Katla: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Vik or Reykjavik: Katla Ice Cave and Super Jeep Tour

1. From Vik or Reykjavik: Katla Ice Cave and Super Jeep Tour

Discover southern Iceland’s unique ice caves on a guided tour from Vik or Reykavik. Experience breathtaking views as you drive along the country's spectacular south coast. Jump on a Super Jeep and head down a rural road. Approach incredible landscapes and jaw-dropping sights as you make your way to your first stop. Arrive at Myrdalsjokull Glacier and hike across it to reach Kötlujökull Glacier with provided crampons. Explore the frigid blue and black ice cave and admire its interior with your experienced guide. Head back to the minivan for the return drive to Vik or Reykavik.

From Vik: Katla Ice Cave Jeep Tour and Glacier Walk

2. From Vik: Katla Ice Cave Jeep Tour and Glacier Walk

Explore a natural ice cave on this guided trip from Vik. Board a jeep in Vík and go off the beaten track into the Icelandic wilderness. Geared up in safety equipment, journey through a landscape of majestic mountains and glaciers toward the Katla Ice Cave. From Vík, jump into a jeep and step into the mighty glaciers and ice caves of South Iceland. Strap on your crampons and helmets to explore this natural phenomenon. Walk across the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, situated below the Katla volcano. Wander through the cave and marvel at spectacular color combinations of blue, gray and black, as your guide tells you about the Kötlujökull glacier and the Katla ice cave’s formation.

From Reykjavik: South Coast Tour & DC-3 Plane Wreck

3. From Reykjavik: South Coast Tour & DC-3 Plane Wreck

After being picked up from your selected pickup spot in Reykjavik, you will head towards Iceland's southern coast. Drive past moss-covered lava fields as well as quaint farms and villages going through an area rich in viking history, heritage, and folklore. Go past several major volcanoes - such as Katla, Hekla, and the famous Eyjafjallajökull. With luck, on clear days you will have a view of the Westman Islands just off the coast. The first stop will be Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, a majestic site with a path that leads visitors behind the cascading water. If it is not frozen during the winter time, you will be able to walk behind the 60 metre waterfall. A three minute walk brings you to Gljúfrabui, another spectacular waterfall, hidden inside of a cave. Afterwards, stop at Skógafoss Waterfall, where it is possible to climb 572 steps to the top to view the magnificent vista and rainbows above. After exploring the beautiful waterfalls of the South coast you will spend the rest of the day visiting glaciers and the black sand beaches. At the vast plain of Solheimasandur, you will see where, in 1973, a US Navy DC-3 plane crashed. Nearby is the famous Reynisfjara beach. At the end of this adventurous tour, you will return to Reykjavik.

Sólheimajökull: 3 Hour Glacier Hike

4. Sólheimajökull: 3 Hour Glacier Hike

This hike is for anyone who wants to experience hiking on the beautiful glacier of Mýrdalsjökull. Located underneath the ice cap is one of the largest Volcanoes in Iceland, Katla which erupted last in 1918. You will meet your guide at the Sólheimajökull parking lot where you will receive all the necessary safety gear and hike towards the glacier. There you will get a safety briefing as well as a tutorial on how to attach the crampons to your high ankle boots. Explore the impermanent glacier formations as well as crevasses and moulins. During the hike, you will see the beautiful views of the area, surrounding mountains as well as some volcanic ash on the glacier. Your guide will be happy to explain these natural phenomena and answer your questions. If you have never been on a glacier, your skilled guide will make sure you will have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Iceland South Coast Full-Day Minibus Tour

5. Iceland South Coast Full-Day Minibus Tour

After an early wake-up and pick-up in one of the coolest cities of Europe, take a great 10-hour tour to see Iceland. Make your first stop at waterfall Seljalandsfoss, with no doubt one of the most famous one in the country. This is a waterfall you can walk behind, with a drop off 65 meters and a part of the river Seljalandsá which has its origins underneath the glacier Eyjafjallajökull - the famous volcano that erupted in 2010 and put the world's flights on hold.  Head to the stunning waterfall Skógafoss, one of the largest at a width of 25 meters and drop off 60 meters. It can also be seen from above as there are footsteps that lead above the waterfall. Stop in Reynisfjara for lunch. Try Icelandic meat-soup or many other dishes. Take a walk on a black sand beach and maybe see  puffins if you are lucky. After that, drive to the Village of Vík for a short stop. Sólheimajökull Glacier is between the volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull, and a part of the larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Be dropped off in the parking lot and take a 15 to 20-minute walk along the glacier. On the way back to the city, hear the stories about all the trolls in the rocks, the elves and stop at some secret places, before you arrive back in Reykjavik at around 6:00 PM.

