16 Jan Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Picture this. You are headed to Iceland for a vacation, and you want to relax in a geothermal pool while you are there. You have heard some good and bad things about the Blue Lagoon, but you are wondering if there are any other options. Let me help you out! The Blue Lagoon is the most popular geothermal pool in all of Iceland. However, Myvatn Nature Baths is essentially the Blue Lagoon of northern Iceland. It offers a similar experience even though a lot less people visit it per year. I know, none of this is making your decision any easier. Keep reading and I promise I will go into detail about Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon in all of the important categories.

Honestly, as I am writing this introduction I have not fully made my decision about which I will pick for the final recommendation. I will heavily base my decision off the majority winner of the categories below (plus a bit of personal experience).

Additionally, you can check out my individual articles on the Blue Lagoon as well as Myvatn Nature Baths for more details. 

Contents:

1) Location

2) Opening Hours

3) Ticket Options

4) Size and Temperature

5) Requirements Before Entering

6) Additional Amenities

7) My Experience

8) Final Recommendation

1) Location – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

For a brief overview, the Blue Lagoon is located in southwestern Iceland vs Myvatn Nature Baths are located in northern Iceland. Moreover, the Blue Lagoon is only 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport, which means you can stop here even if you only have a long layover. When visiting Iceland, most people tend to explore the western, southern, and southeastern areas simply because of their closer proximity to the airport. Less people venture up north, which means they cannot experience Myvatn Nature Baths.

The Blue Lagoon is in a much more convenient location and thus wins the location category.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is located in southwestern Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula. For nearby lodging I recommend Guesthouse Pavi in the city. The Blue Lagoon is approximately one hour from the city of Reykjavík and 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport. Additionally, it is fairly close to the Golden Circle, which is a popular area in Iceland that boasts attractions such as Thingvellir National Park and Kerid Crater. 

The parking lot is located right by the main building, so no need to worry about that.

Furthermore, the Blue Lagoon is wheelchair accessible. First, the parking lot includes a few accessible parking spots. Second, you can borrow a wheelchair from reception if necessary. Third, the main building has automatic doors and elevators as well as a changing room on the ground floor. If you need a shower chair for the required shower before entering the lagoon, you can request one. Fourth, email contact@bluelagoon.com if you would like to request complimentary assistance for an individual to assist you throughout the day. Fifth, you can request a special wheelchair that enters the lagoon by contacting the email listed above.

Myvatn Nature Baths 

The Myvatn Nature Baths are located in northern Iceland in the region of Myvatn. For nearby lodging I recommend the Akureyri H.I. Hostel. Moreover, they are approximately one hour east of the town of Akureyri. You can find a fair amount of other popular attractions in the Myvatn region, for example Hverir Geothermal Area and Grjótagjá, a geothermal spring within a cave. 

The parking lot is located right by the main building, so no need to worry about that.

Unfortunately the Myvatn Nature Baths website does not include any information on accessibility. You will need to contact them to ask any further questions.

Soaking up the benefits of geothermal water at the Blue Lagoon

2) Opening Hours – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

For a brief overview, the Blue Lagoon is open (generally) from 8:00am to 9:00pm daily vs Myvatn Nature Baths are open from 12:00pm to 10:00pm daily. Additionally, while both geothermal pools have extended hours in the summer season, the Blue Lagoon has longer opening hours no matter the time of year.

Due to the fact it is open for more hours of the day no matter the season, the Blue Lagoon wins the opening hours category.

Blue Lagoon

You can visit the Blue Lagoon any day of the year. It is generally open from 8:00am to 9:00pm daily. However, the opening hours differ based on the season. For example, hours are 8:00am to 9:00pm from January to May. Hours are then 8:00am to 10:00pm from early to mid June and 7:00am to 12:00pm from mid June to mid August. They change to 8:00am to 10:00pm from mid August to January.

Furthermore, the hours can differ on holidays, for instance Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Double check their site concerning opening hours before your visit.

Also be aware that you must exit the water 30 minutes before closing time.

Myvatn Nature Baths

You can visit Myvatn Nature Baths almost any day of the year. They are closed only on January 1st. In terms of opening hours, they are generally open from 12:00pm to 10:00pm daily. However, the hours differ slightly based on the season. For example, the hours are 10:00am to 11:00pm in the summer.

Furthermore, the hours can differ around the Christmas holiday. Be sure to double check their site for opening hours information before your visit. Additionally, the last entrance allowed to the baths is at 9:30pm.

Enjoying the view (of no people) at the Blue Lagoon

3) Ticket Options – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

Ah yes, it is getting a bit more complicated now to choose a winner. While Myvatn Nature Baths offer cheaper tickets, the Blue Lagoon offers a greater variety of tickets. That being said, you can choose what ticket to purchase at the Blue Lagoon based on your budget and the type of experience you want to have. Moreover, the most basic ticket for the Blue Lagoon comes with a free drink and a free face mask while the basic ticket for Myvatn Nature Baths includes no free items.

