Overview
Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often called Klaustur is a village in South Iceland. With a population of around 160, it is the closest thing to an urban area within a vast municipality called Skaftárhreppur, and it's the only proper service centre on the almost 300km stretch of the ring road between Vík and Höfn.
Understand
Kirkjubæjarklaustur is named after a convent which stood there in Catholic times. Many of the local toponyms are related to nuns, usually referring to sisters, or to the convent itself (klaustur, in Icelandic). In recent centuries, the region has been shaped by catastrophic geological events, including the eruption in nearby Lakagígar (also known as Laki) in 1783-1784 which killed around 25% of the Icelandic population. In more recent years, eruptions under Vatnajökull glacier and the resulting floods have also played a role. However, all this activity also means that the landscape is stunning and often extreme in its beauty and the immediate vicinity of the village is a prosperous agricultural area.
Orienting yourself in Kirkjubæjarklaustur is very simple. Klausturvegur is the road that runs through most of the village, with smaller streets branching out from it. Municipal government website
Get in
Most visitors to Kirkjubæjarklaustur will arrive via the ring road. If you're driving, estimate three to four hours to arrive from Reykjavík, one hour if driving from Vík and two to three from Höfn. Another option, only to be attempted with good 4x4 vehicles and experienced drivers, is to arrive from North Iceland crossing the Interior via Sprengisandur and Skaftártunga.
There is a single bus daily between BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík and Höfn and back, passing through Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Get around
Kirkjubæjarklaustur is tiny and easily covered by foot but to explore the surrounding area, the main reason to go to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a car will be necessary.
See
The village itself does not have many sights of interest. The local church is interesting for its modern architecture and to learn about the history of the 18th century priest Jón Steingrímsson who, according to legend, saved the area from devastation in the massive Skaftáreldar eruption of 1783. The graceful waterfall Systrafoss (Sister falls) overlooks the village, flowing from a lake on top of the small mountain. A climb to the top offers some great views.
Kirkjubæjarstofa. A small research centre, which also houses an exhibition space. Check the website to see if there's anything on.
Do
Kirkjubæjarklaustur sports centre. Like all Icelandic towns and villages, Kirkjubæjarklaustur has a swimming pool with hot pots.
Climb Systrastapi. , a large cliff just west of the village. It is a difficult climb, straight up the vertical face of the cliff, but there are ropes and chains in place to hold on to. Two nuns are said to be buried on top of the cliff. Hike Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. This canyon is 2 km long and up to 100 m deep, with steep walls and winding water. As of May 2019 the canyon was closed for general public.
Buy
There isn't much to be bought in Kirkjubæjarklaustur and apart from the supermarket (mentioned below) there are few stores.
Eat and drink
Given its size, it should come as no surprise that the dining options are relatively limited in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The only supermarket, Kjarval, is found on Klausturvegur 13. Look out for locally-produced arctic char marketed under the name Klausturbleikja.
Skaftárskáli. A gas station by the ring road with a small fast food restaurant. Burgers, hot dogs and the like.
Systrakaffi. A nice, small restaurant/café/bar with a mix of traditional and local food, and the classic international features of pizzas, pastas and burgers. A surprisingly ambitious restaurant, given the size of the village.
Sleep
Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. A mid-scale hotel with a nice restaurant and free wi-fi.
Kirkjubær II camp site. Just outside the village, but within walking distance if you're fit.
Klausturhof. A hostel and guesthouse.
Make Kirkjubæjarklaustur your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 4848313 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2024-03-18. This is not a date of field verification.
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