Want to stand a few meters from real molten lava without hiking to an active eruption? The Lava Show is the only place in the world where you can do exactly that. And with our Lava Show Iceland discount code EPICLAVA26 you’ll get 10% off any show, on top of any other deal they’re running.
The idea is simple and a little bit mad. They take real lava, superheat it to 1,100°C (2,000°F), and pour it into a room full of people while a host explains what’s going on. A husband and wife team dreamed it up back in 2010, after watching a lavafall during the Fimmvörðuháls eruption.
We’ve sent plenty of friends here, and it’s one of the few indoor activities in Iceland we recommend without hesitation. Here’s why we like it, how the two locations differ, and how to use our promo code.
Contents
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Why Lava Show
There are museums and VR volcano things all over Reykjavik. The Lava Show is the only one using the real thing. Four reasons it’s worth your time.
Real molten lava, up close
It’s real lava, melted on site and poured right in front of you. The lava itself originally came from the 1918 Katla eruption. You see it glow, hear it crackle as it cools, smell the minerals, and feel the heat hit your face from your seat.
Weatherproof and easy to fit in your day
Icelandic weather ruins outdoor plans all the time. This one runs indoors, year-round, rain or snow. A show takes about 50 to 55 minutes, so it drops neatly into a day of sightseeing or a rainy afternoon. It’s a solid pick for our best winter tours in Iceland shortlist.
Lava show is one of the top indoor activities in Iceland
Actually educational (the Lava Masters)
The hosts, often geologists or volcanologists, walk you through why Iceland is such a volcanic island before the lava even shows up. Reviewers keep mentioning how much they learned, and plenty admit they turned up expecting a gimmick and left impressed.
If you want to pair it with the real outdoor stuff, see our guide to the best active volcano tours in Iceland.
Two very different locations
Reykjavik and Vik run different storylines, so they really are two separate shows. More on that next.
Reykjavik or Vik
Both locations pour the same 1,100°C lava and follow the same rough format: intro, short film, live pour, Q&A. What changes is the story and the setting.
Reykjavik sits in the Grandi Harbour District, a short walk or free shuttle ride from downtown. It’s the bigger, more polished venue, and its film leans into Iceland’s volcanic history and the recent Reykjanes Peninsula eruptions.
Lava show Reykjavik
Vik is the original show, smaller and more intimate. It sits in the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark on the South Coast, near the famous black sand beach. Its show digs into the Katla volcano and the dramatic 1918 eruption that once buried this whole area in ash.
| Reykjavik | Vik | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Grandi Harbour District, walkable from downtown | Seaside village on the South Coast |
| Story | Iceland’s volcanism + Reykjanes eruptions | Katla volcano + the 1918 eruption |
| Feel | Bigger, more polished | Smaller, more intimate |
| Premium option | Yes | No, Classic only |
| Best if | You’re based in Reykjavik | You’re driving the South Coast |
| Getting there | Free Grandi Shuttle or free parking | Free parking, about 2.5 hrs from Reykjavik |
If you’re staying in the city, pick Reykjavik. If you’re doing the South Coast and stopping in Vik anyway (you should, for the black sand beach alone), the Vik show is a great add-on. It fits right into our Iceland top 10 day itinerary.
Classic vs Premium
Both locations offer the Classic experience. Only Reykjavik offers the Premium upgrade.
Classic gets you the full show and a seat in the audience. The Reykjavik room holds 118 people in a horseshoe around the stage, so there’s no bad view. Food and drinks aren’t included, but there are snacks on site.
Lava show in Iceland is the only real lava show in world
Premium, in Reykjavik only, adds an upstairs lounge, balcony seating in the “hot zone”, a welcome drink, a backstage tour of the furnace, and a small piece of lava to take home. Reviewers are split on whether the upgrade earns its price, so it comes down to how much you want the lounge and the souvenir.
| Classic | Premium (Reykjavik only) | |
|---|---|---|
| The show | Full show + Q&A | Full show + Q&A |
| Duration | About 50-55 min | Longer |
| Seating | Audience seats, first come | Reserved balcony seating |
| Extras | None | Lounge, welcome drink, backstage furnace tour, lava souvenir |
| Best for | Most visitors | Anyone who wants the VIP touch |
Both tickets can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before. Shows sell out often, so book ahead.