Therefore, I must conclude that the winner of the ticket options category is the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon currently seems to be pulling away in this contest of Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon.

Maybe you want to book a tour that includes access to the Blue Lagoon so you do not have to worry about tickets. Then check out Golden Circle tour options as well as south coast tour options in Iceland. On the other hand, you can head to Seljavallalaug Pool and not even have to worry about an entrance fee.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon offers a few different tickets, with the most basic one being the comfort ticket for anywhere between $61 to $88. BONUS: it includes a towel rental as well as one free drink and one free silica mud mask.

The second tier ticket is the premium, which ranges in price from around $84 to $104. This ticket includes a towel rental, one free drink, one free silica mud mask, two additional free masks, and one free glass of sparkling wine at the Lava Restaurant.

The top tier ticket is the retreat spa, which ranges in price from around $532 to $600. This ticket includes access to the three chambers of the Blue Lagoon ritual, a private changing room, Retreat Lagoon, Spa Restaurant, eight subterranean spaces, and Lava Cove. You can also enjoy one free drink as well as the ability to book a massage in the lagoon at an extra cost with the retreat spa package.

Additionally, as a bonus children two to 13 years old can enter the lagoon for free! You can check out all of the different ticket options on their site.

When you purchase a ticket, you will need to do so for a specific time. Moreover, you will need to arrive within one hour of the time listed on the ticket. For example, you need to arrive between 2:00pm and 3:00pm for a ticket that has an entry of 2:00pm. However, after arrival there is no time limit for how long you can stay in the lagoon.

Myvatn Nature Baths

Myvatn Nature Baths offer one option for an adult ticket, and it costs around 6,200 ISK. This converts to about $43 on the day I am writing this post. However, they do also offer discounted tickets for teenagers, students, older individuals, and individuals with handicaps. Additionally, children 12 years of age and under can enter for free. Check out all of the ticket options on their site.

When you purchase a ticket, you will need to do so for a specific time. That being said, you will want to arrive within a half hour of the time listed on your ticket. For example, their website says you should arrive between 2:00pm and 2:30pm for a ticket that begins at 2:00pm. However, after arrival there is no time limit for how long you can stay in the baths.

The ticket does not include any free items, but rather you can rent or purchase items at your convenience. First, you are able to rent a swimsuit, towel, and bathrobe for an additional fee. Second, you can purchase a drink bracelet upon arrival, which tracks how many drinks you buy and charges you for them when you exit.

Swimming around in the Blue Lagoon

4) Size and Temperature – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

Okay, this is starting to feel rigged. But do not count out the Myvatn Nature Baths yet. While the temperatures of the Blue Lagoon vs Myvatn Nature Baths are about the same, the Blue Lagoon is almost twice as large.

The Blue Lagoon is the winner for the size and temperature category mainly due to its large size.

Blue Lagoon

The temperature of the water in the Blue Lagoon ranges from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (~37 to 40 degrees Celsius). Nevertheless, temperatures can fall outside of this range if the summer or winter seasons happen to be a bit extreme. 

The size of the lagoon is 93,650 square feet (~8,700 square meters). Additionally, it reaches a depth of 5.6 feet (~1.7 meters) at its deepest point. 

Myvatn Nature Baths

The temperature of the water in the Myvatn Nature Baths ranges from 96.8 to 104 degrees (~36 to 40 Celsius). However, some areas of the baths are hotter than others. You can thus walk around until you find a spot that suits you. 

The size of the baths are approximately 54,000 square feet (~5,010 square meters). Additionally, they reach a depth of just over four feet (~1.3 meters) at their deepest point.

Panoramic view of Myvatn Nature Baths

5) Requirements Before Entering – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

Woohoo – our first tie! I did not want to choose a winner between the Blue Lagoon vs Myvatn Nature Baths in this category simply because they are so similar. Their check in processes and requirements are essentially the same with a few minor differences, and thus they deserve to tie.

Blue Lagoon

When you arrive at the front desk, they will provide you with an electronic wristband. You can then use that wristband to obtain a locker in the changing room, pick up your free drink and free face mask in the lagoon, and also purchase additional items.

The wristband acts as a key to the lockers, so you simply choose a locker and it locks to your band. They have different sized lockers throughout the changing room, so you can choose a small or large one based on your needs. I chose a smaller one and had no issue storing my clothes, shoes, etc. Additionally, it is recommended to remove all silver jewelry since the water can turn it black in color.

They also ask you to shower without a swimsuit on before entering the Blue Lagoon. The changing room has public as well as private showers with shampoo and conditioner available.

Myvatn Nature Baths

When you arrive at the front desk, they will provide you with a token. You can then use that token to obtain a locker in the changing room. You simply insert the token into the locker and in exchange receive a wristband with a key so you can access the locker once you are finished. The lockers are large enough for you to store all necessary items, for example clothes, shoes, etc. Additionally, it is recommended to remove all silver jewelry since the water can turn it black in color.

