Churches in Iceland

The "Rainbow Road Church" in Iceland is Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, a charming light-blue wooden church located in the Eastfjords town of Seyðisfjörður. It is famous for the vibrant, permanently painted rainbow path leading to its entrance, which was established in 2016 to support the local LGBTQ+ community and has become an iconic, highly photographed landmark.

Vík í Mýrdal Church sits on a hillside overlooking the small village of Vík in South Iceland, a white-walled structure that has served the community since 1934. The church is notable for its distinctive architecture and commanding position above the black sand beaches and sea stacks of the area, making it a recognizable landmark visible from the ring road. Visitors often stop here for photographs of the church against the dramatic southern coastline, and it's worth a quick visit if you're exploring the nearby Reynisfjara Beach or driving through the region.

"Hólskirkja is the parish church of Bolungarvík and is located on Aðalstræti in the town. It is one of the so-called 'Rögnvaldur-churches,' designed by architect Rögnvaldur Ólafsson, and was consecrated in 1908." In the Church, there are three bells, installed by Ásgeir Long in 1968, and they are rung using an electric control system. The largest bell weighs 490 kg and has the tone G♯ The middle bell weighs 290 kg and has the tone B The smallest bell weighs 205 kg and has the tone C♯

Best time: Year-round. Free to enter church; tower elevator ~€12. Central Reykjavík, walkable. Tower has best city panorama. 15 min visit (church) + 15 min (tower). Can get crowded midday Jun–Aug. No parking lot — use street parking.

Akureyrarkirkja is the prominent white church that dominates Akureyri's skyline, built in 1940 with a distinctive design inspired by Iceland's basalt columns and mountains. It sits on a hill overlooking the town and harbor, making it a useful landmark and a common stop for visitors exploring Iceland's second-largest city. The interior is worth a quick look if you're in the area, though the real appeal is the views from outside and the church's role as the visual centerpiece of North Iceland's main urban hub.