South Coast & Katla Ice Cave From Reykjavik and Vik

6. South Coast & Katla Ice Cave From Reykjavik and Vik

Embark on an extraordinary expedition through Iceland's picturesque south coast with our exclusive Katla Ice Cave tour, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that promises to leave you spellbound. Departing from Reykjavik, this day trip offers an immersive experience in the heart of nature's grandeur. Prepare to be captivated by the awe-inspiring Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss beckons you to venture behind its cascading waters, offering a unique and surreal encounter with nature. Skogafoss, steeped in ancient folklore, adds a touch of mystique to your journey, its powerful cascades weaving enchanting tales. Explore the world-renowned Reynisfjara black-sand beach, where the striking contrast between the ebony sands and the vast blue sea creates a scene of unparalleled beauty. Stroll leisurely along the shore, marveling at the magnificent rock formations and the rhythmic dance of the waves. The pinnacle of your adventure awaits at the Katla Ice Cave, nestled at the foot of the mighty Katla glacier. Equipped with crampons and helmets, venture deep into the glacier's heart to discover the mesmerizing Ice Caves. These natural wonders, sculpted by time, exhibit a captivating fusion of blue and black ice, forming a breathtaking labyrinth beneath the glacier. Throughout the day, feast your eyes on the breathtaking landscapes as you traverse Iceland's southern coast. Marvel at rugged cliffs, dramatic seascapes, and untouched wilderness, immersing yourself in the raw beauty that defines this extraordinary country. As your remarkable journey comes to an end, you'll return to Reykjavik with cherished memories etched into your soul. This unforgettable day promises an adventure you'll treasure forever, an opportunity to savor the beauty and excitement of Iceland's south coast in a single day. Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Katla Ice Cave and experience the unparalleled charm of Iceland's natural wonders. Book your adventure now and embark on a journey that will stay with you for a lifetime.

From Reykjavik: South Shore Adventure Tour

7. From Reykjavik: South Shore Adventure Tour

Embark on a bus tour of Iceland’s stunning South Shore from Reykjavik is ideal for nature lovers, as you will drive through one of the country's most scenic regions, reaching as far as Vík, surrounded by high cliffs that attract an abundance of birdlife. Departing from Reykjavik, you will drive to the gorgeous Seljarlandsfoss Waterfall, unique in the fact that you can walk behind it through to the other side. Continue to the majestic, and much photographed, Skógafoss Waterfall. Located on the former coastline of Iceland before it receded seaward, the 200-foot (60-meter) drop is one of the biggest in the country. Continue through the glacial landscape of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, where the icecap covers the active Katla volcano. Drive along the black sand coastline, where the beaches are formed out of black basalt, and see the impressive Reynisdrangar rock formations near Vík, the southernmost village in Iceland. Located on the main road that circumnavigates Iceland, it’s approximately 110 miles (180 kilometers) from Reykjavik, where you will head back at the end of a long but awe-inspiring journey.

Volcano Exhibition and Cinema - Lava Centre Iceland

8. Volcano Exhibition and Cinema - Lava Centre Iceland

Journey through the geological history of a nation as you explore the fiery heart of Iceland at awarded Lava Centre overlooking the great volcanoes of Eyjafjallajökull, Katla and Hekla. Learn by using interactive displays and videos. Become immersed in an experience that blends education with artistic displays of the various natural forces that created Iceland. Go to the Trembling Earth section and learn how diverging tectonic plate movements and rising magma cause frequent earthquakes. Experience the drama of a simulated earthquake. In front of the Fiery Heart of Iceland display, learn about the normal up-flow of magma at the diverging plate boundaries and how they interact with a mantle plume (hot spot) beneath Iceland, pin-pointed in the central highlands. Once the gaseous molten rock in the earth’s crust and mantle, known as magma, is expelled during a volcanic eruption, it is termed lava and tephra (airborne material). There are 30 volcanic systems in Iceland containing many types of volcanoes, with a strong impact on nature and the rapidly developing landscapes. In the Magma Learning Center, get an insight into many volcanic structures. Tephra forms when magma encounters water or ice, or if the gaseous magma is very viscous. The magma splinters into pieces of various sizes that may spread over large areas. Get a panoramic view of 4 large, active but dormant volcanoes and a group of volcanic islands in the Local Volcano section, or from the viewing deck. All are of a different type and nature, and two of them are among the most active and productive volcanoes in Iceland!   

