Iceland features numerous ice caves, including the Crystal Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier and the world’s largest ice tunnel in Langjökull. With new frozen chambers forming every year, choosing your favorite can be challenging! This guide highlights the best ice caves in Iceland and the tours available to explore them.
Shimmering glacier caves of Iceland reveal the ethereal beauty of a country shaped by extreme climate and geological forces. Best visited in winter, some of these icy labyrinths are open year-round. The "wow" factor is guaranteed the moment you set foot in one. From the ash-striped Katla Ice Cave to the blue chambers of Skaftafell, many of these natural and man-made wonders are considered the best ice caves in Europe.
Iceland’s ice caves are among the world’s most extraordinary winter attractions. In 2026, new formations continue to appear while famous ones like Katla and Crystal remain must-sees.
Ice caves are found throughout Iceland, mainly in the central highlands, northeast of Reykjavik, and in the south, near the Vik village, within the country’s largest glaciers. Each year is like a fresh dice roll as guides discover new glacier caves of varying sizes and locations. The closest ice cave to Reykjavik is the Langjökull tunnel, approximately 150 km (93 mi) away, attracting thousands of visitors annually. While ice cave tours are a popular winter activity, some operate even in the summer. Here’s a list of the best Iceland ice caves to see this year.
As of 2026, Katla remains the only natural ice cave accessible year-round, while Crystal in Vatnajökull offers the bluest ice each winter.
Katla Ice Cave looks stunning in June 2025 during one of our tours. Photo by Gunnar Gaukur.
Location: Kötlujökull outlet of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, near the Vik village in South Iceland.
Season to visit: Year-round.
The most popular tour: Katla Ice Cave tour
Katla Cave is a rare formation in the outlet of Myrdalsjokull Glacier, Kötlujökull. Often described as the best ice cave in Iceland, it’s located on top of the active Katla volcano, which last erupted in 1918. Black ash from past volcanic eruptions, mixed with blue ice, distinguishes this cave from others and embodies the essence of the land of fire and ice. Its unique appearance made it an ideal filming location for the Dragon Glass Cave in Game of Thrones.
Another fascinating feature of Katla is that it can be explored year-round, making it well worth a visit at any time. The ash cover slows the melt of the ice, and although the Katla Ice Cave's summer and winter shape can differ, it remains safe to explore in both seasons. You can get to the cave via a guided tour or self-drive. Entering it, however, requires professional supervision.
Glacial silence and shimmering ice inside Langjökull cave. Photo by Gunnar Gaukur.
Location: Langjökull Glacier, near the Reykhold village in West Iceland.
Season to visit: November–April.
The most popular tour: Snowmobiling and Langjökull Ice Cave Tour
This naturally formed ice cave is a hidden gem on Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull. Best reached by a snowmobile, the Langjökull Glacier Ice Cave is an excellent addition to adventurous ride on this “long glacier.” Carved by meltwater and shaped by shifting glacial forces, these caves form in different locations each year—making every visit truly one-of-a-kind.
The walls of this ice cavern are exceptionally translucent, with a striking blue hue that looks like jewels of pure quartz crystal. In some areas, the ash mixed with clear ice reveals a subtle gray 'zebra striping' on the walls. Langjökull ice cave experience truly feels like you’ve reached the heart of the glacier itself.
Step into the world’s longest ice tunnel at Langjökull Glacier. Source: Arctic Adventures.
Location: Langjökull Glacier in West Iceland, east of the Reykholt village.
Season to visit: Year-round.
The most popular tour: "Into the Glacier" Ice Cave Tour
Langjökull Cave is an ice tunnel that made history. In 2010, two pioneers, Hallgrímur Örn Arngrímsson and Baldvin Einarsson, decided to introduce more people to the beauty of the glaciers. With a team of renowned geophysicists, they carefully prepared for construction, which took 14 months to complete. When the tunnel was opened, it became the world's biggest engineered ice cave in Iceland and in the world.
