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Plan a one-day North Iceland itinerary from Akureyri east to Lake Mývatn for a scenic day in the north without committing to a multi-day circuit. The trip covers whale watching, a scenic drive, Goðafoss waterfall, the main Lake Mývatn attractions, local lunch, and an optional geothermal bath.
The natural base of the route is Akureyri: the largest town in North Iceland, with daily flights from Reykjavík and direct access east on the Ring Road. The day’s itinerary is roughly 90 km (56 miles) of driving and 6 to 7 hours of stops only, with Goðafoss as the natural mid-point and the Mývatn area as the highlight. Best done late May through September, but doable in winter with preparation.
Ásgeir Baldurs, CEO of Arctic Adventures, has driven this route in every season with guests, with family, and alone, and considers it the strongest of all Akureyri day trips. He has been through every stop on this page and comes back to this corridor every year. This is his itinerary.
The route starts in Akureyri as a base, heads east on Iceland's Ring Road past Goðafoss, and ends in the Mývatn area with a small loop around the lake. The driving distance from Akureyri to Mývatn is roughly 90 km (56 miles), with Goðafoss appearing near the mid-point and the Mývatn stops clustered within a few kilometers of each other. Plan for about 6 to 7 hours of stops, in addition to 2 to 3 hours of driving. That cluster is what makes a single-day visit worth it.
Eyjafjörður is one of the most consistent whale watching fjords in Iceland, with a 98% peak-season success rate. Photo: Gunnar Gaukur
The day starts in Eyjafjörður: a 2.5 to 3-hour whale watching tour from Akureyri's harbor, ideally on the first morning sailing. Whale watching belongs at the start of this route for a practical reason: you can't fit it in later. Mývatn deserves the afternoon, and a 3-hour boat tour after a 1.5-hour drive leaves too little of the day for the lake.
Akureyri sits on Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, and one of the most consistent regions in the country for whale watching in Iceland. Humpbacks and minkes are the regular sightings, with white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and occasional pilot whales rounding out the species list. The peak-season success rate runs around 98%, which is unusually high for a wildlife encounter.
Tours leave from Akureyri's harbor, a five-minute walk from the town center, and run 2.5 to 3 hours, including the boat ride out and back. Aim for the first sailing of the day, usually around 9:00 AM in summer and later in shoulder season, so the rest of the route stays on track.
What I still cannot fully get used to, no matter how many times I have been out there, is a humpback surfacing against the fjord walls. It resets your sense of scale in a way a photograph does not capture.
— Ásgeir Baldurs, CEO of Arctic Adventures
May through October is peak season for whale watching. July and August give the highest sighting activity, while shoulder-season tours are quieter and often better for photography because of the lower light angles. Tours run year-round, though winter sailings are bumpier.
Best for first-time visitors to Iceland who haven't seen whales, families traveling with children, and anyone who'd rather start the day on the water than in the car. If weather cancels the morning tour, an afternoon sailing often runs once conditions clear, or push it to the next morning.
Heading east from Akureyri, you face a choice that changes the day: the coastal Svalbarðsströnd road in 1.5 hours, or the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel in about 1 hour. Both meet at Goðafoss. The road is paved, well-maintained, and manageable year-round in a standard rental car. Winter driving requires more care, and short daylight hours limit how much of the scenic stretch is worth taking.
The scenic Svalbarðsströnd route follows the eastern shore of Eyjafjörður before climbing into the Fnjóskadalur valley, home to Vaglaskógur, the country's second-largest forest, with birch trees that reach over 10 m (33 ft). Sheltered by mountains, the valley has noticeably calmer weather than the coast. As you pass Ljósavatn lake, keep an eye out for a small white church that's easy to miss but worth a look. The freshwater lake is known locally for its Arctic char and brown trout.
The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel is the alternative. Opened in December 2018, it cuts 7.4 km (4.6 miles) through the mountain east of Akureyri and trims roughly 30 minutes off the coastal route. The toll is 2,216 ISK ($18 / €15) per car, each way (as of March 2026), payable online within 24 hours of driving through. Taking the tunnel is the right call in bad weather, in winter when daylight is short, or when the day is already running late.
Between November and January, darkness removes most of what makes the Svalbarðsströnd route worth taking. Take the tunnel and spend the saved time at Mývatn instead.
Goðafoss is 12 m (39 ft) high and 30 m (98 ft) wide, with parking on both banks.
Goðafoss waterfall fits naturally into the drive between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn because it sits directly on the Ring Road, about halfway between the two. No detour is needed, which makes it one of the easiest major waterfalls to visit in North Iceland. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a simple stop, or closer to an hour if you want to walk down to water level or take your time with photos.
At 12 m (39 ft) high and 30 m (98 ft) wide, with a wide horseshoe shape, Goðafoss Waterfall is easier to photograph than many of Iceland’s narrower ones. Parking is available on both banks. The east side is usually quieter and gives a clean full view of the falls, while the west side brings you closer to the spray. Paths on both sides lead to viewpoints, with steeper trails down toward the river.
