15 Beautiful Churches in Iceland: A Photographer’s Ring Road Guide

A Photographer’s Journey Around the Ring Road

Some buildings are designed to dominate the landscape.

Iceland’s churches often do something more beautiful.

They belong to it.

Over twenty-one unforgettable days, Anne and I drove around Iceland counterclockwise, beginning in Reykjavík and following the South Coast through the Eastfjords, North Iceland, and finally the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We went to photograph waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, black sand beaches, and the constantly changing light. Along the way, another subject kept asking us to stop: the churches.

They appeared everywhere. A white church with a red roof beneath an enormous mountain. A tiny turf chapel almost disappearing into the earth. A modern sanctuary shaped by sharp triangles and northern light. A black wooden church standing alone beside an ancient lava field.

Some were famous. Others were discoveries we had never planned to make. Every one told us something about the people who built communities in this beautiful and demanding land.

Iceland’s churches are far more varied than many travelers expect. Hallgrímskirkja rises above Reykjavík like a monumental interpretation of volcanic basalt. Grafarkirkja preserves a fragile turf-building tradition from centuries ago. Ólafsvíkurkirkja and Hólaneskirkja reveal the country’s willingness to embrace modern sacred architecture. Búðakirkja survives because a determined widow refused to let the church disappear.

Together, they tell a story of faith, endurance, architecture, community, and place.

This guide follows the route we traveled around Iceland. It is not a ranking from best to worst. These are fifteen churches that stayed with us, each for a different reason. Some impressed us through history. Some through design. A few became unforgettable because of the weather, the light, or the simple experience of finding them waiting beside the road.

Whether you are planning an Iceland road trip, searching for meaningful cultural stops, photographing architecture, or simply curious about the sacred spaces scattered across the island, I hope this guide inspires you to slow down and notice them.

Interactive Map: Churches of Iceland

This interactive map follows our counterclockwise journey around Iceland, beginning in Reykjavík and continuing along the South Coast, through the Eastfjords and North Iceland, and finally around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Each marker identifies one of the fifteen churches featured in this guide, helping you see where it fits within the route and plan your own stops along the way. Use the map to explore these sacred places, from Reykjavík’s monumental Hallgrímskirkja to remote country churches, modern coastal sanctuaries, historic turf architecture, and the beloved black church of Búðir.

 

At a Glance: The 15 Churches

The route moves from Iceland’s capital into increasingly remote landscapes. The list below is arranged in counterclockwise travel order, making it useful as both a photographic guide and a road-trip companion.

#	Church	Region	Known For
1	Hallgrímskirkja	Reykjavík	Basalt-inspired landmark
2	Strandarkirkja	Southwest Iceland	Miracle church legend
3	Reyniskirkja	South Coast	Mountain setting
4	Víkurkirkja	Vík í Mýrdal	Iconic hilltop church overlooking Vík
5	Seyðisfjarðarkirkja	Eastfjords	Blue church and resilience
6	Siglufjarðarkirkja	Tröllaskagi	Herring-era scale
7	Grafarkirkja	Skagafjörður	Rare turf architecture
8	Ketukirkja	Skagi Peninsula	Red roof and maritime history
9	Hólaneskirkja	Skagaströnd	Modern geometry
10	Melstaðarkirkja	Miðfjörður	Rebuilt after storm
11	Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja	Snæfellsnes	Quiet roadside discovery
12	Grundarfjarðarkirkja	Snæfellsnes	Community and mountains
13	Ólafsvíkurkirkja	Snæfellsnes	Modern angular design
14	Ingjaldshólskirkja	Snæfellsnes	Road and concrete history
15	Búðakirkja	Snæfellsnes	Black church and persistence

Quick Planning Tips

• Best first church for most visitors: Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík.
• Best historic church: Grafarkirkja.
• Best story of resilience: Seyðisfjarðarkirkja or Búðakirkja.
• Best modern architecture: Ólafsvíkurkirkja.
• Best road-leading composition: Ingjaldshólskirkja.
• Best church and mountain relationship: Reyniskirkja or Víkurkirkja.
• Best complete experience: Follow the counterclockwise route over two to three weeks, allowing time for unplanned stops.

1. Hallgrímskirkja

Where Icelandic Nature Became Architecture

Reykjavík • Capital Region

Our journey began in Reykjavík, and there was no better place to begin exploring Iceland’s churches than Hallgrímskirkja. It rises above the city with a presence that can be felt long before you reach its doors. From streets lined with colorful buildings, the tower repeatedly appears between rooftops, pulling you toward it like a compass needle.

Designed by Icelandic state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, the church was conceived in 1937, begun in 1945, and completed in 1986. Its stepped concrete façade is often compared to the basalt columns found throughout Iceland. That connection between architecture and landscape became one of the great themes of our journey. Even in the heart of the capital, Iceland’s geology is never far away.

