Skálholt Cathedral
Skálholt Cathedral
4
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Skálholt is one of the most historic places in Iceland. The site is rich in culture and history and is a perfect stop for history buffs on the Golden Circle. Today Skálholt is a place of history, culture, spirituality, faith and music. Visitors are welcome all year round. The cathedral and museum is open from 9 am - 5 pm every day all year round. The restaurant is open from 10 am - 4 pm. The Cathedral is a beautiful building known for it's powerful altar piece made by NÃna Tryggvadóttir and the spectacular glass stained windows bade by Gerður Helgadóttir. On a sunny day the windows cast a colorful light all around the chuch. The acoustics in the church are one of the best in the world and many concerts have been held there. Skálholt was a center for education, religion and administration for over than 700 years and a place of pilgrimage in medieval times. Due to it's rich history archaeological excavations have been made on the site.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
249 reviews
Excellent
76
Very good
105
Average
58
Poor
9
Terrible
1
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH4,508 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This quaint cathedral in the tiny village of Skálholt, considered to be Iceland's first town, is a gem. Gorgeous church in a amazing setting, with a history museum in the basement is definitely worth a visit. Just reading the names and dates on the walls was fascinating, but then to read the stories of how these people moved these huge burial stones 30 miles over the land in winter by hand. Wow! Right next door is a hotel with easy access to restrooms.
Written 8 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulla L
5 contributions
May 2022 • Business
Stayed at a conference in Skalholt, restaurant was excellent with bread cooked at the hot spring for 24 hrs, herb soup, local delicatessen with a modern touch. Friendly and lovely staff
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Springfield, MO3,328 contributions
Oct 2021
No one was here when we came by, but the cathedral was open, so we sat a bit. My husband was very interested in the archeological site, so he walked around a bit. the opening underneath we didn't go in, as there wasn't any information . We didn't realize there was a museum, so we missed that. There is plenty of parking.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki D
2 contributions
Sep 2021
You must visit this place- the owner , Gigi, of the restaurant is a generous, attentive and creative person. She and her family member have taken ownership fo this Cathedral restaurant and they are devoted and attentive. We had a group of 15 people- Merrie's friends and we were all pleased. 2 of the members of our group were vegetarian/vegan and those meals also were exquisite. All of our meals were artistically and Icelandic in display and cuisine. The chef's speciality was apparent in the taste and presentation- they were meals you don't want to end. Gigi and her staff were welcoming and offered excellent customer/guest care. The Cathedral is an intriguing historical setting with a cozy guesthouse. Even if you spend the day there you Must enjoy a meal with Gigi.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadicTraveller7
Fuerteventura10,711 contributions
Jun 2021
The is easy and quick to visit as it is just off the road between Geysir and Selfoss. This is another historic site where hundreds of years ago there was a very large cathedral and religious school. The original cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake, but the church was rebuilt in the 1960’s. The church was closed when we stopped by. There as a view over the ruins and a lake but the whole visit should not detain you for very long.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisa C
Santa Cruz, CA425 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Historic cathedral with a crypt below. Wish there was more information available as it’s such an important piece of history. Centuries of cathedrals have been built here. There’s even a hidden entrance from the field into the crypt. It’s a nice stop along the Golden Circle route.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian D
Denver, CO2,378 contributions
May 2021
Great church to visit for some excellent pictures. The church was locked, so could not venture inside. Just a few minutes here to relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Located just off the Golden Circle.
Written 2 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wilhelmm-norway
Fornebu, Norway193 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Skalholt has an intriguing history that goes hand in hand with Iceland’s history since its christening around year 1000. Despite so much of historic importance being represented here, the history is so difficult to access and understand when you pay a visit to the church as this place today resembles nothing in comparison to how it symbolized power, knowledge and history 500-1000 years ago when this was the center of knowledge and religious power in Iceland. Those who are not well read up on Skalholt’s history before a visit will leave without being impressed. For such a site, there should be a resident guide available, and much more relevant information and history presented. Very disappointing presentation of such an important site!
Written 7 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
O5237VEjanec
Norwich, UK26 contributions
May 2019
The cathedral and other buildings look great against the skyline as you approach. The interior is rather beautiful too. I would have liked to have tried the cafe too but it wasn't open.
Written 1 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillfromKent
Orpington, UK77 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The site has an amazing history and an incredible feeling of peace and calm. We were lucky to find the place virtually deserted, but the size of the car park indicated it could get very busy sometimes!
The cathedral itself is a bit scruffy and there are no tourist facilities so don’t expect to much. However, if you strike lucky and have the place to yourself, you may find it as magical as we did.
The cathedral itself is a bit scruffy and there are no tourist facilities so don’t expect to much. However, if you strike lucky and have the place to yourself, you may find it as magical as we did.
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skálholt Cathedral, Selfoss
Frequently Asked Questions about Skálholt Cathedral
- Skálholt Cathedral is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Skálholt Cathedral:
- (0.17 km) Hotel Skalholt
- (0.08 km) Skalholt
- (2.24 km) Brekkugerdi Guesthouse
- (3.42 km) Sel Guesthouse
- (13.99 km) Heradsskolinn Historic Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Skálholt Cathedral:
- (0.03 km) Veitingahúsid Skalholt
- (0.17 km) Hvönn Restaurant
- (6.96 km) Friðheimar
- (6.73 km) Restaurant Mika
- (10.09 km) Fludasveppir Farmers Bistro