Everything You Need to Know: Mývatn Nature Baths

Mývatn Nature Baths with a tall mountain in the background.

Guide to Mývatn Nature Baths

Picture this: you’re taking in the dramatic surroundings while being submerged in water heated naturally to 40℃. Every time you feel too warm, you change spots in the bath to find the perfect temperature for ultimate relaxation. To experience this, you have to go visit North Eastern Iceland.  Here, the natural baths, located near Lake Mývatn, are heated by geothermal activity deep below the earth’s surface and pumped into these pools via pipes. Throughout the baths, the water temperature may vary, so you may need to drift a little to find the right spot for you to relax. 

 There are more reasons than just relaxation to enjoy this idyllic pool. The minerals in the water can ease respiratory or skin problems. For those who enjoy something even warmer, Mývatn Nature Baths also have steam baths available to enjoy, with a higher temperature of closer to 50℃ and a much higher humidity level. 

 

Mývatn Nature Baths Facilities

The baths at Mývatn offer a different experience to the rural hot spring and it provides extra comfort and service throughout your experience. While you might want to have your swimming stuff underneath your clothes when you arrive, there’s no need as there are changing rooms beside the pools to change before and after a dip. Alongside the larger heated pool and steam baths, you’ll also find a separate area for young children on site - ideal for families. A hot tub also awaits you if you fancy even warmer waters. The on-site restaurant is also available for hungry stomachs after a restorative soak, as well as a bar where you can take drinks with you into the water. 

Nature Bath Prices (correct as of April 2024)

Adults (16+): 6.900 ISK (€46, $49)

Teens (13-15 yrs): 3.390 ISK (€22, $24)

Students/seniors/disabled people: 4.560 ISK (€30, $32)

Children under 12: free

 

For extras, like a towel, it will cost you another 850 kr, so it’s a good idea to bring your own. If this is a more spontaneous stop, renting a swimsuit is also possible here for another 850 kr, while a bathrobe rental will cost you 1.800 kr.

If you’re looking to save a little money while travelling around Iceland, the nature baths near Lake Mývatn can be a more affordable option than the Blue Lagoon further south. While further out of the way if you’re staying in Reykjavík, it’s well worth considering making the trip.

 

 

Outbuilding standing above the blue waters of Myvatn nature baths.

Mývatn Nature Baths Opening Times

Due to the dramatic changes in daylight hours in Iceland, the opening times to attractions like the Mývatn Nature Baths differ depending on season and tourism popularity. Opening hours are, as a result, longer when there is more light in the day. Plan your visit now with the opening hours below in mind.

 

From 1st May to 31st August: Open 9 am to 12 am

During September: Open 10 am to 11 pm

From 1st October to 30th April: 12 pm to 10 pm

Getting to Mývatn Nature Baths

Located a little over 6 hours from Reykjavík, there are a few options for getting here. Firstly, you choose to stop off here on a self-drive tour around Iceland on the R1. Mývatn Nature Baths just after Grjótagjá Cave turning 860 if you are travelling the Ring Road clockwise. 

The baths in the Mývatn area are more accessible from Akureyri, known as the capital of northern Iceland, taking just an hour and fifteen minutes in the car. 

The nearest town is Reykjahlíð to the west, which is also home to our Fosshotel Mývatn, perfect for those looking to enjoy the baths at the end of the day and have somewhere comfortable to spend the night. With plenty of other incredible natural phenomena to be found throughout this area of high geothermal activity, Reykjahlíð can be a great base for a northern Icelandic adventure. 

 

Two people in Myvatn nature baths with clouds overhead.

Things to Know Before Going to Mývatn Nature Baths

If you have never been to the nature baths at Mývatn, or any hot springs in Iceland, there are a few things that are good to know before you go.

  • Your hair may feel stiff after relaxing in the mineral-rich waters. If you’re worried about damage to your hair, it’s recommended to add conditioner to your hair and keep it out of the water as much as possible.

  • Leave your jewellery in your locker to avoid losing it in the water or getting coated in sulphur and other minerals.

  • If you have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, the minerals in the water at the nature baths can be incredibly soothing.

 

Got questions? Feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team.