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Dyrholaey
Points of Interest & LandmarksGeologic Formations
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Peninsula of volcanic origin.
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  • Cloud
    1,377 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful view
    Amazing view over a beautiful volcanic beach. Cannot be missed. Interesting for the birds' colony, too. Make sure you are well prepared for extremely strong wing: you need to keep your mobile phone strongly secured in your hands when taking pictures, and still more important, to keep your feet solidly anchored to the ground. The wind will blow you away in the literal sense. Especially if you wish to reach the top from which you can enjoy an amazing view.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 11, 2023
  • Bandit-One
    Lucerne, Switzerland10,512 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magical landscape
    This part of Iceland is famous for of course the Black volcanic sand and the various rock and cliff formations. Here the highlight is the Dyrhólaey arch. Visible from far away and also from the top of the viewing platform. You could walk all the way from here to the cliffs and stacks on the eastern end of the beach. We didn't park at the lighthouse, but at the smaller parking lot down on the east side of the area. It makes a wonderful walk up to the lighthouse. Just about 25mins or so. But with wonderful views all the way up and back down. It does come with a short but steep stair section. But worth it. The landscape is so unique and magical. You feel like you've landed on another planet. The arch is is pretty big and you will get nice views of it from far or from the top. There are visitors by the lighthouse. But if you choose to walk up here, you won't meet many folks. Very nice and peaceful. It was a cloudy and rainy day. But that didn't make it less pretty. On the contrary, it added to the magical mood. Surely a must-do after visiting the black beach.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 25, 2023
  • Martin
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a real gem of a place
    This place is a bit of a secret, it's the closest place to Reykjavik where you can see puffins on the mainland. It's also extremely windy! We parked up by the lighthouse but didn't see any puffins on the cliffs. We drove back down to the lower Eastern car park and saw about 6 puffins on the cliffs only about 20m up, and were able to get within about 5m of them. It wasn't the best time as they are out fishing all day but we were very impressed with the ones we saw (also flying) It's also definitely worth going the short extra distance to Vik, and af course the stunning waterfalls at Sellfoss and Skagafoss.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 12, 2024
  • maapar
    Mount Pleasant, South Carolina968 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning scenery
    Rock formations and the general landscape are gorgeous. It was extremely windy the day we went - it could almost blow you over.Did not see any puffins up close. Could see birds nesting in cliffs
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 25, 2024
  • AK8397
    Ontario, Canada1,050 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Scenery, and lots of it!
    First of all, access to this place is not 24 hours. We had to wait in the morning in line with other cars until the Park Ranger opened the gate at 9:00 a.m. When driving in, you have a choice of 2 parking lots -- one at the top of the hill and one at the bottom. Do both! We went up first to the lighthouse, where we had spectacular views of the coastline, cliffs and sea stacks. There are paths that lead you around. Then drive to the bottom parking lot, where you can continue your exploring lower down. You get a good view of the cliffs, black sand beach and the sea stacks from there. Very interesting geology and sites.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 30, 2024
  • LisaMNUSA
    Saint Paul, Minnesota1,120 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Another beautiful area
    There are two parking areas, and both are free. The lower lot offers views of Reynisfjara Beach, rocks, and an arch. The upper lot provides views of Dyrhólaey Arch. To protect the puffins, Dyrhólaey is not open to the public between 7pm and 9am. I'm not sure if this restriction applies year-round or only during nesting season.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 4, 2024
  • Milla P
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing views
    Views over volcanic black sand beaches and rock formations were really breathtaking beautiful. The lighthouse was also very pretty outside (you cannot get inside). We drove to the upper car park but the road is very steep, lower parking place would have been much easier in bad weather. The place is very windy. We saw puffins but not very close. Absolutely worth visiting, amazing views!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 14, 2024
  • Justin R
    Lino Lakes, Minnesota372 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Puffins and Endless Views
    We came here on a beautiful afternoon in June. We only went to the lower parking lot and didn't go to the lighthouse but we didn't need to go anywhere else. There were multiple spots where we were able to spot Puffins up really close. The views of Black Sand Beach are spectacular. We spend a while just watching the waves crash along the cliffs.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 24, 2024
  • Marbles20
    Calgary, Canada299 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An absolute must do, a few tips in the review
    Absolutely a must-do! Go up the lookout for the best view of the black sand beaches, crashing waves and best of all (in the summer) - puffins! Note - it was VERY windy up on the lookout (and on the beach)....dress in layers and watch the edges (no guards along the look out cliffs in many areas). Abundant parking (free). Recommend binoculars to get great views of the puffins on the cliffs, flying around and training the pufflings in the water below. Go early in the morning for a quieter experience as this is a very popular spot.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 26, 2024
  • 709andrewf
    London, United Kingdom93 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good views and friendly puffins.
    Dyrhólaey is an interesting place and worth the short diversion off Route 1. The highlight for us was a very close encounter with Puffins. Here you can get within a few metres of nesting Puffins who seem oblivious to your presence. Charming birds they are too!
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,014 reviews
Excellent
1,432
Very good
475
Average
100
Poor
4
Terrible
3

