Top 13 things to do and attractions in Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Cool view over the city and the waterfall from up there, beautiful easy hike.

Incredible ! Straight up and then down but wow once you’re up there. Really enjoyed the climb too, rare trees on a trail

Awesome little hike to the top of the waterfall. Such a pleasant surprise. Great view from the top of the surrounding area. Definitely worth the stop. Free parking

Moderate hike to the top that was WELL worth it. Despite the nearby campsite being packed, we were the only ones on this trail and at the top! We opted for the out and back option, and while the stairs are quite steep, it’s not long by any means with incredible panoramic views and edible, wild berries while you rest at the top.

Such a striking waterfall seen from the Ring Road. We didnt take the time to try to get closer but it is most absolutely photoworthy. I read that it can dry up in summer months which seems nearly impossible to conceive when you see this amazing flow. There is a trail to the waterfall which is accessed via Road 205 off the Ring Road.

This was right by our hotel, it was so fun to hike up to, drink from the water, and enjoy the view.

Short but steep hike, probably 25 minutes to the top, amazing views

In local language it’s called church floor. Though there was no church at all. Its is strange rock formation. Million years ago there was lava flow from the near by mountain. As the sea at that time was near the water covered the area soon after the deposition. Then due to the rapid cooling the rock ( basalt type) solidified quickly and crystallised in the typical form. The crystallised rock is within the soil and only the up portion is visible as such. Any one can spend 10 minutes here and take pictures. This a curious sight only for common people aside geologists.

No that much to see, but still very interesting and only a small wal away from the parking lot. A free parking lot! Time to spend: no more then a few minutes. Looks, like a lot of things in Iceland, not out of this world.

Very cool structure leftover by volcanoes. Not far off the main road and short walk to the site. Easy stop on a day trip of sight seeing.

🌍 Explore, Taste, and Travel with Us! Follow our adventures and food journeys on Insta: vibrant_wanderer_rhythm Not a necessary stop really. It is the ruins of a church. Though the small piece of land/ rocks is beautiful and is on the way with a small 500 m detour, would not say it’s a necessary stop to make. Happy exploring

Cool rock formation. Easy walk in. Only a few minutes and mostly flat. Free parking.

Neat to see. Worth the stop if you're driving by. Free parking and short walk

Fantastic landscaping in this place,all naturally land and blue sky!love this country!2025/11/15

Impressive waterfall. Free car park a short walk away (like 1 minute of walking). Not busy at all, I don't think maybe people know of it but it's a really nice spot to stop just off of the main road.

A charming two-tiered waterfall on the Stjórn river, with a total drop of about 10 m, the lower level often appearing wider and more dramatic. The upper tier cascades gently down a vol­canic slope—only visible from a distance—while the lower plunge falls over a basalt “tongue” for a beautiful, symmetrical flow . Just ~1 km off Route 203, reached from a roundabout in Kirkjubæjarklaustur via a well-marked gravel road. Parking is available at the bridge and campground . Only a 100–200 m walk from parking, on a clear, slightly uneven path—great for a quick detour along the Ring Road . Open year-round and ideal as a refreshing stop en route to or from Skaftafell, Fjaðrárgljúfur, and other southern highlights . A peaceful hidden gem: fewer visitors, serene ambiance, and perfect for a tranquil experience . •   Photogenic in early morning or late afternoon light; recommended wearing sturdy footwear for slick terrain . •   Ideal picnic, light hike, or even a night under the stars at the nearby Kleifar campsite . Best Time Spring to early summer for lush green surroundings; summer light best for photos  Stjórnarfoss may not be colossal, but its intimate scale, two-tiered structure, and peaceful setting make it an underappreciated gem—perfect for those who appreciate serene moments in Iceland’s south. Whether as a refreshing stop on a grand road trip or a calm retreat amid more crowded attractions, it delivers beauty, ease, and tranquility.

Gorgeous toned down waterfall. I went for sunrise and the atmosphere was absolutely incredible!

Easy to park for free. In middle of November is beautiful, is semi frozen.

Fantastic secret gem. The pool below and the river were perfect for a secluded swim. The water was warmer than expected

Cute, not so known waterfall on the way to Höfn, must stop. Free parking nearby.

