From Akureyri: Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Guided Tour

Godafoss is the star at the start of this seven-hour northern Iceland tour, but Lake Myvatn supplies the real variety: steaming mud pools, twisted lava, pseudocraters, and a cave with geothermal water. You also get the long sweep of Eyjafjordur from the road out of Akureyri.

I like the easy hotel pickup and small-group format, which saves you from driving icy roads or trying to fit several far-flung sights into a rental-car day. I also like the choice of ending at the milky-blue Myvatn Nature Baths, where a hot soak can take the edge off a cold sightseeing day.

The main caution is cost and changing arrangements. At $223 per person, the tour is not cheap, and the Nature Baths admission is extra. A January 2026 departure also faced an unannounced change because of refurbishment, plus a bus-heating problem, so confirm the bathing stop and vehicle arrangements before you go.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss comes first: See the broad, powerful waterfall known as the Waterfall of the Gods before continuing east toward Myvatn.
• Myvatn packs in variety: In one outing, you can see Skútustaðagígar’s pseudocraters, Hverir’s sulfurous mud pools, Grjótagjá lava cave, and volcanic formations around the lake.
• The route begins beside Eyjafjordur: The drive from Akureyri follows Iceland’s longest fjord, giving you a scenic start rather than a simple highway transfer.
• The Nature Baths are optional: You can soak in the geothermal lagoon, but admission is not included in the tour price.
• Guiding adds local color: Guides including Jon and Norbert have brought in Icelandic folklore, such as the mischievous Yule Lads and the Christmas Cat.
• Weather and operations matter: Bring warm layers, and check the lagoon’s status before departure, especially in winter.

Why this Akureyri day trip works

Northern Iceland is easy to underestimate on a map. Akureyri sits close to many major sights, but the stops are spread across a large area, and winter driving can turn a simple plan into a tiring one. This tour gives you a driver, an English-speaking guide, and transport between each stop, letting you watch the fjord and volcanic country instead of watching the road.

The route lasts about seven hours. That is long enough to reach Lake Myvatn and see several key sites, but short enough to fit into a cruise stop or a compact stay in Akureyri. Pickup is included from your hotel, and you are asked to be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, contact Imagine Iceland ahead of time.

The small-group setup is important here. You will still be on a schedule, but the experience should feel more personal than a large coach outing. A guide can explain why the ground bubbles at Hverir, point out unusual volcanic shapes, and connect the scenery with local stories. Jon and Norbert are among the guides associated with this experience, and the guiding style can include both natural facts and Icelandic folklore.

Driving beside Eyjafjordur from Akureyri

The road east begins with Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord. This is more than a name on the route description. It gives you a sense of how Akureyri fits into northern Iceland, with the town sitting at the head of a long waterway bordered by mountains.

The fjord portion is a pleasant transition from town to open country. You get views while the guide sets up the day, and you avoid spending the first hour on an anonymous road. In changing weather, the fjord can look very different from one moment to the next, which is part of the appeal of northern Iceland.

Your first major stop is Godafoss, a waterfall with a name that translates as the Waterfall of the Gods. Water spreads across a broad rocky drop, making this a rewarding stop even when you have seen photographs beforehand. The falls are powerful rather than delicate, and the sound and spray help you appreciate their scale.

Take care near the viewing areas. Water, wind, ice, and uneven ground can make the walk more demanding than the short distance suggests. Good shoes matter, especially in winter. The stop is also one of the most dependable highlights of the day because you do not need to hike far to see the main spectacle.

Godafoss, the day’s most dramatic stop

Godafoss has visual impact, but it also carries a strong place in Icelandic culture. The name refers to the Waterfall of the Gods, and a guide can give the site more meaning than a quick roadside photo stop would.

I like having Godafoss near the beginning rather than saving it for the final hour. You see a major natural feature while you are fresh, and the rest of the day can then focus on the stranger details around Myvatn: steam, lava, craters, and cave rock.

The timing of the stop will depend on the group and conditions. Keep your clothing on rather than assuming you will warm up quickly in the vehicle. Northern Iceland can feel cold beside open water, and the weather may shift during the drive.

Skútustaðagígar and the strange geology of Myvatn

Lake Myvatn is not just a pretty body of water. Its surroundings were shaped by volcanic activity, and Skútustaðagígar shows one of the area’s most unusual results: pseudocraters.

These rounded formations look like small volcanic craters, but they did not form from a traditional eruption vent. Lava moving across wet ground created steam explosions and crater-like shapes. From the ground, they give the area a rumpled, otherworldly look. This is a good place to listen to the guide, because the explanation makes the shapes far more interesting than a simple photo stop.

The area around Myvatn has also attracted film crews. Höfði is connected with filming locations for Game of Thrones and Star Wars, and the contorted lava formations help explain why. You may recognize shapes from the screen, but the real value is seeing how ordinary volcanic rock can look almost designed.

Do not expect every stop to feel like a long hike. This is a sightseeing tour with several short visits, not a trekking day. That makes it suitable for you if you want a broad introduction to the region without committing to strenuous walking.

Hverir’s sulfur mud pools and the smell of Iceland

Hverir, near Mount Námafjall, is one of the most memorable stops because it engages more than your eyes. The ground can hiss, steam rises from vents, and mud pools bubble in colors that seem too strong to be natural.