From Reykjavik: South Coast Small-Group Tour

9. From Reykjavik: South Coast Small-Group Tour

You will be picked up from Reykjavik in the morning by your friendly, experienced guide. From here you will start your adventure as a small group of guests traveling in the minibus, guaranteeing that your experience will be both comfortable and personal. One of your first stops will be at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. This falls, which are over 60 meters tall, tumble from a cliff that curves inwards. This means when there is no ice on the ground, you are able to walk behind it, allowing for some excellent photograph opportunities. Skogafoss Waterfall is next on your list. Though as tall as Seljalandsfoss, it is many times wider and much more powerful. The scale of it is incredibly impressive, especially considering the amount of spray rising as the water smashes against the rocks below. Whilst here, you will be free to walk as close to the waterfall as you dare. If the weather is clear, you’ll even be able to see Eyjafjallajokull, the famous glacier and volcano that erupted back in 2010. You will then travel to Solheimajokull. This fascinating glacier tongue stretches from the greater ice cap Myrdalsjokull, which covers the volcano Katla, with eruptions even bigger than Eyjafjallajokull's. Afterwards you will travel to the Reynisfjara black sand beach. This stretch of coastline is renowned for its beauty, eeriness, and dramatic geology. It is another very photogenic place containing many hexagonal basalt columns, and throughout summer, you may spot puffins up on the cliffs. The furthest stop on this tour is Vik, the southernmost village of Iceland. When you walk down the beach, you will be amazed by the sea stacks. Legend has it that the stack is in fact made up of the frozen figures of trolls who were turned to stone while playing in the sea. With all these features packed into a single day, you will return to your minibus and be whisked back to Reykjavík.

From Reykjavik: Iceland's South Coast and Glacier Tour

10. From Reykjavik: Iceland's South Coast and Glacier Tour

Travel along the south coast of Iceland, visiting the incredible waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, go hiking on a glacier and then visit the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach on one of the must-do day tours from Reykjavík. The tour starts with a drive through the Hellisheiði mountain pass bringing you through moss-covered lava fields and past geothermal springs down to farmland along the beautiful southern coastline. The first stop will be the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall which is one of Iceland's most famous attractions, with a dramatic 60-meter drop. To get a different perspective you can take a walk behind the waterfall into a wide cavern and look through the wall of water. The next destination is Skógarfoss waterfall. Up close, you will be able to feel the water spray on your face and you can also climb up the hill (all 527 steps) to see the majestic 60-meter-high waterfall from above and witness the water plummet down on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. After experiencing the waterfalls, we´ll take a lunch break. After lunch, we head to the rugged Sólheimajökull Glacier for the highlight of the tour! Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier that flows from the main ice cap of Mýrdalsjökull where the mighty Katla Volcano rests. You will walk on the glacier, wearing special crampons on your shoes and explore the amazing cracks, crevasses and ice expertly lead by a certified glacier guide. We will make one final stop before heading back to Reykjavik, at the renowned Reynisfjara, also known as the Black Sand Beach, which was recently added to Trip Advisor´s Top 10 beaches in the world. It´s every photographer's dream, with powerful Atlantic waves crashing on the beach with a backdrop of jagged basalt sea stacks and the huge basalt-column cave. Visiting the natural treasures of the south coast should be at the top of your Iceland list.

Other Sightseeing Options in Katla

Want to discover all there is to do in Katla? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Katla

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 937 reviews

Petra was an AMAZING story teller, making the long miles worth our effort. In between her stories she played Icelandic music, and offered to share the Spotify list with us. I felt so safe and cared for, and we had a wonderful experience. Petra made it the best!

A big "Thank you" to our tour guide Siggi, who is very humorous and helpful! I enjoyed the tour very much, thank you!

AWESOME experience!! A must-do Icelandic adventure. Fun and knowledgeable guides were a huge bonus! :)

Iceland is beautiful and our guide Wally helped us uncover the frozen treasures on the south coast!

Amazing tour & our guide even stopped for some pictures of the Northern Lights