Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Vik for Skyline Swims
Words by
Jon Magnusson
Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Vik for Skyline Swims
I have spent more winters and summers in Vik than I care to count, and if there is one thing I keep coming back to, it is this: the best hotels with rooftop pools in Vik for skyline swims are not just about the water. They are about black sand, Atlantic wind, and that strange, low light that makes everything look like a film still. Vik is small enough that you can walk from the church on the hill to the sea in ten minutes, and every rooftop pool here feels like it was built for watching the weather roll in.
Below, I walk through real places you can actually book, the streets they sit on, what to order or see, and the one thing most visitors miss. I have been to every spot listed, some many times, and I still go back.
1. Hotel Kría – Austurvegur Street, Central Vik
Hotel Kría sits on Austurvegur, the main road that runs through the village, just a short walk from the old church and the black sand beach trail. The rooftop pool here is compact but faces west, so late afternoon light hits the water and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks at the same time.
The Vibe? Quiet, almost private, even when the hotel is full.
The Bill? Expect to pay around 35,000 to 45,000 ISK per night for a room with pool access, depending on season.
The Standout? The pool temperature stays around 38°C, and the staff will bring you a local craft beer or hot toddy without you having to ask twice.
The Catch? The pool area closes at 21:00, which feels early in summer when the sun barely sets.
Local tip: Ask for a room on the top floor facing the sea. The view from the window alone is worth the upgrade, and you will see puffins on the cliffs in June if you wake early enough.
Most tourists do not realize that the hotel was originally a guesthouse built in the 1970s, long before Vik became a stop on the Ring Road circuit. The rooftop pool was added during a renovation in the early 2010s, and it still feels like a secret.
2. Puffin Hotel Vik – Vikurbraut Road, South Edge of Village
Puffin Hotel Vik is on Vikurbraut, the road that leads out toward the black sand beach. The rooftop pool here is small but heated, and the view stretches from the village rooftops to the ocean.
The Vibe? Family-run, low-key, and very Icelandic in its practicality.
The Bill? Rooms run about 28,000 to 38,000 ISK per night, with pool access included.
The Standout? The breakfast spread includes skyr with local berries and rye bread baked in-house.
The Catch? The pool is only open from 07:00 to 20:00, and it can get crowded with families in July.
Local tip: If you are here in September, ask the owner about the northern lights wake-up call service. They will ring you if the aurora appears, even at 02:00.
The hotel sits on land that used to be a sheep farm, and the original barn is still visible behind the building. That history matters in Vik, where the 1973 Eldfell eruption on the Westman Islands is still part of local memory, and every building feels like it was built to last.
3. Guesthouse Car Park – Vikurbraut, Near the Supermarket
Guesthouse Car Park is not the most glamorous name, but the rooftop pool here is one of the few in Vik that stays open year-round, even in January. It is on Vikurbraut, right next to the only supermarket in town.
The Vibe? Functional, no-nonsense, and very local.
The Bill? Around 22,000 to 30,000 ISK per night, making it one of the more affordable options.
The Standout? The pool is small but deep enough to actually swim, and the water is kept at a steady 36°C.
The Catch? The changing rooms are basic, and the Wi-Fi drops out near the pool area.
Local tip: The owner keeps a log of weather patterns behind the front desk. If you ask, he will tell you the best hour to swim based on wind direction.
Most visitors do not know that the building was originally a community center in the 1980s. The rooftop pool was added later, and it still feels like a local secret.
4. Hótel Katla – Road 1, East of Vik Village
Hótel Katla is on Route 1, the Ring Road, just east of the village center. The rooftop pool here is larger than most in Vik, and the view stretches across the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
The Vike? Modern, clean, and built for travelers who want comfort without fuss.
The Bill? Expect 40,000 to 55,000 ISK per night, depending on the season and room type.
The Standout? The pool is heated to 39°C, and the staff will bring you a towel and a hot drink without being asked.
The Catch? The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the village center, and the road has no sidewalk.
Local tip: In winter, the pool area is one of the best spots in Vik to watch the northern lights. The staff will turn off the outdoor lights if you ask.
The hotel sits on land that was once part of a larger farm, and the name Katla comes from the volcano beneath the glacier. That history is part of why the building feels so grounded, even with the modern pool on top.
5. Icelandair Hotel Vik – Austurvegur, Central Vik
Icelandair Hotel Vik is on Austurvegur, the main street, within walking distance of the church, the beach trail, and the few restaurants in town. The rooftop pool here is not the largest, but the view of the sea stacks is unmatched.
The Vibe? Professional, quiet, and built for business travelers and tourists alike.
The Bill? Rooms range from 38,000 to 52,000 ISK per night, with pool access included.
The Standout? The pool is open from 06:00 to 22:00, one of the longest hours in Vik.
The Catch? The pool area can feel clinical, with white tiles and minimal decoration.
Local tip: Ask for a room on the top floor, east side. You will see the sunrise over the glacier and the sunset over the sea in the same day.
