Akureyri: Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket

Forest Lagoon’s best feature is its setting: warm geothermal water in a real birch and pine forest, with Eyjafjörður fjord and mountain views beyond. It feels quieter and more tied to northern Iceland than a large resort built around crowds and spectacle.

I like the included Finnish sauna and cold plunge, since many spas charge extra for their best facilities. I also like the practical design: indoor pool entry, two swim-up bars, and no fixed short visit limit once you are inside. The main drawback is the price, especially once you add a towel, robe, swimwear, drinks, or a taxi from Akureyri.

Key points

• Two geothermal pools: A large 37°C pool with indoor entry and swim-up bars, plus a smaller 40°C pool.
• Fjord-facing sauna: The dry Finnish sauna reaches about 80°C and has roughly 20 percent humidity.
• Cold plunge included: The plunge pool is kept at 11°C, a sharp contrast after the sauna.
• Forest setting: Birch and pine trees surround the spa, with views across Eyjafjörður.
• Bring your own towel: Towels, swimwear, robes, and drinks are not included in the basic ticket.
• Good flexibility: The $52 ticket is valid for one day, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the visit.

A Forest Spa Minutes From Akureyri

Forest Lagoon gives you something different from Iceland’s most famous bathing spots. Instead of a broad, open pool in a stark volcanic setting, you soak among trees on the edge of Vaðlaskógur, with Eyjafjörður opening out in front of you.

That setting matters. The forest softens the view and gives the spa a sheltered feel, while the fjord keeps the scene unmistakably Icelandic. You can look across the water to the mountains, then turn back toward the birch and pine around the pools. It is a calm place to slow down after a day on the road.

The spa is only a few minutes from Akureyri. A taxi ride from town has been described as about six minutes, though the cost can add noticeably to the outing. If you are staying in Akureyri, check your transport plan before booking, since the ticket itself does not include a transfer.

What the $52 Ticket Includes

The basic entrance costs $52 per person. That is not a bargain by ordinary swimming-pool standards, but Forest Lagoon is a full spa visit rather than a quick dip. You get access to both geothermal pools, the Finnish sauna, the cold plunge, changing facilities, and the included shower products.

The ticket is valid for one day, with starting times shown when you check availability. In practical terms, you can plan a relaxed visit rather than rush through a short, tightly timed slot. That flexibility improves the value if you intend to stay for a couple of hours.

Still, the extras add up. Towels, swimwear, robes, and drinks are not part of the standard ticket. You can borrow or rent some of these items, but bringing your own towel and swimsuit keeps the cost under control. One useful extra is the supplied Forest Lagoon shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer, so you do not need to pack a full wash kit.

The swim-up bars are convenient, but drinks cost extra. If you want the full spa-and-cocktail version of the visit, budget beyond the entrance fee. If you bring your own towel, swimwear, and modest expectations about paid drinks, the $52 price feels easier to justify.

The Large Pool, Kept at 37°C

The main pool covers about 530 square meters and stays around 37°C, or 98.6°F. That is comfortably warm without being as hot as the smaller pool, making it the natural place to spend most of your time.

The pool has an indoor entry, which is a useful detail in Iceland. You do not need to walk outside in cold weather between the changing area and the water. Once inside, you can move between the indoor and outdoor sections without leaving the warm water.

Two swim-up bars add a social element. You can order a drink without getting out, though drinks are not included in the ticket. This is a nice touch if you want to turn the visit into a long, easy afternoon, but it can also make the total bill climb quickly.

I would begin here rather than head straight for the hottest pool. Give yourself time to settle in, enjoy the fjord view, and decide how much heat you want. The main pool is also the better choice if you find very hot water tiring.

The Hot Pool at 40°C

The smaller pool measures about 53 square meters and is kept around 40°C, or 104°F. It is warmer and more intimate than the main pool, with a stronger hot-spring feel.

At this temperature, short stretches are usually more comfortable than a long soak. Move back to the main pool when you need a cooler break, especially if you plan to use the sauna and cold plunge as well.

The two pools create a simple rhythm for the visit. Start in the 37°C water, try the 40°C pool, cool down in the main pool, then decide if you want to repeat the cycle. There is no need to treat the spa like a checklist. The best part is having enough time to choose your own pace.

The Sauna and 11°C Cold Plunge

The sauna is a dry Finnish sauna, not a steam room. It runs at about 80°C with humidity around 20 percent, so you get strong dry heat rather than a damp, foggy room. You must keep your swimsuit on while using it.

The main reward is the view. The sauna looks over Eyjafjörður and the mountains around it, giving you something to focus on besides the heat. It is an especially good place to pause when the weather outside is cold or unsettled.

Next to the sauna is an 11°C cold plunge, or about 51.8°F. That is properly cold, not merely cool. The classic sequence is simple: spend a short time in the sauna, take a brief cold plunge, then return to the warm pool.

You do not have to use the plunge, and I would not treat it as a test of courage. If cold water is not your thing, a short exposure is enough, or you can skip it entirely. The useful point is that both the sauna and cold plunge are included, so you can try the contrast without paying another fee.

The Forest, Fjord, and Quiet Atmosphere

Forest Lagoon’s design makes the surroundings part of the treatment. Vaðlaskógur provides the trees, while Eyjafjörður supplies the broad view. You get both close greenery and distant mountains, which keeps the setting interesting even when you are doing nothing more than sitting in the water.

