Grjótagjá cave
About Grjótagjá cave
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What people say
Pedro Pereira
Available for hire
"Grjótagjá is a small lava cave located near Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. It's famous for featuring a beautiful geothermal hot spring in its depths.
Little is known about the cave's early inhabitants, but according to legend, the 18th-century outlaw Jón Markússon lived there for a time and used the cave's natural hot spring for bathing. Following Jón's death, the locals used the thermal spring as a bathing pool for many years. However, this stopped in the 1970s due to an increase in the water temperature caused by nearby volcanic eruptions.
Today, swimming is no longer allowed in Grjótagjá due to the high water temperatures. However, it is still a popular tourist destination because of its unique features and its connection to Icelandic folklore. Visitors can still walk down to the cave and peer into the turquoise waters of the geothermal spring."
Kristen Mackiewicz
"Grotagja Cave is an iconic film location from the Games of Thrones. Vogagja and Grjotagj are old bathing places in fissures and caves in Myvatnssveit, North Iceland. While Grjotagja has gained popularity in recent years, Vogagja can still be considered one of Iceland's best kept secrets, mostly due to the fact that it is difficult to find. Between 1975 and 1980, three volcanic eruptions occurred in Krafla, increasing the temperature of the water in Grjotagja to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, making the water too hot for bathing. The temperatures dropped over time and people could bathe in the fissures again.
15 to 30 minutes to explore."
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Sophia Toomb
"A worthwhile first stop of the day--Grjótagjá is a geothermal pool in a cave which you can walk down. Unfortunately swimming in this one is not permitted, though the warm water is tempting. Parking is free and right outside of the cave.
Cost: Free
Parking: Free parking in the lot directly next to the cave entrance"
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