Ice Caves in Iceland | Crystal & Katla Ice Cave Tours – Troll.is
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Ice Caves in Iceland: A Surreal Glacier Activity

Iceland’s ice caves are some of the country’s most sought-after natural wonders, and each glacier offers a different experience. Breiðamerkurjökull is one of Iceland’s most popular destinations for ice cave exploration, home to the world-famous Crystal Blue Ice Cave and the dazzling Sparkle Ice Cave. These natural formations showcase the glacier’s vivid blue ice and attract visitors eager to experience its ever-changing beauty.

On the South Coast, the Katla Ice Cave in Mýrdalsjökull is accessible year-round, making it a rare option outside the winter season. In addition, Skaftafell and Sólheimajökull glaciers often reveal seasonal ice caves that change from year to year, offering unique formations that can only be explored for a limited time.

All tours are guided by certified glacier experts and include the safety equipment you’ll need to enter these natural ice formations. Whether you’re starting from Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell, Vík, or Reykjavík, there’s an option to suit your itinerary. Since ice caves are constantly changing and often only accessible from October to March, booking early ensures you won’t miss your chance to step inside one of Iceland’s most remarkable and short-lived wonders.

Top Rated Ice Cave Tours in Iceland

From the ethereal blues of Vatnajökull to the gothic ash-layered depths of Katla, these are Iceland’s most show-stopping ice cave experiences. Scroll below and pick your poison—each cave is a portal into something ancient, eerie, and utterly unforgettable.


Katla Ice Cave Tours (Vík Region)

(Approx. 2.5 hours from Reykjavík)

The Katla Ice Cave in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier is one of the few ice caves in Iceland that can be visited year-round, making it a popular choice for travelers who aren’t visiting in winter. Tours typically depart from Vík and take you into a natural ice cave formed by the volcanic glacier that sits above the infamous Katla volcano. Inside, you’ll find a striking mix of blue ice, black volcanic ash layers, and unique formations that make it very different from the seasonal caves in Vatnajökull. Guided by expert guides and equipped with helmets and crampons, visitors can safely explore this rare natural wonder while learning about the powerful forces that shaped it.

Katla Volcano Ice Cave
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4.9
location Vik
duration 3 Hours
difficulty Easy
season All Year
From
$189
/traveler
Katla Ice Cave Day Tour from Reykjavik
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5.0
location From Reykjavík
duration 12 hours
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
difficulty Easy to moderate
From
$269
/traveler
Private
Katla Volcano Ice Cave
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4.5
location Vik
transportation Super jeep from Meeting Point
difficulty Easy
duration 3 Hours
From
$2,150
/group
Katla Ice Cave Extended 4-hour Super Jeep Tour
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5.0
location Vik
duration 4 Hours
transportation Super jeep from Meeting Point
difficulty Easy
From
$295
/traveler
Katla Ice Cave & Ziplining in Vík
IconIconIconIconIcon
5.0
location Vik
duration 5 Hours
difficulty Easy to moderate
season All Year
From
$285
/traveler
Katla Ice Cave & Lava Show Vík
IconIconIconIconIcon
5.0
location Vik
transportation Super jeep from Meeting Point
difficulty Easy
season All Year
From
$250
/traveler

Vatnajökull Ice Cave Tours

(Approx. 4.5–5 hours from Reykjavík)

The Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest in Europe, is home to some of Iceland’s most remarkable ice cave tours.

On the eastern side, tours from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon take visitors onto Breiðamerkurjökull to explore the famous Crystal Blue Ice Cave, a dazzling formation of translucent blue walls that has become the country’s best-known ice cave.

Further west, from Hof near Skaftafell, tours lead onto Falljökull Glacier, where the Blue Ice Cave and Glacier Hike combines a guided glacier walk with the chance to step inside a naturally formed cave.

Together, these tours offer two of the most iconic ways to experience Vatnajökull’s constantly changing landscape and its rare ice formations.

