Litla Kaffistofan is a historic roadside café and well-known landmark on Route 1 along the Hellisheiði mountain pass, just 20 minutes east of Reykjavík. Surrounded by lava fields, geothermal steam vents, and the Hengill volcanic system, it serves as both a traditional Icelandic rest stop and a gateway to outdoor adventures.
For decades, Litla Kaffistofan has welcomed travelers crossing the highland plateau between Reykjavík and South Iceland. Today, it combines its classic café atmosphere with northern lights hunting and adventure tours, including ATV excursions into the surrounding volcanic landscape.
- GPS Coordinates:
- 64.05777° N, 21.50161° W
- Distance from Reykjavík (BSÍ)
- 25 km (15 miles)
- Best time to visit
- All year
Tours from Litla Kaffistofan
Hengill Geothermal ATV Tour Near Reykjavík – 1.5 Hours
Ride across lava fields, explore Iceland’s most powerful geothermal area, and experience the raw energy of Hengill on this 1.5-hour ATV adventure near Reykjavík
Volcano Valley ATV Tour Near Reykjavík – 2.5 Hours
Just 20 minutes from Reykjavík, take a break from city streets to embrace lava fields and volcanic peaks on this thrilling 2.5-hour ATV adventure.
Hengill 1.5-Hour ATV Tour with Transfer from Reykjavík
Skip the hassle of driving on Icelandic roads and head straight into Iceland’s rugged landscapes with this ATV tour with transfer from Reykjavík.
A Historic Stop on Hellisheiði
The Hellisheiði mountain pass has long been an important route between the capital and southern Iceland. Before modern roads were built, crossing this area was challenging due to weather, rough terrain, and volcanic conditions.
Litla Kaffistofan developed as a service stop for travelers, offering warmth, food, and shelter in a region known for sudden weather changes. Over time, it became a well-known landmark for both locals and visitors.
Today, anyone heading east from Reykjavik on the famous Route 1 will pass this historical landmark.
Today, Icelandia gives Litla Kaffistofan a new purpose as a base for our outdoor adventure tours and a seasonal Northern Lights dark park. Renovations to this small but mighty building have been made with care to honour its past while adapting it to meet the needs of modern travellers and guided tour operations.
Geology and Surroundings
Litla Kaffistofan sits within one of Iceland’s most geologically active regions.
The surrounding landscape includes:
- Svínahraun (Kristnitökuhraun) lava field, formed around the year 1000 AD
- The Hengill volcanic system, one of Iceland’s major geothermal areas
- Steam vents, hot springs, and visible geothermal activity
- Proximity to Hellisheiði Power Plant, one of the world’s largest geothermal energy facilities
The area lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly move apart. This tectonic activity creates the geothermal heat that powers nearby energy production and shapes the dramatic landscape around the café.
The contrast between black lava fields, green moss, rising steam, and modern geothermal infrastructure makes this one of the most visually striking regions near Reykjavík.
Adventure Tours from Litla Kaffistofan
Litla Kaffistofan is our Reykjavík-area base for ATV adventures. Located just 20 minutes from the BSÍ Bus Terminal in central Reykjavík, it offers an ideal balance between easy access and immersive nature.
The surrounding landscape of Svínahraun lava field, combined with views toward the Hengill and Bláfjöll mountain ranges, provides wide open spaces, varied terrain, and dramatic scenery that are exceptionally well suited for ATV tours, all just a short drive from Reykjavík.
This makes Litla Kaffistofan a natural starting point for outdoor adventure, close enough for a short transfer from the city, yet far enough to feel fully immersed in Iceland’s rugged countryside.
Today, Litla Kaffistofan serves as a base for our ATV tours and outdoor experiences on Hellisheiði and around Hengill, and as a stop on most of our Northern Lights tours, depending on visibility.
From here, visitors can explore:
Northern Lights in winter
Lava fields
Geothermal valleys
Mountain slopes
Panoramic viewpoints over southwest Iceland
A Northern Lights Hub Near Reykjavík
During the winter months, Litla Kaffistofan functions as the ideal spot for stargazing and Northern Lights viewing with its outside Dark Park and inside facilities. Most of our Northern Lights tours stop here, depending on visibility that day.
