10 Must Visit Churches in Iceland
We spent an amazing 18 days exploring Iceland. The churches in this beautiful country are unique and usually are accompanied by stunning scenery. The churches on this list are in order of us visiting them as we drove clockwise around Iceland.
If you are considering doing a road trip in Iceland, read my 11 Tips for Driving in Iceland.
1 – Reykholt Church
There are two churches on this site, with this church being the oldest, dating back to 1896. The church sits behind its new counterpart and amongst an old cemetery. It is also open to the public.
2 – Budir Black Church
The Budir Black Church is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland and is found on the southern side of the Snaefellsness peninsula. The uniqueness of the Black Church against the rugged Icelandic landscape provides the perfect location for stunning photographs.
3 – Raudasandur Church
The Raudasandur Church sits on the stunning Raudasandur Beach. To get to the beach, located in the Westfjords, you need to take an unsealed road consisting of a number of switch backs. But the drive is definitely worth it as you arrive to this stunning black church and the vast beach.
4 – Holakirkja Catherdral
There has been a church in the town of Holar in northern Iceland since the 11th century. The current cathedral was build in 1763 from the red stones found in the mountain above the town. It is also unique in Iceland as it is the only church in the country that has a free standing bell tower.
5 – Akureyrarkirkja
Akureyrarkirkja is a Lutheran church which sits on top of a hill overlooking Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city. The church was consecrated in 1940. It is an easy walk up the hill from the town centre.
6 – Vik i Myrdal Church
This church sits on a hill overlooking the town of Vik and the stunning black basalt beach. There is also an historical cemetery behind the church. The one disappointing thing to me is that this beautiful church is surrounded by a bitumen car park.
7 – Reyniskirkja Church
Blink and you may just miss this beautiful church. As you turn off the main Ring Road of Iceland just outside of Vik and head to the Black Beach, this old, weather worn church is on the left side of the road. There is a car park just outside so you can pull off the road to have a look around the church and cemetery and take some photos.
8 – Keldur Church (and turf houses)
Keldur is more famous for its historic and UNESCO listed turf houses than for the church, so it is a great opportunity to visit both the houses and the church as they are within the cemetery grounds. The church and houses are not open all year, but even if you visit when they are not open you can wonder the grounds of the cemetery.
9 – Skalholt Church
The Skalholt Church stands tall in an open field. The church is amazing to explore with not only a turf house outside but also a 13th century tunnel that leads to a crypt. Once you have discovered the tunnel and the crypt, stairs lead you up into the church were you find stunning stained glass windows.
10 – Hallgrimskirkja Church
This stunning church, designed in 1937 by the late Gudjon Samuelsson began construction in 1945. When visiting Reykjavik you will see that the church is visible from many parts of the city and you can take a lift to above the clock in the tower for stunning views of the city. The church is also famous for the stunning pipe organ which stands 15 metres tall.
You can find out more details about Hallgrimskirkja Church from the church Hallgrinmskirkja website.
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Taryn
Great list! I’ve been to Iceland twice but I hadn’t actually heard of some of these. You should check out the church in Stykkisholmur. It looks like it was built by aliens!
Lisa
TarynThanks Taryn. There are so many amazing churches in Iceland and they just seem to pop up as you drive around the country. I’ll definitely check out Stykkisholmur.
RIcha
This is a wonderful list! I think I saw two churches when I was there. one obviously in Reykjavik and other in Vik. I would love to see some of the other ones in your post hopefully when I visit next 🙂
Lisa
RIchaThanks Richa. The churches in Reykjavik and Vik are stunning, but it’s amazing the small churches you come across as you drive around Iceland. Some just seem to appear in the middle of literally nowhere.
Cherene Saradar
Love meeting fellow middle age travelers! I had no idea there were so many cool churches. Great phtography!
Lisa
Cherene SaradarHi Cherene. Always great to meet fellow middle age travellers! And Iceland if full of amazing churches.
Mona
I had no idea there were so many amazing churches to see in Iceland! Some of them look totally otherworldly. This is a great list, thanks for sharing!
Lisa
MonaYou are welcome Mona. And I had to exclude a number just to keep the list to 10. There are so many more beautiful ones in Iceland.
Emma
Some of these churches are just beautiful. Most of them so simple but lovely. Looks like you saw a lot of beautiful things and places in your time there
Lisa
EmmaWe had an amazing time Emma. Iceland is stunning and the churches are so quaint.
Pauline
I definitely need to go back to visit these beautiful churches! I’d love to see the one on the Snaefellsness peninsula as we didn’t make it there last time! We saw one on the Reykjanes peninsula that was stunning though!
Lisa
PaulineThe black church is beautiful Pauline. I just loved the look of the churches in Iceland. Some are so simple but so beautiful.
Brianna
Great list of the best churches in Iceland! Iceland has so many cute churches. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a black church before so the one in Snaefellsness looks really neat! I saw only two from this list, the one in Vik and the one in Reykjavik so it looks like I will need to return.
Lisa
BriannaWe saw a lot more too Brianna. But I really liked these and some are so unusual, especially the black churches.
Andrea Peacock
Wow these churches are all so beautiful! I can see why the Budir Black Church is so popular to photograph! I really love the Reyniskirkja Church too. Excellent guide! 🙂
Lisa
Andrea PeacockThanks Andrea. And yes, the Budir Black Church is amazing to see especially on a cloudy day to get those moody photos.