A unique world of ancient man-made caves in South Iceland

The Caves of Hella are among the most remarkable man-made caves in Iceland. They form a unique world of mystery in South Iceland. On the farm Ægissíða, twelve ancient caves have been found, and four of them are open to visitors. All tours are guided. The caves are protected and preserved by the family at Ægissíða in cooperation with the local community and the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland.

Inside the caves you can see crosses, carvings, figures, carved seats and shelves. They are considered the oldest standing human-made dwellings in Iceland. No one knows when they were created. Some believe they date from Celtic times and existed before the Norse settlement. This mystery has followed the caves for centuries and makes the visit even more fascinating.

Guided tour of Iceland’s oldest dwellings

On the cave tour, visitors explore four of the caves with a guide. They hear the story that could not be told, the story of settlement before settlement. The tour suits all ages and takes place in any weather. As the caves are protected, they can only be visited with staff.

The hidden world of Ægissíða

The caves have served many roles through the centuries. They were used for livestock and for storing hay and food. Inside the caves you can see entrance halls, chimneys, wells, rock shelves, niches and ledges. Their layout is varied and shows great craftsmanship. Well-built caves can stand for centuries, and these caves are living evidence of past workmanship and daily life.

Visiting the Caves of Hella

The Caves of Hella are located by Route 1, only about an hour from Reykjavík. They are an accessible and exciting destination for travellers in South Iceland. The family at Ægissíða has cared for the caves for nearly 200 years and works continuously on their preservation. Guided tours protect the caves and make it possible to open more caves in the future.

A visit to the Caves of Hella is an educational and captivating experience. Here, history, mystery and the nature of South Iceland meet. Visitors gain insight into the oldest structures still standing in Iceland and hear stories that have lived through the centuries.

Ten interesting things to do in South Iceland

1. Explore sites from Njáls saga and visit the turf farm Keldur in Rangárvellir.
2. Visit the volcano and earthquake exhibitions at LAVA Centre in Hvolsvöllur.
3. “Collect” waterfalls in South Iceland, such as Gullfoss, Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss.
4. Explore the diverse collection at Skógasafn, one of Iceland’s most visited museums.
5. Hike the Fimmvörðuháls trail from Skógar to Þórsmörk.
6. Join a guided glacier walk on Sólheimajökull or a snowmobile tour on Mýrdalsjökull.
7. Bathe in Seljavallalaug or the natural hot spring in Landmannalaugar.
8. Visit the historical site Oddi in Rangárvellir, with its church, memorial and archaeological excavation.
9. Feel the power of Skógafoss and walk along the river.
10. Explore the new town centre in Selfoss with reconstructed historical buildings and visit Skyrland.