Beautiful waterfall, tucked away in a peaceful little nook

One of Iceland’s most striking and photogenic canyons — a winding, moss-covered masterpiece carved by the Fjaðrá River over thousands of years. Located near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, this 2-kilometer-long and up to 100-meter-deep canyon looks almost unreal, like something out of a fantasy movie (and in fact, it’s featured in Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You” video, which brought it sudden fame). The first thing that strikes you upon arrival is the scale — the canyon’s steep, mossy walls twist and turn dramatically as the river snakes below. Walking along the marked path above gives you breathtaking views from multiple vantage points, each one better than the last. The best viewpoints are toward the end of the trail, where the canyon opens up beautifully and you can see the river cascading down from the highlands. Because of its sudden rise in popularity, parts of the canyon have been closed at times to allow the delicate moss to recover from heavy foot traffic. Visitors are urged to stay on the marked trails and respect closures to help preserve this fragile landscape. Even with these restrictions, there’s still plenty of beauty to take in safely and respectfully. The weather here can shift quickly, and mist or light rain only adds to the canyon’s mystique — though it also makes the paths slippery, so good footwear is essential. Parking is free and conveniently located near the trailhead, and the hike itself is relatively easy, taking about 30–40 minutes round-trip depending on how often you stop to take photos (which, honestly, will be often). Fjaðrárgljúfur perfectly captures Iceland’s blend of drama and serenity — a place where nature’s artistry is on full display. It’s easy to see why it’s become such a beloved spot for travelers, photographers, and anyone who wants to feel small in the best possible way.

It's an easy hike with a few observation points along the way. It doesn't take long to see ot all. Yet another beautiful, though small canyon with great colors, rock formations, and a couple of waterfalls at the head.

Unbelievably beautiful! Would highly recommend to come early in the morning to see the sunrise! One of the most beautiful places ever!!

Absolutely stunning place! The canyon is breathtaking and 100% worth a visit! Parking costs a small fee 1000isk - I recommend parking at the top, where you’ll find the viewing platform with the best views. The toilet at the lower parking area was closed between 12:30 and 17:00, but everything else was clean and well maintained. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but the beauty of nature makes up for it! Afterwards, continue on the F206 - a dreamy off-road adventure and pure Iceland vibes! 🚐

Beautiful, great canyon. Definitely worth a visit. Gravel path up the side of the canyon as you park at the bottom (paid parking). Views are amazing across the landscape. There are a few viewpoints at the top into the canyon.

Undeniably beautiful but Pretty crowded spot. And the cat walk bottle necks to the best views so you’ll probably find lineup of people trying to get photos

We stumbled into this spot, not knowing what awaited us, and we were all stunned at the scale of the canyon. Even the valley the canyon sits within is beautiful in its own right. We parked at the top parking site along F206, which is free, but the road is very rough. (7 Aug 2024)

It’s on the southern Iceland. It’s a low height rock with strange formation. Lava once cooled down to form this. The upper side is irregular but at the bottom its typical of basalt crystal. Some of the column has fallen over time and from these the idea of the base can be made. Almost 15 - 20 minute is required to walk encircling around this. There is a collection of some trees in one side of the rock. At the near by there is a small fall also. This is a nice place for visiting half an hour.

Get up close to dwarf-sized cliffs of basalt columns and enjoy a short loop hike. Nice stop along the ring road with no fees (also no wc).

A cool little spot to stop. A little underwhelming, but not bad. There's a short loop trail you can take. You can also get a view with columns on both sides, and a waterfall in the middle. Nothing to drive out of the way for, but since it's right on the main road it's worth a stop.

A short stop to take a walk around the two rock formations, interesting and definitely worth it. Small free parking at the spot.

Beautiful and peaceful. Definitely worth a visit. It's a very quick loop walk, with practically very little elevation. No serious hiking boots necessary. You get to see the Icelandic wonderous rock formation up close without crowds. Loved it!

Nice view. Table and stools below. Nice snack time.

Beautiful and peaceful place, it's located right next to main road - yet it's easy to miss, as you can't really see anything interesting there, while passing by. There's small parking lot, from which a path will lead you down to interesting basalt rock formations, called "Dwarf Cliffs", on the left side from parking lot there are two picnic tables, perfect place to enjoy your breakfast while being surrounded by beautiful Icelandic nature.

Foss á Síðu is a beautiful waterfall right next to the Ring Road, cascading gracefully down a cliff. It is located on private property, so you cannot go up close, but it looks stunning even from the road. A quick but memorable stop with a fairytale-like charm.

Beautiful waterfall. Would someone please bring this cute dog some tennis balls? He loves to fetch the rocks. I bet he will really love tennis balls more.

