.jpg/960px-Akureyrarkirkja_-_panoramio_(1).jpg)
Iceland has hundreds of churches for a population of about 380,000 — a legacy of the parish system that put a church in every farming district. A handful stand out: Hallgrímskirkja (Reykjavík's 74-metre concrete landmark), Búðakirkja (the black wooden church on Snæfellsnes), Víðimýrarkirkja (a preserved turf church in Skagafjörður), and cathedrals at Skálholt and Hólar, Iceland's two historic bishoprics. Most are free to enter — respect any service in progress.
Driving conditions
Weather now
Visiting notes
EntryUsually free
HoursVary by church
During servicesNo entry
Hallgrímskirkja towerPaid ticketIceland's best-known churches — cathedrals, turf churches and photogenic village chapels.
Akureyri's hilltop church with the same architect as Hallgrímskirkja. Views over the fjord from the steps. The stained glass windows include one rescued from a Coventry church bombed in WWII. The pipes of the organ are 32 feet tall. The steps up to the church are a small workout. The view at the top rewards the climb.
The Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík is a Lutheran church independent from the Church of Iceland, the established church of Iceland. It lies in the centre of the Icelandic capital, by the lake Tjörnin. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Historic church sites often predate Christianity in Iceland.
Glerárkirkja is a church in Akureyri, Iceland. It is a parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. In 1969 a building committee was formed to find a place for a new church for the neighborhood. Lögmannshlíðarkirkja, the previous church dated to 1860, was deemed as too small for the congregation. Lögmannshlíðarkirkja is well maintained today and occasionally performs ecclesiastical ceremonies. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Historic church sites often predate Christianity in Iceland.
Reykjavík's landmark church and the city's tallest building. The distinctive concrete facade was inspired by basalt columns. The tower elevator takes you to panoramic views over the capital. The church interior is surprisingly modern and minimalist. Construction took 41 years (1945-1986). The architecture is loved and debated in equal measure. Free to enter the church. Small fee for the tower. Worth visiting for architecture, views, or both.
Heimaey Stave Church (Stafkirkjan) is a close replica of Haltdalen stave church situated in the Skansinn area of the harbour of Vestmannaeyjabær on Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Many churches are open to visitors - respect services in progress.
Hólar Cathedral is a Church of Iceland cathedral church located in Hólar, Iceland. It is the official church of the Bishop of Hólar, currently Gísli Gunnarsson. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Turf churches represent traditional construction methods worth seeing.
Húsavík's wooden church from 1907. Cross-shaped timber construction in a picturesque harbor setting. One of Iceland's prettiest church exteriors. The harbor and whale watching tours are nearby. Featured in the Eurovision movie, giving it unexpected fame.
Kópavogur Church is a church in Kópavogur, Iceland. It is located on Borgarholt hill at the top of Kársnes and offers a great view over Kópavogur, Reykjavík and surrounding area. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Churches often sit in scenic locations chosen for spiritual reasons.
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Small groupsMost travellers see churches as stops along a wider route rather than a destination in themselves. In Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja, the Reykjavík Cathedral (Dómkirkjan) and the Catholic Landakotskirkja are all within a short walk of each other. On Snæfellsnes, the black Búðakirkja is a short detour off Route 54. In the north, Akureyrarkirkja overlooks the town and Víðimýrarkirkja in Skagafjörður is one of the last turf churches. The historic cathedrals at Skálholt and Hólar pair well with a Golden Circle or north-Iceland loop. City churches keep posted opening hours; rural churches are often locked outside services, so check before making a long drive.
All 101 mapped churches, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Location and details come from Wikidata, OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia where they exist.
