drive and hike up the mountain. You wont regret it. You will even see the plane wreck if the skies are clear.
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kaye N
Provo, UT2,146 contributions
Jul. 2022
Our timing to Dyrholaey was perfect! We'd heard that puffins are only on the cliffs in the morning and evening hours unless it's an overcast day - we were there on an overcast day and saw SO MANY PUFFINS! Some were very close and we got great photos.
The restrooms at the upper area require payment and the credit card machine didn't work. We ended up using the restrooms at the Ice House in Vik - free and nice.
We also traveled back down the road to the black sand/rock beach and were astounded at the huge pillars of basalt lining the beach. There are sneaker waves that come up quickly and sweep people out to sea so don't turn your back on the ocean unless you're a safe distance away!
Waterproof layered clothing and waterproof boots made the trip enjoyable.
The restrooms at the upper area require payment and the credit card machine didn't work. We ended up using the restrooms at the Ice House in Vik - free and nice.
We also traveled back down the road to the black sand/rock beach and were astounded at the huge pillars of basalt lining the beach. There are sneaker waves that come up quickly and sweep people out to sea so don't turn your back on the ocean unless you're a safe distance away!
Waterproof layered clothing and waterproof boots made the trip enjoyable.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melodie
Coquitlam, Canada3 contributions
Oct. 2021
We had this on our agenda but didn't realize that we would be talking about it for years to come. We were in Iceland in our campervan during a windstorm. (Buy the extra insurance, its a real thing!) When we arrived in Vik we never expected it to be so breathtaking. The barrier to the edge was literally a small chain on low posts and in a windstorm you do not want to get to the edge! It was beautiful to watch nature be powerful, somthing to truly respect. It also made for some funny video leaning into the wind and being 100% held up by it. Access to the beach at this time was closed due to the weather for obvious reasons. (Actual trip date was Oct 2018)
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ksterli
Portland, OR26 contributions
We will be in the area next week (last week of May) and are curious about closures this time of year. It sounds like it may be nesting season and some areas will be closed, which is OK, but we would love to see puffins from a respectable distance. Is this possible? Will a front-wheel-drive car be OK? How much hiking?
streetsmarthk
Hong Kong, China46 contributions
Hi, is the road to the light house open currently ? there are other review saying that road is closed during summer to protect the puffins. I will be visiting next week.
thanks
Michelle M
184 contributions
I’m not sure I was there in February. I know puffin season starts in April
karen m
London, UK32 contributions
Am going to be in Iceland in April 2019, is it possible to drive up to the top in a rental van with 8 passengers?
Julesinerie
Erie, PA80 contributions
There were vans that make the drive. Just be careful. And I wish we would have taken the time to go down on the beach, but it was really windy. Enjoy tour trip!
Theand G
Delaware99 contributions
How do I find information on renting the lighthouse? Price? Availability etc
Thanks in advance
Dori S
Reykjavik, Iceland32 contributions
Hi .
You can contact this guy, he is at Akranes lighthouse, greetings visitors and all .
He knows everything there is a to know.
His name is Hilmar Sigvaldason
email is : hilmarphoto@simnet.is
Lourdes H
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico38 contributions
Saludos viajera tica, voy para Islandia en junio y alquilamos un auto, es facil manejar y que lugares recomiendas visitar y son distantes unos de otro de los lugares de interes que recomiendas ?. Gracias por tu ayuda y por cierto me encanta Costa Rica, lo he visitado en dos ocasiones y no descarto una tercera visita PURA VIDA.
Heidyval
Province of Heredia, Costa Rica548 contributions
Yo estuve 8 días y mi itinerario fue el siguiente:
Dia 1.reykjavik (1 noche)
Dia 2. Sur de islandia ( Seljalanddoss, skogafoss, museo skogar, Dyrholaey, playa Reynisfjara, dormir en kirkjubaejarkhustur.
Dia 3. Lago Jokulsarlon y parque nacional skaftafell ( dormir en vik)
Dia 4. Circulo dorado( dormir en selfoss)
Dia 5. Parque nacional Thingvellir y dormir en borgarnes
Dia 6. Peninsula de Snaefellsness otra noche en borgarnes.