Lava Show Discount Code
We offer our readers lava show iceland promo code EPICLAVA26
Our exclusive Lava Show discount code EPICLAVA26 gives you 10% off any Lava Show experience, in both Reykjavik and Vik.
The best part: this Lava Show promo code stacks on top of any other discount they’re already running, so during a seasonal offer you can save even more. It works on both Classic and Premium tickets, and there’s no limit on how often you use it. Booking two shows for the family? Use it twice.
Chasing more Iceland deals? We keep a running list of codes in our newsletter.
How to Use the Lava Show Discount Code
How to use our coupon code
Using the Lava Show coupon code takes a few seconds:
- Go to lavashow.com and pick your location, show, and date.
- Choose how many guests.
- At checkout, find the promo code field.
- Enter EPICLAVA26 and apply.
- You’ll see the 10% come off the total before you pay.
That’s it. The code is active year-round, so it works whether you book a summer show or a winter one.
Lava Show Reviews
The Lava Show is one of the highest rated activities in the country. It holds a 4.9 rating from thousands of reviews and won Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best in 2025, plus a Viator Experience Award.
What guests mention most is the knowledgeable, funny hosts and how much they end up learning. Families with kids and self-described geology nerds both tend to walk out happy.
Lava show in Vik
The few critical reviews usually come down to price (it’s not a cheap hour) or the odd host being hard to follow. One reviewer confessed that three of their family fell asleep during the film, which made us laugh. Fair warning, then: it moves at the pace of cooling lava.
Our Experience with Lava Show
We’ve pointed a lot of visiting friends toward the Lava Show, and we still go back ourselves on rainy days. Here’s what stands out for us.
The heat surprises everyone. You expect to see the lava. You don’t expect to feel it push you back in your seat from a few meters away. That moment when the room glows orange is the bit people talk about afterwards.
The hosts make or break it, and ours have always been strong. A good one turns the science into a proper story and handles the Q&A without missing a beat.
We slightly prefer the Vik show for its intimacy and the Katla story, especially if you’re already on the South Coast. But Reykjavik is far easier to reach, and the Premium lounge is a nice treat if you want to make an evening of it. Either way, it pairs well with a wider Reykjavik day trip.
Lava show our experience
One note: this is calm, seated, indoor edutainment. If you’re expecting a thrill ride, adjust your expectations. If you want to understand what’s going on under Iceland, it’s brilliant.
Lava Show FAQ
What is the Lava Show discount code?
Our Lava Show discount code is EPICLAVA26. It gives you 10% off any Lava Show experience in Reykjavik or Vik, and it stacks on top of any other discount they’re running.
How do I use the Lava Show promo code?
Enter EPICLAVA26 in the promo code field at checkout on lavashow.com. The 10% comes off your total before you pay. It works year-round, on both Classic and Premium tickets.
Where is the Lava Show located?
Two places. Reykjavik is in the Grandi Harbour District, a short walk from downtown. Vik is on the South Coast, in the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark near the black sand beach, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik.
Is the Lava Show worth it?
For most people, yes. It’s the only place on earth to safely watch real molten lava flow, and the learning side is good. If you only want cheap thrills, it might feel pricey.
Is the Lava Show safe, and does it get hot?
Yes and yes. Everyone gets protective goggles, the lava is handled by trained staff, and it all happens in a controlled indoor space. The room does heat up, which is half the fun, but it’s completely safe.
Our readers can save 10% on Lava show
Is the Lava Show good for kids?
Yes, it’s family-friendly and all ages are welcome. Kids tend to love the pour, and the hosts are good at keeping them engaged. Just know there’s a film and talk section before the lava arrives.
Which is better, Reykjavik or Vik?
Depends on your trip. Reykjavik is bigger, easier to reach, and offers the Premium upgrade. Vik is smaller and more intimate with the Katla story, ideal if you’re driving the South Coast.
Do I need to book in advance?
We’d recommend it. Shows sell out often, especially in summer. You can usually cancel free up to 24 hours before if plans change.