At 74.5 meters tall, Hallgrímskirkja is Iceland’s tallest church. Yet the interior feels very different from the dramatic exterior. The pale walls, soaring arches, and restrained decoration create a space filled with light and quiet. At the rear stands the enormous Klais pipe organ, with 5,275 pipes rising like another work of architecture within the architecture.

For a photographer, the building offers two experiences. Outside, it is about symmetry, scale, and the way the façade meets the sky. Inside, it is about repetition, vertical lines, and soft light. Together, those two personalities make Hallgrímskirkja one of the most rewarding buildings to photograph in Reykjavík.

Photography Tips

Arrive early for the cleanest symmetrical view from Skólavörðustígur.

Use a wide-angle lens for the full façade, but keep the camera level to reduce converging verticals.

Inside, expose for the bright windows and photograph the repeating arches from the center aisle.

Take the tower elevator for broad views across Reykjavík, Faxaflói Bay, and the surrounding mountains.

Visitor Information

• Location: Hallgrímstorg, central Reykjavík
• Allow: 45–90 minutes
• Access: Easy, with city parking and public transportation nearby
• Best light: Early morning outside; soft daylight inside
• Respect: Services, funerals, concerts, and private events may limit access

Nearby Attractions

• Skólavörðustígur and Reykjavík’s colorful streets
• Sun Voyager
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Reykjavík waterfront
• National Museum of Iceland

Why Hallgrímskirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Hallgrímskirkja belongs first because it introduces the central idea of this entire collection: in Iceland, sacred architecture and the natural world are rarely separate. The church does not imitate another country’s cathedral. It feels unmistakably Icelandic.

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2. Strandarkirkja

The Miracle Church Beside the Sea

Selvogur • Southwest Iceland

Leaving Reykjavík behind, we found a very different kind of church standing alone near the windswept coast of Selvogur. Strandarkirkja is small and modest, surrounded by open land and an immense sky. Nothing about it competes with the landscape. Instead, it seems to hold its ground quietly against the sea and weather.

The present church dates to 1888, but the site’s story reaches much farther back. According to a beloved Icelandic legend, sailors caught in a violent storm prayed for deliverance and promised to build a church wherever they reached shore safely. A figure of light appeared and guided them through the dangerous water to a protected landing. The church they built became known as a place of answered prayers, and Strandarkirkja is still often called Iceland’s miracle church.

Whether you approach that story as faith, folklore, or cultural memory, it changes the way you experience the place. Standing there with clouds gathering above the coast, it is easy to understand why sailors would have looked toward this land with hope. The church feels less like a monument and more like a beacon.

The photograph I chose emphasizes that feeling. The building occupies only a small portion of the frame, allowing the grassland and sky to communicate the isolation. Iceland’s churches often appear strongest when we resist the urge to make them fill the entire image.

Photography Tips

• Give the church room in the frame so the coastal isolation remains visible.
• Overcast weather works beautifully here and strengthens the church’s reflective character.
• Try both a low viewpoint through the grasses and a distant view that emphasizes scale.
• Protect your equipment from wind-driven mist and rapidly changing coastal weather.

Visitor Information

• Region: Selvogur, southwest Iceland
• Allow: 30–45 minutes
• Access: Easy by road
• Best light: Moody clouds, late afternoon, or soft evening light
• Respect: Remain mindful of the cemetery and active religious use

Nearby Attractions

• Þorlákshöfn
• Reykjanes Peninsula
• Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel
• Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri
• South Coast route toward Vík

Why Strandarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Strandarkirkja earned its place because its story and setting are inseparable. It reminds us that these buildings were not created merely as landmarks. They carried the fears, promises, gratitude, and faith of people whose lives depended upon the sea.

3. Reyniskirkja

A Red-Roofed Church Beneath Reynisfjall

Reynishverfi • Near Vík í Mýrdal, South Iceland

Near Vík, white walls and a red roof appear against one of Iceland’s most dramatic green backdrops. Reyniskirkja sits quietly beneath steep mountain slopes, close to a landscape known around the world for black sand, sea stacks, and the relentless North Atlantic.

The church was built in 1929 and serves the rural area west of Vík. What drew me to it was not grandeur but placement. The building seems almost impossibly neat against the wild cliffs behind it. Its geometry is simple. The landscape is anything but.

This contrast is part of what makes Icelandic churches so compelling to photograph. The buildings reveal the human scale of the country. Without them, a mountain can feel abstract. Add one small church, and suddenly we understand the size of the cliff, the openness of the valley, and the courage required to build a community there.

The changing light moved quickly across the grass during our visit. For a few moments the white church separated beautifully from the darker hillside, and that was the image I wanted. In Iceland, patience is often more valuable than perfect weather.

