8 most iconic churches in Iceland you can’t miss

Let’s explore the most iconic churches in Iceland! While this country is famous for its waterfalls, volcanoes, and dramatic landscapes, Iceland’s churches are just as fascinating to visit! We saw a church in just about every town and village we visited!

From tiny turf-roof churches like Grafarkirkja in the countryside to striking modern landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik, each church in Iceland has its own unique and iconic feature.

During our 3-week travels around Iceland, we kept stumbling upon charming little churches in the most unexpected places, so in this blog post, I’ve assembled a list of the most iconic churches in Iceland, all with photos, descriptions, and locations.

1. Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, church with a rainbow walk

I have to start with my favorite of all the churches in Iceland – Seyðisfjarðarkirkja! I know, the name is impossible to pronounce, but it is one of the most special places to visit in Iceland.

Located in the small town of Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland, the little blue church of Seyðisfjarðarkirkja is also one of the most photographed churches in Iceland.

You’ve probably seen photos of it already – the bright blue wooden church standing at the end of a rainbow-painted street, with mountains rising behind it!

The church was originally built in 1922 and later moved to its current location in 1924. Despite its relatively small size, it has become a symbol of Seyðisfjörður and is now one of the town’s main attractions.

Not all visitors get to visit this popular photo spot in Iceland, because it is just too far away from Reykjavik (where most travelers arrive by plane).

However, if you are staying in Iceland for ~2 weeks and plan on doing a road trip around the iconic Ring Road, which circles around the whole country, then you should definitely include Seyðisfjarðarkirkja in your itinerary!

If you visit, try to come early in the morning to avoid crowds and capture the church with the mountains in the background. This is what we did, and we got the church all to ourselves! Not a soul nearby!

Location: Seyðisfjarðarkirkja

2. Búðakirkja, the iconic black church of Iceland

Located on the edge of the Búðahraun lava field on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (not too far from Reykjavik!), the iconic Búðakirkja is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland!

And once you see it against the backdrop of the wild Atlantic Ocean and snowy mountains, you’ll understand why!

Its most iconic feature? Yep, the church is known for its jet black tone! Búðakirkja gets its unique shade from the pitch used to protect the wood from the harsh Icelandic elements. The current building was reconstructed in the 1840s.

We visited Búðakirkja on a particularly moody, overcast day, which honestly just made the black wood pop even more against the green grass. I loved the contrasts!

There isn’t a village surrounding it – just the church, a small cemetery, and a nearby hotel. It feels incredibly isolated and peaceful, like something straight out of a movie. No wonder it is a popular place for weddings in Iceland!

Location: Búðakirkja

3. Grafarkirkja, the oldest turf church in Iceland

If you’re looking for a true hidden gem in Iceland, then you have to visit Grafarkirkja! Located in the Skagafjörður fjord, this tiny turf church is the oldest of its kind in the whole country!

Grafarkirkja was one of my favorite places we visited in Iceland!

The church dates all the way back to the late 17th century. It is tucked away behind a farm, and honestly, if you didn’t know it was there, you might drive right past it!

As we got closer to it, we saw a gate and were unsure if we were allowed to enter, but it turned out to be a regular cattle gate you see all around the country, so we just opened it, drove inside, and closed the gate behind us.

What makes Grafarkirkja so special is its unique look. It has a circular stone wall surrounding it, and its roof is covered in thick green grass! It blends so perfectly into the landscape that it looks like it grew right out of the ground, haha!

We had the place all to ourselves when we arrived – it really is that remote! I especially loved the rustic wooden door and the wood carvings. You can really feel the centuries of history here!

It’s a bit of a detour from the Ring Road, but if you appreciate quiet spots without the crowds, it is 100% worth the drive. Just remember to be respectful! There are only a few of these churches left in Iceland!

Location: Grafarkirkja

4. Hallgrimskirkja, the highest church in Iceland

No trip to Iceland is complete without visiting the famous Hallgrímskirkja, known as the highest and largest church in Iceland! The church was named after the famous Icelandic poet Hallgrímur Pétursson.

Standing tall in downtown Reykjavík, this massive concrete building is not only the most famous of all the churches in Iceland, but also one of the most visited landmarks in the entire country.

You can see its unique tower from almost anywhere in the city! The design was inspired by the natural basalt lava columns you see at places like Reynisfjara Beach. Is it just me, or does it look like a giant spaceship, huh?!

We visited Hallgrímskirkja early in the morning before the crowds. Right in front of the entrance, you’ll find a statue of Leif Erikson, the famous explorer who is said to have been the first European to set foot on North America.

