6 Best Ice Cave Tours from Reykjavik

If there is one interesting attraction to visit in Iceland in winter, it is the ice caves. I show you the best excursions to visit these incredible places.
6 Best Ice Cave Tours from Reykjavik

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More about: 6 Best Ice Cave Tours from Reykjavik

Ice caves are formations that are created in the glaciers of Iceland during the winter. It is an unparalleled attraction that I recommend you include in your itinerary of things to see and do in Reykjavik since they remind you of the power of nature.

During the excursions to these caves you will have the opportunity to learn about the most important geological aspects that make this phenomenon possible. In addition the tour inside the caves will leave you with a lot of pictures that you will keep forever in your memories, definitely one of the best tours in Reykjavik to know and enjoy.

1. Jeep tour to the Katla Ice Caves

Katla Ice Caves| ©Scott Hill
Katla Ice Caves| ©Scott Hill

This eleven-hour tour will be enough to see much of the wonders that the south coast of Iceland has to offer. The tour begins when your guide picks you up at your accommodation in Reykjavik or directly in the town of Vik. Once in Vik, you will get into the super jeep and take the country road.

On this country road you will see breathtaking scenery of the entire south coast. Along the way you will see glaciers of all shapes and sizes, but it will be at the Kötlujökull glacier where you will get off to enjoy one of the best ice caves you will see in Iceland.

An experienced guide will take you inside these caves that form only in winter. After the tour of this natural wonder is over, you will continue your way back to Vik where you can stop to admire the spectacle of the Skógafoss waterfall. Another interesting place to see on your tour is the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap.

Interesting details

  • Price: 150 euros per person, approximately.
  • Duration: The trip takes about 11 hours from Reykjavík.
  • Means of transport: If you choose to be picked up in Reykjavik or Vik the first transport will be an equipped minibus. Once you arrive at the meeting point you will board the super jeep.

Book an excursion to Katla Ice Cave

2. Three day tour to the Golden Circle and Blue Ice Caves

Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ
Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ

Of course the Golden Circle is one of the experiences that you can not miss if you go to Iceland, to know it more closely you can make a trip to the Golden Circle and a tour of the Kerid crater in Reykjavik. In this case I propose a three-day trip to see some of the wonders of the Golden Circle and other similar landscapes.

During the first day you will visit the Golden Circle, Thingvellir National Park from Reykjavik, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. On the second day you will travel to the most impressive waterfalls on the south coast, as well as have the opportunity to see the black sand.

You will have to wait until the third day to visit the majestic ice caves of the Vatnajokull National Park, which are formations that can only be seen in Reykjavík in winter, because they form anew each season.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 563 euros per person.
  • Duration: 3 days trip.
  • Means of transport: All transfers are by minibus with all amenities included.

Book an excursion to Katla Ice Cave

3. Excursion to Sólheimajökull glacier with walk

Solheimajokull| ©murtica27
Solheimajokull| ©murtica27

This icy adventure will take you to the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue, a place where you can see a snowy landscape as well as a couple of beautiful waterfalls that are definitely one of the most impressive on the island. At Sólheimajökull you can learn to walk on the ice while getting to know the glacier inside and out.

Although one of the main attractions of this walk is not its caves but the glacier itself, it is an extreme experience to see the ice formations that are found in the surroundings and inside the glacier itself.

In this experience you can learn to climb the glacier using all the elements at hand, from the straps and harnesses to the crampons and ice axe. This is an activity only suitable to do in Reykjavik in winter, when the ice caves are fully formed.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 119 euros per person.
  • Duration: This experience can last approximately 10 hours.
  • Means of transportation: Bus with all the comforts that picks you up at the hotel and back.

4. Guided excursion to Langjökull Ice Caves

Langjökull Ice Caves| ©Florian Seiffert
Langjökull Ice Caves| ©Florian Seiffert

On this full-day excursion you will have the opportunity to see the wonders of Europe's second largest glacier, Langjökull. In a tour of about 40 minutes you will climb with your tour guide to the top of the glacier Húsafell and later you can enter the interior of the glacier from the top.

The exploration will last approximately two and a half hours, in which you can visit the full extent of the glacier inside, you will also hear the comments of the guide who will accompany you in your experience.

The time you stay inside the ice cave will depend on the conditions of the cave and if the guide states that it is safe to stay inside during the time stipulated for the excursion. During the tour you will also see the crystal clear glacial water lagoon Hraunfossar.

Details of interest

  • Price: From 193 euros per person.
  • Duration: Approximately eleven hours from the time you are picked up at your accommodation until the end of the experience.
  • Means of transport: If you choose the option of pick up at your hotel, then you will go in a minibus with all the comforts on board. To get to the glacier aboard a specialized truck to go on ice.

5. Two-day excursion to the Vatnajökull ice caves and the south coast

Reykjavík Coast| ©GYU
Reykjavík Coast| ©GYU

During this two-day tour to the south coast from Reykjavík you will see much of the wonders that nature in Iceland has to show you. From black sand beaches to breathtaking waterfalls, and the highlight of this trip, which is why I recommend it, the visit to the blue ice caves.