| Church | Region | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Akureyrarkirkja | North Iceland | Akureyri's hilltop church with the same architect as Hallgrímskirkja. Views over the fjord from the steps. The stained glass windows include one rescued from a Coventry church bombed in WWII. The pipes of the organ are 32 feet tall. The steps up to the church are a small workout. The view at the top rewards the climb. |
| Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík | Reykjavík Area | The Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík is a Lutheran church independent from the Church of Iceland, the established church of Iceland. It lies in the centre of the Icelandic capital, by the lake Tjörnin. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Historic church sites often predate Christianity in Iceland. |
| Glerárkirkja | North Iceland | Glerárkirkja is a church in Akureyri, Iceland. It is a parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. In 1969 a building committee was formed to find a place for a new church for the neighborhood. Lögmannshlíðarkirkja, the previous church dated to 1860, was deemed as too small for the congregation. Lögmannshlíðarkirkja is well maintained today and occasionally performs ecclesiastical ceremonies. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Historic church sites often predate Christianity in Iceland. |
 | Hallgrímskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Reykjavík's landmark church and the city's tallest building. The distinctive concrete facade was inspired by basalt columns. The tower elevator takes you to panoramic views over the capital. The church interior is surprisingly modern and minimalist. Construction took 41 years (1945-1986). The architecture is loved and debated in equal measure. Free to enter the church. Small fee for the tower. Worth visiting for architecture, views, or both. |
 | Heimaey stave church | South Coast | Heimaey Stave Church (Stafkirkjan) is a close replica of Haltdalen stave church situated in the Skansinn area of the harbour of Vestmannaeyjabær on Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Many churches are open to visitors - respect services in progress. |
 | Hóladómkirkja | North Iceland | Hólar Cathedral is a Church of Iceland cathedral church located in Hólar, Iceland. It is the official church of the Bishop of Hólar, currently Gísli Gunnarsson. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Turf churches represent traditional construction methods worth seeing. |
 | Húsavíkurkirkja | North Iceland | Húsavík's wooden church from 1907. Cross-shaped timber construction in a picturesque harbor setting. One of Iceland's prettiest church exteriors. The harbor and whale watching tours are nearby. Featured in the Eurovision movie, giving it unexpected fame. |
 | Kópavogskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Kópavogur Church is a church in Kópavogur, Iceland. It is located on Borgarholt hill at the top of Kársnes and offers a great view over Kópavogur, Reykjavík and surrounding area. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Churches often sit in scenic locations chosen for spiritual reasons. |
 | Landakotskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Landakotskirkja, officially named Basilika Krists konungs and often referred to as Kristskirkja, is a Catholic basilica in the western part of the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík and is the cathedral of the Diocese of Reykjavík. It is the sole Catholic cathedral in Iceland. Services at the cathedral are held in Icelandic, Polish and English. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Many churches are open to visitors - respect services in progress. |
 | Reykjavík Cathedral | Reykjavík Area | Reykjavík Cathedral is a cathedral church in Reykjavík, Iceland, the seat of the Bishop of Iceland and mother church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, as well as the parish church of the old city centre and environs. It is located at Austurvöllur, and next to it is Alþingishúsið. Since Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, was resurrected in 1845, each session of parliament has begun with a Mass at the cathedral, and from there the dean of the cathedral leads the members of parliament to the parliament house. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Churches often sit in scenic locations chosen for spiritual reasons. |
 | Sauðárkrókskirkja | North Iceland | Sauðárkrókskirkja is a church in Sauðárkrókur, Iceland that was consecrated on December 9, 1892. The church parish was formed as the result of combining the Sjávarborg and Fagranes parishes, and the parish spans Reykjaströnd, Gönguskörð, Sauðárkrókur, and Borgarsveit. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Historic church sites often predate Christianity in Iceland. |
 | Saurbæjarkirkja | North Iceland | Saurbæjarkirkja is a church in the Eyjafjörður region of Iceland. It is located about 26 kilometres (16 mi) south of Akureyri. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Many churches are open to visitors - respect services in progress. |
 | Skálholt church | South Coast | Skálholt Cathedral is a Church of Iceland cathedral church. The church is the official church of the Bishop of Skálholt, currently Kristján Björnsson. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Many churches are open to visitors - respect services in progress. |
 | St. Peter's Church, Akureyri | North Iceland | Akureyrarkirkja or The Church of Akureyri is a prominent Lutheran church at Akureyri in northern Iceland. Located in the centre of the city, it was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson (1887–1950) and completed in 1940. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Turf churches represent traditional construction methods worth seeing. |
 | St. Thorlak Church | East Iceland | The St. Thorlak Church is a Catholic church in Kapúsínaklaustrið á Kollaleiru, in the town of Reyðarfjörður, Austurland, Iceland. The church is in the Diocese of Reykjavík. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Turf churches represent traditional construction methods worth seeing. |
 | Strandarkirkja | West Iceland | Remote coastal church with legendary protective powers. Donations supposedly granted by grateful survivors. Legend says a ship in distress saw a guiding light from this spot. The sailors built the church in thanks. The collection boxes have apparently funded significant charitable work over the years. |
