Kirkjubæjarklaustur

"Kirkjubæjarklaustur was known in olden times as "Kirkjubær" (Church Farm) and was an important farming estate. It is one of the most tongue-twisting words to pronounce of any location in Iceland. Kirkjubæjarklaustur has developed into a village, the only centre of population in the district, with about 150 inhabitants. Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated to "Klaustur", is centrally located in the district. Roads radiate from Klaustur in many different directions and the Ring Road runs through the district. The Laki road, just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, leads into the highlands. The circular Landbrot / Meðalland road serves the southern part of the district. The Fjallabak roads (north and south) lead from the Ring Road into the interior via Skaftártunga. The Álftaver road is a circular route serving Álftaver on Mýrdalssandur. Kirkjubæjarklaustur is the only place between Vík and Höfn which offers services, including a fuel station, a bank, a post office and a supermarket. Nearby tourist attractions include the Laki craters, the Eldgjá and Skaftafell. An attraction close to the village is Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns down in the earth, eroded and shaped by wind and waves, but only the top can be seen, and they, as the name suggests, have the appearance of a paved church floor. It is a protected natural monument. This lava formation has similar origins as the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. All these attractions contribute to the popularity of Kirkjubæjarklaustur as a stopping point for tourists."

"Once you leave Vík and drive east, you need to start thinking about gas and charging stations. Particularly, how far away is the next one? Kirkjubæjarklaustur (Church Farm Cloister), thankfully nicknamed Klaustur, is the only village in between Vík and Höfn. That makes it a popular stop for food and fuel. But, if you have time, Klaustur is an interesting spot in its own right. Basalt columns that look a church floor, a lake, a modern chapel, waterfalls, and Skaftárstofa (the Vatnajökull National Park visitors center) are in town. Fjaðrárgljúfur (a canyon) is just outside of it. While Jökulsárlón (the glacier lagoon) is less than two hours away. Klaustur is a small town (population less than 500 people) surrounded by farmland. Unlike much of Iceland, which was settled by the Norse people, this part of the south coast was strictly Christian. Irish monks were the first to arrive. Benedictine nuns later had a well-known convent. The economy is now run by tourism. Many people from Reykjavík own small weekend cabins out here, as well. It's quiet--and people want to keep it that way."

" About: small village in South Iceland POI: Fjadrargljufur canyon, Systrafoss, Kirkjugolf, Stjornarfoss Amenities: fuel, restaurant/cafe, grocery store, liquor store, accommodation, camping, visitor center Pro-tip: the N1 station is a great spot to get fuel and grab a bite to eat. They have a small cafe with burgers, but also the cheapest meal you can find in Iceland: all you can eat soup and bread for 900 ISK! "