Things to do in Vik
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Vik: Live Lava Show Ticket & Molten Lava ExperienceYou’ll sit just meters from real flowing lava at the Lava Show in Vik, feeling its heat and hearing its sizzle as local hosts share dramatic stories from Iceland’s volcanic past. Includes safety glasses, an educational video on volcanism, a live demonstration with Q&A, and a personal account of the 1918 Katla eruption — all packed into one unforgettable hour.
Vik: Katla Ice Cave & Super Jeep Tour with Glacier GuideYou’ll ride out from Vik in a Super Jeep with your glacier guide, crossing wild moss fields before gearing up for Katla Ice Cave. Feel the chill air as you step inside blue-black tunnels carved by volcanic power. Expect laughter over crampons and honest moments of awe beneath ancient ice.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike: Crampons & Ice FormationsYou gear up at basecamp with crampons, helmet, and ice axe, then spend an hour walking across Sólheimajökull's ice formations with a certified guide. You'll see crevasses, sinkholes, and moulins up close, learn how glaciers move and change, and take photos without the crowd. Coffee and tea are included when you return to basecamp.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually walk on a glacier rather than view it from a distance, and you'd rather not figure out the logistics, gear, and safety protocols yourself—the small group and certified guide handle all of that.
Ice Cave Tour from Vik: 45-60 minutes inside glacierYou walk to a glacier near Vik, strap on crampons and a headlamp, and spend 45 to 60 minutes exploring ice caves with a guide. Helmet and gear are included, kids 6+ can join, and the whole thing takes a few hours — no experience or special fitness level required. Book it if your Iceland time is tight and you don't want to skip the ice.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time in Iceland who don't want to skip ice caves — the tour runs just a few hours from Vik, which is what makes it fit into a packed itinerary. Plan for cold and steady footing on ice, but no climbing or technical skill required.
ATV Riding on Black Lava Sands: South IcelandRide a quad bike across the black lava sands of South Iceland near Mýrdalsjökull glacier for approximately 2 hours, with one person driving and one as passenger per ATV. The route crosses small rivers, reaches the black beach with views back to the glacier and along the coast to Dyrhólaey, passes the famous aircraft wreck, and follows the mountain base on the return. An English-speaking guide leads the ride; no prior ATV experience is required, and all safety gear—helmet, balaclava, insulated cover-all—is provided. Children from age 8 are welcome, and groups with odd numbers require an additional local fee for single riders.Is it for me?Book this ride if you want to operate the ATV yourself—the two-hour route is designed for riders with no experience, and the guide handles the navigation while you focus on the terrain. If you prefer to ride as a passenger only, you can sit behind a driver and photograph the glacier, wreck and black sand without needing a license.
Iceland: Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Small Group & GearYou’ll walk across Sólheimajökull Glacier with a small group and certified guide, learning about ancient ice and Icelandic geology as you go. Hear local stories, see moulins up close, and feel the strange quiet of this frozen world under your boots. All safety gear is included—just bring sturdy boots and curiosity.
Black Sand Beach Horse Riding Tour from Vik: 1-hour rideYou ride for an hour across black sand beaches on calm Icelandic horses, mostly at walking speed, with a helmet included and the option to try tölt if you're comfortable. Arrive 15 minutes early, expect to be weighed for the horses' welfare, and plan for weather that changes — which is part of what makes the landscape so striking. Public transport reaches the stable.Is it for me?Right for riders of any level who want an easy, grounded hour on horseback without the pressure of speed or skill — the walking pace and steady horses are what make it accessible, and the black sand landscape is what makes it worth the trip. Plan for weather that shifts, and know you'll be weighed before riding so the horses stay healthy.
Solheimajokull Glacier: Small-Group Hike with Gear & GuideYou’ll step onto Sólheimajökull Glacier with a small group and a certified guide who keeps things real (and safe). Feel the crunch of ancient ice under your boots, learn glacier secrets you won’t find online, and catch those wild blue-grey views that stick with you long after. All gear’s included—just bring your sense of adventure.
Kayaking Sólheimajökull Glacier Lagoon Icebergs No ExperienceKayak on the Sólheimajökull Glacier Lagoon in Iceland with a professional guide, paddling stable sit-on-top kayaks among icebergs and blue ice formations. The tour lasts about two and a half hours, includes all gear and instruction in basic paddling technique, and suits any fitness level. Meet at the basecamp parking lot; bring warm clothing and extra socks, and arrive 30 minutes early. Children are welcome from age 14, with one child per adult.Is it for me?The basecamp parking lot is where you start, so you don't need a car or a ride beyond getting to that point—if you're staying elsewhere in South Iceland or renting without a vehicle, confirm the parking location when you book. The guide handles everything on the water, which means you show up, get fitted, and paddle; nothing else to arrange or time around.
Þórsmörk Super Jeep Tour: Glaciers & Volcanic RiversA 7-hour guided super jeep tour from Vik explores Þórsmörk, a valley ringed by three glaciers—Mýrdalsjökull, Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull—with stops at Gígjökull glacier and volcanic canyons. Your English-speaking local guide shares knowledge of the 2010 eruption and the landscape that shaped it. The tour operates in all weather and suits all fitness levels; children from age 6 are welcome, and a minimum of four participants is required.Is it for me?The tour is in English, so you'll follow the guide's commentary without translation. If you speak English and want the geology and the local stories behind the 2010 eruption explained as you stand in front of the glacier, this guide delivers both.
