Mývatn Nature Baths

The Mývatn Nature Baths, known in Icelandic as Jarðböðin, are a geothermal lagoon on a hillside above the lake, filled with milky-blue, mineral-rich water heated by the volcanic system beneath. They opened in 2004 and are often compared with the famous Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik, though the north offers a quieter, less crowded atmosphere and a view over lava fields toward the Mývatn area. The water is rich in silica, sulphur and minerals and sits around thirty-six to forty degrees Celsius in the main lagoon, with hotter spots near the sources. The setting makes the trip. You soak outdoors with steam rising around you, the landscape stretching away in browns and greens, and on cold days the contrast between the warm water and the crisp air is a joy. In summer you can watch the long evening light across the lava, and in winter the water can steam beneath a starry sky, with the northern lights a possibility on clear nights.

The facilities are straightforward and clean. There is a changing area with lockers, a lagoon with several connected pools, two steam baths built over natural vents and a small restaurant and bar. Entry normally covers the lagoon and a locker, and extras such as towel hire or a drink may be sold separately. Because the water is high in minerals, it can be hard on jewellery and on hair, so tie your hair up and remove metal items. Many visitors apply conditioner to their hair before entering, which is a well-known local tip.

Plan your visit around the rest of the day. Most people arrive after a morning of sightseeing at Hverir, Dimmuborgir and Krafla, when tired legs benefit most from a hot soak. Evening sessions are popular and particularly atmospheric, and in summer the baths stay open late, so a late soak under the midnight sun is possible.

Because the baths are popular with tour groups at midday, early morning or late evening visits tend to be quieter, and a table at the restaurant is easier to find outside the lunch rush. Reservations are advisable in busy periods, so check ahead.

Several tours from Akureyri include the baths as the final stop of a Mývatn day, with the entrance ticket included in the price, and a few small-group trips are built around the soak. If you are driving yourself, the baths are well signposted on the east side of the lake near Reykjahlíð, and parking is on site. Pair the visit with a meal at a local restaurant in the area, many of which serve Mývatn trout, lamb and the rye bread baked in the ground by geothermal heat, known as hverabrauð.

Be mindful of the usual Icelandic bathing rules: shower without a swimsuit first, keep soap out of the lagoon and drink water regularly. The water is sulphur scented and may be a surprise to first-timers, but the smell fades quickly. If you are comparing options, remember that the Forest Lagoon near Akureyri offers a woodland setting, while the Nature Baths sit in a volcanic, geothermal landscape. A day that includes Goðafoss, Mývatn and the baths is one of the most satisfying in the whole region.