This is one of the most impressive phenomena in the world and occurs under the largest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajökull. In these caves you will have the opportunity to appreciate the blue color that is imprinted on the ice walls.

In addition, this two-day tour is ideal to enjoy the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland from Reykjavik. You will also visit the Jokulsarlon Lagoon, one of the best lagoons to visit from Reykjavik, being the only glacier in Iceland.

Details of interest

  • Price: You can find this experience for an approximate price ranging from 400 euros per person.
  • Duration: To do the whole tour you could take about two days traveling and seeing interesting places.
  • Means of transportation: The whole excursion is done on board a bus properly equipped with all the travel comforts.

Book an excursion to the Katla ice cave

6. Excursion with snowmobile ride to Langjökull ice caves

Snowmobiling to Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson
Snowmobiling to Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson

I believe there is no better way to experience the Langjökull glacier than embarking on one of the best snowmobile tours in Reykjavik. In the experience you will have the opportunity to go and get to know the glacier and the ice caves inside it. To get to the place you will travel by super jeep, while the tour through the glacier you will do it by snowmobile.

This tour lasts approximately ten hours, so you will need a full day to visit this place and enjoy it to the fullest. You will be picked up by super jeep in the city of Reykjavik from where you will depart to the second largest glacier in Europe, the Langjökull.

Before you get on the snowmobiles you will receive a basic induction on how this snowmobile works and what you have to do during the tour. After you have toured the place for enough time, you will enter the ice caves, a unique spectacle that you can only get in Iceland.

Interesting details

  • Price: This experience has an approximate price of 300 euros per person.
  • Duration: You can do this tour in about 8 to 10 hours.
  • Means of transportation: From your location in Reykjavik to the glacier, the transfer is completed by super jeep. Once at the glacier, the ride is by snowmobile.

What will I see on this type of excursion?

Gullfoss| ©Nickspix
Gullfoss| ©Nickspix

Of course the main reason for you to do this type of excursion is to see the ice caves that form in winter after the freezing of the fresh water due to the action of the low temperatures. This type of phenomenon is unique, which makes the landscape change every winter.

Depending on the type of excursion you take to the ice caves, you will generally learn how to visit Iceland's best glaciers, see and visit Iceland's best waterfalls that are part of the rugged landscape and above all you will see lots of snow and ice along the way.

You will also have the opportunity to see glacial lakes and other natural phenomena that are part of the Icelandic landscape in winter time. If you choose tours of more than one day, you will probably be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

Tips for an excursion to the ice caves

Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
  • Regardless of the time of year you visit Iceland, always pack warm clothes, thermal pants, waterproof jackets, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, hats, scarves, among other things that will keep you warm.
  • If you want to avoid renting trekking boots for some activities on the ice, I recommend that you bring your own.
  • If you go with children, make sure that in each experience they tell you beforehand the minimum age that the child must have to participate. Many activities do not accept children under six years of age for their own safety.
  • Pay close attention to the safety rules in each of the experiences you attend, remember that ice caves are temporary formations, so the safety conditions of each one can change in minutes.

Why is it advisable to take an excursion to the ice caves?

Inside an ice cave in Iceland| ©Jon Vidar Sigurdsson
Inside an ice cave in Iceland| ©Jon Vidar Sigurdsson

If you like adventure tourism and you come to Iceland believing that it is a country where you can have all the adventure you want, then you are right. But you should always be cautious when sightseeing in this country. Its climatic and geographical conditions are a bit dangerous, especially for tourists.

In that sense, it is necessary that you make the excursions to the most inhospitable places, with knowledgeable people of the place. Even more so during the winter period, when the wind does its thing and temperatures drop considerably, I recommend you not to venture out on your own.

In addition to the safety issue, it is important that you go to each of the places accompanied by a person who is an expert in geological issues and the history of Iceland, so they can give you all the information you need to know about each of the sights.

Book a tour to the Katla Ice Cave

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long am I going to be inside a cave?

    A full day excursion to the ice caves lasts between 9 and 11 hours, but the descent into the cave will only take 15 minutes, during which you can enjoy the rare beauty of an impressive ice cavern.

  • What is included in a day trip to an ice cave?

    In addition to taxes, fees and other expenses, you can add a pick-up and return to your hotel. Otherwise, you will have round-trip transportation from Reykjavik. Some day trips include visits to Langjokull Glacier and Hraunfossar.

  • What should you bring to an ice cave experience?

    Most importantly, wear sturdy hiking boots and warm clothing. And definitely take a camera to this experience as you will be able to capture the inside of the cave with once in a lifetime photo opportunities.

Reviews from other travellers

4.9
· 454 Reviews
  • A
    A. C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Good driver, good guide, good trip.
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The guides were great, they are the best I have ever had in my life.
  • V
    V.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The trip was beautiful.
  • S
    S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The ice caves are amazing, but this is by far the best one I've visited the entire time I've been visiting Iceland.
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    A most delightful experience, it was a perfect experience for those who love new emotions and new challenges.