From Akureyri: Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Guided Tour

Godafoss is the star here, but the real treat is how much northern Iceland you see in one well-planned day. You get a powerful waterfall early on, then the strange mud pools, lava caves, and pseudocraters around Lake Myvatn. I also like the chance to soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths after several outdoor stops. The main catch is that bath entry costs extra, and a recent refurbishment change caught one visitor by surprise.

This is a useful choice if you are based in Akureyri and do not want to rent a car for the day. Guides including Jon and Norbert have been praised for their humor, local stories, and clear explanations. Still, check the bath arrangement before you go, and bring warm clothing: one January departure had a bus heating problem.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss comes early: See the broad, rushing waterfall known as the Waterfall of the Gods before continuing east.
• Lake Myvatn packs in variety: Expect pseudocraters, sulphur mud pools, lava formations, and the cave Grjótagjá.
• The scenery changes quickly: The drive follows Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord, before reaching the volcanic country around Myvatn.
• A warm finish: The Myvatn Nature Baths offer milky blue geothermal water, but admission is not included.
• Small-group transport saves effort: Hotel pickup, transfers between stops, and return transport to Akureyri are included.
• Good guide quality matters: Jon and Norbert received special praise for humor, local culture, folklore, and practical commentary.

Why this Akureyri day trip works

Northern Iceland is spread out. Lake Myvatn is not the sort of place you can casually add to an Akureyri afternoon, especially if you want to see both the waterfall and the volcanic sights. This seven-hour outing handles the driving while you watch the scenery change from fjord to lava country.

I like the mix of natural features. This is not simply a waterfall stop followed by a long ride. You get water, fire, steam, rock, and folklore in a single day. Godafoss has the drama, Hverir has the smell and color of an active geothermal area, and Grjótagjá gives you a look at Iceland from inside a lava cave.

The pace is active but not built around long hikes. You stop, look, walk around the sights, and return to the vehicle. That makes the tour a good match for anyone who wants a broad introduction to the Myvatn region without planning every turn on a map.

There is one point to watch closely. The advertised opportunity to visit the Myvatn Nature Baths does not mean admission is covered. You pay the entry fee separately, and a recent departure had the bath visit changed because of refurbishment. If soaking is the main reason you are booking, confirm the current arrangement with Imagine Iceland before the day.

From Eyjafjordur to Godafoss

Pickup is from your hotel in Akureyri, and you are asked to be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. The first part of the drive follows Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord. This gives you a fine opening view of the water and surrounding mountains before the tour turns toward Godafoss.

Godafoss translates as the Waterfall of the Gods. The name fits the setting: water pours across a wide rocky span rather than dropping in one narrow column. It is a place where a short stop feels worthwhile, even if you are not interested in the historical stories attached to Iceland’s waterfalls.

I would pay attention to the guide here. The best value of a small-group outing is not just getting from point to point. It is having someone explain what you are seeing and connect the scenery to Icelandic culture. Jon was praised for making a day feel especially smooth, while Norbert was noted for adding local folklore about the Akureyri area, including the mischievous Yule lads and the Christmas cat.

Godafoss is also a strong early stop because it gives you a clear visual payoff before the more unusual sights around Myvatn. If you prefer a quiet, slow visit at every location, the schedule may feel brisk. If you want to cover several major sights in one day, the order makes good sense.

Skútustaðagígar and the unusual shores of Lake Myvatn

Lake Myvatn is best understood as a volcanic region with water at its center. At Skútustaðagígar, you see pseudocraters, rounded formations created when lava met wet ground. They look like small volcanic cones, but they did not form from a traditional erupting vent.

This is the kind of stop that benefits from a guide. Without an explanation, the shapes can look like ordinary hills. With some context, you begin to read the ground as evidence of old lava flows and steam explosions.

The area around the lake also brings wide views and contorted lava formations. One recent account compared part of the scenery to Mars, which is a useful way to think about the stark colors and rough volcanic surfaces. You might find this stretch more compelling than a conventional scenic viewpoint because the ground itself is the attraction.

Do not expect one single grand viewpoint to explain Lake Myvatn. Its appeal comes from several different sights spread through the area. The tour saves you from arranging separate stops, but your time at each place will depend on the guide and the day’s schedule.

Hverir and Mount Namafjall: steam, sulfur, and bare earth

Hverir is one of the most memorable stops because it looks and smells unlike almost anywhere else on the route. Mud pools bubble in the ground, steam rises from geothermal vents, and the earth takes on strong mineral colors.

This is not a place to wander wherever you like. Stay on the marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions around the hot ground. The attraction is close-up geology, but it is also a reminder that Iceland’s warmth comes from active forces below your feet.

Mount Namafjall forms part of this geothermal setting. The terrain is open, raw, and almost empty of the softer vegetation you see elsewhere in Iceland. That starkness is the point. You are looking at a region shaped by heat, gases, lava, and weather rather than by neat fields or forests.

Hverir can be a sensory stop as much as a visual one. The sulfur smell is strong, and some people may find it unpleasant. I consider that part of the experience, but if you are sensitive to odors, keep your visit in perspective. You do not need to linger long to appreciate the area.

Grjótagjá and the lava country around Myvatn

Grjótagjá is an ancient lava cave, another reminder that this region is more than a pretty lake. Its rough volcanic walls show how lava once moved and cooled beneath the surface.

The cave has a mysterious feel, and that is one reason it fits so well into a day built around geological oddities. You move from open pseudocraters to steaming ground, then into a formation made by old lava. The variety keeps the route from feeling repetitive.