They also ask you to shower without a swimsuit on before entering the Myvatn Nature Baths. The changing room has public as well as private showers with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available.

Letting the Blue Lagoon rejuvenate my body

6) Additional Amenities – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon did it again. The Blue Lagoon offers seven different types of additional amenities vs Myvatn Nature Baths offer only three. While the steam baths, outdoor showers, and café at Myvatn Nature Baths are all excellent amenities, they just simply cannot compare to the quantity offered by the Blue Lagoon.

Therefore, the Blue Lagoon is the winner of the additional amenities category.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon does not fall short in the category of amenities. First, there is a bar within the lagoon for drinks as well as a bar for face masks. While the basic ticket includes one free drink and one free silica mud mask, you will have to purchase any additional items. Second, there is a café within the main building as well as three dine-in restaurants.

Third, there are two hotels associated with the Blue Lagoon; each has a variety of room options available. Fourth, your entrance ticket includes access to the sauna and steam rooms. Fifth, you can purchase an in-water massage for an additional fee.

Moreover, the Blue Lagoon hotel is considered one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland.

Myvatn Nature Baths

In addition to the geothermal pool area, Myvatn Nature Baths also offer two steam baths to all those with an entrance ticket. The temperature within the steam rooms tends to be around 122 degrees Fahrenheit (~50 Celsius). Additionally, there are outdoor showers available if you need to cool down. Afterwards you can grab a bite at their café, which is located within the main building.

Nothing but smiles at the Blue Lagoon

7) My Experience – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

First off, let me say that I had a great experience at the Blue Lagoon as well as the Myvatn Nature Baths. I would thus recommend both to others looking to enjoy some geothermal pools during their time in Iceland. However, in this challenge of Blue Lagoon vs Myvatn Nature Baths, the Blue Lagoon wins in terms of the overall experience I had. Why is that? Well, there are a couple of reasons. I will go into more detail below, but one reason is that we purchased tickets for the earliest entrance time and did not feel as though it was too crowded.

Blue Lagoon

We booked our tickets for the earliest time possible, which was 9:00am, on the day we visited. We even arrived a bit early and had to wait before they would let us check in and access the changing rooms. Once we were able to check in, everything went smoothly from there. I headed to the women’s changing room, found a locker, and put my stuff inside. I then showered before heading out to the lagoon area. Once I stepped outside, I was in shock (and not from the cool temperatures). I looked around and saw nobody. Was I about to be the first one to enter the lagoon that morning? Yes, I was. I walked straight in the water with not another person around me. However, this did not last long as my partner and others soon appeared.

We then walked to a back corner of the lagoon to take some pictures before it started to get really crowded. Then we put the camera away and focused on relaxation. We walked around the lagoon and also picked up our free drink and free silica mud mask. I do not remember the name of the smoothie I got, but I remember it was green and delicious.

Moreover, a lot of people complain about the crowds at the Blue Lagoon and that it is a tourist trap. However, it was not too crowded that it had an impact on my experience. I did visit early in the morning though, so I cannot speak to the busy afternoon hours. Additionally, I loved the color of the water, getting a free drink and face mask, and walking around the lagoon. I might even visit the Blue Lagoon for a second time if I find myself in Iceland again.

Myvatn Nature Baths

Our experience started off pretty great because they let us in right away even though we arrived a bit early for our afternoon ticket time of 2:00pm. Check in went smoothly, and I headed to the changing room to grab a locker and shower. There were plenty of lockers as well as showers available when I arrived, so I did not experience any delays because of that.

Then came the best part – entering the warm waters of Myvatn Nature Baths for the first time. Since no free items came with our tickets (and we did not want to purchase them), we just walked around the baths before settling at one spot. There were benches available along the walls, so we took advantage of those and opted to sit down.

The baths were a bit crowded when we arrived, though that should be somewhat expected since we arrived in the mid afternoon.

Representing the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

8) Final Recommendation – Myvatn Nature Baths vs Blue Lagoon

I am sure you can already guess my final recommendation based on the winner of the majority of the categories mentioned above: Blue Lagoon. It has more ticket options, more amenities, a free drink as well as a free silica mud mask included in the basic ticket, longer opening hours, and is also located in a more convenient location. To top it off, personally I enjoyed my experience at the Blue Lagoon a bit more.

However, that does not mean that you should push the Myvatn Nature Baths aside. If you find yourself in northern Iceland, specifically in the Myvatn region, then I recommend you plan to visit Myvatn Nature Baths. Sure, they did not win over the Blue Lagoon, but I do not regret taking time out of my day and spending money to visit when I was in Iceland. I mean, come on, when is relaxing in a geothermal pool not at the top of your to do list when in Iceland?

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