Iceland Volcano Tour Packages

Iceland may be a small country, but it packs a geological punch. In fact, the country is home to around 130 volcanoes. These are a mix of active and dormant volcanoes, many of which you can explore during your trip to Iceland.

One of Iceland’s biggest and most powerful volcanoes is Katla. You can get close to it by heading to Vatnajökull National Park, where the volcano lies beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. You can even take guided tours of the natural ice caves, which form in the winter and melt in the spring.

Many of Iceland’s volcanoes aren’t considered dangerous, largely because most of them are located away from human civilisation. What’s more, experts constantly monitor volcanic activity in order to predict eruptions before they happen.

Of course, if you’re visiting Iceland and want to see volcanoes, it’s important to follow local guidance to stay safe. You should stick to the designated pathways when you’re exploring volcanic sites on foot. And if any roads are closed, do not attempt to drive on them.

Stay up-to-date with any volcanic activity by heading to the Safe Travel Iceland website or by visiting our Iceland volcano update page. You can also read this handy guide for general health and safety tips in Iceland.

Yes, you can visit active volcanoes in Iceland, and you shouldn’t miss the experience if you are fascinated by nature and geology!*

There are many places where you can enjoy an Iceland active volcano tour. Here’s our pick of the best experiences:

• • Discover Askja in the central highlands and witness its crater lake, Öskjuvatn, the deepest body of water in Iceland
• • Go hiking in Þórsmörk in the shadow of Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano on the south coast that famously erupted in 2010
• • Marvel at the fumaroles, mud pots and lava fields around Krafla and Leirhnjúkur, 2 active volcanoes in North Iceland
• • Explore Landmannalaugar in the central highlands, a place of rhyolite mountains and hot springs at the foot of Hekla
   

Read more about the best volcanic experiences to have in Iceland on our experts’ blog.

*If you’re visiting the country when there’s an ongoing eruption, make sure to check these websites for the latest safety information:
• Safe Travel Iceland – for any safety alerts 
• Icelandic Met Office – for updates on gas pollution and seismic activity

In Iceland you can descend deep into a magma chamber to see the inside of a volcano. Aptly named the “Inside the Volcano” tour, this excursion takes you into the dormant crater of Thrihnukagigur, which you can enjoy on a day trip from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.

Trust us when we say that the “Inside the Volcano” tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can do this!

As well as venturing into a dormant magma chamber, you can go lava caving in Iceland. Walk through underground tunnels formed by volcanic activity, passing stalagmites and stalactites as you go. You can do this while based in the capital, or Lake Mývatn in North Iceland.

Discover more top excursions to add to your Iceland itinerary.

You’ve probably heard about the Fagradalsfjall volcano in southwest Iceland. Located on the Reykjanes peninsula, it’s around 30 kilometres (19 miles) away from Reykjavík. This means the local authorities don’t consider the volcano a threat to Iceland’s capital.

The latest eruption at Fagradalsfjall ended in early August 2023, so you won’t be able to glimpse molten lava at the site. That said, if you’d like to see freshly formed lava fields for yourself, you might want to stop off here.

Before you decide to visit, we recommend checking these websites for up-to-date information on access to Fagradalsfjall and Iceland’s volcanic activity:
• Safe Travel Iceland – for any country-wide safety alerts 
• Icelandic Met Office – for the weather forecast and updates on seismic activity
• Visit Reykjanes – for information on the hiking routes and parking at Fagradalsfjall

If it’s safe to go to Fagradalsfjall, you can get to the recent eruption sites by following one of the trails created by the Icelandic authorities. During your visit, keep to the marked routes and don’t walk on any fresh lava fields. This is because although the lava fields may look solid, they can be fragile and unstable underfoot.

Please also keep in mind that these trails are only suitable for fit and experienced hikers. 

For example, the return trip to the most recent eruption site near Litli-Hrútur is 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) over rough ground and steep slopes. So it could take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours to complete the hike. A day bag with warm and waterproof clothing, along with plenty of water and food is essential for the hike.

It’s also worth knowing that the routes at Fagradalsfjall may be closed or redirected at short notice. This could happen if a new eruption begins or if seismic activity is detected in the region.