Photography Tips

• Use a medium telephoto to compress the church against the mountain wall.
• Wait for a patch of light to separate the white building from the darker landscape.
• Include surrounding farmland to retain a sense of rural place.
• Watch for rain and sea wind even when conditions appear calm.

Visitor Information

• Region: Mýrdalur, near Vík
• Allow: 20–40 minutes
• Access: Easy by local road
• Best light: Broken clouds and late-day side light
• Respect: Photograph from public areas and avoid disturbing services or the cemetery

Nearby Attractions

• Vík í Mýrdal
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
• Reynisdrangar sea stacks
• Dyrhólaey
• Kvernufoss and Skógafoss

Why Reyniskirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Reyniskirkja shows how one small building can give an enormous landscape emotional scale. It is not simply a church beneath a mountain. It is evidence of community enduring beside one of Iceland’s most powerful coastlines.

4. Víkurkirkja

The Iconic Hilltop Church Overlooking Iceland’s Southern Coast

Vík í Mýrdal • South Iceland

Few churches in Iceland occupy a setting as instantly recognizable as Víkurkirkja. Perched high above the coastal village of Vík í Mýrdal, its white walls and brilliant red roof stand against rolling green hills, dark volcanic beaches, and the open North Atlantic.

Construction began in 1931, and the church was consecrated on October 14, 1934. It was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, Iceland’s influential state architect, who also designed Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík. The concrete church seats approximately 160 people and remains an active center of worship and community life. Church of Iceland

The church’s hilltop location is beautiful, but it also carries practical importance. Vík lies below Mýrdalsjökull, the glacier covering the powerful Katla volcano. Because Víkurkirkja stands on higher ground, the church serves as an important evacuation point should an eruption cause a destructive glacial flood.

We photographed the church in clear morning light as the sun illuminated the green hills and southern coastline. From this elevated perspective, Víkurkirkja seemed to watch over the village below. The combination of red, white, green, and blue created one of the most joyful and iconic scenes of our entire journey around Iceland.

View Víkurkirkja in Bright Morning Light

Photography Tips

• Photograph the church from below to emphasize its commanding hilltop position.
• Visit during early morning light, when the church and surrounding hills may be beautifully illuminated.
• Include the village and coastline to tell the complete story of the setting.
• From higher ground near the cemetery, look for compositions showing the church against Vík and the sea.
• Use a polarizer carefully to deepen the sky while keeping the grass and red roof natural.
• Respect services, funerals, the cemetery, and the privacy of local residents.

Visitor Information

• Region: Vík í Mýrdal, South Iceland
• Access: A short paved road leads from the village to the church.
• Parking: A small parking area is available beside the church.
• Built: Construction began in 1931.
• Consecrated: October 14, 1934
• Architect: Guðjón Samúelsson
• Capacity: Approximately 160 people
• Allow: 30 to 45 minutes
• Respect: Víkurkirkja is an active church and sacred community space.

Nearby Attractions

• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
• Reynisdrangar sea stacks
• Dyrhólaey Peninsula and lighthouse
• Skógafoss
• Kvernufoss
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Katla Geopark
• The village and black sand beach of Vík

Why Víkurkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Víkurkirkja is one of the defining visual landmarks of Iceland’s South Coast. Its striking red roof, elevated position, sweeping coastal views, and connection to the ever-present power of Katla make it far more than a beautiful church. It represents faith, community, preparedness, and resilience in a landscape shaped by both extraordinary beauty and powerful natural forces.

5. Seyðisfjarðarkirkja

The Blue Church at the End of the Rainbow

Seyðisfjörður • Eastfjords, Iceland

At the head of a long, narrow fjord surrounded by steep mountains and waterfalls, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja has become one of the most recognizable churches in Iceland. Its powder-blue exterior, white trim, graceful arched windows, and colorful Rainbow Street create a scene that feels almost storybook-like.

Often called Bláa kirkjan, or the Blue Church, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja represents a distinctive East Icelandic style of timber church architecture. Its roof tower, large divided arched windows, corrugated exterior, and Norwegian architectural influences connect it beautifully to the historic wooden buildings found throughout Seyðisfjörður.

The church has an extraordinary history of movement and survival. An earlier church stood at Dvergasteinn before being moved to Vestdalseyri. After that building was blown down during a violent storm in 1894, it was rebuilt closer to the water. In 1920, the church was moved again, this time to its present location in the center of Seyðisfjörður. The church in its current form was completed between 1920 and 1922 and consecrated in August 1922. Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland

Disaster struck again in 1989 when the church was badly damaged by a fire during renovation work. A pipe organ installed only two years earlier was destroyed. The church was restored, and a similar organ was later installed, allowing the building to continue serving both the congregation and the cultural life of the town. Visit Austurland

Today, the blue church and the Rainbow Street leading toward it form one of Iceland’s most joyful compositions. Yet the beauty of the scene becomes even more meaningful when you understand what this church has endured. It has been moved, toppled by a storm, damaged by fire, and repeatedly restored by a community determined to preserve it.