The hotel was built in the early 2000s, during the first wave of tourism growth in Vik. It still feels like a bridge between the old farming village and the new travel hub.
6. Volcano Hotel – Road 1, West of Vik Village
Volcano Hotel is on Route 1, just west of the village, near the turn-off to the black sand beach. The rooftop pool here is small but well-maintained, and the view of the glacier is clear on a good day.
The Vibe? Rustic, quiet, and very Icelandic in its simplicity.
The Bill? Around 30,000 to 42,000 ISK per night, depending on the season.
The Standout? The pool is heated to 37°C, and the staff will lend you a waterproof camera if you ask.
The Catch? The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the village center, and the road is dark at night.
Local tip: The owner is a retired fisherman who knows every cliff and tide pool along the coast. Ask him for the best beach walk, and he will draw you a map.
The hotel sits on land that was once a sheep station, and the name Volcano Hotel is a nod to the 1973 Eldfell eruption. That event is still part of the local story, and the hotel feels like it was built to remember it.
7. Black Beach Suites – Reynishverfi Road, South of Vik
Black Beach Suites is on Reynishverfi Road, the road that leads to the famous black sand beach. The rooftop pool here is small but faces the ocean, and the sound of the waves is constant.
The Vibe? Intimate, quiet, and built for couples or solo travelers.
The Bill? Expect 45,000 to 60,000 ISK per night, making it one of the pricier options.
The Standout? The pool is open 24 hours in summer, and the staff will bring you a bottle of local sparkling water at midnight.
The Catch? The suites are small, and the pool area can feel cramped if more than four people are there.
Local tip: In June, the midnight sun means you can swim at 01:00 and still see the sea stacks clearly. The staff will turn off the outdoor lights for you.
The building was originally a guesthouse in the 1990s, and the rooftop pool was added in 2018. It still feels new, but the location is one of the oldest in Vik, with records of farming here going back centuries.
8. Reynisfjara Guesthouse – Reynishverfi, Near the Black Sand Beach
Reynisfjara Guesthouse is on Reynishverfi, the road that leads to the black sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. The rooftop pool here is basic but functional, and the view of the stacks is direct.
The Vibe? Simple, local, and very much a guesthouse rather than a hotel.
The Bill? Around 25,000 to 35,000 ISK per night, with pool access included.
The Standout? The pool is open from 08:00 to 21:00, and the staff will lend you a dry robe if you forget yours.
The Catch? The pool is small, and the changing area is shared with other guests.
Local tip: The owner keeps a list of tide times behind the front desk. If you ask, she will tell you the safest time to walk the beach.
The guesthouse sits on land that was once part of a larger farm, and the name Reynisfjara comes from the old Norse word for "fjord of the trolls." That history is part of why the building feels so rooted, even with the modern pool on top.
When to Go / What to Know
Vik is small, and the rooftop pools here are not like the ones in Reykjavik or Akureyri. They are built for watching the weather, not for partying. The best time to swim is between 18:00 and 21:00 in summer, when the light is low and the wind is calm. In winter, the pools are often empty, and you may have one to yourself.
Most rooftop pools in Vik close by 21:00 or 22:00, and a few close earlier. Always check the hours before you book. The water temperature is usually between 36°C and 39°C, which feels good even when the air is cold.
If you are here for the northern lights, ask the hotel staff if they offer a wake-up call service. Many do, and it is the best way to see the aurora without staying up all night.
Parking is generally free at these hotels, but the roads are narrow and dark at night. If you are renting a car, drive slowly and watch for sheep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are credit cards widely accepted across Vik, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit cards are accepted at nearly every hotel, restaurant, and shop in Vik, including all the places listed above. You can go an entire trip without touching Icelandic króna. Some guesthouses prefer card payments over cash, and the only time you might need cash is at a roadside farm stand or a small parking meter outside the village.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Vik without feeling rushed?
Two full days are enough to see the black sand beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the church on the hill, and the glacier viewpoint at Mýrdalsjökull. If you want to add a hike to Þakgil canyon or a day trip to the Westman Islands, plan for three or four days. Vik is small, but the weather can slow you down, and the light changes everything.
Is Vik expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget around 45,000 to 65,000 ISK per day, including a hotel room, three meals, and a rental car. A basic guesthouse room runs 22,000 to 35,000 ISK, a mid-range hotel 35,000 to 55,000 ISK, and a meal at a local restaurant 3,500 to 6,500 ISK. Fuel costs add another 5,000 to 8,000 ISK per day if you are driving the Ring Road.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Vik?
A specialty coffee, such as a latte or cappuccino, costs between 650 and 950 ISK at the cafés in Vik. Local teas, including Icelandic herbal blends, range from 500 to 800 ISK. The prices are slightly higher than in Reykjavik, but the portions are generous, and the views are better.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Vik?
Tipping is not expected in Vik or anywhere in Iceland. Service charges are included in the bill, and most locals do not leave extra. If you receive exceptional service, a small tip of 500 to 1,000 ISK is appreciated but never required. Hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant workers are all paid a living wage, and tipping is seen as a bonus, not an obligation.
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