Dia 7. Reyjavik( pasar por cascada Hraunfossar) antes de ir a reykjavik.
Espero te sirva de guia. En lo personal Islandia me encantó así que lo que decidas hacer seguro te gustará.
Saludos
Dia 8 Regreso
GoodOldSpades
Toronto,77 contributions
One of the sites I was on said you could actually walk out on the arch if you weren't afraid of heights. I don't really see myself doing this (seems like a good way to get a stupid tourist award to me!) but I was wondering if anyone has tried it or knows anyone who has?
Sunny E
259 contributions
Hi, I also wouldn't advise climbing up there. I've seen plenty of people climbing behind the barriers in various places (including some rocks right over Gulfoss waterfall which was actually almost too scary to watch) - nobody got hurt, but it is not only a matter of your own safety, but also an environmental issue. Iceland's nature already suffers enough from tourism, so one shouldn't really overdo it. - just my 2 cents
Theresa R
Tucson, AZ1 contribution
Travelling to Southern Iceland next week and trying to make itinerary with times. Can you tell me what time the Dyrholaey Lighthouse upper road is open 15 July?
Theresa R
Tucson, AZ1 contribution
I am answering my own question.....Was able to use Google translate to find out that the nature reserve at Dyrholaey will be open 24 hours a day starting on 25 June 2017 at 0900.
c0nd0girl
Townsville Australia9 contributions
Hi, I am heading to Iceland in 1 mth (will be there in mid-late July) and I am desperate to see puffins. I have looked into it and decided that Dyrholaey looks like a great place to see them on the cliffs. Does anyone have any tips on when to go and how to see them? Any specific directions to follow? I would hate to miss out!
Sarah
Long Beach, CA23 contributions
Hmm, I wish I could answer this but we never actually made it up to the top due to our rental car's inability to deal with the rugged terrain/steep incline. I didn't realize there were puffins at this location! 🐧 I hope someone can answer this for you & hope you get to see them!! Good luck
dsanch88
8 contributions
I hear that Dyrholaey is possibly closed during puffin mating season. Is that so? I will be driving a car along the south coast on June 15 and would be disappointed if i'm not able to see the rock formation and puffins.
Jenny Sue K
Danville, IN311 contributions
Stop at Dyrholaey for the views because it's right on the ring road. There were no puffins when we visited in March, but it was totally worth it. I'm not sure about it being closed, but you wouldn't lose much time if it turned out it was.
wendyvanloock
Putte, Belgium
Hi, I want to go on 5th June to Dyrholaey, but I'm wondering if it's possible to see the puffins and the arch? I read that the are is closed because of the nesting puffins?
Many thanks!
Wendy
Kelly H
Charlotte, NC684 contributions
I don't know about the closure, but you can see the puffins better from Reynisfjara Beach, which is just one exit past the Arch if you're coming from Reykjavik.
DYRHOLAEY (Vik) - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Dyrholaey
- We recommend booking Dyrholaey tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 61 Dyrholaey tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Dyrholaey:
- Private Day Trip To The Icelandic South Coast from Reykjavik (From C$449.15)
- Winter South Coast Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik (From C$184.56)
- South Coast Summer Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik (From C$184.56)
- South Coast. Private Day Tour from Reykjavik (From C$779.61)
- Iceland Complete: Around Iceland in 10 Days (From C$5,518.85)
- Hotels near Dyrholaey:
- (3.68 km) Grand Guesthouse Gardakot
- (4.13 km) Black Beach Suites
- (4.76 km) Volcano Hotel
- (5.38 km) Vik Apartments
- (5.38 km) Hotel Vik i Myrdal
- Restaurants near Dyrholaey:
- (5.24 km) Black Crust Pizzeria
- (4.94 km) The Soup Company
- (4.86 km) Smidjan Brugghus
- (5.45 km) Skool Beans
- (5.16 km) Sudur Vik
- Attractions near Dyrholaey:
- (1.57 km) Reynisfjara Beach
- (4.94 km) Lava Show
- (4.93 km) Zipline
- (5.20 km) True Adventure
- (5.24 km) Katlatrack Adventure Tours