Photography Tips

• Begin at the far end of Rainbow Street for the classic symmetrical composition.
• Position the church in the center of the frame and use the colorful pavement as a leading line.
• A wide-angle lens will include the street, church, mountains, and surrounding architecture.
• Step closer to photograph the blue exterior, white trim, arched windows, and architectural details.
• Overcast conditions can deepen the pastel blue color and reduce harsh highlights.
• Visit early in the morning when the street is quieter and fewer visitors are gathered in front of the church.
• Try vertical compositions that emphasize the colorful path leading toward the church tower.

Visitor Information

• Location: Seyðisfjörður, East Iceland
• Region: Eastfjords
• Also known as: Bláa kirkjan, the Blue Church
• Current location: Since 1920
• Completed and consecrated: 1922
• Construction: Timber church clad in corrugated material
• Access: Located in the center of Seyðisfjörður at the end of Rainbow Street
• Parking: Available within the village
• Allow: 30 to 60 minutes
• Interior access: Availability varies according to services, concerts, events, and seasonal opening hours
• Respect: This remains an active church and community gathering place.

Nearby Attractions

• Rainbow Street
• Seyðisfjörður’s historic wooden buildings
• Skaftfell Art Center
• Fjarðará river and waterfall trail
• Gufufoss
• Vestdalur hiking area
• Tvísöngur sound sculpture
• Skálanes Nature and Heritage Centre
• Scenic Route 93 between Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður

Why Seyðisfjarðarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Seyðisfjarðarkirkja belongs on this journey because its cheerful appearance conceals an extraordinary story of resilience. The church has survived relocation, a devastating storm, fire, and repeated reconstruction. Its powder-blue exterior and Rainbow Street now symbolize the creativity, warmth, and perseverance of this remarkable Eastfjords community.

6. Siglufjarðarkirkja

A Mountain Church from Iceland’s Herring Era

Siglufjörður • Tröllaskagi Peninsula

Siglufjarðarkirkja framed by the steep mountains of Siglufjörður. Photograph by Wayne Moran.

The road into Siglufjörður winds through tunnels and between mountains that seem to drop directly into the sea. The town once stood at the center of Iceland’s herring industry, and its substantial church reflects the confidence of that era.

Siglufjarðarkirkja was consecrated in 1932. It is far larger than many rural Icelandic churches, measuring about 35 meters long with a tower approximately 30 meters high and seating for roughly 400 people. Its scale makes sense when you remember how rapidly Siglufjörður grew during the herring boom.

Inside are stained-glass windows installed in 1974 and several significant altarpieces. A model ship hangs from the ceiling, continuing an old northern European tradition in which the vessel represents the church carrying people safely across an uncertain world.

From outside, the surrounding mountain walls create the strongest impression. The church rises from the town, but the mountains rise far higher. Once again, Iceland places human ambition in perspective.

Photography Tips

• Use a longer focal length to compress the church against the mountain.
• Explore higher streets for views that reveal the church within the town.
• Broken clouds can produce dramatic shafts of light across the buildings.
• Include a little of the surrounding settlement to connect the church to Siglufjörður’s history.

Visitor Information

• Region: Tröllaskagi Peninsula, North Iceland
• Allow: 30–60 minutes
• Access: Easy within Siglufjörður
• Consecrated: 1932
• Scale: Approximately 400 seats and a 30-meter tower

Nearby Attractions

• Herring Era Museum
• Siglufjörður harbor
• Folk Music Centre
• Tröllaskagi scenic drives
• Hofsós

Why Siglufjarðarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Siglufjarðarkirkja tells the story of a community transformed by the sea. Its size, position, and maritime details connect faith to one of the most important chapters in Iceland’s economic and cultural history.

7. Grafarkirkja

The Turf Church Where Time Seems to Stop

Near Hofsós • Skagafjörður, North Iceland

Few places on this journey felt as timeless as Grafarkirkja. From a distance, the small chapel nearly disappears into the grass. Its turf roof and low walls seem less constructed than grown from the land.

The chapel dates to the late seventeenth century and is associated with Gísli Þorláksson, bishop of Hólar. Its carved wooden details are believed to be the work of Guðmundur Guðmundsson, an accomplished woodcarver whose baroque ornamentation survives on the altar and verge boards.

Grafarkirkja was deconsecrated in 1765. The National Museum of Iceland later reconstructed it in its original form, and it was reconsecrated in 1953. The circular turf wall surrounding the graveyard preserves an ancient arrangement rarely seen today.