Troll.is Glacier Hike Meeting Points

We keep things simple: meet, gear up, hike out, and get wowed. Here's where the adventure begins:

Always double-check your confirmation email for the precise time and place.


Multi-day tours with Ice Caves

Because some things are just too cool for a day trip.

If you're serious about Iceland’s legendary ice caves (and let’s face it, you didn’t come all this way for lukewarm thrills), multi-day tours are the way to go. These adventures give you more time, more landscapes, and a better shot at catching those elusive sapphire-blue ice chambers under ideal conditions—especially the ones tucked far into the glacier tongues of Vatnajökull.

Each itinerary typically includes guided ice cave excursions, glacier visits, waterfall stops, black sand beaches, comfy countryside hotels (with heating, thankfully), and the kind of road-trip drama Iceland is famous for—minus the stress of driving. Pickup is from Reykjavík, and everything from helmets to glacier crampons is sorted for you.

Heads-up: Blue ice caves are seasonal (Oct–Apr). Katla Ice Cave is open year-round. Just pack your warmest layers, waterproof boots, and a camera with serious storage space.

2 Day South Coast
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5.0
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
hotels Included: 1 Night & Breakfast
season Winter
duration 2 Days
From
$575
/traveler
南部精华中文三日团
IconIconIconIconIcon
4.8
location From Reykjavík
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
hotels Included: 2 Nights & Breakfast
From
$1,069
/traveler
4 Day Snæfellsnes & South Coast
IconIconIconIconIcon
4.5
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
hotels Included: 3 Nights & Breakfast
season Winter
duration 4 Days
From
$1,290
/traveler
6 Days Around Iceland
IconIconIconIconIcon
4.9
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
hotels Included: 5 Nights & Breakfast
season Winter
duration 6 Days
From
$2,284
/traveler
冰岛6天5晚中文环岛团
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4.6
location From Reykjavík
transportation Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
hotels Included: 5 Nights & Breakfast
From
$2,339
/traveler

FAQs About Ice Caves in Iceland

We’ve crawled through the ice, argued with the volcanoes, and survived tourist questions in all caps. Here’s what you need to know before entering Iceland’s coldest cathedrals.

Most natural ice caves, like the ice caves in Breiðamerkurjökull and Skaftafell, are strictly operated during the winter season, typically from October through March. The Katla Ice Cave, however, is operated all year round.

Bear in mind that the Ice Caves are dynamic and are assessed daily for safety.

You bring the warm layers, we bring the crampons, helmets, and ice axes.

Yes — but check age limits on each tour. Some easy walks allow kids 8+, others require 10–12+ depending on the terrain.
If your kid is adventurous, dressed warm, and not prone to licking glacial walls, they’ll be fine.

We make sure your tour to our Ice Caves is extremely safe by monitoring each cave every day. We constantly check the thickness of the roof and make sure you will have a safe and enjoyable time in the Ice Caves.

Ice caves are not easily accessible and their situation needs to be monitored by professional. You should go with an expert guide.

Only when the weather goes full Iceland (which happens). Heavy rain, high winds, or unstable cave conditions can cancel or reschedule your tour. If a tour gets cancelled, you will generally be offered a chance to rebook.

Absolutely. You can find day tours and multi-day tours departing from Reykjavík that include ice caves. . The most popular tours are the South Coast & Katla Ice Cave from Reykjaík (open year-round) and the 3-Day South Coast & Golden Circle winter tour. Pickup is usually included from major hotels or designated bus stops, and tours come with all necessary gear.

Got More Questions?

Our team of Iceland experts is just a message away. Whether you’re curious about tour details, weather prep, or which adventure suits you best, we’re here to help.
Chat with us or Contact our support team and let’s plan your perfect Iceland experience.

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You can call us just about anytime. Our customer service team works around the clock. You can reach us by phone anytime, except from 10 pm and 6 am on Saturday and Sunday nights, Icelandic time. Contact [email protected] or call us at +354 519 4455 and our dedicated team will help you out.


Katla Ice Cave


Crystal Blue Ice Cave