Þvottahellir

Q: Can I visit Þvottahellir without a guide?

Þvottahellir is generally open to self-guided visitors, but treat it seriously: it is dark and cold inside, the floor is uneven lava rock, and you must bring a head-torch and helmet. Never enter a cave alone or without telling someone your plans.

Q: How do I get to Þvottahellir?

Þvottahellir is in West Iceland. Many Icelandic caves sit off highland tracks that need a 4WD — check live road and weather conditions on this page before you drive, especially in winter when routes close.

Q: What should I bring to Þvottahellir?

A helmet and a proper head-torch or flashlight are the minimum — there is no daylight inside and the floor is broken lava rock. Add warm layers and sturdy boots; the cave stays near freezing year-round. Recommended gear: helmet, flashlight.

Q: Does Þvottahellir cost anything to visit?

Þvottahellir is generally free to enter, though the access road may need a 4WD. Guided cave tours elsewhere in Iceland are paid. Conditions change with weather, so plan around the forecast.

Self-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

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CaveWest Iceland

Þvottahellir

West IcelandSelf-guidedModeratehelmet, flashlight

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Plan your visit to Þvottahellir

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Map of Þvottahellir

Map

64.3825°N, 21.2694°W · West Iceland

Plan your visit

Off the main road: 4.1 km from Route 47
Nearest town: Melahverfi — 27.4 km away
Distance from Reykjavík: 42 km in a straight line
What else is close: 397 mapped places within 20 km

Tours near Þvottahellir

Snorkeling Silfra Tour - meet on locationfrom 21.499 ISK

Diving Silfra Tour - Selfdrivefrom 34.499 ISK · 3 h

Self drive: Wetsuit Snorkeling in Silfra - with underwater photosfrom 22.990 ISK · 2 h 30 min

Day Hike to Moskardshnjukar: The Knife's Edgefrom 12.430 ISK · 5 h

Standard Cave Tourfrom 2.000 ISK · 25 min

Day Hike to Grimannsfell: Helgufoss Waterfall and the Literary Legacyfrom 13.418 ISK · 5 h 30 min

Dog Sledding Near Reykjavikfrom 34.900 ISK · 1 h 30 min

Fálkaklettur Via Ferrata close to Reykjavikfrom 19.900 ISK · 3 h

Dog Sleddingfrom 49.900 ISK · 1 h

All 1,648 tours

ToursIn season now

Into The Glacier - From Húsafellfrom 27.900 ISK · 4 h

Snowmobile on Langjökull Glacier - Meet us in Husafellfrom 33.490 ISK · 2 h

Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Lerki Admissionfrom 23.039 ISK · 9 h 30 min All 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Þvottahellir weather and conditions

Last updated 16 Oct, 00:30

4°Covercast · feels 1°C4 m/sgusts 129 h 49 mdaylight · 08:16 – 18:05

Tonight

Kp —northern lights · no data—moon ·

Northern lights forecast by region

West Reykjavík South Coast North East Westfjords Reykjanes Highlands

In season now · Winter in IcelandInto The Glacier - From Húsafellfrom 27.900 ISK · 4 h

See the tour

All 1,648 tours

Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation

KEF airport pickup 24/74.8

SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic

12,750 kr15,000 kr/day

Reserve −12%

Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

Photos & videos

Þvottahellir — photo by Olikristinn · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

Photo: Olikristinn · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Þvottahellir, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Nearby

km column = your drive

All caves in West Iceland →

Waterfalls

1Staur< 1 km
2Folaldafoss< 1 km
3Stóragil< 1 km

All waterfalls →

Hot springs

1Krosslaug14 km
2Geothermal hot spring near Kjósarhreppur14 km
3Geothermal hot spring near Hvalfjarðarsveit17 km

All hot springs →

Fuel

1Ferstikla16 km · 308.7 kr/L
2Grundartangi25 km · 308.7 kr/L
3Reykholt31 km · 310.9 kr/L

All fuel →

Supermarkets

1Krambúðin32 km
2Krónan32 km
3Nettó32 km

All supermarkets →

Tours

Day Trek to Akrafjall: The Troll's Mountainfrom 17.656 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
From Grundarfjörður Port: Private Snaefellsness Tourfrom 269.900 ISK · 8 hours
Grundarfjörður Cruise Tour: Snæfellsnes Peninsula from the portfrom 24.500 ISK · 5 hours 30 minutes

All tours →

Frequently
asked
questions

Can I visit Þvottahellir without a guide?

Þvottahellir is generally open to self-guided visitors, but treat it seriously: it is dark and cold inside, the floor is uneven lava rock, and you must bring a head-torch and helmet. Never enter a cave alone or without telling someone your plans.

How do I get to Þvottahellir?

Þvottahellir is in West Iceland. Many Icelandic caves sit off highland tracks that need a 4WD — check live road and weather conditions on this page before you drive, especially in winter when routes close.

What should I bring to Þvottahellir?

A helmet and a proper head-torch or flashlight are the minimum — there is no daylight inside and the floor is broken lava rock. Add warm layers and sturdy boots; the cave stays near freezing year-round. Recommended gear: helmet, flashlight.

Does Þvottahellir cost anything to visit?

Þvottahellir is generally free to enter, though the access road may need a 4WD. Guided cave tours elsewhere in Iceland are paid. Conditions change with weather, so plan around the forecast.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Olikristinn · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community