More: When to visit Iceland · Iceland travel guide
Quick Answer
Iceland’s volcano experiences range from descending into the Þríhnúkagígur magma chamber and walking Reykjanes lava fields to the Katla ice cave and the remote Askja caldera. Access changes constantly with volcanic activity — here’s what to see and how to do it safely.
Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is why it erupts so often and why so much of it is visitable. These ten sites cover the range, but access depends entirely on current activity, so treat official guidance as the final word.
10 Volcanic Sites & Tours in Iceland
1. The Reykjanes peninsula
Repeated eruptions since 2021 have made this the most accessible active volcanic area in Europe — but access opens and closes with activity.
2. Þríhnúkagígur — inside a magma chamber
The only place on earth where you can descend into an emptied magma chamber, by open lift, in summer only.
3. Katla ice cave, Mýrdalsjökull
A glacier cave on an active volcano, accessible year-round by super-jeep from Vík — unlike the winter-only blue caves.
4. Eyjafjallajökull
The 2010 eruption that closed European airspace; a visitor centre run by the farming family beneath it tells the story well.
5. Fagradalsfjall lava fields
Hike across still-warm lava from the recent eruptions, an hour from Reykjavík — check safety status before setting out.
6. Lake Mývatn & Krafla
Steaming vents, mud pots and the Víti crater in the volcanic north, near the Mývatn Nature Baths.
7. Askja & the highlands
A remote caldera reachable only in summer by 4×4, with a crater lake used to train Apollo astronauts.
8. Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Where a 1973 eruption buried part of the town; the Eldheimar museum is built around an excavated house.
9. Hekla
Once called the gateway to hell, and still one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes — climbed with a guide.
10. Kerið crater
A red-rimmed volcanic crater lake on the Golden Circle, easy to visit with no hiking required.
Safety and access — read this first
Volcanic access in Iceland changes at short notice. Eruption sites open and close with activity, gas levels and weather, and areas that were safe last month may be closed today. Always check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Met Office (vedur.is) before setting out, and follow closures absolutely — volcanic gas is invisible and can accumulate in hollows. Þríhnúkagígur operates only in summer, highland routes to Askja need a 4×4 and open roughly late June to September, and glacier caves require a licensed guide. Never walk on fresh lava without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see an active eruption in Iceland?
Sometimes — Reykjanes has erupted repeatedly since 2021, but access depends on current conditions. Check safetravel.is.
Can you go inside a volcano?
Yes, at Þríhnúkagígur, the only emptied magma chamber in the world open to visitors, in summer.
Are volcano tours safe?
With licensed operators and current official guidance, yes. The danger comes from ignoring closures and gas warnings.
