Kirkjubaejarklaustur, often shortened to Klaustur, is a small village in South Iceland on the Ring Road, Route 1, roughly 250 kilometres east of Reykjavik. It lies between the village of Vik and the Skaftafell area. The village has a few hundred residents and is one of the main service villages along this stretch of the Ring Road.
What and where Kirkjubaejarklaustur is
Kirkjubaejarklaustur is in South Iceland on the Ring Road, Route 1. Its location places it between Vik and the Skaftafell area, and about 250 kilometres east of Reykjavik.
The village is often shortened to Klaustur. Along this part of Route 1, it serves as one of the main service villages and has a few hundred residents.
The convent history behind the name
The name Kirkjubaejarklaustur means church farm convent. The Klaustur part of the name was added after a convent of Benedictine nuns settled there in 1186.
That history is also reflected in local place names around the village.
Systrafoss waterfall in the village
Systrafoss is a waterfall in the village. Its name refers to the nuns, or sisters, of the old convent.
Kirkjugolf, the natural church floor
A short walk east of the village leads to Kirkjugolf. It is an 80-square-metre natural pavement of basalt column tops, shaped by erosion rather than laid by people.
Using Klaustur as a base on the south coast
Klaustur sits on Route 1 in a service village along this stretch of the south coast, which makes it a practical point on the road between Vik and the Skaftafell area.
For live conditions before heading out, check safetravel.is and road.is. To compare options in the region, see South Coast tours.
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Before setting off, use the Driving Distance Calculator to compare Kirkjubaejarklaustur: village, history, and nearby sights with the other places you plan to visit.
