Best Rooftop Bars in Vik for Sunset Drinks and City Views

Vik is a small village on Iceland's south coast, and when people ask me about the best rooftop bars in Vik, I usually start by being honest: this is not Reykjavik. There are no glass-walled sky bars Vik can claim in the traditional sense, no multi-story cocktail lounges with DJs spinning until 2 a.m. What Vik does have, though, is something far more raw and honest. The outdoor bars Vik offers are built into the landscape itself, perched on clifftops, tucked into guesthouse terraces, and spread across hotel rooftops where the Atlantic wind hits your face and the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar glow in the last light. I have spent more evenings than I can count sitting in these spots, and what follows is the real guide, the one I hand to friends when they arrive with sunset on their minds.

The View from Hotel Katla's Terrace

Hotel Katla sits on the eastern edge of Vik, just off the main road as you drive in from the direction of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Their terrace is not a rooftop in the architectural sense, but it functions as one of the best outdoor bars Vik has for watching the sun drop behind the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The wooden deck extends toward the mountains, and on a clear evening, the ice cap turns pink and then violet. I have sat there in late June when the sun barely dips below the horizon, and the light just keeps going, soft and endless.

Order the local craft beer from Einstök if they have it on tap, or go for a Brennivín with a splash of Appelsín, the classic Icelandic combination. The bar staff here are mostly seasonal workers from Europe, and they tend to rotate every few months, but the manager, a woman named Sigríður, has been there for years. She knows every regular by name. The best time to arrive is between 9 and 10 p.m. in midsummer, when the light is at its most dramatic. Most tourists eat dinner here and leave without ever stepping onto the terrace, which is a mistake. The food is decent, but the real reason to come is what happens outside after the plates are cleared.

One detail that catches people off guard: the wind. Even on calm days, the terrace catches a breeze coming off the glacier, and I have seen napkins, coasters, and once an entire tablecloth take flight. Bring a layer, always. This is Vik, not the Mediterranean.

Ströndin Bistro and the Rooftop Deck Above

Ströndin Bistro sits on the main street of Vik, Víkurbraut, just a short walk from the church that sits on the hill above town. The restaurant itself is well known for its lamb and Arctic char, but what most visitors miss is the small rooftop deck accessible from the back staircase. It seats maybe twelve people, and it faces west toward the sea stacks. I discovered it by accident years ago when I was looking for a quiet place to make a phone call and found myself standing above the roofline with Reynisdrangar directly in front of me.

The drinks menu upstairs is the same as downstairs, so you are looking at Icelandic craft beers, a solid selection of whiskeys, and the house cocktails that rotate with the seasons. I usually order a Gullfoss gin and tonic here because the botanicals pair well with the salt air. The best evening to come is a Thursday in July or August, when the restaurant is busy but the rooftop deck remains relatively quiet. Weekends get louder downstairs, and the noise carries up.

What most people do not know is that the deck was originally built as a maintenance access point for the roof. Someone in the early 2010s realized the view was wasted on a ladder and a few planks of wood, and the deck was added. It still has that improvised quality, which I like. It feels like a secret, even though it is technically open to anyone who asks. The one complaint I will offer is that the railing is low, and if you have had a few drinks, you should be careful leaning. There is no netting, no secondary barrier. Just you and a long drop.

The Puffin Hotel Vik's Upper Lounge

The Puffin Hotel Vik is located on the western side of the village, closer to the black sand beaches. Their upper lounge has a set of windows that face the ocean, and while it is technically an indoor space, the large open terrace attached to it functions as one of the more reliable sky bars Vik locals recommend when the weather cooperates. The terrace is small, maybe eight chairs, and it fills up fast on clear evenings.

I have spent several August nights here watching puffins fly past at eye level. The hotel keeps a pair of binoculars on the table, left there by a guest years ago and never removed. The staff will bring you a plate of smoked lamb and a glass of Víking beer, and you can sit for hours without being rushed. The best time to arrive is just before sunset, around 10 p.m. in July, and stay until the light fades. The bar closes at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends, so plan accordingly.