Our visit to Foss á Síðu was an enchanting highlight of our journey through southern Iceland—a place where nature, history, and legend intertwine in breathtaking fashion. Located just off Route 1 near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Foss á Síðu is incredibly easy to access: as you drive east from Vik, you'll spot the waterfall cascading dramatically down a sheer cliff just before the turnoff to Dverghamrar (the famous dwarf cliffs). A small parking area sits directly beside the road, and the view from there is already picture-perfect—no hike required. The waterfall, fed by the spring-fed lake Þórutjörn above, tumbles gracefully down a cliff face that’s been shaped over millennia by glacial and volcanic forces. But what makes Foss á Síðu truly unforgettable is its folklore. According to Icelandic legend, the cliffs near the waterfall were once home to a troublesome spirit or vættur, and when a local farmer's wife hung a magic book from the rafters of their nearby turf house, the spirit vanished—bringing peace to the area. Some versions even speak of hidden people (huldufólk) who live behind the falls and guard its serene waters. Whether you're drawn by its easy roadside access, its serene beauty, or the whispers of ancient myth in the air, Foss á Síðu offers a moment of reflection and wonder in the heart of Iceland’s dramatic landscape.

YOU NEED TO STOP HERE. The actual waterfall is on private property but you can get a good picture. STOP FOR THE DOG there was this adorable dog that lives on the private property that plays fetch with rocks, highlight of the trip.

The waterfall was nice but we couldn't get any closer, the road is blocked. If this is on the way, might as well, otherwise it's not worth it.

Great surprise waterfall visit with bonus dog love! West driveway (not one that says private) has small parking area with view of waterfall, stream and adorable dog. @jerryinfrontofthings

Nice place to quick stop, you can see it from car. Big waterfall and his little brother next to him. No parking fees

Very slippery... Even with good shoes, I fell many times. The Friðland að Fjallabaki sight is more welcoming !

Really interesting. Looks like an entirely different planet or time. Not a lot to see, but a great stop and a great view.

(Translated by Google) A unique place in Iceland. Huge fields covered with moss. Unesco monument. (Original) Jedinečné místo na Islandu. Obrovské lány porostlé mechem. Památka Unesco.

(Translated by Google) View of a lava field covered in Moss Beautiful, organized and neat here with an explanation of this special moss. The formations are imaginative. (Original) תצפית על שדה לבה מכוסה ב Moss יפה, מאורגן ומסודר כאן עם הסבר על הטחב המיוחד הזה. התצורות מפעילות את הדימיון.ן

(Translated by Google) Free visit to the lava fields. Very interesting, especially if the day is clear (no rain). (Original) Visitação aos campos de lava gratuita. Muito interessante principalmente se o dia estiver aberto (sem chuva).

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place please take care of the tundra (Original) 漂亮的地方 請愛護苔原

Picturesque waterfall, just after the first 'medium-sized' river crossing on F206 heading to Laki craters.

The drive itself is an adventure, you'll cross multiple ponds and rivers to get there, in October the last river pass wasn't smooth or easy, a land cruise was able to make it, the waterfall is wonderful, peaceful location there was no other people in the morning.

Giving it 5 stars because of the pictures shared by everyone, but we didn't make it there. On our way there, on F206 from Fagrifoss, there are two fords to cross as of September 22, 2022. The first one was questionable for our low 4x4 Suzuki, but we made it through. The second one was disheartening. We didn't want to risk driving through it, in case, the water is not shallow enough. We turned around and came back to the first triple waterfall to snap more pictures. Overall, it was a beautiful drive though.

This was a very impressive waterfall! The day we went was WAY to windy but it was an easy hike from the lot and it was well worth the sight! If you have the time you can even hike down into the canyon but it's a long one.

Wow .... Sometimes just a word speaks a lot and this place is something like that. Not many visitors... Limited site silence around... nature surround! Way to craters I'm here the narrator... Trying as orator! Note: 4*4 vec mandatory Try only if you a person to enjoy the nature's beauty and experience it's wonders and not merely a visitor visiting on reviews, if so you may find the journey fearful as a monster land especially if you are traveling ahead towards laki.

Beautiful drive to get here with two river crossings and what a reward! "Epic," "amazing" and "awesome" are pale words besides this beauty. One powerful waterfall that is almost frighteningly intense.

deep soft moss everywhere, magnificent waterfall view, but not very quick and easy road there