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The Mývatn Nature Baths are magical Icelandic waters located next to the Ring Road in North East Iceland.  Soak in the mineral waters and revel in the incredible views. Relax in the hot spring steam baths and enjoy a meal at a delicious restaurant. A must-visit place in North Iceland and one of the best pools in the country.

In the depth of North Iceland, you will find the incredible nature reserve of Lake Mývatn. Surrounding this natural wonderment are stupendously beautiful places like Hverir, Grjótagjá Hot Spring and Cave and Mývatn Nature Baths.

 

 

The nature baths are often nicknamed “The Blue Lagoon of the North” as the pools have the same intensely turquoise blue color. The color originates in the minerals and algae found in the water and when light hits the water blue color ricochets back.

people bathing in nature baths of Myvatn

The temperature of the water is about 36-40°C or 98,6 to 104 °FThe minerals of the water are truly amazing for your skin. The hot pool filled with geothermal water and the lovely steam baths invite you on a geothermal adventure not to be missed.

Visiting Mývatn Nature Baths is a completely natural experience where you bath in geothermal water drawn from the earth in completely surreal surroundings.

You are not able to see through the water due to its high levels of invigorating minerals but you are able to walk around safely as the water’s depth is very comfortable. 

people bath in Myvatn hot springs

The water in the nature baths runs straight from the National Power Company’s borehole in Bjarnarflag. You can get pretty close to the powerplant if you are feeling curious about the origin.

The lagoon and the basin next to it together hold around 3.5 million liters (9.24 gallons) of water.

pool entrance in Myvatn nature baths

The lagoon itself is a man-made construction but filled up by completely natural and unique water.

The characteristics of the blue waters are without comparison and contain incredible amounts of minerals, algae, alkaline and silica making the waters somewhat of a healing pool for skin problems.

Fun Fact: Due to Mývatn Nature baths chemical composition, undesired bacteria and vegetation simply don’t survive in the lagoon making chloride or any other disinfectant unnecessary.

TOURS VISITING MYVATN NATURE BATHS

Where are Mývatn Nature Baths located?

Mývatn Nature Baths are located close to Lake Myvatn in North East. It is about 105 km away from Akureyri, the capital of Northern Iceland and 489 km away from Reykjavík.

The area where the Nature Baths are located is like something from a sci-fi film.

 

The clouds of steam rising from the geothermal area that seems to be a no-mans-land will give you a cue on when to start looking for the sign and turn off the road onto the parking lot.

Mývatn Nature Baths are easy to find as they are located right off the famous Ring Road 1.

hot pools in Myvatn blue lagoon

How to get to Mývatn Nature Baths

There are a few ways to get to Myvatn Nature baths and like we have mentioned before they aren’t hard to find.

Driving from Akureyri to Mývatn Nature baths should take about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Driving there you will go through the fertile valley Fnjóskadalur, pass the waterfall of the gods – Goðafoss and past the Mývatn area with all its steam and natural charm.

Geothermal zone near Myvatn in Iceland

Driving from Egilsstaðir (the biggest town in the Eastfjords) to Mývatn Nature Baths should take no more than 2 hours.

It will take you past stunning sights such as Lagafljót, lake Urriðavatn, the “the white chair” viewing point and parking lot, and the turn for waterfalls DettifossSelfoss and Ásbyrgi Canyon.

road at Asbyrgi Canyon in Iceland

Driving from Reykjavík to Mývatn Nature Baths is not recommended as a one day drive, since there is simply too much to see if driven in one day.

In one go, the drive would take more than 6 hours. Some of the sights not to be missed on the way from Reykjavík to Mývatn would be Borgarfjörður, Glaumbær Turf Farm, Grettislaug pool, Akureyri, Goðafoss, Whale Watching at Dalvík, the Beer Baths in Eyjafjörður and more.

whale watching in Dalvik

Accommodation and Hotels near Mývatn Nature Baths

Hotels

  • Icelandair Hotel Myvatn
  • Fosshotel Myvatn
  • Vogafjos Farm Resort
Icelandair Hotel Myvatn in Iceland

Hostels, Guesthouses, and B&B

  • Eldá Guesthouse
  • Hlíð Hostel
  • Hlíð Bed and Breakfast

Cabins and Cottages

  • Hlíð Cottages

Camping Near Mývatn Nature Baths

Hlíð Camping Ground is beautiful and spacious camping ground away from the flies at Lake Mývatn.

Hlid Camping site near Myvatn lake

Open: All Year Round

Facilities on Site:

  • WC
  • Showers
  • Hot and Cold Water
  • Electricity
  • Kitchen Tent
  • Small Shop
  • Playground

Good to know before visiting Myvatn Nature Baths

Myvatn hot spring pool in Iceland
  • Jewelry, especially silver can change color if it gets in contact with the water. They are better left in the lockers.
  • Your hair will get coated by the minerals in the water and feel quite weird, dry and stiff after bathing. To prevent this you can put a double dose of conditioner into your hair before going in, wrapping it up in a bun and keeping it as much as you can out of the water.
  • Sulfur, found in large quantities in the baths, is considered to have a positive effect on respiratory diseases including asthma.
  • Sulfur, silica and other trace elements in the water are considered to have healing powers for multiple skin problems including eczema and psoriasis. Doctors in Iceland even give out prescriptions for psoriasis patients to bath in the silica filled lagoons.
  • The Myvatn Nature Baths cost between $14 – $35 USD for entry.
Myvatn Nature Baths area in winter

Visiting Mývatn Natural Baths in winter is equally as great as in summer. If you’re driving on your own you will need to be mindful of road conditions and weather but besides that, there isn’t anything stopping you from visiting.

Imagine sitting inside a steam bath where natural geothermal steam is rising up from the ground and you know that all around is snow-covered lava and landscape.

Icelanders really appreciate having their hot pools all around the country and enjoy their epic pool culture just as much in winter as they do in summer.

Aurora Borealis over Myvatn lake

Join the movement and visit Mývatn Nature baths in winter. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Mývatn Nature Baths vs. The Blue Lagoon

This is a hard comparison – They are both phenomenal, but since we are doing a comparison:

Myvatn nature baths area in winter

The Blue Lagoon

Pro:

  • Located close to the capital and Keflavik International Airport
  • Has a great gift shop
  • Has a Hotel on location
  • Cafeteria and fancy restaurant
  • Silica Mask available for free at silica bar
  • Has a Steam Bath and Sauna
  • In-Water Massages available

Cons:

  • It is quite expensive
  • Can get quite crowded

The Mývatn Nature Baths

Pro:

  • Less expensive admission than the Blue Lagoon
  • Fewer people visiting
  • Located around so many other beautiful attractions
  • Have a good restaurant with fair prices
  • Have student discounts
  • Free for under 13 years
  • Has 2 steam baths

Cons:

  • Located quite far away from Reykjavík and Keflavik International Airport.
  • No Sauna

Interesting places near Mývatn Nature Baths

couple near geothermal area in Iceland