Private Cave Tour with Icelandic Food Tasting

by Caves of Laugarvatn · Food & drink · private · Golden Circle

4.70(1,348) · operator on Google
Private Cave Tour with Icelandic Food Tasting — Caves of Laugarvatn

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  • Duration

    25 minutes

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Laugarvatn

  • Meeting

    Meet on location

  • Languages

    EN

  • Departs

    10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 …

Our take on this one

Icelandic families lived in these caves at Laugarvatn less than a century ago, and that is the whole point of the visit: a local guide takes you in alone — the cave is yours, not shared — tells the story with old photographs, and explains how people got through winters here on what the land gave them. Then the tasting: flatbread with smoked lamb, dried fish and butter, fermented shark, coffee, milk and a shot of Brennivín. Twenty-five to thirty minutes. The €258 covers up to twelve people, so it is an oddity on this list — cheap for a family of six, absurd for one person. Sixteen slots a day from 10:00. Not fully wheelchair accessible.

Book it if
Groups and families driving the Golden Circle who want half an hour of real social history and something local to eat.
Skip it if
Half an hour for €258 is only sensible if you fill the group — two people should skip it.

Written by us, from the operator's own details and what we know of the route. We don't take a fee for a good word.

About this experience

Step into Iceland’s past with a private tour of the Caves of Laugarvatn. Just a short drive from Reykjavík, these historic caves were home to real Icelandic families less than a century ago.

On this private experience, the cave is all yours. One of our local guides will walk with you, tell stories, share old photos, and give you insight into how people lived, worked, and survived here using nature alone.

You’ll also get to enjoy a taste of tradition. This tour includes Icelandic treats like flatbread with smoked lamb, dried fish with butter, fermented shark, coffee, milk, and a shot of Brennivín. It’s a cozy, authentic moment in the heart of the Golden Circle.


Details

  • Private access to the cave
  • Guided storytelling and history
  • Icelandic food tasting included
  • Approx. 25–30 minutes
  • Cost: 36,000 ISK (up to 12 people)
  • Additional guests: 1,500 ISK per person after 12

Description from the operator, Caves of Laugarvatn . Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Good to know

What to Bring:

Just bring your smile and comfortable clothing.

Accessibility: The cave is not fully wheelchair accessible.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 4 days of departure. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

Sold out on your date?

Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.

Why we list it

Caves of Laugarvatn is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Caves of Laugarvatn

Read all 1,348 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Chadonka

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    The Caves of Laugarvatn ended up being one of the most authentic experiences of our trip to Iceland. From the moment we arrived, the brothers who own and operate the caves made us feel genuinely welcome. Their passion for preserving the history of the caves was evident, and their storytelling transformed what could have been a simple tour into an unforgettable experience. They did a fantastic job explaining what everyday life was really like for the families who once lived in these cave homes. Rather than simply reciting historical facts, they brought the stories to life with humor, personality, and firsthand knowledge, making it easy to imagine what cave living was actually like generations ago. We happened to visit on a rainy day, and the weather unexpectedly added to the experience. Hearing the rain outside and watching water slowly seep through the cave walls gave us a real appreciation for the harsh conditions the residents endured. It made the history feel tangible rather than something you simply read about. Of course, we also tried the fermented shark, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget! Tasting such an iconic Icelandic food while sitting inside a historic cave where generations of Icelanders once lived felt far more meaningful than trying it in a restaurant. It was the perfect setting to experience a unique piece of Icelandic culture. If you’re looking for an attraction that offers genuine history, engaging hosts, and an experience that feels personal rather than commercial, the Caves of Laugarvatn should absolutely be on your itinerary.

  • EMI TRAVELS

    ★★★★★ · 2 weeks ago

    Location is conveniently situated along the Golden Circle route. The tours, led by two brothers, are both informative and engaging. They provide insight into the challenges of life in Iceland, offer a taste of local folklore, and present the opportunity to sample Brennevin and/or hákarl (fermented shark). The surrounding landscape is quite impressive, offering excellent photographic opportunities and notable examples of pillow lava. Highly recommend.

  • J Y

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    A wonderful experience at the Caves of Laugarvatn today! I really appreciated learning more about these types of dwellings and the families who chose to live there. The stories and anecdotes brought it to life. If you are lucky enough to have Asha as a guide, her warmth and personality make it an unforgettable experience. So many of Iceland’s sites are beautiful but not necessarily interactive. Here it was wonderful to learn more about the resourcefulness of the Icelandic people and get to meet great guides as well.

  • Karsten Latz

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Today we are visiting Kristopher. He is showing us the cave at Laugarvatn. It has a very interesting history involving various inhabitants. Take a look at the cave. It is a special and magical place. "Thank you" in Icelandic "takk fyrir"

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026

Read before you book

Reviews from our travellers

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No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Food & drink — questions people ask

Is a Reykjavík food walk worth doing?

Yes, on your first or second evening. Three hours through the centre with five or six tastings, lamb soup, fish, skyr, rye bread, the famous hot dog, and a guide who explains what Icelanders actually eat versus the tourist menu. It orients you in the city and shortlists restaurants for the rest of your stay. The combos with whale watching (/experience/834461/) or a northern-lights cruise (/experience/834525/) make a full day.

What food is Iceland known for?

Lamb, raised free on the hills and eaten as soup, roast or smoked as hangikjöt. Fresh fish, cod and arctic char especially, and langoustine in Höfn. Skyr, the thick cultured dairy. Dense rye bread, sometimes baked in geothermal ground. And the hot dog with everything, which is the honest national dish. The fermented shark and sheep's head are for dares, not dinner. Most Icelanders eat them once a year, if that.

Is food expensive in Iceland?

Yes. A main course in a mid-range Reykjavík restaurant costs roughly what a good dinner costs in London or Copenhagen, and alcohol is heavily taxed. Ways to soften it: lunch specials and soup-and-bread deals are good value, supermarket chains like Bónus and Krónan are fine for breakfast and picnics, and tap water is excellent and free everywhere. Tipping is not expected; service is included. A food walk is one of the better-value meals because it covers several places.

Can I get vegetarian or vegan food in Iceland?

In Reykjavík and Akureyri, easily; most restaurants have at least one option and several are fully plant-based. Outside towns, choice thins out to soup and salad, so on long day tours bring your own lunch if the stop is a petrol station grill. Food walks can usually adapt tastings if you tell the operator when booking; use the special requests field or email us. Allergies should always be flagged in advance.

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Pairs well with

Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.

Standard Cave Tour25 minutes

Caves of Laugarvatn

Standard Cave Tour

4.70· 1,348 Google reviews of the operator

Leaves from Þingvellir

  • Wi-fi on board
  • Admission included
  • Family friendly

from

€14 per person

90% below the €140 typical

or book on its own →

from

€258 per person

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