Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour Akureyri

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Godafoss is a broad, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Skjalfandafljot river, a short drive east of Akureyri, and it is usually the first stop of a Godafoss and Myvatn tour. The water drops about twelve metres across a wide lava edge, and paths on both banks give different views. The name, meaning Waterfall of the Gods, comes from the story that the lawspeaker Thorgeir threw his old idols into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity around the year 1000.

Plan time for photos from both sides if the schedule allows. The falls are impressive in every season, with spring melt and summer light being especially dramatic. Stop here first and your guide will tell the story while you look at the water.

Dimmuborgir lava fields

Dimmuborgir, often translated as the Dark Castles, is a field of towering lava pillars, caves and arches that formed when an ancient eruption flowed over a lake and the steam shaped the cooling rock. Marked trails wind between the formations, and a short walk is enough to feel the otherworldly atmosphere. It is one of the most photographed places in the Myvatn area.

Visitors often ask how to get to Dimmuborgir without a car. A guided coach tour from Akureyri is the simple answer, since the lava fields sit away from the main towns and public transport is limited. Wear sturdy shoes, because the paths are uneven and can be damp.

Hverir mud pools and geothermal area

Hverir lies at the foot of the Namafjall ridge and is a landscape of boiling mud pots, hissing steam vents and yellow-stained ground. The colours range from rust red to grey and bright sulphur yellow, and the smell of sulphur is strong. Boardwalks and marked paths keep visitors on safe ground, because the surface is hot and can be fragile.

It is a short stop but a memorable one, and your guide explains the volcanic activity beneath the surface. Stay on the paths, keep children close, and be ready for the smell. A scarf can help if you are sensitive to it, and a camera is more than welcome.

Lake Myvatn and its shores

Lake Myvatn is a shallow lake in a volcanic region, dotted with islets and pseudocraters left by gas explosions when lava met water. Birdlife is rich in the warmer months, and the name of the lake refers to the midges that swarm in summer, so a head net can be handy at times. The shoreline stop gives you open views across the water to the surrounding mountains.

Many travellers want to know whether a day trip to Myvatn is worth it from Akureyri. With the right stops and an informed guide, a single day gives a very good overview. The best time to visit is summer, when the tour is scheduled, and daylight lasts late into the evening.