The Lava Tunnel

The South

LoginSave

Known as Raufarhólshellir, this 11th-century lava tube is 1360m long (Iceland's third largest) and contains wonderful lava columns. Regular one-hour tours run on the hour every hour. The thrilling 'extreme' tour (adult/child 19,500/9950kr) guides visitors deep into the cave, where they have to climb over boulders and squeeze though tight spaces. Helmets and flashlights are provided but bring sturdy boots.

Tours run year-round. Extreme tours start at 11am every day and last three to four hours. In winter cold air is funnelled down and trapped inside, producing amazing ice formations; bring warm clothes.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • x-default

    Hallgrímskirkja

    21.36 MILES

    Reykjavík’s immense white-concrete church (1945–86), star of a thousand postcards, dominates the skyline and is visible from up to 20km away. An elevator…

  • National Museum interior.

    National Museum

    21.86 MILES

    Artefacts from settlement to the modern age fill the creative display spaces of Iceland's superb National Museum. Exhibits give an excellent overview of…

  • Settlement Exhibition

    Settlement Exhibition

    21.96 MILES

    This fascinating archaeological ruin-museum is based around a 10th-century Viking longhouse unearthed here from 2001 to 2002 and other Settlement-Era…

  • Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland...Photo © Christian Gehrig / // / <a href="http://www.mainone.ch">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MainonePhotography">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/Mainone">Flickr</a>

    Harpa

    21.87 MILES

    With its ever-changing facets glistening on the water's edge, Reykjavík’s sparkling Harpa concert hall and cultural centre is a beauty to behold. In…

  • Iceland - Thingvellir National Park, October, 10, 2014 - Beautiful view of people walking in the seam between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

    Þingvellir National Park

    25.3 MILES

    The world’s oldest parliament, Althingi (pronounced ál-thingk-ee; also called Alþing) was uniquely situated at this monumental site where two tectonic…

  • x-default

    Laugardalur

    20.16 MILES

    Laugardalur encompasses a verdant stretch of land 4km east of the city centre. It was once the main source of Reykjavík’s hot-water supply: it translates…

  • Alþingi Site

    Alþingi Site

    23.66 MILES

    Near the dramatic Almannagjá fault and fronted by a boardwalk is the Lögberg (Law Rock), where the Alþingi (Parliament) convened annually. This was where…

  • TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Nina LARSON .People visit Iceland's Phallological Museum on June 28, 2011 in Husavik. From gigantic whale penises to speck-sized field mouse testicles and lampshades made from bull scrotums, Iceland's small Phallological Museum has it all, and recently put its first human member on display. AFP PHOTO / HALLDOR KOLBEINS (Photo credit should read HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images)

    Icelandic Phallological Museum

    21.15 MILES

    Oh, the jokes are endless here... This unique museum houses a huge collection of penises, and it's actually very well done. From pickled pickles to…

View more attractions

Nearby The South attractions

1. Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant

6.76 MILES

The sleek shell of Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant is one of the few plants that provides 30% of Iceland's electricity. A multimedia exhibition and…

2. Flói Nature Reserve

6.8 MILES

Birdwatchers should head 3km northwest of Eyrarbakki to Flói Nature Reserve, an important estuary and marshland on the eastern bank of the Ölfusá. It’s…

4. Listasafn Árnesinga

7.5 MILES

This airy modern-art gallery puts on superb exhibitions. When it's quiet the staff are more than happy to walk guests around the gallery, offering an…

5. Geothermal Park

7.6 MILES

The geothermal park Hverasvæðið, in the centre of town, has mud pots and steaming pools where visitors can dip their feet (but no more). Groups of 15 or…

6. Húsið á Eyrarbakka

9.02 MILES

One of Iceland’s oldest houses, built by Danish traders in 1765, Húsið á Eyrarbakka has glass display cabinets explaining the town’s history, interesting…

7. Sjöminjasafnið á Eyrarbakka

9.09 MILES

Just behind Húsið á Eyrarbakka, this small maritime museum has displays on the local fishing community. Its main exhibit is the beautiful 12-oared fishing…

8. Selfosskirkja

11.77 MILES

The pretty riverside church in Selfoss was built in the 1950s.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "iceland/hveragerdi-around/attractions/the-lava-tunnel/a/poi-sig/1413885/1318061",
  "destination": "The-South",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Iceland",
  "region": "The-South",
  "position": "superzone"
}