The church is closed to visitors, and that limitation is understandable. Turf architecture is fragile. The best way to experience Grafarkirkja is slowly and respectfully, walking the path, observing from outside, and allowing its modest scale to speak for itself.

Photography Tips

• Use a low viewpoint to show how the turf roof merges with the surrounding field.
• Overcast light reveals texture in the grass, stone, and wood.
• A wide lens can emphasize isolation, while a telephoto can isolate the carved entrance.
• Do not climb on the turf walls, roof, or graves for a photograph.

Visitor Information

• Location: Approximately four kilometers south of Hofsós
• Allow: 30–45 minutes
• Access: Short walk from the parking area
• Interior: Closed to visitors
• Difficulty: Easy walk, though the ground can be wet and uneven

Nearby Attractions

• Hofsós swimming pool
• Hólar
• Skagafjörður
• Siglufjörður Sauðárkrókur

Why Grafarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Grafarkirkja is not grand in size. Its greatness lies in survival. It preserves a building tradition shaped by limited timber, severe weather, and deep resourcefulness, making it one of the most meaningful churches on the entire route.

8. Ketukirkja

The Red-Roofed Church Beneath an Endless Northern Sky

Keta • Skagi Peninsula, Northwest Iceland

On the remote Skagi Peninsula, far from Iceland’s busiest attractions, Ketukirkja stands beneath an enormous northern sky. Its white walls and brilliant red roof create a clean, almost timeless contrast against the open fields and distant mountains.

The present timber church was built in 1895. It was designed by Árni A. Guðmundsson, a master builder and farmer from Víkur on Skagi. Protected today as a historic building, the church remains an enduring landmark on the eastern side of the peninsula.

The surrounding landscape carries both beauty and sorrow. In the cemetery is a mass grave for eleven fishermen who died when the shark-fishing vessel Haffrúin was lost in 1864. Eight women lost their husbands, and sixteen children lost their fathers. That history gives the quiet churchyard a weight that cannot be understood from the architecture alone.

When we photographed Ketukirkja, the simplicity of the scene was its strength. The white church, red roof, green land, and blue sky needed no embellishment. This was a place to slow down, compose carefully, and remember that Iceland’s remote churches preserve the stories of families whose lives were shaped by the sea.

Photography Tips

• Use the long side elevation to emphasize the red roof and repeating windows.
• Give the church breathing room so the immense Skagi sky remains part of the story.
• A polarizer can deepen the sky, but use it gently to keep the colors natural.
• Treat the cemetery with particular care and never walk across graves for a composition.

Visitor Information

1. Region: Eastern Skagi Peninsula, Northwest Iceland
2. Allow: 30–45 minutes
3. Access: Remote coastal road; check conditions before traveling
4. Built: 1895
5. Capacity: Approximately 55 people
6. Respect: Active sacred site and historic cemetery

Nearby Attractions

• Ketubjörg sea cliffs
• Skagi Peninsula coastal scenery
• Hofsós
• Skagaströnd
• Sauðárkrókur

Why Ketukirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Ketukirkja belongs in this journey because it holds both the beauty and hardship of remote Icelandic life. Its bright exterior lifts the landscape, while the cemetery preserves a devastating maritime story that the community has carried for generations.

9. Hólaneskirkja

Modern Sacred Architecture in Skagaströnd

Skagaströnd • Northwest Iceland

Compared with the traditional forms of Grafarkirkja and Ketukirkja, Hólaneskirkja feels like a leap into modern Icelandic sacred architecture. Its steep geometric silhouette rises in Skagaströnd, a fishing community on the eastern shore of Húnaflói Bay.

The present church was begun in 1979 and consecrated in 1991. Designed by Örnólfur Hall and Ormar Þór Guðmundsson, it seats about 150 people and is known locally for excellent acoustics. In addition to worship, it serves as a concert and community gathering space.

Its angular lines are bold but not extravagant. Like Ólafsvíkurkirkja later in our route, it shows how Icelandic church architecture continued to evolve rather than simply repeating traditional wooden forms.

Photographically, the front elevation is almost graphic. The tower and roof create a strong triangular rhythm, while the pale surfaces respond beautifully to soft northern light.

Photography Tips

• Center the front elevation for a strong study in symmetry.
• Use soft overcast light to retain detail in the pale façade.
• Try a vertical composition to emphasize the tower’s upward movement.
• Step to the side for a less formal view that reveals the building’s sculptural form.

Visitor Information

• Region: Skagaströnd, Northwest Iceland
• Allow: 20–40 minutes
• Access: Easy within Skagaströnd
• Consecrated: October 20, 1991
• Use: Active church, concert venue, and community gathering space

Nearby Attractions

• Museum of Prophecies
• Skagaströnd harbor
• Spákonufell
• Blönduós
• Húnaflói coastal viewpoints

Why Hólaneskirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Hólaneskirkja broadens the visual story. Iceland’s sacred spaces are not frozen in the past. This is a living architectural tradition, willing to experiment while continuing to serve a small community.