This 500-meter (1640-foot), tube-shaped glacier tunnel provides an authentic “Into the Glacier” experience and is a great family-friendly attraction year-round. In winter, some of Iceland’s glacier tours combine the Langjökull ice tunnel with the Northern Lights hunt.
Location: Breiðamerkurjökull outlet of Vatnajokull Glacier in Southeast Iceland, near Höfn town.
Season to visit: October–April.
The most popular tour: Crystal Ice Cave Tour with Super Jeep
Crystal Ice Cave is one of the most photographed caves in Iceland. It’s located in the beautiful Breiðamerkurjökull, the outlet of the biggest glacier in Iceland, which also supplies water and ice to the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. What makes it unique are the translucent light blue walls and the ever-changing shapes of the cave.
A large river of crystal-clear meltwater carves out the interior of Breiðamerkurjökull ice cave every summer, so new intricacies can be found constantly. You might see a crystal dome with light shining through it one time and a shimmering ice tunnel on your next visit. This ice cave is excellent for photography and exploration. Open from October to April, it's among the best Iceland ice cave tours.
Location: Falljökull outlet of Vatnajokull Glacier in Southeast Iceland, near Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
Season to visit: October–April.
The most popular tour: Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave and Glacier Hike Tour
Skaftafell, known as the Blue Ice Cave of Iceland, is a narrow but stable cave on the Falling Glacier—Falljökull, named for its steep descent down the mountain. The Crystal Blue Ice Cave belongs to Skaftafell National Park, which in 2008 became part of Vatnajökull National Park—a wonderland of over 30 glacier outlets.
Vatnajokull ice caves are known for their remarkable translucence, revealing the shimmering ice's true beauty. Falljökull Ice Cave is no exception. Crystal-clear walls glow softly with blue hues whenever the sun shines on them. The smooth cave interior and serene lighting are perfect for photography. Skaftafell Ice Cave makes for a perfect stop during the Vatnajökull glacier tour. It’s safe for exploration from October to April.
Comparison of top five Icelandic ice caves. Source: Arctic Adventures.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly visit to an ice tunnel or a thrilling snowmobile ride with an ice cave surprise, glacier caves in Iceland offer a variety of adventures. Each frozen formation is unique, with crystal clear walls, streaks of volcanic ash, and ice sculptures inside. While most of the frosty caves are accessible during winter, some are open year-round and can be reached by a thrilling Super Jeep or Monster Truck ride. Guided tours, professional advice, and the right equipment are key to making your icy adventure exciting and safe.
No — natural ice caves in Iceland should only be visited with a certified glacier guide. The caves may look stable, but they are constantly shifting, with risks of falling ice, hidden crevasses, and flooding. Even experienced mountaineers avoid entering alone.
Guided tours provide all the essentials: helmets, crampons, safety ropes, and professional supervision. Just as importantly, guides know which caves are safe each season and where new ones have formed. This local expertise transforms the visit into both a safe and educational experience.
Expert certified guides also know where to find the caves (most of which change location each year), how to move across the glacier, how to handle Iceland’s famously unpredictable weather, and what to look for inside. You’re in great hands.
As for clothing, glacier caves stay cold no matter the season. Dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers, wear waterproof outerwear, and don’t forget a hat and gloves—even in summer. If you book with us, your guide will also provide the safety gear you need, like crampons and a helmet.
Exploring Iceland’s ice caves on your own is not possible — but joining a guided tour ensures you can experience these frozen cathedrals safely, with expert knowledge and the right equipment.
Iceland’s ice caves are natural wonders that change shape every season. Most are formed by meltwater rivers running beneath the glaciers in summer. As the water carves channels through the ice, tunnels and chambers are left behind. When temperatures drop in winter, the flowing water freezes, stabilizing these formations into safe caves.
Because glaciers are constantly moving, no two ice caves are ever the same from one year to the next. Even within the same glacier, the caves you visit in 2025 will not look identical to those discovered in 2026.