The smell of sulfur is part of the experience. It can be sharp, especially when the wind is still, so do not be surprised if this is the stop you remember most clearly through your nose. Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. Geothermal ground can be unstable and dangerously hot, even when the surface looks crusted and harmless.

This is where a guide earns the fare. A quick photograph tells you that the place is strange. An explanation of geothermal heat and volcanic activity tells you why it is strange. The stop also gives you a strong contrast with Godafoss. In a single day, you move from rushing cold water to bubbling earth.

Grjótagjá and Myvatn’s lava caves

Grjótagjá is an ancient lava cave, another reminder that the Myvatn area is built from fire as much as water. The cave’s rocky interior and geothermal setting make it feel very different from the open spaces around Hverir and Skútustaðagígar.

You should treat Grjótagjá as a geological viewing stop rather than assume you will spend a long time exploring underground. The tour includes transport and guided sightseeing, and the exact time available at each attraction is limited by the seven-hour schedule.

The cave is valuable because it shows the hidden side of volcanic Iceland. Above ground, you see lava fields and steaming vents. Here, you get a look at the spaces left behind when molten rock moved through the area. The nearby lava formations can be just as striking, with twisted shapes and dark surfaces that have been used for film locations.

A warm finish at Myvatn Nature Baths

The Myvatn Nature Baths are designed as the relaxing part of the day. The lagoon’s milky-blue geothermal water sits among lava fields, giving you a warm place to rest after several outdoor stops.

Admission is not included in the $223 tour price. That matters when comparing this experience with other day trips. If you already plan to visit the baths, adding the entrance can make the tour efficient. If you are mainly interested in waterfalls and geology, you may feel the total cost rising quickly.

The adjoining Kvika Restaurant gives you the option of buying a drink or something to eat, but food and drinks are also not included. Plan your spending accordingly. The schedule gives you the opportunity to bathe, not a guarantee that every departure will have the same amount of soak time.

There is also a practical warning here. One winter departure had the lagoon visit changed because of refurbishment, and the change was not communicated in advance. Conditions can change, but you should confirm that the baths are operating and included in the day’s current plan before setting out. If the baths are the main reason you are booking, this check is especially important.

What $223 buys you

At $223 per person, this is a premium day trip. You are paying for a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, a small group, and transportation across a wide stretch of northern Iceland. You are also buying convenience: no rental car, no route planning, and no need to judge winter road conditions yourself.

The price makes the most sense if you want several sights in one day. Godafoss alone would not justify it, but Godafoss plus Eyjafjordur, Myvatn’s pseudocraters, Hverir, Grjótagjá, Höfði, and the optional baths creates a full regional tour.

The value is weaker if you want a slow visit at each place or if you are comfortable driving yourself. A rental car can give you more control over timing, while this outing gives you a set route and a guide’s interpretation. You should also add the Nature Baths admission when comparing the total cost with other options.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 14 published ratings, with particularly strong praise for the scenery, the range of stops, and the guides’ humor and local storytelling. That fits the nature of the day: the sights are excellent, but the guide can make the long drive between them feel useful rather than wasted.

Weather, comfort, and small practical details

Dress for standing outside beside water and geothermal areas. Bring warm layers, waterproof outerwear, and sturdy shoes. The tour runs through exposed country, and conditions around Godafoss or Hverir may be colder and wetter than they look in photographs.

The vehicle is a major part of the experience because you spend several hours moving between stops. One January departure had a heating problem, making the journey uncomfortable. That may be an isolated operational issue, but it is a fair reminder to keep an extra warm layer accessible rather than buried in luggage.

There is no food or drink included. Bring something if you need regular snacks, and remember that the Kvika Restaurant is available at the Nature Baths for purchases. The tour’s schedule is full enough that you should not count on a long independent lunch.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your northern Iceland plans depend on weather, cruise timing, or changing hotel arrangements.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Akureyri and want to see Myvatn without renting a car. It is especially useful for a first visit, a short stay, or a winter trip when road conditions make self-driving less attractive.

It also suits you if you like variety. The day moves from fjord views to a waterfall, then to lava formations, pseudocraters, steaming mud pools, a cave, and a geothermal lagoon. You will not spend hours on one trail, but you will come away with a good feel for the region’s volcanic character.

You may want another plan if the Nature Baths are your sole priority, if you dislike fixed schedules, or if you need guaranteed notice of operational changes. In that case, arrange the bathing visit separately and consider visiting Godafoss on your own if transport allows.

Should you book the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

Book it if you want a well-filled day from Akureyri with a guide handling the driving and explaining the geology and local culture. Godafoss, Hverir, and the Myvatn lava country give you three very different kinds of scenery, while the Nature Baths offer a pleasant finish when operating as planned.

Before paying, confirm two things: the current status of the Nature Baths and whether admission is available as an add-on or must be paid separately. If those details suit your budget, this is a practical way to reach northern Iceland’s most memorable sights without taking on the road yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

The tour lasts seven hours, including transport between Akureyri and the attractions.

Is hotel pickup included from Akureyri?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you should be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Contact the provider if your hotel is not listed.

Is admission to Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Entry to Myvatn Nature Baths is not included in the tour price.

Which language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What sights are included during the day?

The route includes Godafoss, Eyjafjordur, the Lake Myvatn area, Skútustaðagígar, Hverir, Grjótagjá, Mount Námafjall, and Höfði. You also have the opportunity to visit Myvatn Nature Baths.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.