One of the highlights of our winter stay in Iceland was a visit to a natural ice cave. Unique colors and plays of light, shapes and sculptures created by nature… You’re sure to be amazed by these fantastic places! For an unforgettable experience, be sure to book a guided tour with experts in advance.
Use our practical tips and photos to plan your perfect getaway. Check out our selection of the 5 best ice cave tours in Iceland to help you decide!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
About Iceland’s winter ice caves
You can find many different options:
- with glacier hikes
- accessible by 4WD
- access by snowmobile
- None of them are directly accessible from Route 1.
- We provide several examples in the article
- View all options and availability right away
Access to Iceland’s ice caves in winter
Iceland offers many ice caves in winter. These temporary cavities, formed by the freezing of glacial meltwater, are, for the most part, accessible only between mid-November and early March before melting away in the warmth. For safety reasons, you must book a tour with a certified guide.
The tours are scheduled to depart from meeting points that are accessible by car so that you can easily meet up with the team. Professional organizers then use specialized all-terrain vehicles (super-jeeps with special tires) to reach the ice caves.
Once we’re there, walking beneath the ice, touching the cave walls, and discovering the shapes and colors created by nature are our fondest travel memories. In our opinion, this is one of the best things to do in Iceland in the winter.
Ice cave map
Here’s a map to locate the glaciers with ice caves to visit in Iceland, places mentioned in our article:
Every winter, new ice caves form in Iceland’s glaciers. As you can see, they’re never the same from one year to the next! On the map above, we have marked the main glaciers where visitors can explore ice caves during excursions.
Access conditions and facilities
Every year, new and unique caves form, featuring shapes, tunnels, and sculptures created by nature. The most famous caves are located on the glacier tongues of Vatnajökull and Kötlujökull. Some wine cellars are blue; others are black.
Please note that you must book a guided tour to visit the ice caves in Iceland. For safety reasons, you cannot travel there on your own. You can reach the meeting point by car, and then you’ll board an all-terrain vehicle to reach the glacier and the entrance to the caves.
The tour operator usually provides snow or ice crampons, a helmet, a harness, and an ice axe. Please note that some of the excursions mentioned in this article require a good level of physical fitness. If you have any questions about your health in relation to glacier activities, consult your doctor before your trip if you have any doubts.
1. Jökulsárlón: Blue or black ice caves of Vatnajökull
Why do we recommend this tour?
Did you know that Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe? By choosing this guided tour to one of Iceland’s wonders, we were able to visit several caves—some blue AND some black! However, please note that this is not always the case.
You’ll see at least one ice cave during your visit, and if you’re lucky, you might even explore a black ice cave, depending on the year and glacial formation!
You’re probably wondering where these colors come from. In the blue caves, because the glacier ice is thicker and denser, it is compressed and absorbs all colors of light (the visible spectrum) except blue. Intriguing, isn’t it?
We also really enjoyed our tour of the dark cave. It’s pretty impressive because the ice inside looks like shiny stone with an incredible design that reminded us of waves! You’ll see for yourself when you visit—if things go your way—because seeing is believing!
Unsurprisingly, as Iceland is a volcanic land, the black color is due to the mixture of ash and ice.
>> Book your tour now to guarantee your place!
What you will see
Please be aware that caves are living entities; they change every winter. You’ll never see the same caves from one year to the next. They can therefore change over the years after summer has ended. During our field trip, we were able to observe:
- beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
- Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s largest glacier
- ice caves of sparkling blue or deep black
- nuances of color and light in the cave
- natural sculptures in snow and ice
The professional guide and his team are English-speaking.
Discover the enchantment of the Vatnajökull caves!
Adventure inside a spectacular ice cave – see details and book
Half-day in a crystal grotto – See prices, photos and availability and book now
Full day with glacier hike and isolated ice cave – see program and book
How much time should I allow?
Allow 3 hours for this excursion departing from Jökulsárlón. You will be accompanied by a team of experts in an all-terrain vehicle to facilitate access to the glacier.
