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Bromr CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Oddi

Historical Site

A historic settlement in southern Iceland known for medieval-era cultural significance and rural landscapes; visitors come for history, local farms and lowland vistas.

Oddi SelfossÞingvellirGeysirGullfossSeljalandsfossSkógafossReynisfjaraLandmannalaugarOddi

Oddi essentials

Country: Iceland
Driest months: Apr-Jun
Pay in: Krona (kr)
Language: Icelandic

Oddi at a Glance

About Oddi

Oddi is a historic settlement in southern Iceland that was an important ecclesiastical and cultural centre in the medieval period. It is associated with a family of church leaders and chieftains who played a role in Icelandic literary and political life.

Remains at the site include the location of the medieval church, farm structures and a gravefield, with interpretation focused on the settlement’s historical role. The site is visited for its connections to Icelandic saga history and as an example of a medieval Icelandic church-farm complex.

From the 11th to the 13th centuries Oddi was held by a line of influential churchmen and chieftains and is repeatedly mentioned in saga sources for its patrons and scholars. It served as a local centre for education and culture during the medieval period.

Oddi lies on the lowlands of southern Iceland in the Southern Region, on the agricultural plain known historically as Rangárvellir. The site is reached from the south-coast road network and is part of Iceland’s historical rural landscape.

  • Medieval centre: Known from the medieval period as an important centre of learning and chieftaincy in southern Iceland linked with prominent figures of Icelandic saga literature.

What to See#

  • Oddi church site: The site of a medieval church and ecclesiastical farmstead that served as a local parish centre and place of burial.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Oddi

Summer (June-August) offers the most reliable access, milder weather and long daylight for exploring Oddi and the surrounding South Region.

Summer
Jun-Aug · ~5-15°C
Best time for ease of access, milder temperatures and long daylight hours - ideal for walking and local sightseeing.
Winter
Nov-Mar · ~-5-5°C
Cold, dark and potentially stormy with limited daylight and more challenging travel conditions; northern lights possible further north but weather is often rough.
Shoulder seasons
Apr-May & Sep-Oct · ~0-10°C
Fewer tourists and rapidly changing weather; spring brings thaw and autumn brings earlier nightfall and crisp air.

Weather & Climate near Oddi

Climate

Oddi's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1264 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 17 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -3° - 2° -7° 112 mm overcast 92% 8.7 m/s 0.0 low 5.4h
February Poor -2° - 3° -6° 120 mm overcast 91% 8.9 m/s 0.0 low 8.4h
March Poor -2° - 4° -5° 115 mm overcast 89% 8.4 m/s 0.1 low 11.5h
April Poor 1° - 6° -2° 85 mm overcast 86% 7.4 m/s 0.4 low 14.7h
May Acceptable 4° - 10° 3° 89 mm overcast 82% 6.4 m/s 0.8 moderate 17.8h
June Poor 7° - 12° 7° 80 mm overcast 81% 6.0 m/s 1.0 high 19.8h
July Acceptable 9° - 14° 11° 85 mm overcast 81% 5.7 m/s 1.0 moderate 18.8h
August Acceptable 8° - 13° 11° 119 mm overcast 83% 5.8 m/s 0.7 moderate 15.9h
September Poor 5° - 10° 4° 108 mm overcast 87% 6.7 m/s 0.3 low 12.8h
October Poor 3° - 7° 5° 122 mm overcast 90% 7.2 m/s 0.1 low 9.6h
November Poor 0° - 4° -4° 113 mm overcast 92% 7.7 m/s 0.0 low 6.4h
December Poor -3° - 2° -7° 116 mm overcast 92% 8.7 m/s 0.0 low 4.2h