Myvatn Nature Baths Entrance Tickets

Myvatn Nature Baths, the geothermal lagoon of the north

Myvatn Nature Baths, also known as Earth Lagoon Myvatn, opened in 2004 on the hill of Jardbadsholar east of the lake. The water comes from deep boreholes in the nearby geothermal field of Bjarnarflag, where it emerges far hotter than boiling point and is then cooled into a large open-air lagoon at a comfortable bathing temperature, usually around 36 to 40 degrees Celsius. It is naturally alkaline and rich in silica and other minerals, which give it the soft milky blue colour.

The setting is the real treat. From the water you look over black lava fields, steaming vents and the cone of Hverfjall crater, with the lake glinting in the distance. Many travellers ask whether the Myvatn Nature Baths are worth visiting compared with the lagoons near Reykjavik: they are smaller, calmer and wonderfully scenic, an ideal stop on a road trip around north Iceland.

Natural steam baths and the visit inside

Besides the lagoon, your ticket includes the steam baths, small wooden rooms built directly over fissures in the ground, so the hot vapour you breathe rises naturally from the earth. People living around Myvatn used natural steam for bathing for centuries, and the baths continue that local tradition. A few minutes in the steam followed by a slow soak in the lagoon is the classic routine.

Inside the building you find changing rooms with lockers, showers and soap. As at every pool in Iceland, guests shower without swimwear before entering the water, which keeps the lagoon clean without heavy chemicals. Towels, swimsuits and bathrobes are not included, so bring your own. Plan around two to three hours for a relaxed visit, including time to warm up and enjoy the views.

Lake Myvatn and its volcanic landscape

Lake Myvatn was formed about 2,300 years ago when a vast basalt lava flow dammed the valley, and the land around it is still one of the most volcanically active in Iceland. The lake is shallow, dotted with islands and famous for its ducks and other water birds, especially in early summer. Its name means midge lake, after the tiny flies that hatch in summer and feed the fish and birds.

Around the shore you can visit the twisted lava pillars of Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters of Skutustadir, the wide ash cone of Hverfjall and, just over the ridge from the baths, the bubbling mud pots and fumaroles of Hverir at Namafjall. Further afield lie the Krafla volcanic area and the waterfalls of Godafoss and Dettifoss. A soak at the baths is the perfect way to end a day exploring these sights.

How to get to the Myvatn Nature Baths and the best time to visit

The baths lie just off Route 1, about three kilometres east of the village of Reykjahlid and roughly an hour and a quarter by car from Akureyri. There is free parking at the entrance. Most visitors arrive by rental car as part of a Ring Road trip or a day trip from Akureyri, since public transport in the area is limited.

Arrival slots for this ticket run from midday to the evening, and opening hours vary by season, so check the times shown for your date when booking. The best time to visit the Myvatn Nature Baths depends on what you want: summer evenings bring the soft light of the midnight sun, while from September to April a late soak may come with the northern lights dancing overhead.