Vik: Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour & Glacier HikeYou’ll ride a Super Jeep from Vik across surreal volcanic landscapes to reach Katla’s ever-changing ice cave with a local guide leading the way. Feel glacier air on your face, hear stories about volcanoes and shifting ice, and walk inside shimmering blue-and-black tunnels — it’s not what you expect, in all the best ways.
Caves of Hella tour from Vik: Ancient crosses and carvingsThe Caves of Hella guided tour near Vik takes you through five of twelve ancient man-made caves on the South coast, with a local English-speaking guide leading the way. The site holds Iceland's oldest surviving archaeological remains, with carved crosses, wall carvings and carved seats still visible inside. The caves sit just off Route 1, about an hour from Reykjavik, and the tour runs roughly an hour.Is it for me?Most cave sites in Iceland are either self-guided or require a long specialized hike. This one has a guide who knows the history carved into the walls and sits an hour from Reykjavik on the main road, so you see the oldest archaeological remains in Iceland without detour or scrambling.
Iceland Lava Centre: Interactive Volcano & Earthquake ExperienceYou’ll step right into Iceland’s volcanic story at the Lava Centre—feel earthquakes shake beneath your feet, explore glowing magma displays, and hear local guides share what it means to live on shifting ground. Watch real eruption footage in their cinema or just stand on the deck taking in those wild South Coast views—it stays with you.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from ReykjavíkHike and ice climb on Sólheimajökull Glacier in a small group of up to 8 with a certified English-speaking guide, all safety gear provided, and optional introductory climbing for beginners. Departing from Reykjavík, the tour includes pickup, sightseeing stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and a moderate 5.5-hour day on the South Coast. No prior climbing or glacier experience required, though moderate fitness and hiking boots with ankle support are necessary.Is it for me?Book from Reykjavík if you want the full South Coast experience without renting a car—the waterfalls and glacier fit into one morning, and the guide handles all the driving. Meet at the glacier if you're already exploring the area and want to skip the waterfall stops and longer travel time.
Reykjavik: Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Day Trip with Super-JeepYou’ll travel from Reykjavik along Iceland’s wild south coast with a local guide—walk behind Seljalandsfoss, hear Skógafoss thunder, taste salt at Reynisfjara Beach, then ride a super-jeep into Katla Ice Cave with all safety gear included. It’s cold, raw, sometimes muddy—and honestly unforgettable in ways you don’t expect.
Sólheimajökull Ice Climbing and Glacier Walk: Learn to ClimbSólheimajökull ice climbing and glacier walk in Southern Iceland combines a guided hike across the glacier with instruction in ice climbing basics and a climb up the vertical crevasse walls. Your guide teaches you about glaciers while you move, provides all safety equipment and climbing gear, and keeps the group to six people maximum. The tour takes about four hours and requires moderate fitness; participants must be at least 12 years old.Is it for me?You're climbing the ice yourself with a guide managing the rope and teaching you as you go—not watching a demonstration or being led on a walk. This suits anyone who wants to learn ice climbing by doing it, has moderate fitness and doesn't mind cold and real physical work. If you want to experience a glacier without climbing vertical walls, look for a glacier walk without the climbing component instead.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike: Walk on Living Ice with GuidesA three-hour glacier hike on Sólheimajökull with experienced, certified guides who provide all safety gear—crampons, helmet and ice axe—and lead small groups across dramatic ice formations, deep crevasses and vivid blue ridges. The hike suits anyone in good health with no prior glacier experience needed; children from age 12 are welcome. Tea, coffee and water are available at the glacier.Is it for me?Walk across Sólheimajökull's ice formations and vivid blue ridges while your certified guide reveals the geology and climate forces shaping this living glacier.
Thorsmork: Glacier River Hike & Super Jeep Day TourYou’ll ride a super jeep into wild Thorsmork, crossing glacier rivers and wandering deep canyons with a local guide who reads Icelandic weather like a book. Expect muddy boots, spontaneous routes (no strict program), and views that hit harder than photos ever show. If conditions allow, you’ll climb Valahnukur peak—and maybe find yourself sharing snacks with strangers by day’s end.
Sólheimajökull: Private Glacier Hike & Ice Climb AdventureYou’ll hike across Sólheimajökull’s wild glacier terrain with a private guide who keeps things safe (and fun), climb real ice walls or moulins using proper gear, and get personal tips on glacier geology along the way. Expect laughter, some shaky moments on crampons, and that raw Iceland air you’ll remember long after you leave.
Thorsmork by Super Jeep: Glacier Valley with Optional HikeThis day trip from Brú basecamp takes you by super jeep into Thorsmork, a valley between Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull glaciers in South Iceland. The journey itself is the adventure: rough roads and glacial river crossings are part of the route, and you choose whether to hike the trails once you arrive or stay in the vehicle. A local guide leads the day, lunch is included at Volcano Huts in Húsadalur Valley, and the group stays small.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to reach Thorsmork without renting a 4x4 yourself—the super jeep handles the glacial rivers and rough terrain, and the guide knows where to stop. If you are unsure whether you want to hike, the option to stay in the vehicle means you can decide once you arrive and see the trails.
