Mývatn Nature Baths (Earth Lagoon Mývatn): North Iceland’s Spa

Mývatn Nature Baths is a geothermal spa on Jarðbaðshólar hill in North Iceland, about 90 km (56 miles) east of Akureyri. Rebranded as Earth Lagoon Mývatn in September 2025, the spa still uses its original Icelandic name, Jarðböðin. Its centerpiece is a milky-blue mineral lagoon heated to 36 to 40°C (97 to 104°F). Travelers often call it the “Blue Lagoon of the North,” quieter and less expensive than its southwestern counterpart.

The spa first opened in 2004 and remains one of the largest bathing facilities in North Iceland. Around the main lagoon, the site has steam baths, a swim-up bar, and a bistro with views over Lake Mývatn. The whole complex sits among pseudocraters and lava fields that stretch across the Mývatn region.

Earth Lagoon Mývatn reopened on July 9, 2026 after a full rebuild. The new building measures just under 4,000 square meters and stands east of the original lagoon, linked to it by a new stretch of water shaped around a tuff pillar, a fissure, and lava-rock walls. Guests now walk straight from the changing rooms into the lagoon and move between three connected sections, all detailed on the official Earth Lagoon site.

The rebuild enlarges the lagoon surface by roughly 35% and raises capacity to about 580 bathers at a time. Newer features include two hot tubs, a swim-in rock steam room, a waterfall, a fissure passage that opens into a wider part of the lagoon, and a bistro serving dishes made with local ingredients.

The water comes from the Bjarnarflag borehole, drawn from up to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) underground. By the time it reaches the lagoon, it's cooled from around 130°C (266°F) to a comfortable 36 to 40°C (97 to 104°F). Alkaline, silica-rich, and high in sulfur, the mineral mix gives the pool its cloudy blue color. The same chemistry keeps it clean, so the lagoon uses no added chlorine. Visibility stays low because of the minerals, though the floor is gentle and walkable throughout.

Practical note: silver or copper jewelry tarnishes on contact with the sulfur, so it's best left in the locker. The minerals can also stiffen hair, so tie long hair up and condition before going in. You'll find conditioner in the showers, free to use.

Mývatn Nature Baths is North Iceland's smaller, cheaper, and less-crowded answer to the Blue Lagoon: similar mineral water and steam facilities at lower entry prices, but a much longer drive from Reykjavík. Both spas are built around heated lagoons fed from deep underground, feature steam rooms and swim-up service, and have silica-rich water.

How Mývatn Nature Baths and the Blue Lagoon compare on the basics:

Choose Mývatn if you're already in North Iceland or traveling the Ring Road. The Blue Lagoon is better for travelers based around Reykjavík who want full spa amenities without the long drive north.

As of July 2026, adult admission to Earth Lagoon Mývatn starts at 7,900 ISK (~$64 / €55) for the Earth Essential tier, which covers the lagoon, hot tub, steam bath, and private showers. Two higher tiers go up from there. Earth Signature, from 9,900 ISK (~$80 / €69), adds a towel, a drink, and a bistro discount. Earth Exclusive, from 52,000 ISK (~$423 / €363), adds a private lagoon area, private changing rooms, bathrobes, and complimentary drinks.

Children five and under enter free with an adult. Swimsuit rental costs 1,100 ISK (~$9 / €8), and towel rental is 1,200 ISK (~$10 / €8). Opening hours run from 10 AM to 11 PM daily. Prices shift with the time of day and demand, so confirm the current rates on the official pricing page before booking.

Earth Lagoon Mývatn sits at Jarðbaðshólar, 660 Mývatn, just off Iceland's Ring Road (Route 1) in the north of the country. The most common way to reach the spa is by car. Driving from Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, takes about 1 hour over 90 km (56 km), with the route passing through the wooded Fnjóskadalur valley and the Goðafoss waterfall on the way.

From Egilsstaðir, the largest town in the Eastfjords, it's a 2-hour, 164 km (102 miles) drive past Lake Lagarfljót and the turnoff for Dettifoss, Selfoss waterfall, and Ásbyrgi Canyon.

Driving straight from Reykjavík takes around 6 hours over 474 km (295 miles) and isn't recommended as a single-day trip, since there's too much worth stopping for. Sights along the way include Borgarfjörður and the Glaumbær turf farm.

Most visitors spend about 90 minutes at Mývatn Nature Baths, enough to soak in the lagoon, use the steam baths, and stop at the swim-up bar without rushing. Arrival starts at reception, where staff can sort out any towel, swimsuit, or bathrobe rentals you haven't pre-booked. The bar serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, payable in advance at the desk or on the spot with a phone, watch, or card.

Icelandic pool etiquette is mandatory: shower thoroughly without swimwear before entering the water. Showers are in the changing rooms, and staff may remind first-time visitors. The rule is standard across Iceland and keeps the mineral water clean for everyone.

Yes, the water has a mild sulfur scent, strongest near the steam baths and barely noticeable once you're in the lagoon. They sit directly over geothermal vents and run at roughly 45°C (113℉) with very high humidity. Hydrate well before going in, and don't stay longer than feels comfortable.

The silica and sulfur in the water are the minerals most associated with its skin benefits. Spa water of this kind has a long-standing reputation for easing skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Iceland's silica-rich lagoons are widely used by people managing these conditions, though formal medical programs vary by site. Any specific benefit is best discussed with a doctor rather than treated as a guaranteed outcome.

With no added chlorine, the water is also gentler on sensitive skin and eyes than a chlorinated pool.

A winter visit is all about the contrast: 38°C (100℉) water, snow-covered lava, and a black sky. From September through March, the area is dark enough most evenings to catch the Northern Lights when conditions cooperate.

Driving needs more care once the snow sets in. Check road conditions and the weather forecast before starting your drive, since closures and storms can move in quickly in the north. Winter tires are required by law from November 1 to April 15, and rental cars come fitted with them. Studded tires and a 4WD both help on the icy rural roads around Mývatn.

The lagoon sits in the middle of one of Iceland's densest volcanic landscapes. Most of the sights below are a short drive away, with a couple worth a longer trip:

• Lake Mývatn, the shallow lake the spa is named for, formed by an eruption roughly 2,300 years ago, and is now one of Iceland's richest spots for birdlife.
• Námaskarð, also called Hverir, is a field of boiling mud pots and steaming vents, a 10-minute drive east.
• Grjótagjá, a small lava cave with vivid blue water a few minutes away, was once a local bathing spot but is now too hot to enter and a filming location for Game of Thrones.
• Mt. Hverfjall, a tephra ring crater 1 km (0.6 miles) wide that takes about an hour to walk around, is just east of the lake.
• Dimmuborgir, a maze of towering lava pillars with marked trails, on the lake's east side.
• Skútustaðagígar, a cluster of pseudocraters on the lake's southern shore.
• Krafla, the volcanic system whose 1975 to 1984 eruptions reshaped the area, a short drive north.
• Goðafoss, the "waterfall of the gods," is about 50 km (31 miles) west on the way to Akureyri.
• Askja and Víti, a highland caldera and crater lake, are reached only by 4WD or guided tour, a full-day trip.

Most travelers reach Earth Lagoon Mývatn on a multi-day Ring Road tour from Reykjavík or a day trip from Akureyri. The full list of tours that visit Mývatn Nature Baths and the surrounding region is below.