Camping Beneath Vik’s Iconic Red-Roofed Church
Our first stop on Iceland’s Ring Road brought us to a massive campsite right at the base of Vik’s iconic red-roofed church. Camping in Vik, you’re treated to breathtaking views of the Black Sand Beach and its dramatic sea stacks—a photographer’s dream and a perfect way to start the trip!
A Popular Stop in Vik
Vik is one of the busiest stops along the Ring Road, and arriving on a Saturday meant it was particularly lively. Fortunately, this campsite is enormous and well-equipped to handle the crowds. Its public kitchen, the largest we encountered during our trip, was a lifesaver. Equipped with 8-12 stovetops, electric kettles, and microwaves, it had everything we needed to cook and clean up after our meals.
However, note that the kitchen isn’t open 24/7—it operates from 7:00 AM to about 10:30 PM. So, plan your meals accordingly!
Hot Showers: A Hit and Miss
Showers here are coin-operated, costing 300 ISK for a 5-minute session. There are four showerheads, but no individual stalls for privacy, which might be a downside for some. Since we didn’t have cash, we had to get tokens from the reception using our card. Also, the showers shut down at 10:30 PM, so don’t wait until the last minute to freshen up after a long day of drive!
Compared to the other campsites we stayed at later on, camping in Vik fell short in terms of convenience. Many other campsites offered 24-hour access to facilities, including hot showers, which made late arrivals much easier to manage.
Fees Camping in Vik
The camping fee is 3,000 ISK ($30 USD) per night per person including Wifi, kitchen and dining halls, but not howers.
We stayed here on June 8, just before the peak tourist season. During busier months, the campsite can get crowded, making the already less-than-ideal shower situation even more of a challenge.
Wi-Fi Woes
Like many campsites in Iceland, free Wi-Fi is available but only near the reception area. If staying connected is important, be sure to park or pitch your tent close to the office / dining hall.
Key Highlights
- Spectacular Location: Stunning views of the sea stacks and Black Sand Beach.
- Well-Equipped Kitchen: Perfect for preparing meals, though limited hours could be inconvenient.
- Convenient Amenities: Ample stovetops, kettles, and microwaves (but not open for 24 hours).
Pro Tips for Camping in Vik
- Bring coins for the showers or plan a quick stop at reception to get tokens.
- Arrive early if you want to grab a spot closer to reception for better Wi-Fi access.
- Consider prepping meals during the kitchen’s operating hours to avoid last-minute stress.
Stay tuned for Day 2, where we’ll explore another incredible campsite and share more insights from our Icelandic Ring Road adventure!
About our Rented CamperVan
For an unforgettable Ring Road self-drive adventure, choosing the right campervan rental is key! We compared multiple car rental platforms and websites, carefully considering price, reviews, and overall value, and ultimately chose Lava Car Rental. Our campervan came fully equipped with everything we needed: sleeping bags, a full cooking set including a portable gas stove, brand-new IKEA tableware, a drinking water tank (was filled full at the pickup), a foldable table, and more.
I was initially worried about the cleanliness of the sleeping bags and even brought our own just in case—but that turned out to be unnecessary. The sleeping bags provided were super clean, and the overall experience exceeded our expectations.
Note: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through it—at no extra cost to you. But I’m only recommending Lava Car Rental because we personally rented from them a SUV and later this CamperVan and had a fantastic experience. Their pricing, vehicle quality, and service were excellent, and they even gave us a free upgrade!
