The 12 Best Lava Cave Tours from Reykjavik

1.The Lava Tunnel Tour – Raufarhólshellir

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,373 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $74Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide for a one-hour walk through Raufarhólshellir, a 5,000-year-old lava tunnel near Reykjavík. Platforms, lights, helmets, and headlamps make the route approachable, while uneven ground, stairs, cold air, and limited space call for sturdy shoes and warm layers.

“The lava tunnel is amazing and definitely worth visiting if you have the time. Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke very good English, as well as Catalon. He had a good sense of humor and kept his commentary very engaging.”

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2.Snæfellsnes Day Trip with Vatnshellir Lava Cave

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,108 reviews · from $219

Spend 11 hours touring Snæfellsnes in a small group with an English-speaking guide. See Kirkjufell, Svöðufoss, Arnarstapi, Búðakirkja, Lóndrangar, and Snæfellsjökull views, then enter Vatnshellir Lava Cave. Guides such as Smári, Evo, Alex, and AJ are known for stories, safe driving, and extra photo stops.

“The driver was very positive providing interesting information during the trip. The time at each stop was perfect and we had a lot of restroom stops! Great experience overall”

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3.Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel by Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 793 reviews · 3 hours · from $129

Ride from Reykjavik’s BSI terminal to Raufarhólshellir, where a local guide leads you about 500 meters through a 5,200-year-old lava tube. Expect colorful rock, skylights, uneven ground, cold air, and a short spell in total darkness. Guides such as Alex and Dimitri are known for adding humor to the geology.

“It was a great little hike into the cave! A bit pricey including the transport but overall a good trip and worth a visit!”

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4.Lava Caving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 585 reviews · from $64Best value

You’ll walk and crawl through Raufarhólshellir, an Icelandic lava tube near Reykjavik. A certified English-speaking guide explains the volcanic formations, while helmets, lights, and other caving gear are supplied. Winter can bring impressive icicles, and the complete darkness makes the cave feel wonderfully otherworldly.

“We drove past the place as there was no sign just a building in the middle of nowhere.”

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5.The Lava Tunnel Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 435 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $124

Ride from Reykjavik’s BSÍ terminal to Raufarhólshellir, where a guide leads you along platforms and rocky sections beneath an old lava flow. Expect about an hour underground, helmets, headlamps, and winter crampons, with guides such as Alex, Francesca, and Dimitri bringing the geology to life.

“Awesome stalagtites and amazing rock formations! Our guide was cheerful and had many jokes while explaining what we were looking at.”

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6.Lava Tunnel Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 345 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Travel from Reykjavík to Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland’s largest lava tunnels. Your guide explains volcanic geology as you walk beneath mineral-colored walls, past shafts of daylight, and through a memorable lights-out moment. The roughly three-hour outing includes transport, helmet, flashlight, and a one-hour cave tour.

“This was a very unique experience and interesting to see and learn about in detail! Our guide was very nice and informative, making the tour not only fun, but also a great learning experience!”

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7.Epic Snæfellsnes Adventure with Lava Cave Small-Group Day-Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend about 12.5 hours exploring Snæfellsnes with a small group of up to 19 people. Expect Kirkjufell, waterfalls, fishing villages, black volcanic scenery, Vatnshellir Lava Cave, and historic churches. Guides such as Smári, Mike, Christo, and Styrmir have added local tales, music, and bonus stops.

“My original booking was shifted to one with BusTravels Iceland and I'm glad it worked out. This particular trip with Bus Travel was great because of the quirky guide and drive Tom and his playlist. I was feeling a bit sick on the day of the trip but Tom accommodated my sudden health issue. The stops were with proper and enough time for people to check things out and Tom encouraged us to properly see everything each stop had to offer. Great storytelling. If and when I return to see Iceland in spring or summer I'll book a trip with Bustravels Iceland because of such amazing guides. And Tom, if…”

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8.Silver Circle: Lava Cave, Waterfalls & Iceland Horses-Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 181 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $219

Spend about 10 hours exploring West Iceland with a guide such as Gulli, Thorri, Monica, or Filip. Visit Glanni, Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Deildartunguhver, Reykholt, an Icelandic horse farm, and Viðgelmir Lava Cave in a group of no more than 19.

“Great guide. This trip is a hidden gem! So quite hardly saw any other tourists or even cars, bliss!! Lava caves cool. Waterfalls better than golden circle. Interesting facts from guide. Good time in each location. Not rushed so got to leisurely see everything.”

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9.Silfra Fissure Snorkeling and Lava Caving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 176 reviews · from $202

Pair a guided walk through Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel with Silfra snorkeling in Thingvellir. PADI-certified guides such as Weronika, John, and Jónas have led groups through the icy water, with gear, photos, park entry, hot cocoa, and biscuits included.

“Incredible experience! Our lava caving tour guide was so helpful and it really felt like she loved her job. She was absolutely full of energy and also very understanding, always checking everyone was okay, Between activities, we were dropped off to a little bakery, which was absolutely amazing and so yum, we were only here for 30 mins but it was a nice touch to the day. The snorkelling was a once in a lifetime experience, our guide John was absolutely brilliant and made sure everyone was okay and really guided everyone through the experience. I would 10000% recommend booking this, most incredible experience.Read more”

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10.Silfra: Leidarendi Lava Caving & Snorkeling Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 26 reviews · 7 hours · from $306

Spend seven hours exploring Leiðarendi’s 900-meter lava tube and snorkeling through Silfra in Þingvellir. Adventure Vikings supplies transport, gear, photos, and an English-speaking guide. Expect some crawling, cold water, limited bathroom stops, and a maximum of six people.

“Amazing experience with wonderful views, highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a bit adventurous! Our guide Grétar was knowledgeable and very professional.”

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11.Caving & ATV full day adventure From Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $319

Start underground at Raufarhólshellir, where a guide leads you through a 5,200-year-old lava tunnel with helmets and head torches. After a lunch break, suit up for a one-hour ATV ride to Reykjavik Peak, with mountain views, coffee, and hotel pickup included.

“The Caving was great. The tour guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. Had the most amazing time on the ATV. I am still smiling now. The weather was crazy which made the experience so much better. All the staff are super friendly. Would absolutely recommend both of these activities”

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12.Leidarendi Cave: Lava Tunnel Caving from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 3 hours · from $104

Ride from Reykjavik to Leidarendi Cave on the Reykjanes Peninsula, then walk about 150 meters to this 900-meter lava tunnel. With a helmet, headlamp, and English-speaking guide, you’ll see stalactites, drip stalagmites, and lava more than 2,000 years old. Expect some hunching and crawling.

“tour guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed this unique experience 🌋🌋”

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