Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Laki Craters and a Former Monastery

Iceland's monastery village: a tiny green settlement among lava fields, and the gateway to the Laki craters and Fjadrargljufur canyon.

Last reviewed March 3, 2026By the Iceland.org travel deskEditorial policy
Population
~150
South Iceland • Historic site
Kirkjubaejarklaustur (locals shorten it to 'Klaustur') is a green patch surrounded by lava fields and glacial outwash plains. The settlement housed a medieval monastery, and today it has the last services for 70 km in either direction along the Ring Road.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03

Laki craters require a 4x4 and are only accessible in summer (typically July-September).

Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.

Region
South Iceland

260 km from Reykjavik

Population
~150

Ring Road service village

Known for
Laki craters

Historic monastery site

Top Attractions near Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Laki Craters (Lakagígar)

130 volcanic craters from 1783 eruption

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

100m deep moss-covered gorge

Kirkjugolf

Natural basalt 'church floor' formation

Systrafoss Waterfall

Waterfall near the village

Eldhraunid Lava Field

Vast moss-covered lava from Laki

Skaftafell

Vatnajokull National Park gateway

How to Get to Kirkjubaejarklaustur

From Reykjavik: 3.5 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road), passing through Vik.

From Vik: About 1 hour east on Route 1. A practical stop before or after Skaftafell.

To Laki: 4x4 only via F-road 206. Guided tours recommended. Road open July-September typically.

Best Time to Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Summer: Only time to access Laki craters (July-September). Best for highland F-roads and long hiking days.

Year-round: Fjadrargljufur canyon and Ring Road attractions accessible. Village services open daily.

Planning help

Kirkjubaejarklaustur FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

Want to experience this in person?

Iceland.org is a tour agency as well as a guide — compare day tours, or tell us your dates and a travel agent will build the trip around them.