 | Víðimýri | North Iceland | Víðimýri is an estate in Skagafjörður, Iceland south of Varmahlíð, which overlooks it. The area was previously a part of Seyluhreppur. The estate used to be a manor and was, at the end of the 12th century and during the 13th century, the residence of the region's chieftains from the Ásbirningar family clan, from Kolbeinn Tumason to Kálfur, the son of Brandur Kolbeinsson, who was known to live there in 1262. By the 17th and 18th centuries, the estate had long been the residence of the local sheriff. Víðimýri has now been divided into eight or nine independent holdings. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Turf churches represent traditional construction methods worth seeing. |
 | Þingeyrakirkja | North Iceland | Þingeyrakirkja is an Icelandic church situated between lakes Hóp and Húnavatn at Þingeyrar in Iceland's Northwestern Region. Icelandic church, part of the country's Lutheran heritage. Churches often sit in scenic locations chosen for spiritual reasons. |
 | Ábæjarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Árbæjarkirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Áskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Bessastaðakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Bíldudalskirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Blönduóskirkja eldri | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Breiðabólsstaðarkirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Brunnhólskirkja | East Iceland | Church in East Iceland |
 | Búðir Church | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Efranúpskirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Fossvogskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Gamla Stykkishólmskirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Garðakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Glaumbæjarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Grafarvogskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Grundarfjarðarkirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Grundarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Háteigskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Hjallakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Hofskirkja í Öræfum | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
 | Holtastaðakirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Holtskirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Hólmavíkurkirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Hraungerðiskirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
 | Hríseyjarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Hvalsneskirkja | Reykjanes Peninsula | Church in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Hvammstangakirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Hvanneyrarkirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Ísafjarðarkirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Kirkjubólskirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Kirkjubæjarkirkja | East Iceland | Church in East Iceland |
 | Kirkjuvogskirkja | Reykjanes Peninsula | Church in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Kolbeinsstaðakirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Kollafjarðarneskirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Kotstrandarkirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Krýsuvíkurkirkja | Reykjanes Peninsula | Church in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Landakirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
 | Langholtskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Laugardælakirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
| Laugarneskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Lágafellskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Lindakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Lögmannshlíðarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Maríukirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Mosfellskirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
 | Neskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Ólafsvíkurkirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Reynivallakirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Sauðlauksdalskirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Seltjarnarneskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Seyðisfjardar Church | East Iceland | Church in East Iceland |
 | Siglufjörður Lutheran Church | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | St. John Paul II Church | Reykjanes Peninsula | Church in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Staðar Church | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Staðarbakkakirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Staðarkirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Staðarkirkja í Aðalvík | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Stórólfshvolskirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
| Stykkishólmskirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Súðavíkurkirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Sæbólskirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Tálknafjarðarkirkja | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Tjarnarkirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Upsakirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Urðakirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Vallakirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Vesturhópshólakirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland |
 | Viðeyjarkirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Víðidalstungukirkja | West Iceland | Church in West Iceland |
 | Víðistaðakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
 | Vík í Mýrdal Church | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
| Víkurkirkja | South Coast | Church in South Coast |
 | Þingeyrarkirkja, Vestfirðir | Westfjords | Church in Westfjords |
 | Þingvallakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
| Breiðholtskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area | |
| Bústaðakirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area | |
| Digraneskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area | |
| Eiðakirkja | East Iceland | Church in East Iceland | |
| Fáskrúðsfjarðarkirkja | East Iceland | Church in East Iceland | |
| Grensáskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area | |
| Guðríðarkirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area | |
| Kaldrananeskirkja | North Iceland | Church in North Iceland | |
| Selfosskirkja | Reykjavík Area | Church in Reykjavík Area |
Directions
Save
Share
Transmission
Fuel
Seats
Drive
Sleeps
Duration
Pickup
Activity
Vehicle