Anders&Helen
Aarhus, Denmark7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
Beauty: 5/5
Mystery: 5/5
Wildness: 2/5
The view of these arches clashing with the Atlantic Ocean will take your breath away, in the same way as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles took our breath away in Frozen.
He stole Anna's heart like this place stole ours.
He broke it just as the waves break before hitting the dark rock.
Would recommend to a friend.
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melodie
Coquitlam, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul B
Alton, UK301 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AdmiralGanteaume
Wilmette, IL139 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
There are two wonderful turn-offs from route 1 in this area of Southern Iceland, only a few miles apart—this one, on 218, and the route to the even more photographed black sands on 215. You would think that the view of the arch on this amazing promontory would be invisible if you climbed up on top of it, but climb to the top, and voila! You get actually that classic shot from on high. It’s a wonderful hike up—not too tough—and as others have said, point your camera in any direction and succeed. We were there on a sort of gloomy spitting rain of a day and it was still majestic. Sure it’s touristy but do not miss this one!
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NomadicTraveller7
Fuerteventura12,050 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
The Rough Guide says that Dyrhólaey ‘is a beautiful place to watch the sea on a sunny day’ and it was just that even when it as cloudy when we visited. It is supposed to be a seabird nature reserve and people have written about seeing puffins there, but we saw few birds apart from male eiders when we were there in mid-June. Perhaps we needed to go higher up the cliff to see them. There was, however, great views over the black beach of Reynisfjshevri and some of the offshore stacks. There is an incredible arch that I will attach pictures of. It is not too long a diversion to visit – 30 minutes maximum unless you want to explore further by taking the path of the hill/cliffs.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Swissshamoo
Bern, Switzerland178 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Really an amazing spot o see the impressive coastline.
Just be careful with the wind. It is so strong that can push you couple of steps Forward. A wonderfull place to try your drone, and see it crashing without control.
Indeed, we laugh a lot looking the sad faces of the undisciplined drone pilots.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anita N
14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
We had a beautiful cloudless day and had stayed in Vik the night before so we decided to watch the sunrise from the lighthouse - it was so peacefull and serene. Was lovely watching the sunrise over the ocean and the ice on the mountains of the Katla Geopark turn pink with the sunrise. Lovely experience would highly recommend
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bskramer
The Villages, FL320 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
On the day my daughter and I visited Dyrholaey Headland, it was extremely windy. Our tour stopped here to view the black sand beaches and rock formations. I can imagine that on a normal day, the views would be spectacular and this would be a great, scenic stop. On the day we visited it was difficult to stand against the blowing wind. We explored a few of the trails, but we were so cold that we did not venture onto the the trails that led to higher elevations. If you visit, be careful about where you drive. The view from the high point was too windy for many vehicles. Definitely consider this stop when touring southern Iceland, but check the weather conditions first.
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carrie0693
Madison, AL2,029 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We got to see many many puffins. This is a must stop! And the views were amazing all around. I advise you to wear a wind breaker. It was hard at times to hold your camera still. If you notice a crowd of people make sure you head there quickly because the puffins will be there and might fly away to the ocean and stay a while like they did when we were there.

Add this location as a stopping point if you wish to see Puffins.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marbles20
Calgary, Canada299 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Friends
Absolutely a must-do! Go up the lookout for the best view of the black sand beaches, crashing waves and best of all (in the summer) - puffins!

Note - it was VERY windy up on the lookout (and on the beach)....dress in layers and watch the edges (no guards along the look out cliffs in many areas).

Abundant parking (free).

Recommend binoculars to get great views of the puffins on the cliffs, flying around and training the pufflings in the water below.

Go early in the morning for a quieter experience as this is a very popular spot.
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Dyrholaey - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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