The Jokulsárlón Ice Caves (Crystal, Sapphire, Blue Diamond…)
Why do we recommend this tour?
Tours departing from Jokulsárlón offer the chance to visit ice caves with specific names. You may have heard of them before—the Blue Diamond, Crystal, and Sapphire ice caves, formerly located near the Jokulsárlón glacial lagoon, were famous in the region. They were known to be a little larger than the other caves, but quite spectacular in terms of the colors and transparency of the ice.
Formed by the melting of glaciers in the summer and their crystallization in the winter, the original ice caves have disappeared over time, and tour operators no longer highlight these names in their tour titles. But the guides will take you to see others that have formed nearby. Even though they have the same name, as you can see, they won’t be exactly the same because they regrow differently in the winter.
The formation of a new giant every year means you’re in for a wonderful surprise during your visit! We’ve selected several options for you—some that include a glacier hike and others that don’t—depending on your schedule, preferences, and fitness level!
2. Skaftafell Ice Cave (hike required)
Why do we recommend this tour?
In Skaftafell National Park, you can combine a glacier hike with a visit to a cave. We recommend this complete experience on a glacier to appreciate its specific features and the grandiose dimension of this natural curiosity. You’ll find that ice caves are generally smaller and less impressive. We enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the small group during the excursion.
Please note that you’ll need to be in reasonably good physical condition to enjoy this activity, as hiking on ice and through snow is required to reach the cave.
>> Book your half-day glacier hike and ice cave tour!
What you will see
This tour includes:
- a view of the landscapes of the Skaftafell nature reserve
- a hike on one of the glacier tongues of the Vatnajökull glacier
- a visit to a naturally formed ice cave
- intense shades of blue in the cave
- an expert English-speaking guide
How much time should I allow?
The tour lasts around 4 hours (1 half-day) for all stages, starting from the pick-up point in Skaftafell with the all-terrain vehicle.
Hike and visit an ice cave in Skaftafell with glacier equipment!
3. Katla Ice Cave from Vik (year-round)
Why do we recommend this tour?
A few kilometers from Vik in southern Iceland, the Katla volcano is home to an ice cave beneath the Kötlujökull glacier, a branch of the Myrdalsjökull glacier. Did you know that this cave remains open in the summer, depending on weather conditions? Hit the road with professionals as you venture off the beaten path through the enchanting landscapes of this region of Iceland. We recommend this tour, which promises an unforgettable experience as it departs from Vik and heads toward the snow-capped mountains and the Kötlujökull Glacier.
>> Book your guided tour from Reykjavik!
What you will see
If you opt for this excursion, you’ll see:
- breathtaking scenery on Iceland’s south coast
- the glacial environment of this volcanic zone (rivers, waterfalls, mountains)
- the Kötlujökull and Myrdalsjökull glaciers
- naturally-formed ice caves that are transformed every year
How much time should I allow?
The tour lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours, with pickup from Vik. If you choose a day trip from Reykjavik, plan on a full day, including the round-trip journey in a 4WD.
Visit an ice cave at the foot of the Katla volcano in southern Iceland!
4. Langjökull Ice Tunnel (open year-round, man-made)
Why do we recommend this tour?
Whether in winter or summer, we found a tour of an ice tunnel to be a unique experience. If you’re wondering, this is a completely different experience from visiting natural ice caves. The one we’re talking about is none other than the Langjökull ice tunnel, located on Europe’s second-largest glacier, which is open year-round.
It was carved out of the glacier by hand over a period of 14 months. We rushed through the tunnel to the “rooms.” Various educational signs provided us with information about glaciers and the impact of climate change. If you compare it to a tour of a natural ice cave, you’ll notice that the tunnels are smooth and the ice is different. It is also more accessible to people with mobility issues because there is no need to lean inside, and the floor is flat, making it easy to move around.
One of the most emotionally powerful moments we experienced there was, without a doubt, seeing a crevasse in the glacier right beneath our feet! That moment seemed surreal.