The insider detail here is that the Puffin Hotel was originally a fishing lodge built in the 1960s, and the upper floor was added in the 1990s when tourism started to pick up. The original stone foundation is still visible in the basement, and if you ask the owner, he will show you photographs from the old days when Vik was barely a dot on the map. The one drawback is that the Wi-Fi signal on the terrace is weak, and if you need to check something on your phone, you will have to go back inside. But honestly, that is the point of being up there.

Halldór's Place on the Hill

Halldór's Place is not a bar in the traditional sense. It is a guesthouse on the hill above Vik's famous church, and Halldór himself keeps a small outdoor seating area with a view that rivals any rooftop bar in the country. He serves coffee, homemade kleinur, and sometimes a bottle of Brennivín if the mood strikes him. I first came here in 2016 when I was walking back from Dyrhólaey and stopped to catch my breath. Halldór was sitting outside, and he waved me over. That was seven years ago, and I have been back every summer since.

There is no menu, no set hours, and no sign out front. You find Halldór's Place by asking at the gas station in the center of Vik, and someone will point you up the hill. The best time to come is late afternoon, around 5 or 6 p.m., when the light is golden and the church casts a long shadow across the grass. Halldór will tell you stories about growing up in Vik when the road to Reykjavik took two days, and about the 1990s when the first tour buses started arriving. He is one of the last people who remembers what this place was like before Instagram.

The one thing I will say is that Halldór does not advertise, and he does not want to. If you go, be respectful. This is his home, not a business. Bring a small gift if you can, a bottle of something from the duty-free at Keflavik, and do not stay past dark unless he invites you to. The view from his porch, looking out over the village and the ocean beyond, is one of the best in Vik, and it costs nothing but a conversation.

The Vik Campground Fire Pit Circle

This is the most unconventional entry on this list, but I am including it because it is one of my favorite outdoor bars Vik has to offer. The Vik campground, located on the eastern edge of the village near the river, has a communal fire pit area where travelers gather in the evenings. There is no roof, no walls, no menu. But there is a view of the mountains, and someone always has a guitar, and the beer comes from the small shop at the campground office.

I have met more interesting people here than at any actual bar in Vik. A couple from Germany who had been driving the ring road for three months. A solo traveler from Japan who was photographing every church in Iceland. A family from Minnesota who had never seen a midnight sun. The fire pit is lit every evening from June through August, and the campground staff keep a supply of wood and kindling. The best time to arrive is around 10 p.m., when the sun is low and the light is perfect for photographs.

The local tip here is to bring your own drinks from the Vínbúðin in Reykjavik or the small selection at the N1 gas station in Vik. The campground shop carries the basics, but the selection is limited. Also, the fire pit area can get crowded on weekends in July, and the noise level rises accordingly. If you want a quieter experience, come on a weekday. The one complaint is that the mosquitoes can be fierce in late June and early July, especially near the river. Bring repellent, or you will be eaten alive.

The Iða Guesthouse Balcony

Iða Guesthouse is on the main street, just west of the center of Vik, and their upper balcony overlooks the rooftops of the village with the mountains rising behind. It is a small space, maybe six chairs, and it is technically reserved for guests, but if you knock on the front desk and ask politely, they will sometimes let you sit up there for a drink. I have done this on several occasions, and the staff have always been friendly about it.

The drinks come from the small bar inside, and the selection is basic, beer, wine, and a few spirits. I usually order a glass of red wine and a plate of cheese and crackers. The best time to come is early evening, around 7 or 8 p.m., when the light is soft and the village is quiet. The balcony faces east, so you are looking at the mountains rather than the ocean, but the view is still stunning, especially in winter when the peaks are covered in snow.

