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Tours Iceland
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Explore this 5,200-year-old lava tube on a guided tour
People swear by just how magnificent Raufarhólshellir is and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of Iceland’s longest and best-known lava tubes located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík. It’s a perfect off-beat adventure for anyone looking to experience Iceland beyond the usual sights.
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Quick overview

  • Ways to experience: You can attend The Lava Show at two different locations, one in Reykjavík and another in Vík. If you want to see real geology up close, there’s also a guided lava tunnel tour, taking you inside a 5,000-year-old lava tube just 30 minutes from Reykjavík.
  • When to book: The Lava Shows run year-round, making them an easy add to any Iceland itinerary. While tickets are available on-site, it’s best to book online in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
  • Format of the show: The Lava Show is pure edutainment. Real molten lava is heated and poured live, creating a dramatic, artsy spectacle while hosts explain the science, history, and behavior of lava in a fun, easy-to-follow way.
  • Duration: The shows last for around 45–60 minutes. You can even upgrade your ticket to include balcony seating, complimentary drinks, and a piece of lava to take home.
  • About the tours: The guided lava tunnel tour takes you into Raufarhólshellir, a lava tube formed over 5,000 years ago. Led by expert guides, the one-hour walk explores Iceland’s volcanic geology up close.

What to expect on lava experience tours?

Guests watching the Lava show in Reykjavik theater.
1/4

45–60 minute edutainment experience

Each Lava Show begins with a short introductory film on Iceland’s shifting tectonic plates and volcanic timeline, after which lava masters demonstrate how lava is formed and behaves in natural environment.

Learn about Iceland’s natural history

Iceland is one of the youngest landmasses on Earth, shaped almost entirely by lava. During the experience, you’ll learn how eruptions formed its mountains, valleys, and coastlines.

Premium upgrades

For a more elevated experience, premium tickets give you balcony seating with panoramic views, complimentary drinks, and a take-home piece of real lava.

1-hour guided walking tour of Raufarhólshellir

This guided walk takes you through a massive lava tube formed over 5,000 years ago, where flowing magma once carved tunnels beneath the surface. Along the way, your guide highlights rock textures, colors, and formations that reveal how lava cools, moves, and solidifies underground.

Which lava experience is best for you?

TicketDurationMeeting pointInclusionsUpgradesBest for
Reykjavik: Lava Show Immersive Experience Entry Ticket

50-75 minutes

Lava Show, Reykjavik

Entry ticket to the lava show, short educational show, security googles, live host

Premium experience available that includes balcony seating, drinks, lounge access, backstage tour, gift wrapped piece of lava from the show

If you are based in Reykjavik and looking for family friendly activities to do

Vik: Lava Show Immersive Experience Entry Ticket

50 minutes

Lava Show in Vik

Entry ticket to the lava show, short educational show, security googles, live host

None

If you are based in the small town of Vik and looking for a unique experience in Iceland

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Guided Tour with Transfers from Reykjavik

3 hours

BSI Bus Terminal, Reykjavik

Bus ride to Raufarhólshellir, entry inside the tunnel, 1-hour guided tour, protective helmet, flashlight, free Wi-Fi on the bus

None

Adventure and history enthusiasts, nature lovers, off-beat explorers

Things to know before booking your lava experience in Iceland

  • Lava Shows are not visual tricks. Real Icelandic basalt rock from past eruptions is superheated in industrial furnaces to around 1,100°C (2,000°F) until it melts into glowing, flowing lava. It’s then carefully poured onto a stage in a fully controlled environment, giving you a rare chance to see how lava actually behaves up close.
  • You can experience the Lava Show at two locations in Iceland: Reykjavík or Vík. Both venues offer the same core experience, but transfers are not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the show. Reykjavik Lava Show is ideal if you’re city-based, while Vík Lava Shows work well if you’re exploring Iceland’s south coast.
  • The Reykjavík Lava Show offers both standard and premium tickets. With the premium experience, you’ll enjoy balcony seating, complimentary drinks, and you’ll even get to take home a piece of real lava as a souvenir.
  • Alongside the live lava pouring, you’ll also learn about Iceland’s volcanic history, including how the island was formed on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, why it has so many active volcanoes, and how lava shapes everything from landscapes to daily life. One cool fact you should know is that over 90% of Iceland’s surface is volcanic in origin.
  • Go for the the lava tunnel tour if you want a real outdoor experience
    Located about 30 minutes from Reykjavík, this tour includes round-trip transfers and a 1-hour guided walk inside Raufarhólshellir, a 5,000-year-old lava tube. You’ll explore solidified lava flows, colorful rock layers, and learn how massive eruptions carved these tunnels beneath the earth.

Highlights of lava experiences in Iceland

Plan your trip

Visitor tips

  • Treat lava as part of Icelandic culture, not just a spectacle. Volcanic activity shapes Iceland’s landscape, energy, and even folklore. Go in curious because the stories and explanations add depth that makes the experience far richer.
  • Plan around daylight and road conditions. Reykjavík shows fit easily into city days or evenings. If you’re heading to Vík or the lava tunnel, factor in weather and winter road conditions.
  • Arrive early and pick the best seats. Go for front-row seating if you want to take a closer look at the molten lava. Premium experience gives you balcony view and offers a calmer, panoramic view.
  • Use the lava tunnel as a geological reset. The tunnel experience is slower and more contemplative than the Lava Show. It’s ideal if you want to physically walk through Iceland’s volcanic history rather than watch it unfold on stage.
  • Don’t rush to the next stop. These experiences work best when you slow down. Grab a drink after the show, browse the lava-inspired shop, or take a moment to learn more about Iceland's geology.
  • Book ahead during peak travel months. Summer and winter aurora season are especially busy. Booking early ensures availability and lets you build the experience smoothly into your itinerary.

Frequently asked questions about the lava experiences in Iceland

Yes. The Lava Show uses real Icelandic basalt from previous eruptions, reheated to molten temperatures in industrial furnaces.