The Crystal Ice Cave in Iceland: Avoid the Crowds & Go Here Instead

It is no secret that Iceland pulls in tourists from all over the world with its feats of nature, which encompass glacial mountains, thermal pools, and icy waterfalls. Over the years, the famous Crystal Ice Cave Iceland has become one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. While the cave has retained its magical beauty since its discovery, it can sometimes become too crowded to experience the frosty serenity people expect to find when they get there. Luckily, there is an array of ice caves scattered across Iceland, which offer the same opportunities to explore in a unique setting. With so many to choose from, it is recommended that you squeeze in a visit to as many hidden gems as you can on your next trip here.

Vatnajökull Ice Caves

While the Crystal Ice Cave is the destination of choice for many tourists, there have been outcries from tourists over the years that their experience has been dampened by large crowds. However, it should be noted that all hope is not lost. In fact, the largest and most impressive cave collections in Iceland are those of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Spanning over eight thousand square kilometres, the glacier houses caves with thick walls and secret tunnels, which make it ideal for any explorer to get lost in.

Some people wonder what you do when inside these caves, but they are always pleasantly surprised when their glacier walk turns into a feature show. In some lights, the ice caves often turn into glittering shades of blue, silver, and sometimes pearly green. While photo opportunities are encouraged here, you should not waste time to come and see such sights for yourself. Taking the pressure off your trip is easy when you choose an adventure like the Skaftafell Ice Cave day tour. If you are looking for a 2-day getaway in Iceland that combines two of the best winter activities, then the Northern Lights and Ice Cave Adventure is your best bet. As the name suggests, it won’t just be the icy cave walls which impress you, but the chance to see Iceland’s coveted Northern Lights experience, along with other sights in the south of Iceland.

You should start your exploration by visiting Vatnajökull National Park, where you can spend hours driving through the unique, glacial scenery before you reach the caves. Some people enjoy hiking over the tops of the glacier to find steely, stretching views, before delving underground to start their glacier walk and ice cave exploration. To make the most of the southern glaciers, it’s wise to consider a tour like The Golden Circle and Glacier Getaway. When you visit in the winter months, you should prepare to wrap up warm, so the cold is a sharp but wonderful bonus to your trip, rather than a negative.

The Secret Ice Cave

The ice caves in Iceland call to the adventurer inside everyone. You can find a wonderfully raw adventure when you visit the alluring Secret Ice Cave in Mýrdalsjökull glacier, an excellent alternative to the Crystal Ice Cave. Though less famous than its counterpart, it lies beautifully and mostly untouched in the heart of the Icelandic wilderness. Before you disappear into the ice cave, you should take the time to absorb your calm surroundings, which will be comprised of shining, white glacier tops and rugged black land.

As with most ice caves, you should visit during the winter months to experience the cave in all of its icy glory. Armed with ice picks and heavy boots; eyes wide in awe like a child’s, you will feel like you are discovering something that no one has ever seen before. Often, choosing a multi-day tour like the Winter Adventure and Northern Lights one will open up your view of Iceland. With trips to steaming geysers and the crashing Gullfoss Waterfall, you will see sides to Iceland that you never knew existed.