While the outside is impressive, you definitely shouldn’t skip the interior. It’s very minimalist and features a huge pipe organ that has over 5,000 pipes! You can also take the elevator up to the top of the 73-meter-high tower to see Reykjavik from above!

Hallgrímskirkja is located in the heart of Iceland’s capital, and it does get quite busy with tourists, so I recommend arriving early in the morning if you want to avoid the long lines for the tower.

Location: Hallgrimskirkja

5. The fairytale-like Hofskirkja

If you are traveling along the Southern Coast of Iceland, make sure to stop by the tiny village of Hof to see the beautiful Hofskirkja! This 19th-century church was actually the very last turf church ever built in the traditional style in Iceland!

It honestly looks like something straight out of a fairytale! Like Grafarkirkja, the roof is completely covered in green turf, but the setting here feels even more lush. I mean, just look at it! By the way, those little bumps are actually burial mounds covered in grass.

The Hobbits would love a place like this! Hofskirkja is one of only six turf churches still standing in Iceland that are preserved as historical monuments. It is, for sure, one of my favorite hidden gems in Iceland!

We stopped here while driving toward the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and it was the perfect place for a quick break. Even though you can’t usually go inside, walking around the church is a must. But remember to be respectful and don’t climb over the fence!

Location: Hofskirkja

6. Ingjaldshólskirkja, the scenic church on a hill

Located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Ingjaldshólskirkja is one of those spots that looks like a postcard from every angle! I absolutely loved this scenic spot in Iceland!

What makes this place so special is the dramatic landscape – the church sits at the end of a long, straight road that leads your eyes directly toward the building with the massive, snow-capped mountains behind it.

Yes, this is that famous “road to the church” view you’ve probably seen on Instagram!

Want another fun fact? Ingjaldshólskirkja dates back to 1903, making it one of the oldest concrete churches in the world!

Even though it’s a rather popular photo spot in Iceland, it doesn’t feel crowded at all. We visited during the day, and there were only a couple of people around. If you are planning a trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, don’t forget to include this church in your itinerary!

Location: Ingjaldshólskirkja

7. Víkurkirkja, church with the dramatic coastline view

If you are visiting the famous black sand beaches around the town of Vík, you simply cannot miss Víkurkirkja!

Perched on a hill overlooking the village, this charming white church with its bright red roof is one of the most recognizable sights in the area. It was built in the early 1930s and has since become a symbol of the town.

I mean, just look at those cliffs, the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks, the black beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and the beautiful blooming purple lupines! It’s a postcard for sure!

We drove up the hill and parked our car right by the church (you can see it in the photo!). Then we followed a small trail uphill and got this beautiful view of the village, the church, and the landscape in the background.

If you are staying the night in Vík as we did, I highly recommend driving up there for the view! It looks beautiful at any time of the day!

Location: Víkurkirkja

8. The Viking Era farm & turf church

Okay, so this is something a bit different, but if you want to feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of Game of Thrones, you have to check out the Commonwealth Farm (Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng)!

Located in the Þjórsárdalur valley, this place is essentially a full-scale replica of a Viking-era farmstead, featuring a long farm building and a turf church with a round wall around it. This place was featured in the Game of Thrones series in Season 4!

The original Viking Era farm was buried under volcanic ash when the nearby Mt. Hekla erupted in 1104 (sounds like an Icelandic Pompeii). This replica was built in the 1970s and serves as an open-air museum to remember those times.

For me, the highlight was definitely the tiny turf church right next to the longhouse!

We visited this place at the end of May, so we only got to see the outside of the buildings. But during the summer months when the museum is open, you can also explore the interior and see where the Vikings cooked, slept, and worked!

If you love finding hidden gems away from the tourist crowds, this is a great place to stop by. And it is located not too far from the Golden Circle, the popular tourist route near Reykjavik!

Location: The Commonwealth Farm and Church

Happy exploring!

We loved exploring unique churches in Iceland! From jet-black wood to fairytale-like turf roofs, they are just as diverse as the Icelandic landscape itself. Turns out, it’s not all about nature in Iceland – some man-made places are worth visiting, too!

We spent around three weeks traveling around Iceland and exploring everything the Land of Fire and Ice had to offer, yet I feel like there are still many more things to do and places to discover!

What I love most about Iceland is how packed full of breathtaking places it truly is – mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, caves, beaches, hot springs, etc. There’s something for everyone, for sure, and I hope you enjoy this country as much as we did! Happy travels!

PIN FOR LATER!