Don’t miss the strange formations in the Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Finish your day with a soak in Myvatn’s own ‘Blue Lagoon’
Last updated: 30 July, 2023
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Iceland often looks like a film set from Lord of the Rings, and nowhere is that truer than the area around Myvatn Lake.
A blasted, volcanic landscape of strange rock formations, smoking volcanoes, plopping mudpools and geothermal ponds, it’s the nearest you’ll ever get to a real-life Mordor.
There are numerous active volcanoes to see around Krafla, but the weirdest sight of all is Dimmuborgir, a bizarre forest of volcanic pillars criss-crossed by colour-coded hiking trails.
Who to go with: tour operators
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Myvatn Nature Baths
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
Myvatn Nature Baths at Jardbodin are known as the northern version of the Blue Lagoon – a large outdoor geothermal pool and steam room complex with views of Myvatn Lake.
Adult price 35
Good for age: 6+
Hverir Mud Pools
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
Hold your nose: this bizarre landscape of bubbling mud pools and smoking fumaroles stinks to high heaven from all the sulphur, but it feels a little like walking on the surface of another planet.
Good for age: 8+
Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Myvatn Lake, Iceland
Experience
These strange lava formations look like the remains of an ancient, crumbling citadel (the name means ‘dark castles’), and were made when an ancient lava tube collapsed 2,300 years ago. Various colour-coded hiking trails wind amongst the pillars.
Good for age: 8+
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The main hub is Reykjahlid, a small village on the shores of Myvatn Lake. Most public buses stop here, and several operators offer organised tours of the area. If you’re driving, it’s about 79km east of Akureyri.
Who to go with: organised tours
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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port
Akureyri
Viator
Discover the magical wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide. We set off from Akureryi Port stopping at the stunning Godafoss waterfall and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn area. in Lake Myvatn area we visit the Dimmuborgir Lava formations and the Námafjall area where you can view the bubbling Hverir Mud pools and Natural steam vents or fumaroles. We also stop at Myvatn Nature Baths where you can enjoy the baths and cafe (Please note the entrance fee to the Nature Baths is NOT included). Passengers can also opt to skip the Nature bath and visit Grjotagja cave and rift instead. This great value tour includes a small group tour with an experienced local tour guide and transport. We offer free pick up and drop off to Akureyri Port.
PLEASE NOTE: CELEBRITY & NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIPS on 6th June, 5th July, 11th July, 19th July, 2nd August, 13th August & 16th August due to docking times there will not be time for the Nature baths.
Lake Mývatn and Powerful Dettifoss Day Tour from Akureyri
Akureyri
Viator
Embark on a 4x4 Jeep/van tour to Lake Mývatn and the surroundings. Explore the North of iceland and see enchanting places such as Goðafoss waterfall (waterfall of the gods), Dettifoss waterfall (Europe´s most powerful waterfall), hot spring and pseudo crater areas and more.
Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths from Akureyri
Akureyri
Viator
Hop on a small group tour with a personal service that takes you along the route of Goðafoss waterfall, pseudo crater areas, Dimmuborgir, Hverir in Námafjall (boiling mud pots) and the Mývatn Nature baths, the blue lagoon of the North. Please note that the entry fee to the baths, as well as a bathing suit and a towel, is not included.
Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
Akureyri
Viator
Discover the magical wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide. We set off from Akureryi stopping at Godafoss waterfall and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn. The tour stops at all the top attractions of Lake Myvatn including Grjotagja cave and rift, Dimmurborgir Lava formations, pseudocraters, Hverir mud pots and natural steam vents/fumeroles and the Myvatn Nature Baths. (Please note the entrance fee to the Nature Baths is not included). This great value tour includes small group tour with an experienced l local tour guide and transport. We offer free pick up and drop off from Akureyri at your Hotel, Guesthouse, Airport or Port (please let us know your pick up point).
Askja & Holuhraun, Super Jeep Day Tour from Lake Myvatn
Reykjahlíð
Viator
Enjoy a day trip Jeep tour to the heart of the Icelandic Highlands. See attractions such as Askja Caldera, Víti Explosion Crater, Drekagil Gully, Holuhraun Lava Field, Glacier River and Vatnajökull National Park. Start your Askja Holuhraun day tour from Lake Mývatn the morning and head for the highlands where the wilderness, wide spaces, geology and natural freshwater springs are awe inspiring. On this enlightening tour you will focus on nature, experience the geology, history and biology of the area in a most interesting and exciting way.
From volcanoes and glaciers to black beaches, geothermal pools and the Northern Lights, Iceland is one of the world’s wildest, weirdest destinations. A paradise for adventurous travellers.