10. Melstaðarkirkja

A Church Rebuilt After the Wind

Miðfjörður • Northwest Iceland

Melstaður has been a church site since the early years of Christianity in Iceland. The current building, however, carries a much more recent story of loss and rebuilding.

In January 1942, the previous church was destroyed in a severe southeast windstorm. Five years later, on June 8, 1947, the present concrete church was consecrated. It stands beside the parsonage with a practical dignity that feels suited to the open landscape of Miðfjörður.

Inside, the altarpiece depicts the baptism of Christ, while the carved pulpit and baptismal font are associated with sculptor Ríkarður Jónsson. The building links a very old sacred site with a twentieth-century community determined to rebuild after nature had taken the former church.

From the road, the connected forms of church and house create an unusual composition. They speak not only of worship but of daily life, service, and continuity.

Photography Tips

• Use a horizontal frame to include both the church and adjoining building.
• Cloudy conditions fit the understated character of the site.
• Look for leading lines in the road and surrounding fields.
• Allow negative space around the buildings to communicate the openness of Miðfjörður.

Visitor Information

• Region: Miðfjörður, near Hvammstangi
• Allow: 20–40 minutes
• Access: Near Route 1
• Present church consecrated: June 8, 1947
• Respect: Active parish setting

Nearby Attractions

• Hvammstangi
• Vatnsnes Peninsula
• Borgarvirki
• Kolugljúfur Canyon
• Húnaflói coastline

Why Melstaðarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Melstaðarkirkja belongs in the collection because its history captures Icelandic resilience in direct terms. The wind destroyed one church. The community built another, continuing a sacred tradition rooted here for roughly a thousand years.

11. Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja

The Church That Appeared Beside the Road

Eastern Snæfellsnes • West Iceland

Some places become memorable because you planned for them months in advance. Others appear beside the road and quietly ask you to stop. Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja was one of those discoveries.

The church stands near the eastern entrance to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, close to the junction of Routes 54 and 56. Fáskrúðarbakki became a church site in 1934 after the old church at Miklaholt was dismantled. The present Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja was consecrated on May 26, 1936. The current setting feels wonderfully spacious, with low mountains, fields, and weather moving across the horizon.

Unlike Iceland’s famous landmarks, there were no crowds waiting for the same photograph. We could walk around the building, study its proportions, and watch the clouds reshape the scene. Those quiet encounters became some of my favorite moments of the trip.

Its weathered green roof and pale walls feel completely at home in the subdued landscape. This is not a church that announces itself from miles away. Its beauty is found through attention.

Photography Tips

• Photograph from several sides, because the long sanctuary and tower create very different compositions.
• Use the moving clouds as an active part of the image.
• A wide lens emphasizes the landscape; a normal focal length keeps the church from appearing too small.
• Pause long enough for light to move across the façade.

Visitor Information

• Region: Eastern Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Allow: 20–40 minutes
• Access: Near the Route 54 and Route 56 junction
• Present church consecrated: May 26, 1936
• Best experience: A quiet roadside stop while entering or leaving Snæfellsnes

Nearby Attractions

• Snæfellsnes Visitor Center
• Miklaholtskirkja area
• Route 56 mountain crossing
• Berserkjahraun
• Grundarfjörður

Why Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Fáskrúðarbakkakirkja represents the unexpected discoveries that make a long road trip worthwhile. It reminds us that beauty does not need fame, a tour bus, or a crowded overlook. Sometimes it simply waits beside the road.

12. Grundarfjarðarkirkja

The Community Church Beyond Kirkjufell

Grundarfjörður • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Most travelers arrive in Grundarfjörður with one subject in mind: Kirkjufell. The famous mountain deserves its reputation, but the town has other stories, including the church that rises above its streets.

Grundarfjarðarkirkja was built between 1960 and 1966 and consecrated in 1966. Its construction reflected the growth of the town and the need for a church closer to the population than the older parish center at Setberg. The building was completed in stages, with volunteer help playing an important role.

Its white exterior, red roofline, and tall tower create a strong profile against the mountains and rapidly changing sky. Unlike a rural church standing alone, this one belongs visibly to a working fishing community.

That context matters. Icelandic churches are often photographed as isolated objects, but many remain centers of living towns. Including streets, homes, or harbor-related elements can tell a fuller story than removing every sign of contemporary life.

Photography Tips

• Use the surrounding mountains and clouds to frame the church.
• Try both a clean architectural view and a wider townscape.
• Late light can illuminate the white façade while leaving the mountains dramatic.
• Do not overlook vertical compositions that emphasize the tower and sky.

