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Last updated: 30 July, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

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.

Myvatn Nature Baths

Myvatn Lake, Iceland

The Myvatn Nature Baths natural bathing site. Here people can bathe in a lagoon that has many beneficial properties due minerals content in water

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

Best for ages 6+

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Hverir Mud Pools

Myvatn Lake, Iceland

Namafjall Hverir geothermal area in Iceland. Boiling mud pots surrounded by sulfur crystals, natural travel background, tourist attraction

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.

Best for ages 8+

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Dimmuborgir Lava Field

Myvatn Lake, Iceland

Dimmuborgir, a large area of unusually shaped lava fields, east of Myvatn, Iceland. Myvatn area - Iceland. The

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.

Best for ages 8+

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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.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Snowmobile Tour by Lake Mývatn

Reykjahlíð

Snowmobile Tour by Lake Mývatn
In Lake Mývatn region, snowmobiling is our favourite way of traveling trough the rough arctic conditions. Our guides grew up riding snowmobile on they’re farms. For us, Snowmobiling is a part of our lifestyle, we love to share our passion for snowmobiling and allow our guests to experience the incredible freedom that a snowmobile provides

Price: €149

Min age: 7

Rating 5 / 5 [9 ratings]

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Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri

Akureyri

Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
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).

Price: €180

Min age: 3

Rating 4.77 / 5 [31 ratings]

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Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

Akureyri

Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port
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.

Price: €185

Min age: 3

Rating 4.42 / 5 [211 ratings]

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Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss and Goddafoss Waterfalls Day Tour from Akureyri

Akureyri

Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss and Goddafoss Waterfalls Day Tour from Akureyri
Discover the Natural Wonders of Lake Myvan, Nature Baths, Goddafoss waterfall AND the spectacular Dettifoss waterfall all in one day on this popular and great value tour with an experienced local guide. We set off from Akureryi stopping at the beautiful Godafoss waterfall also known as 'The Waterfall of the Gods' and then onto the famous Lake Myvatn. In Lake Myvatn we visit popular destinations including the Myvatn Nature baths, a geothermal lagoon with mineral rich water in the middle of lava fields, Skútustaðagígar, the psuedocrater area, with stunning views of the Lake Myvatn area, the Dimmuborgir Lava formations also known as 'The Dark Castle', Game of thrones filming locations, the Mount Námafjall area where you can view the bubbling Hverir Mud pools and Natural steam vents/fumaroles and also the Grjotagja rift and cave. We also visit Dettifoss waterfall, Europes most powerful waterfall (conditions dependant). *Please note the entrance fee to the Nautre Baths is not included*

Price: €187

Min age: 3

Rating 5 / 5 [16 ratings]

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Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths from Akureyri

Akureyri

Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths from Akureyri
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.

Price: €195

Min age: 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [38 ratings]

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Lake Mývatn and Powerful Dettifoss Day Tour from Akureyri

Akureyri

 Lake Mývatn and Powerful Dettifoss Day Tour from Akureyri
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.

Price: €325

Min age: 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [46 ratings]

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Askja & Holuhraun, Super Jeep Day Tour from Lake Myvatn

Reykjahlíð

Askja & Holuhraun, Super Jeep Day Tour from Lake Myvatn
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.

Price: €386

Min age: 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [22 ratings]

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

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