Grjotagja Lava Cave in Iceland

Grjótagjá is a small lava cave in Iceland near Lake Myvatn. There is a wonderful geothermal thermal spring inside. It is part of the Diamond Circle, North Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route. The cave has an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere that justifies a visit. The clear water has a beautiful turquoise color, as seen in the photo, and the sun illuminated the beautiful rocky walls when we were there.

History

Grjótagjá was a popular bathing spot until the 1970s. However, during the eruptions from 1975 to 1984, the temperature of the water rose to more than 50 °C (122 °F), though the temperature has since dropped below 50 °C. During our visit, another tourist informed us that bathing here is now dangerous due to bacteria.

Game of Thrones filming location

Game of Thrones season three spoiler ahead! Grjotagja gained fame as a result of the HBO television series Game of Thrones. In “Kissed by Fire,” the fifth episode of season three, protagonist Jon Snow and the wildling woman Ygritte consummate their relationship. In fact, the majority of this scene was shot in the studio, and the waterfall was added using CGI. As a result, many tourists come to see where Jon Snow and Ygritte had sex!

Tips for visiting

So, if you’re traveling around Iceland on the Ring Road, it’s worth stopping here to enjoy this wonderful pool cave. There is a parking lot near the cave. There is usually a steady stream of tourists coming and going, so you must be patient. Be cautious of the jagged rocks that line the narrow entrance. You can go to the right side of the cave, which has more space. After that, you can look at the entry on the left side.

Final words

To summarize, Grjotagja lava cave is well worth a visit, albeit you may have to wait a bit to get inside.