Guests can warm up indoors while waiting for the aurora to appear, enjoying refreshments such as freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, or even Icelandia’s own Aurora Beerealis beer. When the Northern Lights make an appearance, just head outside to our dark area for optimal visibility in minimal light pollution.
It’s a relaxed and welcoming place to wait, watch the sky, and share the experience with others, whether you arrive for a tour or simply to enjoy the atmosphere.
We’re Warm – You’re Welcome
In partnership with the Icelandic brand Te & Kaffi, Litla Kaffistofan continues its long-standing tradition of serving quality refreshments. Visitors can stop in for coffee, hot chocolate, and light refreshments, perfect for a short break, a warm-up, or a quiet moment on the road.
Whether you’re heading out on an ATV adventure, waiting for the Northern Lights, or just stopping for a little refreshment like travellers have done for decades in this place, Litla Kaffistofan remains what it has always been: the perfect rest stop for a welcome pause.
Why Visit Litla Kaffistofan?
Litla Kaffistofan is more than just a roadside café. It is:
- A historic travel landmark
- A gateway to the Hengill volcanic area
- A convenient stop between Reykjavík and South Iceland
- A base for exploring geothermal landscapes
- A dark park for Northern Lights hunting
Whether you stop for coffee, hot chocolate, or an ATV adventure into the surrounding lava fields, Litla Kaffistofan offers a glimpse into both Iceland’s past and its powerful geological present.
Litla Kaffistofan FAQs
Approximately 20 minutes by car from the centre of Reykjavík.
Litla Kaffistofan offers an outdoor dark park in winter, parking, toilets and a café.
ATV tours from Litla Kaffistofan can be booked in any season. Northern Lights tours, which stop here when visibility allows, operate from late August through to April as viewing the aurora requires dark skies.
Yes, if the aurora shows up, you’ll be more likely to see them with the naked eye as the colours will appear more vivid than above a brightly-lit urban area. Being able to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavik in comfort at Icelandia’s Litla Kaffistofan hub is a real bonus for travellers based in the city.
The Dark Park is an area free from urban development and light pollution. The resultant darkness makes it easier to see the Northern Lights if they make an appearance.
ATV tours use marked trails that wind through the Hengill volcanic area. There are two options: an introductory 1.5 hour ride – the Hengill Geothermal ATV Tour from Litla Kaffistofan – and a longer, more immersive 2.5 hour ride.
If you wish to maximise your chances of viewing the Northern Lights, we’d recommend our four-day Hiking, Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour – an epic winter adventure!
The former café is now the meeting point for Icelandia’s ATV tours and a warm stopping place on our Northern Lights tours. You can purchase drinks here and there are also toilet facilities for clients to use.
Yes, on our Golden Circle and Hengill ATV tour, you can pair a thrilling ride with the opportunity to see a trio of landmark sights.
Yes, this is available seasonally – for example, our Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights combo.
Transport from the capital is possible; choose the appropriate option at the time of booking, such as our ATV tour with transfer from Reykjavik.
The aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon and doesn’t work to a specific timetable. When the solar forecast is promising and clear skies are expected, you’ll have the best odds of witnessing this very special celestial event.
Since 2025, Litla Kaffistofan has been owned by Icelandia, who use it as the base for ATV rides near Reykjavik. In the Northern Lights season, it is also a stop on most of our Northern Lights tours, depending on visibility that day.
Related tours
Golden Circle & Hengill 90 minute ATV Tour
Combine a thrilling Hengill ATV adventure with Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, including Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
Volcano Valley ATV Tour Near Reykjavík – 2.5 Hours
Just 20 minutes from Reykjavík, take a break from city streets to embrace lava fields and volcanic peaks on this thrilling 2.5-hour ATV adventure.
Hengill Geothermal ATV Tour Near Reykjavík – 1.5 Hours
Ride across lava fields, explore Iceland’s most powerful geothermal area, and experience the raw energy of Hengill on this 1.5-hour ATV adventure near Reykjavík
Hengill 1.5-Hour ATV Tour with Transfer from Reykjavík
Skip the hassle of driving on Icelandic roads and head straight into Iceland’s rugged landscapes with this ATV tour with transfer from Reykjavík.