From Akureyri: Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Guided Tour

Godafoss is the hook here: a broad, rushing waterfall with a name that means Waterfall of the Gods. From there, the route threads through northern Iceland’s volcanic oddities, from sulfurous mud pools to twisted lava and a warm blue lagoon. I like the small-group format and the fact that you can leave the driving to someone else on a long day out from Akureyri.

I also like the mix of famous sights and strange geology, especially Hverir and Grjótagjá, which feel very different from Godafoss. The main caution is simple: the Nature Baths ticket costs extra, and a January 2026 outing had the lagoon plan changed because of refurbishment. Confirm the bathing stop before you pay.

Key points at a glance

• Godafoss comes first: Start with one of northern Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, reached by included transport from Akureyri.
• Lake Myvatn packs in variety: See pseudocraters, sulfur mud pools, lava formations, and the ancient cave at Grjótagjá.
• The Nature Baths are optional and extra: Bring the cost into your budget, and check whether refurbishment affects access.
• The drive is part of the experience: You travel along Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord, before reaching the volcanic zone.
• Guiding adds local color: Guides such as Jon and Norbert have brought in Icelandic folklore, including the Yule Lads and the Christmas Cat.
• Seven hours is a useful middle ground: You get a full day of major sights without arranging a rental car or planning every stop yourself.

Why this Akureyri day trip works

Lake Myvatn is one of the best places in Iceland to see several kinds of volcanic activity in one outing. You are not looking at one grand viewpoint and then heading home. Instead, the day moves through a series of short, sharply different stops.

That variety matters. One moment you are watching water thunder over dark rock at Godafoss. Later, the ground may hiss and bubble at Hverir. Then you are walking among lava shapes or peering into a cave formed by old volcanic activity. The route gives you a useful introduction to northeastern Iceland without asking you to drive unfamiliar roads.

At $223 per person, this is not a bargain-basement excursion. Still, the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport between the stops, a guide, and a seven-hour outing. If you would otherwise rent a car, pay for fuel, navigate winter roads, and arrange the Nature Baths yourself, the cost can make sense. It is less compelling if you only want Godafoss, or if you are happy to explore at your own pace.

The tour is especially useful if you are based in Akureyri and do not have a car. You get the big sights in one day, with someone else handling the route. The tradeoff is that you follow the group’s timing. A private car would give you more control over how long you stay at each stop.

The drive from Akureyri along Eyjafjordur

Pickup is included from your hotel in Akureyri, and you are asked to be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start. If your hotel is not listed, contact Imagine Iceland directly before booking.

The first part of the route follows Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord. This is not just dead time between attractions. The water, mountains, and settlements around the fjord help you see how Akureyri fits into the wider region. Keep your camera ready, but also use the drive to settle into the pace of the day.

The vehicle is a practical part of the experience. You get transport from Akureyri to the first stop and between the sights, which removes the work of route planning. One January outing had a heating problem on the bus, making the ride uncomfortable. That is an isolated operational issue rather than a planned feature, but it is worth remembering that northern Iceland can be very cold, especially when the day includes outdoor stops.

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods

Godafoss is the first major stop, and that is a smart choice. It gives you a strong visual start before the tour turns toward the stranger geology around Myvatn.

The waterfall spreads across a curved rock shelf, with several channels sending white water into the river below. Its Icelandic name translates as the Waterfall of the Gods. The site also carries a famous link to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, though the main appeal here is the force and shape of the falls.

You should have time to get different views and take photographs, though the exact stop length is not stated. Wear shoes with a firm grip, since outdoor viewpoints can be wet or uneven. Godafoss is accessible enough to suit most people who can manage regular walking, but the day is not a sit-down sightseeing trip.

One German-speaking visitor called the waterfall especially impressive, and I can see why it often becomes the day’s visual highlight. If your schedule is tight, Godafoss alone is easy to visit independently from Akureyri. The tour earns its price by adding the much longer Myvatn circuit and the convenience of transport.

Skútustaðagígar and the pseudocraters of Myvatn

The Myvatn area begins with volcanic forms that look almost artificial. At Skútustaðagígar, you see pseudocraters created when lava flowed across wet ground. Steam explosions shaped these rounded formations, but they are not true volcanic craters with a deep magma vent beneath them.

This is the kind of stop where a guide helps. Without an explanation, the shapes can look like low green or brown mounds. With context, you begin to understand how water and lava worked together to create them. The area also gives you a broad sense of Myvatn’s unusual terrain.

The word Myvatn means Midge Lake, a reminder that insects can be part of the local environment in warmer months. The supplied information does not promise insect conditions on this tour, so I would not plan your clothing around that alone. A light outer layer is sensible in any season, and you should expect changing weather.

Hverir’s sulfur mud pools and the Mars-like terrain

Hverir, near Mount Námafjall, is one of the tour’s most memorable stops. The ground is colored by minerals, and pools of mud bubble and heave under geothermal heat. The air can smell strongly of sulfur, similar to rotten eggs.

That smell is part of the point. This is not a manicured attraction designed to hide nature’s rough edges. You are seeing heat close to the surface, with steam and mud doing their slow, noisy work. Stay on marked paths and follow the guide’s instructions. Geothermal ground can be unstable, and the pools are extremely hot.