Visitor Information

• Region: Grundarfjörður, North Snæfellsnes
• Allow: 20–45 minutes
• Access: Easy within town
• Built: 1960–1966
• Consecrated: July 31, 1966

Nearby Attractions

• Kirkjufell
• Kirkjufellsfoss
• Grundarfjörður harbor
• Berserkjahraun
• Ólafsvík

Why Grundarfjarðarkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Grundarfjarðarkirkja belongs here because it rewards travelers who look beyond the famous view. Kirkjufell may bring people to town, but the church helps reveal the community living beneath the mountain.

13. Ólafsvíkurkirkja

A Modern Church Shaped Like the Mountains

Ólafsvík • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Ólafsvíkurkirkja is unlike any other church in this collection. Its bold triangular rooflines, detached bell structure, and sharply rising spire feel almost sculptural against the mountain slopes behind Ólafsvík.

Designed by architect Hákon Hertervig, the church was consecrated on November 19, 1967. Its modern exterior contrasts with historic objects preserved inside, including a pulpit connected to the earlier parish church at Fróðá and stained glass by Gerður Helgadóttir.

The building demonstrates how modern architecture can remain deeply tied to place. Its shapes echo peaks, sails, and perhaps even the wings of seabirds. Different viewers will see different references, but the church never feels generic.

Photographing it required moving around. From the front, the symmetry is powerful. From the side, the complex relationship among sanctuary, tower, and mountain becomes much clearer.

Photography Tips

• Walk the full exterior before choosing your composition.
• Use a wide-angle lens carefully to emphasize the dramatic geometry without excessive distortion.
• Include the mountain behind the church whenever conditions allow.
• Soft cloud cover helps retain detail in the white surfaces.

Visitor Information

• Region: Ólafsvík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Allow: 30–50 minutes
• Access: Easy within town
• Consecrated: November 19, 1967
• Architect: Hákon Hertervig

Nearby Attractions

• Ólafsvík harbor
• Svöðufoss
• Rif
• Hellissandur
• Snæfellsjökull National Park

Why Ólafsvíkurkirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Ólafsvíkurkirkja belongs on the list because it expands our idea of what an Icelandic church can be. It is daring, modern, and unmistakably connected to the mountains and maritime character of its town.

14. Ingjaldshólskirkja

The Church at the End of the Road

Between Rif and Hellissandur • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Few church approaches are as visually perfect as the road to Ingjaldshólskirkja. A narrow strip of pavement climbs gently through open fields toward the white church and red roof, while mountains gather behind it. The road does more than lead visitors to the building. It creates the photograph.

The present church was built in 1903 and is recognized as Iceland’s oldest concrete church. The site itself is much older, with a church mentioned here around the year 1200. In 1914, architect Rögnvaldur Ólafsson directed changes that raised the tower and reshaped parts of the interior.

A popular tradition claims Christopher Columbus spent time at Ingjaldshóll in 1477 and learned about northern voyages across the Atlantic. The story has never been proven, but it remains part of the place’s enduring fascination.

For me, the strongest experience was simpler. It was the act of approaching. The church remained small in the distance while the road drew us forward. That composition expresses pilgrimage, curiosity, and the way travel continually invites us toward something not yet fully known.

Photography Tips

• Use the road as a powerful leading line from a safe position off the driving lane.
• A medium telephoto can enlarge the church and mountains while retaining the road.
• Wait for traffic and people to clear rather than editing them out later.
• Clouds add depth, but brief sunlight on the church creates valuable separation.

Visitor Information

• Region: Between Rif and Hellissandur
• Allow: 30–60 minutes
• Access: Easy from Route 574
• Built: 1903
• Heritage: Protected historic concrete church

Nearby Attractions

• Hellissandur murals
• Rif
• Svöðufoss
• Saxhóll crater
• Snæfellsjökull National Park

Why Ingjaldshólskirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Ingjaldshólskirkja may be the strongest single composition in this collection. History, architecture, landscape, and the symbolism of the road all converge in one scene. It is the kind of image that makes you want to know what lies ahead.

15. Búðakirkja

The Black Church Built Through Determination

Búðir • Southern Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Our final church is also Iceland’s most recognizable small church. Búðakirkja stands alone at the edge of the Búðahraun lava field, its black timber walls and white trim creating an unforgettable silhouette against grass, mountains, and sky.

The first church at Búðir was built in 1703. As the old trading settlement declined, the building deteriorated and the parish was abolished in 1816. The church standing today exists largely because of Steinunn Sveinsdóttir, a local widow who persisted in seeking permission to rebuild it and personally led and funded the effort.

Construction was completed in 1848, and the church was consecrated in 1851. Steinunn is buried in the cemetery beside the building. A major reconstruction in 1987 returned the church to the appearance it had in 1848.