> Every autumn, Arctic Adventures guides scout Vatnajökull, Katla, and other glaciers to locate new ice caves and check their safety before tours begin. Once a cave is confirmed safe, we announce its opening for the season — ensuring travelers experience the most spectacular formations under professional supervision.
With 269 named glaciers in Iceland, counting all their ice caves would be a challenge, especially as new ones are constantly forming. However, the top 5 are definitely worth your attention. Iceland's most famous and impressive icy attractions are Katla, Skaftafell, Langjökull Caves, and Crystal Ice Cave.
Iceland's largest accessible natural ice cave is the Crystal Ice Cave in Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. It was known to fit up to 100 people simultaneously, but this icy giant isn't static. It changes with the seasons and the glacier's movement, so it's difficult to measure precisely. Therefore, the largest engineered ice cave experience in Iceland is inside Langjökull Glacier. The ice tunnel is 500 meters (1640 feet) long, 3 meters (9 feet) tall, and 3.5 meters (11 feet) wide, making it the largest in the world.
The best ice cave in Iceland in winter is the Crystal Ice Cave—hands down. It’s the most popular for a reason, with glowing blue walls and stunning reviews that speak for themselves. In summer, your best bet is Katla or Langjökull, since most natural caves aren’t safe or accessible at that time of year. Families usually love the Langjökull Ice Tunnel for its easy access and man-made path. And if you’re after a full glacier hike with your ice cave visit, Falljökull is where you want to go—each cave is totally different, so it really comes down to what kind of adventure you’re looking for.
The prime season for natural ice caves is November to March, when freezing temperatures keep the structures stable. Some caves, however, are exceptions and can be visited all year.
Travel tip: If you’re visiting Iceland outside winter, Katla and Langjökull Tunnel are your best options. For the famous blue crystal caves, plan a trip between late November and February.
The main difference between the Katla Ice Cave and the Vatnajökull ice caves is when—and what—you see. Katla is open year-round and known for its dramatic, darker ice streaked with volcanic ash, giving it a rugged, otherworldly look. The caves under Vatnajökull, on the other hand, are only accessible in winter and feature that famous electric-blue, crystal-clear ice you’ve seen in all the photos. Katla feels raw and moody, while Vatnajökull is like stepping inside a frozen cathedral. They’re completely different experiences—and honestly, the only way to know which one’s your favorite is to see them both.
By definition, an ice cave is a cave that contains some amount of ice throughout the year. It doesn't have to be made entirely of ice. Glacier caves, on the other hand, are formed within a glacier and are made entirely of ice. Nevertheless, both terms are often used interchangeably.
The Crystal Ice Cave is absolutely one of the best in Iceland. Its magnificent size and translucent ice attract countless nature enthusiasts each year. Stepping into the Crystal Ice Cave feels like entering another world, where a soft blue glow filters through the walls and creates an experience well worth a visit.
One of the best ice cave tours in Iceland is the Katla Ice Cave Tour, thanks to its stunning scenery, consistently top-rated reviews, and easy year-round access. It’s a great choice if you want that classic ice cave experience without needing to wait for winter. That said, the best tour really depends on what kind of adventure you’re after. Some options focus purely on cave exploration, while others combine it with glacier hiking, snowmobiling, or even ice climbing for a more extreme experience.
Yes, you can visit ice caves in summer in Iceland—but your options are more limited. Most natural ice caves are only safe to access in winter, when freezing temperatures keep the ice stable. That said, there are still two excellent options for summer visitors. The Katla Ice Cave, located under a volcanic glacier, is naturally formed and accessible all year round. The Langjökull Ice Tunnel, a man-made experience inside Iceland’s second-largest glacier, is also open year-round and perfect for families or those looking for a less rugged adventure.
The most stunning blue ice caves are found in Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier. These natural formations are made of exceptionally clear, ancient ice that allows sunlight to filter through. When the light hits just right, the cave walls glow with soft shades of blue—creating a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere that feels like stepping into a frozen dream.
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