One October outing described the area as Mars-like. That is a fair shorthand for the rusty colors, bare earth, and lack of ordinary vegetation in some sections. I like this stop because it breaks the usual Iceland pattern of waterfalls and mountain views. You are not simply admiring scenery. You are watching the earth behave.

Mount Námafjall adds a strong backdrop to the stop, and the guide can help connect the mud pools to the volcanic systems below the region. Bring a waterproof outer layer if the forecast is poor, but remember that rain will not make the geothermal steam disappear. It may make the footing more slippery.

Grjótagjá, lava caves, and dark volcanic forms

Grjótagjá is an ancient lava cave in the Myvatn area. Its rough opening and dark interior show how volcanic activity shaped the region from below. You may look down into the cave rather than take a long underground walk, so do not picture a standard cave tour with a large network of passages.

The cave became widely known after appearing in Game of Thrones. The wider Myvatn area also has locations connected with film and television, including sites linked with Star Wars. Höfði is included as one of the notable stops, bringing unusual lava formations and filming connections into the day.

An October outing also included Dimmuborgir, an area known for contorted lava formations. The exact order and inclusion of every short stop can vary, so I would treat the volcanic zone as a collection of related sights rather than expect a fixed amount of time at each one.

This section of the tour rewards curiosity. The formations are not all grand from a distance. Their appeal comes from the odd shapes, dark rock, and stories about how lava cooled and broke apart. If you enjoy geology, fantasy filming locations, or places that feel a little eerie, this may be your favorite part of the day.

Höfði and the human side of the route

Höfði adds another change of pace. The area is connected with striking lava formations and well-known filming locations, so it gives you something to look for beyond the main natural landmarks.

A good guide can make these shorter stops more useful by explaining what you are seeing and adding local stories. Norbert has been praised for bringing in cultural life and Icelandic folklore, including the mischievous Yule Lads and the Christmas Cat. Jon has also been singled out for making the day run smoothly and creating a strong overall experience.

Guide quality matters on a route like this. The sights are impressive on their own, but the geological and cultural connections are easy to miss. English is the tour language, and the guide leads the group in English.

Myvatn Nature Baths: the relaxing finish

The Nature Baths are meant to close the day with a soak in milky blue geothermal water. After several outdoor stops, this is a welcome change. You can relax in the lagoon and, if you choose, buy a drink at the adjoining Kvika Restaurant.

Admission is not included in the $223 price. That changes the value calculation, so check the current entry cost before booking. You should also confirm that the bath visit is operating as planned. A January 2026 tour had the lagoon arrangement changed because of refurbishment, and the change was not communicated ahead of time. If soaking is the main reason you want this excursion, that detail is important.

The Nature Baths are best treated as an optional bonus, not the sole purpose of the day. The waterfall and volcanic sights still give you a complete outing if bathing access changes. On the other hand, if you have already paid for another Icelandic lagoon and mainly want the geology, you may prefer to ask whether the bath stop can be skipped or replaced.

Bring what you need for the bathing portion according to the current operator instructions. The supplied information confirms the lagoon and restaurant, but it does not specify changing-room details, towel rental, or the length of the soak. Check those points before departure if they affect your plans.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

Seven hours sounds long, but the route covers a lot of ground. You are moving between Akureyri, Godafoss, the fjord, and the Myvatn area, with several outdoor stops. The day will feel full rather than leisurely.

I would wear warm layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes. You need protection from wind and rain at the waterfall, comfort around the mud pools, and clothing that works for a vehicle ride. The weather can shift quickly in northern Iceland, so a sunny start does not guarantee a mild afternoon.

Because the tour is small group, it should feel more personal than a large coach outing, though the exact group size is not stated. You can ask the operator for current vehicle and group details if space matters to you. Pickup and drop-off remove the need to find parking at each stop, which is a real advantage on a busy sightseeing day.

The tour is not designed for people who want to linger for hours at one site. It is better for someone who wants a well-packed route, clear transport, and an English-speaking guide who can explain the region as you go.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Akureyri, do not have a rental car, and want to see the major sights around Myvatn in one day. It also suits first-time visitors who prefer a guide to explain the geology, folklore, and film connections.

It is a good fit for photographers who want Godafoss, sulfur pools, lava formations, and unusual terrain in one trip. The changing subjects make the day more rewarding than a single-viewpoint excursion.

You may want another plan if you dislike fixed schedules, want long hikes, or care most about guaranteed access to the Nature Baths. You should also think twice if $223 feels high before adding bath admission and food. In that case, compare the tour with a rental car or a simpler Godafoss outing.

Book with a little flexibility if possible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Most important, ask about the Nature Baths before departure, especially during refurbishment periods.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

The tour lasts seven hours, including transport from Akureyri, sightseeing stops, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from hotels in Akureyri are included. Be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled start, and contact the supplier if your hotel is not listed.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

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

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English. Guides who have led this experience include Jon and Norbert.

What sights are included around Lake Myvatn?

The route includes Godafoss, Eyjafjordur, Skútustaðagígar, Hverir and its mud pools, Mount Námafjall, Grjótagjá, and Höfði. The wider volcanic area may also include Dimmuborgir, depending on the day’s arrangement.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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