Knowing that history changes the photograph. Búðakirkja is beautiful, but its meaning does not come from color contrast alone. It stands because one person refused to accept that the sacred place should disappear.

During our visit, low clouds hung over the landscape and wind moved across the field. The church looked solitary, but not fragile. It looked resolved. After circling Iceland and photographing sacred spaces in cities, villages, farmland, and mountain valleys, this felt like the right place to end.

Photography Tips

• Use the black walls against a bright or textured sky for strong tonal separation.
• Photograph from multiple distances. Close views reveal architectural character; wider views reveal solitude.
• Overcast and stormy weather often suit Búðakirkja better than a cloudless day.
• Be respectful of weddings, services, visitors, and the surrounding cemetery.

Visitor Information

• Region: Southern Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Allow: 30–60 minutes
• Access: Easy from Route 54
• Current church completed: 1848; consecrated in 1851
• Interior: Access varies because the church is active and frequently used for events

Nearby Attractions

• Búðahraun lava field
• Hotel Búðir
• Arnarstapi
• Hellnar
• Lóndrangar
• Snæfellsjökull National Park

Why Búðakirkja Belongs on This Journey

• Búðakirkja closes this journey because it brings together everything the churches of Iceland taught us: beauty, resilience, community, landscape, and the power of one determined person to preserve something meaningful for generations.

What Iceland’s Churches Taught Me

When we began this journey, I expected the waterfalls and mountains to define Iceland for me.

They certainly became part of the story.

But the churches gave the landscape a human voice.

A waterfall tells you about geology, weather, and time. A church tells you that people chose to remain here. They built homes beneath mountains, sailed dangerous waters, survived storms, buried loved ones, celebrated marriages, gathered for music, and kept faith with one another across generations.

The most moving churches were not necessarily the largest or most ornate. Often they were the smallest buildings in the widest landscapes. Their power came from contrast. A single white wall against a dark mountain. A red roof beneath a moving sky. A turf chapel returning visually to the earth. A black church standing alone because one woman believed it should still exist.

Photography asks us to pay attention. Travel does too.

These fifteen churches reminded me that beauty is not limited to famous landmarks. It can be found in places built for community, remembrance, and hope. Sometimes the most meaningful stop is the one that was never on the original plan.

If you travel around Iceland, visit the waterfalls. Walk the black sand beaches. Stand beside the glaciers. Watch the mountains change beneath the clouds.

But when a little church appears beside the road, slow down.

There may be far more waiting there than you first imagine.

Continue Your Iceland Journey

Read our complete route: Chasing Light Across Iceland: Our 21-Day Adventure

Explore the waterfalls: 13 Best Waterfalls in Iceland

Plan your photography journey: The Ultimate Iceland Photography Guide

View and collect the photographs: Wayne Moran’s Iceland Churches Collection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most famous church in Iceland?

Hallgrímskirkja is Iceland’s most recognizable major church and dominates the Reykjavík skyline. Among smaller rural churches, Búðakirkja, the Black Church of Búðir, is one of the most photographed.

What is the oldest church in this guide?

Grafarkirkja dates to the late seventeenth century, though it was later reconstructed in its original form by the National Museum of Iceland. Several sites in this guide have church histories reaching back much farther than their current buildings.

What is the oldest concrete church in Iceland?

Ingjaldshólskirkja, built in 1903, is widely recognized as Iceland’s oldest concrete church.

Can visitors enter Iceland’s churches?

Access varies. Some churches welcome visitors during posted hours, while others are normally closed or open only for services and events. Grafarkirkja is closed to protect the fragile historic structure. Always respect signs, ceremonies, cemeteries, and private gatherings.

Do you need to pay to visit?

Many churches can be viewed from outside without charge. Some major attractions, such as the Hallgrímskirkja tower, charge admission for specific experiences. Hours and fees can change, so confirm current information before visiting.

Which church is best for photography?

Ingjaldshólskirkja offers one of the strongest road-leading compositions, Búðakirkja excels in dramatic weather, Hallgrímskirkja rewards architectural study, and Seyðisfjarðarkirkja offers both classic and environmental views.

How many days do you need to follow this route?

The churches can be incorporated into a standard Ring Road journey, but two to three weeks provide the freedom to wait for light, explore nearby attractions, and make unexpected stops. Our own counterclockwise adventure lasted twenty-one days.

What should photographers remember at church sites?

Treat every church and cemetery as a sacred place rather than a photo prop. Stay on paths, avoid walking across graves, do not climb on turf or walls, remain quiet around services, and ask permission before photographing interiors or people.

 

 

15 Beautiful Churches in Iceland

Written by Wayne Moran - Visit Website
moran.wayne@gmail.com