The Viking Village Film Set is a replica Viking settlement tucked beneath Vestrahorn Mountain. Located on the Stokksnes Peninsula, it was originally built for a film project that was never completed. Since then, it has been used in several productions, including the Netflix series The Witcher: Blood Origin.
Though fictional in origin, the village reflects how Viking-era structures may have looked along Iceland’s Southern Coast in the early centuries of settlement. Its weathered wooden buildings, turf-roofed halls, and dramatic coastal setting make it a compelling stop for visitors interested in history and landscape.
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It's a great stop to include Ring Road itineraries, and it does appear on some South Coast tours. It’s also featured in a private Viking tour from Skaftafell, which allows visitors to explore the site at a relaxed pace with time for photography.
For travelers planning their own itinerary, the Viking Village Film Set pairs well with the flexibility offered by self-drive tours. It’s an easy detour for those renting a car in Iceland, especially when exploring the country's southeast region.
Key Takeaways
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A Historic Experience: The village features traditional Viking structures, including Icelandic turf houses, a warship, and a dungeon.
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Easy to Access: The village is located on the Stokksnes Peninsula near the town of Hofn and is a popular stop on Ring Road tours.
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Nearby Attractions: Several notable attractions are close to the village, including black sand beaches, glaciers, and the town of Hofn.
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Best Time To Visit: Summer offers long daylight hours, while winter provides opportunities to see the northern lights.
Features of the Iceland Viking Village Film Set
The wooden structures in the village are based on traditional Icelandic homes called turf houses. The roofs are made of thick layers of grass that provide insulation from the harsh climate. Other features include door frames with intricate Viking designs and a dungeon set at the base of a constructed boulder.
The village offers an interesting perspective of how Vikings lived and the care they put into constructing their detailed homes. Grass roofs provided shelter from the wind and cold temperatures.
Visitors will find the village on a local family farm, but the entrance fee must first be paid at the family’s nearby Viking Cafe or self-service kiosk. It’s a 10-minute walk from the cafe to the village. The gravel path is level and easy to navigate, but plan on wearing hiking boots and bring hiking poles if you need extra support.
In 2022, the experience was extended with a recreation of a Viking ship, which now sits along the village’s shore. The ship is a replica of the Gokstad Ship, a longship used for exploration, trade, and even warfare.
The village lies between the ocean and the towering mountains, a perfect backdrop for a Viking film set. The unpredictable Icelandic weather contributes to the worn look of the buildings, adding to the village's mystique.
How To Get To the Viking Village
The village is 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Djupivogur Village and 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) east of Hofn. While not directly on the path of Route 1, the village is one of several popular Ring Road attractions for travelers on guided or self-drive tours.
It's a long drive to the village from Reykjavik. It’s about 289 miles (465 kilometers) east of the capital city, so consider multi-day tours that take you through Southeast Iceland.
Nearby Attractions To Visit
Like many places in Iceland, the Viking Village is surrounded by incredible towns and breathtaking natural attractions. Known as the Eastfjords along the South Coast, this region attracts tourists all year.
The black sand beaches of Stokksnes are just 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from the film set. Fauskasandur is another black sand beach you can easily pair with a visit to the village. It’s about 33 miles (54 kilometers) northeast of the Viking Village along Route 1.
Another must-see is the astonishing Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This Icelandic glacier lagoon is one of the most popular attractions in the Nordic country, known for its thousands of floating icebergs. You can see the attraction on day tours or multi-day adventures, such as this South Coast tour from Reykjavik.
If you’re spending multiple days exploring Southeast Iceland, visit Hofn for a bite to eat and relax in one of its many great accommodations. This quaint town is just 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) from the Viking Village.
Aside from Hofn, Djupivogur is the closest town to the village. This lovely settlement has a rich history and stunning landscapes worth checking out if you’re nearby.
Best Time To Visit Stokksnes Viking Village
Iceland is a picturesque destination year-round, but the summer is the best time to visit the Viking Village Set and Stokksnes Peninsula. Iceland gets about 20 hours of daylight from June to August, giving you more time to explore the South Coast and the best destinations in the Eastfjords.
Bear in mind that summer is the busy travel season in Iceland. The pleasant weather and longer days bring larger crowds.
Iceland only gets about four to five hours of sunlight in the winter. However, this is a perfect opportunity to watch the northern lights paint the sky while visiting the village film set. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime photo op!
Plan Your Viking Village Iceland Adventure
Whether you plan on exploring Iceland on your own or joining tours, visiting the Viking movie set is relatively easy, but you’ll need to dress accordingly. Walking shoes, windbreakers, and hats are helpful year-round; heavy coats are necessary in the winter.
The fee to enter the Viking Village is around 7 USD. This grants you access to the village grounds and nearby black sand beaches.
Want to experience the village and Southeast Iceland on a self-drive tour? Consider these top excursions:
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8-Day Self-Drive Tour With In-Depth South Coast Exploration: Take on Iceland’s southern coast with a stopoff at Djupivogur and the Viking Village.
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9-Day Summer Self-Drive Tour With South Coast Highlights: Explore the best of the South Coast and make sure the Viking Village is on your itinerary.
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Ultimate 19-Day Self-Drive Tour Around Iceland: Take your time exploring all of Iceland, and hike to the Viking Village on your stop in Djupivogur.
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What is the Viking Village in Iceland?
Rather than dismantling it, the landowners kept it intact and opened it to visitors. Today it stands as one of Iceland's most atmospheric and photogenic stops, with weathered wooden longhouses, turf-roofed structures, a dungeon, and a Viking ship moored in a nearby lake.
What was filmed at the Viking Village Film Set in Iceland?
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