What most people do not know is that Iða was originally a general store, built in the 1940s, and the upper floor was used for storage. The guesthouse conversion happened in the 1980s, and the balcony was added then. You can still see the old loading hooks on the exterior wall if you look closely. The one drawback is that the balcony is not heated, and even in summer, the temperature drops quickly after sunset. Bring a jacket, and do not expect to stay past 10 p.m. unless the weather is unusually warm.

The Black Sand Beach at Reynisfjara

I know this is not a bar, but hear me out. The black sand beach at Reynisfjara, just west of Vik on the main road, is one of the best places in Iceland to sit with a drink and watch the sun set. I have done this more times than I can count, and it never gets old. The basalt columns, the sea stacks, the waves crashing against the shore. It is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, and it is free.

Bring a thermos of something warm, coffee or tea, or a can of beer from the gas station. Find a spot on the sand, away from the waterline, and sit. The best time to arrive is about an hour before sunset, which in midsummer means around 11 p.m. The light lingers for hours, and the colors shift from gold to pink to deep blue. The best day to come is a weekday, when the beach is less crowded. Weekends in July and August can be packed with tour buses.

The local tip here is to never turn your back on the ocean. The sneaker waves at Reynisfjara are legendary, and people have been swept out to sea. Stay well above the waterline, and do not go near the cliffs on the eastern side of the beach. The one complaint is that the sand gets everywhere, in your shoes, your bag, your hair. It is fine-grained volcanic basalt, and it is almost impossible to fully remove. Bring a plastic bag for your belongings, and do not wear anything you care about.

The Vik Church Hill at Sunset

The church in Vik, Víðirkirkja, sits on a hill at the eastern end of the village, and the grassy slope below it is one of the best sunset spots in the south of Iceland. I have been coming here for years, and it never fails. The church itself is small and white, a classic Icelandic design, and the view from the hill stretches out over the village, the ocean, and the mountains beyond. On a clear evening, you can see all the way to Dyrhólaey.

There is no bar here, no menu, no service. But there is a bench near the church, and the grass is soft, and the light is perfect. Bring a drink from one of the places in the village, a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer, and sit. The best time to arrive is about thirty minutes before sunset, which in midsummer means around 11:30 p.m. The light is soft and golden, and the shadows are long. The best day to come is a clear evening, obviously, but even on overcast days, the clouds can create dramatic effects.

What most people do not know is that the church was built in 1934, and it is one of the few buildings in Vik to survive the 1991 flood that swept through the village. The hill itself is a natural elevation, and it has been used as a gathering place for centuries. The one complaint is that the hill can be muddy after rain, and the path up from the main road is steep. Wear good shoes, and do not attempt it in the dark without a flashlight. The view from the top, though, is worth every step.

When to Go and What to Know

Vik is a small village, and the bar scene reflects that. Most places close by 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends, and the selection is limited compared to Reykjavik. But what Vik lacks in variety, it makes up for in atmosphere. The views are extraordinary, the people are friendly, and the light in midsummer is unlike anything you have ever seen.

The best time to visit for sunset drinks is June or July, when the sun barely sets and the light lasts until after midnight. August is also good, but the weather becomes more unpredictable. September and October bring the northern lights, which can be seen from many of the places on this list, but the bars close earlier and the nights are colder.

Bring layers, always. The temperature in Vik can drop ten degrees in the afternoon, and the wind off the glacier is relentless. A good windbreaker is essential, and a hat and gloves are not a bad idea even in summer. Also, bring cash. Some of the smaller places do not accept cards, and the ATM in Vik is located at the N1 gas station.

The local tip I will leave you with is this: talk to people. Vik is a small village, and everyone knows everyone. If you sit at a bar and strike up a conversation, you will hear stories about the old days, the floods, the eruptions, the tourists who got lost on the beach. You will learn more in one evening of conversation than in a week of guidebooks. And that, more than any rooftop view, is what makes Vik special.