The tour also includes Höfði, a site linked with filming locations from Game of Thrones and Star Wars. Film connections can be a fun extra, but you do not need to know either production to enjoy the contorted lava shapes and views around the site.

I would treat the movie connection as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The stronger appeal is seeing how lava formed unusual pillars, walls, and rocky silhouettes. The area has a slightly eerie quality, especially when the weather is gray.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the warm finish

After the outdoor stops, you have the opportunity to visit the Myvatn Nature Baths. The lagoon’s milky blue geothermal water makes a relaxing counterpoint to the cold air and rough volcanic ground.

This is the most comfort-focused part of the day. You have already been walking around mud pools and lava formations, so a warm soak can make the return journey to Akureyri feel easier. There is also the adjoining Kvika Restaurant, where you can buy a drink or something to eat.

The important practical point is cost. Admission is not included in the $223 tour price. Food and drinks are also separate. You should add the bath ticket to your budget rather than treating the listed price as the full cost of the day.

You should also confirm that the bath visit is operating as expected. One January departure had the plan changed because of refurbishment, and the lack of advance notice was a serious disappointment for that person. A flexible schedule is wise if the lagoon is your top priority.

If the baths are unavailable, the rest of the day still includes the waterfall and major Myvatn sights. But the tour’s appeal changes. Without the soak, it becomes primarily a geological sightseeing trip rather than a sightseeing trip with a spa-style ending.

What the $223 price really covers

At $223 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. The value depends on what you would otherwise spend on a rental car, fuel, planning time, and the effort of driving unfamiliar roads in Icelandic weather.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri, transportation between the sights, a small-group format, and an English-speaking guide. That matters because the route covers several separated areas, and a self-drive day would require careful timing.

You are paying for convenience and interpretation, not for entrance tickets. The Myvatn Nature Baths are extra, as are food and drinks. If you planned to visit only Godafoss, the tour would be poor value. If you want Godafoss, Lake Myvatn, Hverir, Grjótagjá, Höfði, and the baths in one day, the cost becomes easier to justify.

The small-group setup should also help the day feel more personal than a large coach outing, though the exact group size is not stated. The quality of the guide is important here. Strong guides such as Jon and Norbert add local stories and explanations that you would not get from simply following a driving route.

The drive, timing, and winter comfort

Seven hours is long enough to cover a lot, but not long enough for unlimited time at every stop. You should expect a full sightseeing day with regular vehicle time between locations.

The vehicle is also your base in changing Icelandic weather. Wear layers, bring waterproof outer clothing, and keep warm footwear handy. A January departure had a problem with the bus heating, which made the ride uncomfortable. That may have been an isolated issue, but it is a useful reminder that winter conditions can affect comfort.

The pickup instruction is simple: be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. If your hotel is not listed for pickup, contact Imagine Iceland directly. The tour ends with transportation back to Akureyri, so you do not need to arrange a separate return.

The tour is offered in English. If you want a highly flexible day with long photo stops, private detours, and your own meal timing, a rental car may suit you better. If you prefer to let someone else manage the route, this format removes much of the work.

The guide can shape the whole day

A route like this is easy to describe, but the guide determines how much you take away from it. Jon received especially warm praise for making the day excellent, while Norbert was singled out for cultural stories and folklore as well as information about the sights.

That local material gives the drive more character. Stories about the Yule lads and the Christmas cat may sound playful, but they help you connect the modern region with Icelandic traditions rather than seeing it as a series of empty volcanic sites.

The tour is also a good fit for you if you like asking questions. A guide can clarify why a pseudocrater is different from a true crater, why geothermal mud bubbles, or how lava formed the cave and rock shapes. The supplied information does not promise a particular guide, so you should view Jon and Norbert as examples of the company’s praised guiding rather than guaranteed assignments.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Akureyri, want the major Myvatn sights in one day, and prefer not to drive. It suits first-time visitors who want a clear introduction to northeastern Iceland, especially those who enjoy geology, waterfalls, local stories, and unusual scenery.

It is also a good match for anyone who likes a balanced day. You get short outdoor visits, vehicle time, cultural commentary, and the option of a warm soak. Families and couples may appreciate the simple transport plan, though the exact suitability depends on the group and the current schedule.

I would hesitate if your priority is only the Myvatn Nature Baths, since entry costs extra and refurbishment can change the plan. I would also think twice if you dislike strong sulfur smells, short stops, or long drives in cold weather.

The cancellation policy gives you some useful flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the bath situation before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want an efficient, guided route from Akureyri to Godafoss and Lake Myvatn, with volcanic sights that are difficult to appreciate without some explanation. The strongest parts are the range of stops, the guide-led storytelling, and the chance to finish in warm geothermal water.

Before paying, ask about current Nature Baths access and the extra admission cost. If those details are clear, the $223 price can be fair for a full day of transport, guiding, and major sights. If the lagoon is closed or the visit is uncertain, book it only if Godafoss, Hverir, Grjótagjá, Höfði, and Skútustaðagígar are enough to make the day worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

The tour lasts seven hours, including transportation from Akureyri, travel between the sights, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included from Akureyri?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri are included. You should be ready for pickup 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Contact Imagine Iceland if your hotel is not listed.

Is the Myvatn Nature Baths entry fee included?

No. Entry to the Myvatn Nature Baths is not included in the tour price. Food and drinks are also separate.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Which natural sights are included?

The route includes Godafoss, Eyjafjordur, the Lake Myvatn area, Skútustaðagígar, Hverir mud pools, Mount Namafjall, Grjótagjá, and Höfði.

Is transportation included between the attractions?

Yes. Transportation from Akureyri to the first stop, between the attractions, and back to Akureyri is included.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

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