We highly recommend combining your visit with a trip to the Vidgelmir lava cave, which is just a 20-minute drive from the tunnel!
What you will see
Depending on your chosen getaway, you’ll visit..:
- breathtaking views of the Langjökull glacier
- Langjökull ice tunnel
- the hidden parts or “chambers” of the glacier
- unique glacial landscapes on the road
- the Vidgelmir lava cave
- See more photos
How much time should I allow?
If you’re starting the excursion from the base camp on the Langjökull Glacier, allow 2.5 hours for the entire activity. Please note that in the winter, you’ll need to take the shuttle from Husafell. In the summer, you can take Mountain Road 550 between Husafell and Thingvellir National Park.
If you choose the tour that departs from Reykjavik, plan on spending a full day—pickup from your hotel is included.
- Visit the Langjökull ice tunnel from Husafell in winter – more
- From Reykjavik, guided tour inside the tunnel with an expert in geology and glacier history. more
- Half-day snowmobile ride on glacier and visit to the tunnel – more
Other glacier activities in Iceland
In winter, you’ll find that Iceland’s glaciers offer unique opportunities for glacier hiking, allowing you to explore the frozen, snow-covered landscapes on foot while wearing crampons. You can go snowmobiling—a thrilling and intense experience through mountains blanketed in a beautiful layer of snow. Ice climbing is also a unique option if you’re an adrenaline junkie—always under the supervision of experts. In short, you’ll have plenty to choose from! Here is a selection of activities for you:
- From Geysir, snowmobiling on the Langjökull glacier – see program and book
- From Reykjavik, snowmobiling on glacier and Golden Circle – see program and book
- Guided hike on the Vatnajökull glacier – see program and book
- Climbing on the Sólheimajökull glacier – see program and book
- Multi-day tour with ice caves and northern lights – see program and book
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Which ice caves to visit in summer in Iceland?
There are only 2 ways to visit ice caves in Iceland in summer:
- There is a natural cave that remains accessible in the summer, depending on weather conditions—the tour departs from Vik. It is located at the Katla volcano, beneath the Myrdalsjökull glacier, but it is either a black ice cave or a very small blue cave— see details and availability
- or you can visit the Langjökull artificial ice tunnel. It may not have the beauty of a natural ice cave, but you’ll travel beneath 40 meters of ice and snow and explore the glacier— book your tour here
Is visiting Iceland’s ice caves worth it?
Yes, absolutely! The ice caves—whether blue or black—provided us with some unforgettable moments. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t set your expectations too high by looking at professional photos before your visit.
It’s true that the colors aren’t always quite as vibrant (like the Northern Lights), and some caves are smaller in real life. And it’s the most popular attraction in the winter, so it gets crowded—you won’t be alone and undisturbed in these caves…
That’s not to say it’s not an exceptional experience – it really is, and we highly recommend it.
Why is ice blue or black?
The explanations are as follows:
- Blue ice cave: Since ice is thicker and denser within a glacier, it is compressed and absorbs all colors of light (the visible spectrum) except blue. And that’s the color your eyes will perceive.
- Black ice cave: as the country is volcanic, the black color is due to the mixture of ash and ice during crystallization.
Are ice cave tours family-friendly?
Visiting ice caves can be a wonderful experience to share with your children, helping them connect with nature and raising their awareness of the importance of preserving these natural wonders. You can find family-friendly organized tours in our article above. Be sure to provide the necessary information to the organizing team when making your reservation, ensure that safety measures are followed during the activity, and verify that your children will also be provided with professional ice-skating equipment. Please note that some tours require a certain level of physical fitness and may include itineraries that are not suitable for children (such as rock climbing or glacier hiking, for example).
Can you visit Iceland’s ice caves without a guide?
No, you won’t be able to visit ice caves in Iceland without a guide for safety reasons. Due to the extreme and unique conditions involved in accessing glaciers and exploring caves, it is not possible to visit these sites without a team of professional experts. Find the best options for organized tours here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
