The Icelandic Lava Show in Vík

The Lava Show in Vík melts real lava rock and pours it molten into an indoor arena in front of you, close enough to feel the heat. It is a short, dramatic stop on the South Coast that works in any weather.

• Real lava, heated to over 1,000°C and poured in front of you
• Indoors, so it runs regardless of the weather outside
• Hosts explain how Icelandic eruptions actually work
• In the centre of Vík, close to Reynisfjara and Dyrhólaey
• Suitable for all ages

Your day, stop by stop

1Arrive in VíkMeet at the Lava Show venue in the centre of Vík.

The Lava Show is at Víkurbraut 5 in the middle of Vík, close to Reynisfjara and Dyrhólaey. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your show to check in.

Read our Vík í Mýrdal guide →

2Seating and introductionTake your seat as the hosts introduce Iceland's volcanic history.

The show starts with background on Icelandic eruptions and how lava behaves, setting up what you are about to see. A live host runs through a short video on Icelandic volcanism. The whole visit takes about 45 to 55 minutes.

Time here · about 45–55 minutes total

3The lava pourReal lava rock is melted and poured molten into the arena.

Furnace-heated lava rock, over 1,000°C, is poured in front of the audience. You feel the heat from your seat and hear the lava crack as it cools. Seats near the front feel the most heat, so take off a layer before the show. Safety goggles are provided.

Tip · seats near the front feel the most heat

4Questions and wrap-upTime for questions with the hosts before you leave.

Time for questions with the hosts before you leave. It is a good moment to ask how the lava is prepared, or about the volcanoes near Vík, such as Katla.

About the Lava Show in Vík

The Lava Show is a small indoor venue in the middle of Vík where real lava rock is melted down and poured out molten in front of the audience. You can feel the heat from your seat, and the hosts talk you through how Icelandic volcanoes and lava fields actually form while it cools and cracks in front of you.

It runs for under an hour and works well as a stop on a South Coast day, since it needs no walking and is not affected by rain or wind. Seats can sell out in the middle of the day in summer, so it is worth booking a slot rather than turning up.

It sits a short walk from the middle of Vík, close to the black sand beach at Reynisfjara and the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, so it fits naturally alongside a stop at either.

• Backstage tour
• Gift-wrapped piece of lava from the show
• Lava cocktail
• Book about the Reykjanes eruptions
• Solar eclipse glasses
• Obsidian necklace to buy

Questions people ask