In 60 seconds
Tucked into the southern coastal plain beneath high basalt cliffs, Kirkjubæjarklaustur ('Klaustur') is steeped in monastic history and cataclysmic geology. Surrounded by the vast moss-covered Eldhraun lava field from the catastrophic 1783 Laki eruption, it provides immediate access to the breathtaking 100-metre-deep serpentine canyon of Fjaðrárgljúfur and the natural basalt floor of Kirkjugólf.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You are unable to respect sensitive moss ecosystems; the thick green woolly moss on Eldhraun takes decades to recover from footsteps.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Kirkjubæjarklaustur & Fjaðrárgljúfur fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Breathtaking 100-metre-deep, 2-kilometre-long winding canyon carved by glacial meltwaters through palagonite rock over millions of years
Hike the marked rim trail to cliffside viewing platforms looking down into turquoise water ribbons.
Remarkable natural pavement of hexagonal columnar basalt tops polished smooth by ancient glacial and wave erosion
Walk across the geometric basalt tiles that resemble a man-made cathedral floor.
Two parallel streams tumbling down the sheer village cliff from a scenic lake on the highland plateau above
Hike the marked pine forest trail up the cliff to the tranquil mountain lake.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
No booking, no ceremony, reliably good.
Cozy, friendly village bistro serving wood-fired pizzas, hearty lamb burgers and homemade fish soups
Enjoy comfort food and cold Icelandic craft beer after hiking the canyon.
Charming countryside restaurant five minutes east serving seasonal South Iceland specialties and steaks
Taste grilled Icelandic lamb fillet with wild mushroom sauce.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Refined dining room emphasizing Arctic char raised in local spring water, free-range lamb and forest berries
Dine on pan-roasted local char with parsnip puree and dill oil.
Warm cafe in the village centre serving espresso, waffles with rhubarb jam and fresh sandwiches
Recharge with hot coffee before driving onto the South Coast plains.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
The largest lava flow from a single eruption in historic times (1783 Laki), carpeted in thick green woolly fringe moss
Walk the designated boardwalk trail admiring the undulating green lunar landscape.
Picturesque dome-shaped waterfall cascading into a crystal pool framed by basalt columns, just two kilometres north
Pack a picnic and enjoy the peaceful spray away from tourist crowds.
Memorial chapel built in 1924 to commemorate Pastor Jón Steingrímsson's famous 'Fire Mass' that stopped the 1783 lava flow
Step inside the historic chapel to learn about the Laki disaster.
After dark
Sophisticated lounge bar offering an extensive selection of Icelandic craft beers, gins and cocktails
Relax by the fireplace with a glass of Brennivín or Einstök ale.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Quiet green settlement sheltered beneath high basalt cliffs with pine woodlands and walking paths
Walk through peaceful village trails beneath the waterfall.
Rugged highland sheep farming valley eight kilometres west of town leading into the canyon
Enjoy sweeping views of glacial river plains stretching to the ocean.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Modern Scandinavian design hotels offering exceptional comfort and panoramic moss views
Ideal base for exploring both the South Coast and Vatnajökull.
Cozy wooden chalets situated in green valleys with private hot tubs
Great choice for families and self-catering travelers.
Practical
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
A Benedictine convent of nuns is established here, giving the town its name (Kirkjubæjarklaustur = Church Farm Convent).
The catastrophic eruption of Laki spews poisonous gases and 14 cubic kilometres of lava, killing a fifth of Iceland's population.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Staggering 27-kilometre chain of 130 volcanic craters formed during the catastrophic 1783 eruption
Take a super-jeep highland expedition into one of Earth's most cataclysmic volcanic sites.
Alpine oasis of birch woods, hanging glaciers and basalt waterfall Svartifoss
Hike trails between immense glacier tongues and ice caves.
