Urdakirkja is a church in Svarfaðardalur, the valley that runs inland from Dalvík in Northeast Iceland. The building is well maintained and the ground around it is kept neat. The interior is not routinely open, so most visits are from the outside. The draw is the pairing of the church and the valley road that reaches it, which is worth driving in clear weather.
- Transport
- Self-drive (Svarfaðardalur, inland from Dalvík)
- Address
- Urðir, 621 Dalvík, Iceland
What makes it special
Urdakirkja is a country church in Svarfaðardalur, in Northeast Iceland. The interest is in its condition. The building is well maintained and the ground around it is kept neat, which is not a given for a rural church. What you actually see depends on the day. One visitor found the church opened for him, photographed the interior and was told the history of the site. On another day the door is shut and the visit is an exterior one. The drive up the valley counts for as much as the stop itself, and in clear weather it is the better half of the trip.
Good to know
- Getting in is not guaranteed. One visitor was let in and shown the history of the site; on another day you will see the exterior only.
- Weather makes or breaks it. The valley is a large part of the drive, and in rain and low cloud there is little to see from the road.
- Winter. Check road conditions before driving into the valley, and allow for short daylight in the north.
Best time to visit
Better: a clear day.
Avoid: rain and low cloud.
The church stands in Svarfaðardalur, and the valley does much of the work of the visit. In good weather the drive through it is worth the detour on its own. In low cloud the valley closes in and there is little to look at. In winter daylight in the north is short, so aim for the middle of the day.
Sun & daylight
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Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside Urdakirkja?
Not as a rule. One visitor found the church opened for him and was told the history of the site, but the interior is not routinely open. Plan on seeing the exterior.Where is Urdakirkja?
In Svarfaðardalur, the valley that runs inland from Dalvík in Northeast Iceland. The church stands in open countryside in the valley.Can you take photographs?
The exterior can be photographed freely. One visitor photographed the interior after the church was opened for him, so ask permission from whoever lets you in.Is it worth going in bad weather?
Less so. The drive through Svarfaðardalur is a large part of the visit and needs clear weather. In rain and low cloud there is little to see beyond the church itself.