Beneath the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap lies a world of ancient volcanic ash and sapphire ice. Iceland's only natural ice cave open 365 days a year.
Following the 2024 glacier shifts, Katla continues to be monitored by Mýrdalsjökull park rangers and veteran guides. Status: Stable & Open.
Read the Full Technical Audit →Unlike the pure blue caves of the East, Katla offers a dramatic, tectonic aesthetic.
Centuries of eruptions from the Katla volcano have trapped layers of black ash within the glacier, creating the famous "striped" ice walls.
While the "Crystal Caves" melt in summer, Katla remains stable and safe for exploration even in July and August.
Based in the charming town of Vík. Reach the cave in just 45 minutes via heavy-duty Super Jeep through black sand lava fields.
We analyzed over 400 Reddit threads from r/VisitingIceland to give you an unfiltered look at the Katla experience. No marketing fluff, just the honest data on pricing, crowds, and comparisons.
Read the Reddit AnalysisBecause the walls are so smooth and the ash patterns so perfect, many visitors ask if Katla is artificial. The truth is 100% geological.
How it was formed →Days of Availability per Year