Goðafoss is also one of Iceland’s best-known historic sites. The story goes that in the year 1000, after the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði helped decide at the Alþingi that Iceland would adopt Christianity, he returned home to nearby Ljósavatn and threw his statues of the Norse gods into the falls. Whether taken literally or symbolically, the story gave Goðafoss its name: the Waterfall of the Gods.
After Goðafoss, Route 1 continues east through Reykjadalur, the agricultural valley around Laugar village. This stretch marks the shift from the settled farmland near Akureyri toward the more volcanic landscapes around Mývatn. Local pride runs strong here, and there’s even a joke that people from the area are a little full of themselves. After driving through the green valley with volcanic country ahead, the confidence starts to make sense.
The Laxá river viewpoint is the underrated approach to Lake Mývatn from the west. Photo: Magnus Halldorsson
Lake Mývatn is the payoff of the day: four geologically distinct stops within a few kilometers of each other, covering a lava field, a tephra crater, a thermal cave, and an active geothermal field.
On the approach from the west, watch for the viewpoint over the Laxá river in Laxárdalur valley. The Laxá is spring-fed, flows over ancient lava fields, and is the primary breeding ground for the Harlequin Duck in Iceland. The geological variety packed into a small area is unlike anything else in Iceland.
The four core stops listed below are all within a few kilometers of each other. Short on time? Go to Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð first. Together, they deliver the widest contrast and the strongest visual impact per hour spent. The order below follows the geography and avoids doubling back. It also builds toward the geothermal scenery, which works well as a finale.
I have done this drive more times than I can count, and this view (the river winding through the valley in long curves) is still the one I tell people to look for. It does not appear on most itineraries. It should.
— Ásgeir
Allow 45 to 60 minutes. Dimmuborgir is a field of collapsed lava with pillars, arches, and formations left by an eruption thousands of years ago. The paths are well-marked, with loops ranging from 20 minutes to over an hour. Manageable for most fitness levels. The site connects to Icelandic folklore as the home of the thirteen Yule Lads, the country's mischievous Christmas figures.
Allow 60 to 90 minutes, including the walk-up. Hverfjall volcanic crater is a near-perfect tephra ring crater, about 1 km (0.6 miles) across and 140 m (460 ft) deep. The path to the rim is steep but straightforward, around 20 minutes up. From the top: the full Mývatn basin, Dimmuborgir below, and the northern mountains on clear days. Worth the climb.
Allow 20 to 30 minutes. Grjótagjá Cave is small, but with a striking thermal pool inside. Bathing is no longer permitted because the water has run too hot since seismic activity in the 1970s. The cave became internationally known as a Game of Thrones filming location. Go early or late to avoid peak crowds.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Námaskarð (also called Hverir) is located just east of the lake. Steam vents, boiling mud pots, and sulfur-yellow ground spread across a wide flat plain. The most abrupt shift in scenery on the route. Boardwalks and rope barriers keep visitors at a safe distance from the active vents. The parking lot now charges a fee, captured by license-plate recognition on entry.
Three open restaurants around the lake are available for the day. Sel-Hótel Mývatn on the southern shore is the best fit before the Dimmuborgir loop; Vogafjós on the eastern shore is the right choice for a mid-afternoon lunch.
When you eat shapes how the rest of the day runs. If you want to eat before the Mývatn stops, Sel-Hótel Mývatn at Skútustaðir is the natural choice. It sits on the southern shore where the road from Goðafoss meets the lake, and you reach the lava field afterward without hunger slowing you down. The hotel restaurant serves a small à la carte menu plus pizzas year-round, with beer from Mývatn Öl, the family's own craft brewery across the street.
If you prefer to explore first and eat in mid-afternoon, Vogafjós Farm Resort on the eastern shore is a working dairy farm with a restaurant inside the cowshed. The menu is genuinely farm-to-table: smoked trout, lamb, homemade cheeses, and the underground-baked Geysir bread. Reservations help in July and August, but are not necessary in the shoulder season.
Whatever you order, try the smoked trout. Mývatn trout has been smoked locally for generations. It’s the kind of regional food that does not travel well outside its source.
— Ásgeir
Mývatn Nature Baths sit a short drive from the lakeshore restaurants and pair well with a meal at the end of the day. Stock photo
Two add-ons are worth knowing about, though neither is essential to a one-day visit.
Sigurgeir's Bird Museum at Ytri-Neslönd holds the country's largest private bird collection: about 330 stuffed specimens covering all but one of Iceland's nesting species, plus 500 eggs. Admission ticket costs 2,400 ISK ($20 / €17) per adult as of 2026. Open daily 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in summer (June 1 through August 31), and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM the rest of the year. Worth an hour for anyone interested in the lake's ecology.
The Mývatn Nature Baths, the natural geothermal end of the day, are mid-renovation in 2026. The site is closed for a full rebuild and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2026 under the new name Earth Lagoon Mývatn. The drive from Akureyri to the Mývatn Earth Lagoon is roughly 1 hour via Route 1 and the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel; from the main lake stops, the lagoon is about 10 minutes by car.
