Essentials
- City
- Vík í Mýrdal, Mýrdalshreppur, Iceland
- Population
- Approximately 600
- Internet Speed
- High-speed Fiber Optics available; average 100-500 Mbps via Míla infrastructure
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 138 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 150 ISK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, among the purest in the world
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova; available at Víkurskáli gas station
- Banking for Expats
- Arion Banki (local branch), Revolut (widely used), Wise
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, Hotels, and limited Airbnb (Price range: $150-$400/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, 100% cashless. Cards and mobile payments accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local guesthouses like Puffin Hotel Vík
- Budget Accommodation
- Vík HI Hostel ($45-$60 for dorms) or Vík Camping ($15/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Village center near Víkuryrkja (church) for walking access to Black Sand Beach
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Central Vík or nearby Mýrdalur farms for quiet, long-term stays
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Kötlusetur (Informal coworking/library space in the cultural center)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Smiðjan Brugghús (afternoon) and Skoolie (refurbished school bus with Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Local community meetups at Iceland Soup Company; informal gatherings at the community hall
- Social Events for Expats
- Vík í Mýrdal Facebook Community Group; social drinks at Smiðjan Brugghús
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local taxis must be pre-booked via South Iceland Taxi
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Icebike (Seasonal rentals near the info center)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (5 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (flying into Reykjavik domestic via Keflavik)
- Top International Airline
- Icelandair, Play (operating from Keflavik Airport, 220km away)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Víkurskáli Bus Stop (Strætó Route 51)
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó App for single or multi-day regional travel
- Regional Travel
- Strætó Bus 51 connects to Reykjavik ($40 one way) and Höfn
- Highway Access
- Directly on Route 1 (The Ring Road)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Heilsugæslan Vík (Health Clinic) for primary care; nearest ER in Selfoss (130km)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Vík Swimming Pool (Sundlaugin Vík) features outdoor hot tubs and sauna
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Vík Sports Hall (Íþróttamiðstöðin Vík) with complete gym facilities
- Laundry Services
- Vík Camping (self-service) and Vík HI Hostel ($10 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available; pick-up is standard in the village
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Arctic Char at Halldórskaffi or Soup in a bread bowl at The Soup Company
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Soup Company (Red Lava Soup) and Smiðjan Brugghús (Vegan burgers)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ice Cave Cafe for Icelandic 'kleina' and pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Krónan Supermarket (Only budget-friendly grocery in town)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aha.is (delivery to regional hubs), Amazon UK/DE (long shipping times)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; in-person shopping at Krónan or Víkurskáli
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Smiðjan Brugghús (Craft brewery and social hub)
- Local Brewery
- Smiðjan Brugghús (Located at Sunnubraut 15)
- Wine Bars
- Hotel Kría Bar (Upscale selection with panoramic views)
- Street Food Stalls
- The Fish and Chip Wagon near the beach entrance
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sudur-Vik (Pizza and Thai-inspired fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks and Reynisfjara Beach
- Museums & Art Venues
- Icelandic Lava Show (Real lava demonstration)
- Historical Sites
- Víkurkirkja (The iconic white and red church on the hill)
- Religious Sites
- Víkurkirkja and Reyniskirkja
- Annual Events
- Rainbow Festival (February), Puffin Season (May-August)
- Cultural Districts
- Vík Ancient Village Center (around the old school house)
- Theater Venues
- Kötlusetur Information Center (hosting local lore talks)
- Local Markets
- Vík Wool Market (located in the Icewear building)
- Music Scene
- Occasional live acoustic music at Smiðjan Brugghús
- Street Art
- Murals on the harbor storage buildings depicting maritime life
- Cooking Classes
- None; informal farm-to-table tours in nearby Mýrdalur
- Art Galleries
- Sker Gallery (Featuring local volcanic art and photography)
- Historic Buildings
- Brydebúð (Built in 1895, one of the oldest wooden houses)
- Local Heritage
- Katla Geopark heritage, focused on volcanic resilience
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve (15 mins drive)
- National Parks Nearby
- Vatnajökull National Park (approx. 1.5 hours drive east)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hjörleifshöfði 'Yoda Cave' hiking loop
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mount Reynisfjall (Panoramic views of the village and cliffs)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reynisfjall Cliffs (home to thousands of Puffins in summer)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly limited to Vík Camping designated fire pits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (located inside the Krónan supermarket)
- Tech Repair Services
- None local; gadgets must be sent to Reykjavik (e.g., Eplakort for Apple)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Íþróttamiðstöðin Vík (Local sports center)
- Language Classes
- Mímir-símenntun (Online courses available for remote areas)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Vík Public Library (located in the community center)
- Community Centers
- Víkurskáli Community Hub
- Gaming Lounges
- None; most locals/nomads use home setups or the youth center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Iceland (only lottery/slot machines in specific bars)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 750,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 30M ISK / $217,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 600,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 24M ISK / $174,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 700,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 42M ISK / $304,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 550,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 33M ISK / $239,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 650,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 52M ISK / $377,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 500,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 40M ISK / $290,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25% (Combined state and municipal tax)
- VAT
- 24% Standard rate; 11% Reduced rate (food/books)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with interests in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, 0.5% - 1.65% depending on real estate type and municipality
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals, 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Icelandic Remote Work Visa allows 180 days stay; zero tax for non-tax residents if stay < 183 days