This is also why the spa feels different from Iceland’s more crowded bathing sites. The forest creates a quieter mood, and the pools are not built around loud entertainment. Conditions will vary, of course, but the experience is aimed at calm rather than constant activity.

The atmosphere is at its best when you stop trying to see everything. Find a place in the main pool, look across the fjord, and let the forest do the work. You do not need a packed schedule around this visit. Two hours is enough for a satisfying stop, while a longer visit works if you want sauna cycles, drinks, and time at the bistro.

Families should note the age rule. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 8 p.m. The information provided does not give a minimum age for accompanied children, so check the current entry rules if you are booking for a family.

Forest Bistro and the Paid Extras

Forest Bistro is part of the venue, but food is not included with the entrance ticket. The bistro has wood cladding, an indoor fireplace, and views over Eyjafjörður. It gives you a warm place to continue the visit once you are ready to leave the pools.

I like having a meal option on site, particularly if Forest Lagoon is part of a longer day away from Akureyri. You do not need to leave the spa just because you are hungry. The fireplace and fjord view also make the bistro more than a basic snack counter.

The limitation is simple: add food and drinks to the budget. The swim-up bar is convenient, and drinks have been described as reasonably priced compared with some Icelandic costs, but neither drinks nor bistro food are included in the $52 ticket.

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Pack swimwear and a towel. Those are the two items specifically required for a comfortable visit, and bringing your own avoids extra rental charges.

A waterproof bag is a smart addition if you want to keep a phone or camera close by. The pools, bars, and cold plunge make wet hands and splashes likely, so ordinary pockets are not ideal for electronics.

The supplied shower products are a useful bonus. You get shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer, which means you can shower properly before leaving without carrying every bottle from your accommodation.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. Nudity is also not allowed, including in the sauna, where you must wear your swimsuit. These rules are worth knowing before you arrive, since Icelandic bathing customs vary from place to place.

Is the Experience Accessible and Flexible?

Forest Lagoon is wheelchair accessible. The activity is valid for one day, and the booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland route may change.

The flexible timing is useful because weather can alter your plans in northern Iceland. A clear day may tempt you into a drive, while poor weather can make a warm lagoon far more appealing. Check the available starting times before you book, then keep the rest of the day reasonably open.

There is no guided program to follow. You arrive, change, and use the facilities at your own pace. That makes this a good choice if you want rest rather than a narrated attraction, but it also means you should not expect a tour leader or structured activities.

How Forest Lagoon Compares in Value

The strongest case for Forest Lagoon is the combination of setting and included facilities. You get two different hot-water temperatures, a Finnish sauna, an 11°C cold plunge, indoor pool access, and fjord views for one entry price.

The main value weakness is the extra cost around the ticket. A towel, robe, swimwear, drinks, food, and transport can turn a $52 visit into a much more expensive outing. Pack what you can, and decide before arriving if the swim-up bar and bistro are part of your plan or optional treats.

The facility has earned a 4.8 rating from 176 reviews, and that matches the features that matter most here: clean facilities, warm water, helpful staff, striking views, and a less crowded feel than some better-known Icelandic lagoons. One practical complaint is that a small section was closed during one visit, so not every feature can be assumed to operate perfectly every day.

I would rate it as good value for a special Iceland stop, not as an everyday swim. If you compare it with a public pool, it is expensive. If you compare it with a full spa outing in Iceland, the included sauna and cold plunge make the price more reasonable.

Who Should Book Forest Lagoon?

I recommend it if you are staying in Akureyri and want a relaxed half-day or evening activity with minimal travel. It also suits couples, solo visitors, and families who follow the age rules and want a quiet place to rest between drives.

It is especially appealing if you prefer forest and fjord views to a stark volcanic setting. The two temperatures, sauna, cold plunge, and swim-up bars give you enough variety for a long visit without turning the place into an amusement park.

You may want to skip it if you are watching every expense, dislike paying extra for towels and drinks, or only have time for a very short stop. In that case, the entry fee and taxi can feel high for a quick soak.

Should You Book It?

Book Forest Lagoon if you want a polished, peaceful spa visit near Akureyri and can bring your own towel and swimwear. The forest setting, fjord view, sauna, and cold plunge give it more substance than a simple hot pool.

I would reserve it for at least two hours and pair it with an unhurried day in the Akureyri area. The experience is not cheap, but the included facilities and flexible visit length make it a sound splurge when you want comfort, quiet, and a distinctly northern Iceland setting.

FAQ

How much does Forest Lagoon cost?

The entrance ticket costs $52 per person.

How long is the Forest Lagoon ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. Available starting times are shown when you check availability.

What is included with admission?

Admission includes access to the lagoon facilities, the two geothermal pools, the Finnish sauna, the cold plunge, and Forest Lagoon shower products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer.

Do I need to bring a towel and swimwear?

Yes. You should bring swimwear and a towel. Towels, swimwear, bathrobes, and drinks are not included in the standard ticket.

How warm are the pools?

The large pool is kept around 37°C, or 98.6°F. The smaller pool is around 40°C, or 104°F.

How cold is the plunge pool?

The cold plunge is kept at 11°C, or about 51.8°F.

Are children allowed at Forest Lagoon?

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 8 p.m. The provided information does not specify a minimum age for accompanied children.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.