Private Cave Tour with Icelandic Food Tasting

by Caves of Laugarvatn · Food & drink · Golden Circle

4.80· 1,421 Google reviews of the operator

Couples
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €264.27 per vehicle

No published departures in the coming months — ask us

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Private Cave Tour with Icelandic Food Tasting — Caves of Laugarvatn

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7 photos from Caves of Laugarvatn . Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
25 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Laugarvatn
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Caves of Laugarvatn
Laugarvatnshellar, Laugavarvatn
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 …
Cancellation
Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 4 days of departure.

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.

Who this is not for

Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Caves of Laugarvatn is one of 207 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 1,421 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.8/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Chadonka
★★★★★ · 2 months 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
★★★★★ · a month 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.
Gabriela Świątek
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
Our guide, David, gave us a warm welcome from the very beginning and made us feel comfortable the whole time. He guided us through the caves while sharing fascinating facts and stories. He also had a great sense of humor, which made the experience even more enjoyable. :) We absolutely loved this attraction and highly recommend David as a guide!
Dorothy Granger
★★★★★ · a month ago
A slice of Icelandic history in this short tour of a preserved cave dwelling, told with great humour and insight by David our guide. Gives a wee glimpse into the harsh lifestyle of Icelandic families in the early 1900s - their food, living conditions and animals. Well worth stopping off here. The tour lasts about 20 minutes and includes an optional tasting of fermented shark! There is also a short gorge walk, if you want to take it, with some amazing lava formations.

Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Private family tours in Iceland: what they costTaste Iceland's private family tours run €1,024 to €1,595 per booking. What you get for that, which age limits apply, and when a cheaper family tour wins.
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Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for 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.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Þingvellir, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Golden Circle →

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€264.27 per vehicle

Caves of Laugarvatn 's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

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Departs10:0010:3011:0011:3012:0012:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

· Cancelling costs 50% of the price within 4 days of departure.
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Caves of Laugarvatn cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Caves of Laugarvatn 's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
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