Long summer evenings light Mývatn's pseudocraters and the eastbound road well past 10 pm in June and July. Stock photo
Best time of year: Late May through September. Long daylight, open roads, all attractions running. July and August are the busiest.
Winter: The route is doable in winter but requires preparation. Daylight is short between November and February, conditions can change quickly, and some facilities reduce hours or close. Check road conditions at road.is before driving each day. A four-wheel drive is strongly recommended from October through April.
Getting around: A rental car is the most practical option. The route follows Route 1 and is well-maintained. See guide to driving in Iceland for road rules, fuel planning, and what to expect on northern routes.
Fuel: Fill up in Akureyri before leaving. Stations between the city and Mývatn are limited, with one at Fosshóll near Goðafoss and a few near Reykjahlíð.
What to pack: Waterproof layers and wind protection are essential year-round. Follow the Iceland packing list and the weather in Iceland guide for the specifics by season for North Iceland.
Families: The route works for families. Goðafoss, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð require no technical hiking. Hverfjall is manageable for older children and teenagers, but the rim path is steep.
Time needed: 8 to 10 hours total. About 2 to 3 hours of driving plus 6 to 7 hours of stops covering Goðafoss and the four Mývatn sites.
Without any hesitation, North Iceland is worth visiting. But this specific route is worth doing before anything else in the north. The Akureyri-to-Mývatn route has more variety per kilometer than almost anywhere else in Iceland. Geological drama, history, landscape, and local food in a single corridor, without the crowds that have built up around the more heavily marketed sites in the south. The north has a different soul. Quieter, wilder, and less rehearsed. This route shows you that, in one day.
Yes, you can visit North Iceland in a day if you focus on the Akureyri-Mývatn route. This itinerary gives you a strong mix of waterfalls, lava fields, volcanic craters, geothermal areas, and local scenery without spending the whole day in the car. You won’t cover the entire region, but you’ll get a clear, satisfying snapshot of what makes North Iceland feel different from the South Coast or Golden Circle.
Two to three days is the best amount of time for a North Iceland itinerary if you want more than the main Akureyri–Mývatn highlights. One day works for Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall, Grjótagjá, and Námaskarð, but extra time lets you add Húsavík, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon, and the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Most travelers on an Iceland Ring Road itinerary spend two nights in the Akureyri-Mývatn area before continuing east.
Yes, Akureyri is one of the best bases for a North Iceland itinerary. The city has daily flights from Reykjavík, a strong range of accommodation, and easy access to day trips in multiple directions. Two nights in Akureyri give you enough time to do whale watching one day and the Mývatn route the next without rushing either.
The best stop between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn is Goðafoss waterfall, because it sits directly on the Ring Road and adds major scenery without a long detour. Vaglaskógur forest is the best short nature break along the way, especially if you want to stretch your legs in the Fnjóskadalur valley. Ljósavatn lake and the surrounding countryside are better treated as scenic drive highlights rather than full stops.
Yes, Goðafoss is absolutely worth adding to a North Iceland itinerary. The waterfall is easy to reach, free to visit, and sits directly on the Ring Road between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn, so it adds a major waterfall stop without disrupting the route. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the viewpoints, or closer to an hour if you want to photograph both sides of the falls.
The two Lake Mývatn stops you should not miss are Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð. Dimmuborgir gives you the area’s dark lava formations, walking paths, and folklore, while Námaskarð shows the active geothermal side of Mývatn with steam vents and boiling mud pots. Add Hverfjall if you want a crater walk and wide views, and Grjótagjá Cave if you want a short, unusual stop with thermal water inside a lava cave.
Technically, yes, you can combine whale watching and Lake Mývatn in one day, but it is not the best way to experience either. Whale watching takes several hours once you include check-in, the boat tour, and the return to town, while the Mývatn area deserves time for multiple stops rather than a rushed drive-through. A better plan is to stay two nights in Akureyri: one day for whale watching and one day for Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn.
The best time to follow a North Iceland itinerary is late May through September. June gives you long daylight and lighter crowds, while July and August bring the warmest weather, busiest roads, and strong whale watching conditions. September is a great choice if you want fewer travelers and a quieter Ring Road experience before winter driving becomes more demanding.
Yes, this North Iceland itinerary is possible in winter, but it is better suited to confident drivers with flexible plans. In December and January, daylight is very short, and snow, icy roads, and reduced opening hours can affect the route. Consider a guided tour if you are not used to winter road conditions in Iceland.
Yes, you need a car for the most flexible North Iceland itinerary. A rental car lets you follow the Ring Road, stop at Goðafoss, and explore the Lake Mývatn sights at your own pace. Guided tours from Akureyri are the best alternative if you prefer not to drive, while public transport is limited and works better for point-to-point travel than sightseeing.
Yes, Earth Lagoon Mývatn is worth adding to a North Iceland itinerary once it’s reopened. The lagoon works best as the final stop of the day, after Goðafoss and the Lake Mývatn sights, when you are ready to slow down instead of adding another walk. The rebuilt facility will have a larger lagoon, hot tubs, a rock-walled steam room, and improved changing rooms. Allow about two hours, book ahead in summer, and confirm opening hours before you go.
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