The Katla ice cave sits in the edge of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, above the Katla volcano, about 40 minutes by super jeep from Vík. Unlike the natural ice caves in Vatnajökull, which are only visited in winter, it is open all year. Tours from Vík take about 3 hours and start from 24,000 ISK, and there are full-day trips from Reykjavík too.
What is the Katla ice cave?
It is a natural ice cave in Kötlujökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull in South Iceland. The ice cap covers about 520 km² and sits on top of the Katla volcano, north of Vík í Mýrdal.
What makes the cave look different from other ice caves is the ash. Katla has erupted many times over the centuries, and layers of black volcanic ash are frozen into the glacier. Inside the cave you see blue and white ice streaked with black bands. Some people call it the "Dragon Glass" cave for that reason, a nod to Game of Thrones.
Like every ice cave, it is shaped by meltwater and glacier movement, so it changes from season to season. The guides pick the safest part to visit on each day, and the cave you see may look quite different from photos taken a year earlier.
Why can you visit it all year?
Most natural ice caves in Iceland, such as those in Vatnajökull, are only safe in the coldest months, usually from about November to March. In summer, meltwater makes them unstable and they close. The cave at Katla is different: tours run all year, including June, July and August.
That makes it the natural ice cave to choose if you are in Iceland outside winter. The only other ice experience open all year is the man-made ice tunnel in Langjökull, which is a very different trip. Conditions still matter, though. Guides check the cave all the time, and a tour can be moved or cancelled if the ice or the weather is not safe.
Summer or winter: what is the difference?
- Winter (about November to March): the ice is usually bluer and the cave more stable. Days are short, roads can be icy, and storms can cancel tours. You can combine it with the Northern Lights.
- Summer (June to August): you see more of the black ash layers, and long days give you time to add waterfalls and beaches around it. It is the busiest time, so book ahead.
- Spring and autumn: fewer people and a mix of both. Weather is changeable, so dress for winter.
What to expect on the tour
Most tours start in Vík, with departures every day. You meet the guide about 10–15 minutes before departure and ride about 40 minutes by super jeep across black sand, old lava and shallow streams to the edge of the glacier. From there you walk 10–15 minutes on the ice to the cave entrance.
You get around an hour in and around the cave with your guide, who explains how the glacier and the volcano work. Then you walk back to the jeep and drive to Vík. The whole trip takes about 3 hours.
The walk is short and easy, but the ground is uneven and slippery. You need to be able to walk comfortably on rough ground. Guides give you crampons and a helmet, and all safety equipment is included.
Katla ice cave tours and prices
These are the main ways to visit, with prices from our own Katla ice cave tours page. Prices are "from" prices and can change.
- Super jeep tour from Vík: about 3 hours, from 24,000 ISK (a family-friendly version starts from 23,990 ISK). Best if you are driving yourself or staying on the South Coast.
- Ice cave and South Coast day tour from Reykjavík: about 11 hours, from 34,000 ISK. Stops usually include Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara, with the super jeep ride from Vík. A super jeep version from Reykjavík starts from 35,500 ISK.
- Private tour from Vík: about 3 hours, from 175,000 ISK per group of up to 12 people. Good for families with young children, as there is no minimum age.
- Private South Coast and ice cave tour from Reykjavík: about 11 hours, from 160,000 ISK, with your own guide and time to add stops such as Dyrhólaey.
- Multi-day tours: several 2- to 7-day tours include the Katla ice cave, often with the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the glacier lagoon. See multi-day trips.
Age limits and who it suits
The shared tours usually have a minimum age of 6 or 8, depending on the tour. Private tours from Vík have no minimum age, which makes the Katla Ice Cave Private Tour a good choice for families with small children.
Because the walk on the ice is short, the Katla cave suits most people who are reasonably mobile. It is one of the easier ways to see the inside of a glacier in Iceland. If you would also like a longer walk on the ice, look at our glacier hiking guide.
What to wear and bring
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support (crampons are fitted over them)
- Warm layers: thermal base layer and a wool or fleece mid-layer
- Waterproof jacket and trousers, as the cave can drip, especially in summer
- Hat and gloves, all year
- A camera or phone. A small torch or headlamp helps, but guides usually carry lights
About the Katla volcano
Katla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes. It has a caldera about 10 km across under the ice, and it has historically erupted every 40–80 years. Its last major eruption was in October 1918. It lasted 24 days and sent a huge glacial flood across the sands east of Vík.
There have been smaller events since, including a glacial flood in 2011 that took out the bridge over the Múlakvísl river, and earthquake swarms in 2016–2017. The volcano is closely monitored, and tour operators follow the warnings from the Icelandic Met Office. Read more in our guide to volcanoes in Iceland.
Katla compared with other ice caves
- Katla ice cave: natural, open all year, blue ice with black ash, short trip from Vík. See Katla ice cave tours.
- Vatnajökull ice caves: natural, winter only (about November to March), usually clearer blue ice, tours start near the glacier lagoon. See Vatnajökull ice cave tours and Crystal ice cave.
- Langjökull ice tunnel: man-made, open all year, reached from West Iceland or Reykjavík. See Into the Glacier.
- For all options in one place, see our ice caves in Iceland page.
Make a day of it on the South Coast
The ice cave fits well into a South Coast day. Around Vík you have Reynisfjara black sand beach, the Dyrhólaey headland and the village itself. Further west are Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Sólheimajökull, and to the east is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.
At Reynisfjara, stay well back from the water. The waves are strong and unpredictable. For more ideas, see our South Coast tours from Reykjavík and South Iceland secret locations.
Tours to book
If you are ready to book, these are the easiest ways in:
- Private South Coast & Katla Ice Cave Tour: your own guide from Reykjavík, with time for Dyrhólaey or other stops on the way.
- Katla Ice Cave super jeep tour from Vík: the short option if you are driving yourself and staying on the South Coast.
- Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from Reykjavik: waterfalls, Reynisfjara and the ice cave in one day without a car.
Questions people ask
Where is the Katla ice cave located?
In Kötlujökull, an outlet of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, above the Katla volcano in South Iceland. Tours start in Vík í Mýrdal, about 2.5 to 3 hours' drive from Reykjavík, and the cave can only be reached by super jeep with a guide.
Is the Katla ice cave open all year?
Yes. Tours run all year, including summer. Like any ice cave it depends on conditions, and a tour can be moved or cancelled if the ice or weather is unsafe.
How long is the Katla ice cave tour?
About 3 hours from Vík, including a 40-minute super jeep ride each way, a short walk on the glacier and around an hour at the cave. Day tours from Reykjavík take about 11 hours.
How much does the Katla ice cave tour cost?
Tours from Vík start from about 24,000 ISK per person, and day tours from Reykjavík from about 34,000 ISK. Private tours are priced per group.
Can children visit the Katla ice cave?
Yes. Shared tours usually take children from 6 or 8 years old, depending on the tour. Private tours have no minimum age.
Can I visit the Katla ice cave without a guide?
No. Never enter an ice cave without a certified glacier guide. The ice moves and can collapse, and the route crosses glacier ice that needs crampons.
