Iceland Caves
59 mapped6 regionsMostly lava tubesBring a light + helmet
Iceland's caves are mostly lava tubes — tunnels left when the outside of a lava flow hardened and the molten core drained away. They stay near freezing year-round and are pitch dark inside, so a helmet and head-torch are the minimum. The best-known are Surtshellir and Stefánshellir in the Hallmundarhraun field in West Iceland. Glacier ice caves are seasonal and need a guide — never enter one alone.
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Cave safetyNever go underground alone
Dark, cold, uneven rock — a light and helmet are non-negotiable
LightHead-torch essential
HelmetLow, sharp ceilings
Ice cavesWinter + guide onlyAccessOften F-road, 4WDTop caves
Iceland’s best-known caves, with access type and real visit notes.
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Most of Iceland's named caves are lava tubes, and the densest cluster is in West Iceland — the Surtshellir and Stefánshellir tubes in the Hallmundarhraun lava field, reached on a highland track that usually needs a 4WD. Lava caves stay near freezing all year and are pitch dark, so carry a head-torch and helmet and wear sturdy boots — the floor is broken lava rock. Some tubes are open to self-guided visitors; others, and every glacier ice cave, require a guided tour and are only safe in winter. Never enter a cave alone or without telling someone your plans. Check live road and weather conditions before you drive, especially in winter when highland routes close.
The caves of Iceland, compared
All 49 mapped caves, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Access and location come from OpenStreetMap, Wikidata and Wikipedia where they exist.
| Cave | Region | Access | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Grjótagjá | North Iceland | Self-guided | Descend into darkness |
| Hellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Lava-formed wonder |
 | Raufarhólshellir | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Explore the underground |
| Surtshellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Iceland from below |
 | Vatnshellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Iceland from below |
 | Víðgelmir | West Iceland | Tour required | Descend into darkness |
 | Hellnahellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Explore the underground |
 | Leiðarendi | Reykjavík Area | Tour required | Lava-formed wonder |
 | Búri | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area |
 | Laugarvatnshellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in West Iceland |
 | Arnarker | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Dollan | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area |
 | Gígjagjá | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Gíslahellir | Westfjords | Self-guided | Cave in Westfjords |
 | Hálsanefshellir | South Coast | Tour required | Cave in South Coast |
 | Kirkja | North Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in North Iceland |
 | Kirkjan | North Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in North Iceland |
| Kvennagjá | North Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in North Iceland |
 | Landmannahellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Maríuhellar | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area |
 | Páskahellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Rútshellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Skuggi | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
| Stefánshellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in West Iceland |
 | Steinahellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Stóragjá | North Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in North Iceland |
 | Stóri Hellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Sönghellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland |
 | Tintron | West Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in West Iceland |
 | Vatnajökull Glacier cave | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
 | Vegamannahellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland |
 | Þvottahellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in West Iceland |
| Borgarhellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Búðahellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Draugarlág | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Eyvindarhellir | Highlands | Tour required | Cave in Highlands | |
| Grasholshellir | West Iceland | Self-guided | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Hundraðmannahellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast | |
| Hundraðmetrarhellir | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area | |
| Íshellir við Hrafntinnusker | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast | |
| Loftsalahellir | South Coast | Tour required | Cave in South Coast | |
| Músarhellir | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area | |
| Paradísarhellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast | |
| Rauðhólshellir | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area | |
| Selgjárhellir | Reykjavík Area | Self-guided | Cave in Reykjavík Area | |
| Snorraríki | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast | |
| Stelpuhellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Vegghellir | West Iceland | Tour required | Cave in West Iceland | |
| Þakgilshellir | South Coast | Self-guided | Cave in South Coast |
Cave
questions
What kind of caves does Iceland have?
Most Icelandic caves are lava tubes — hollow channels left behind when the outside of a lava flow cooled and hardened while molten rock drained out the middle. There are also seasonal ice caves inside glaciers. The best-known lava caves, Surtshellir and Stefánshellir, sit in the Hallmundarhraun field in West Iceland.
Can you visit Icelandic caves without a guide?
Some lava tubes are open to self-guided visitors, but many — and every glacier ice cave — require a guided tour for safety. Caves are dark, cold and easy to get lost or injured in. Where a tour is required it is marked on the cave page; do not enter a glacier ice cave on your own.
What should I bring to an Iceland lava cave?
A helmet and a proper head-torch or flashlight are the minimum for any self-guided lava tube — the floor is uneven broken rock (a'a and pahoehoe) and there is no daylight inside. Warm layers and sturdy boots too; caves stay near freezing year-round. Guided tours usually supply helmets and lamps.
Are Iceland ice caves the same as lava caves?
No. Ice caves form inside glaciers, are seasonal (typically safe to enter only in winter, with a guide), and can collapse or flood. Lava caves are permanent rock tunnels and some are visitable year-round. This page maps the lava and rock caves; glacier ice-cave tours are booked seasonally through operators.
Where is Surtshellir and why is it famous?
Surtshellir is in the Hallmundarhraun lava field in West Iceland, about 60 km from Borgarnes — one of Iceland's longest and most historically significant lava tubes, named after the fire giant Surtur and tied to saga-age outlaw legends.
Do Iceland's caves cost anything to visit?
Self-guided lava tubes are generally free to enter, though access roads (often F-roads) may need a 4WD. Guided lava-tube and glacier ice-cave tours are paid. Check live road and weather conditions before you drive, especially in winter.