Ice Caves From Reykjavik

Ice caves are found inside and beneath Iceland’s glaciers, but visiting one from Reykjavík takes some planning. Natural ice caves are located outside the capital, and the distance, season and type of cave vary considerably.

How do you get to an ice cave from Reykjavik?

If you want to visit a natural ice cave, Katla Ice Cave near Vík is very practical to visit from Reykjavík. The cave is located in Kötlujökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, close to Vík on Iceland’s South Coast.

Vík is around 2.5 hours from Reykjavík by road, although travel time depends on weather and road conditions. You can either join a tour departing from Reykjavík or travel to Vík and meet your glacier guide there. It is important to book a guided tour; you are not able to visit the caves yourself (even if you've rented a 4x4).

From there, you’ll travel the rest of the way on foot, over icy or gravelly paths. Ice cave tours provide specialist safety equipment such as helmets and crampons. Wear warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, gloves and sturdy walking shoes. Even in summer, conditions on a glacier can be cold and change quickly. And don’t forget your camera!

Vatnajökull Ice Caves are seasonal

In winter, approximately from November to March, it’s possible to visit the larger ice caverns beneath Vatnajökull. Vatnajökull is known for natural blue ice caves, often referred to as the "Crystal Caves".

The precise nature and location of these varies each year as summer temperatures alter their location, shape and form. Melting leads to redesigns and collapses.

These caves are much farther from Reykjavík than Katla or Langjökull. Reaching the Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón area takes around five hours by road each way, so an overnight stay or multi-day South Coast trip is usually more practical than travelling there and back in one day.

Always visit with a glacier guide. Guides monitor current conditions and determine which caves, if any, are safe to enter.

Can you visit an Ice Cave in Reykjavik?

Yes. If you want to experience an ice cave without leaving Reykjavík, Perlan has a 100-metre indoor ice cave as part of its Ice Cave and Glaciers Exhibition.

The cave was built using more than 350 tonnes of snow from Icelandic mountains and gives visitors the chance to walk through real ice in a controlled environment. Unlike a glacier tour, it doesn't require a long drive, glacier hike or specialist equipment. However, it is kept at a temperature around -13°C, so bring a coat!

The adjoining glacier exhibition explains how Iceland’s glaciers form, change and respond to the climate. The exhibition also shows visitors a 360° view from above Vatnajökull.

Langjökull Ice Cave from Reykjavik

Langjökull is another year-round option from Reykjavík. It is around 150 km from the capital and takes roughly two hours to reach by road.

Unlike Katla, the Into the Glacier experience is manmade. Engineers created a tunnel inside Langjökull that allows visitors to walk deep into the glacier throughout the year.

Tours depart from Húsafell or Reykjavík, with organised trips from the capital taking most of the day. This makes Langjökull a practical option for travellers who want to experience the inside of a glacier but are visiting outside the main natural ice-cave season.

Which Ice Cave should you visit from Reykjavik?

• Choose Katla if you want to visit a natural ice cave on a full-day trip from Reykjavík.
• Choose Langjökull if you want a year-round experience inside a glacier and don't mind visiting a manmade tunnel.
• Choose Vatnajökull if you're travelling farther along the South Coast and can spend at least one night outside Reykjavík.
• Choose Perlan if you want an ice-cave experience without leaving the city and an immersive volcano experience