Cape Dyrhólaey is the southernmost point of mainland Iceland, and its small rocky peninsula with a rocky sea gate attracts many travellers to visit. Dyrhólaey lies just off Iceland's most beautiful beach Reynisfjara and the nearest town is Vík í Mýrdal.

Cliffs and rock window

The biggest attraction of the Dyrhólaey area are the cliffs, more than 100 metres high and almost perpendicular. From them, a cliff over 150 metres long with two arches just above sea level juts out into the sea like a small peninsula. These form rock windows or gates and are among the most photogenic places in Iceland.

On top of the cliffs stands a small lighthouse from 1910 with an uncharacteristically square base, white facade and red canopy.

The perpendicular and high cliff faces are a popular nesting ground for migratory birds, attracting tens of thousands of them each year. The birds' cries, along with the roar of the ocean, add to the magical atmosphere of the place.

Dyrholaey Lighthouse

Dyrholaey

Views of the black beaches

Cape Dyrhólaey is surrounded on both sides by long stretches of black volcanic sand beaches that stretch endlessly beyond the horizon.

Directly below the cliffs is the easily accessible Kirkjufjara beach with beautiful views of the cliff gate from sea level. To the west stretches one of Iceland's most famous beaches. Reynisfjara with its iconic basalt formations.

To the east, you'll enjoy views of the difficult-to-access and, at 6km, one of the longest beaches on the south coast, which practically ends at the famous DC-3 plane wreck.

View of Dyrhólaey

How to get there?

The Dyrhólaey cliffs are very accessible by car, with the tarmac road number 218 leading directly to the top of the cliffs to the lighthouse and almost to Kirkjufjara beach, which disconnects from the main Icelandic road number 1 about 6 km away. From Reykjavík, Cape Dyrhólaey is 180 km away (route map: google.com/maps).

The road to the cliffs is passable all year round for all types of cars.