28 Sep What to Know Before Visiting Myvatn Nature Baths in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon is without a doubt the most famous geothermal pool in Iceland. It attracts over one million visitors each year. Myvatn Nature Baths are fairly similar to the Blue Lagoon, yet they only attract over 100,000 visitors each year. We planned two hours for Myvatn Nature Baths on the sixth day of our Iceland road trip, and they offered the perfect opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation. No matter what time of year, summer or winter, the warm waters of Myvatn Nature Baths are waiting for you. 

Looking for other attractions in northern Iceland? Head to Stuðlagil Canyon to jump in a turquoise glacial river, Godafoss to marvel at a roaring waterfall, and Seyðisfjörður to walk along the famous Rainbow Road.

Contents:

1) Location of Myvatn Nature Baths

2) Opening Hours

3) Ticket Options

4) The Best Time to Visit

5) Quick Facts

6) Background

7) Preparing to Enter the Baths

8) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Myvatn Nature Baths

• Region: Northern Iceland
• Location

Myvatn Nature Baths are located in northern Iceland in the region of Myvatn. For reference, they are just slightly east from the city of Akureyri. Due to the fact they are in the north, they are thus not easily accessible for only a day or weekend trip in Iceland. Instead, you will need to be in Iceland for closer to a week if you want to plan a visit. 

The region of Myvatn has a variety of other attractions. For example, there is the Hverir Geothermal Area and Grjótagjá, a geothermal spring within a cave. Additionally, there are various viewpoints to visit around Lake Myvatn. 

Steam emitting from Hverir Geothermal Area

Parking 

Just put the location above into google maps, and it will lead you right to the Nature Baths. There is a parking lot at the end of the road right by the entrance to the building.

Lodging

For lodging, we stayed at Eidavellir Apartments and Rooms the night before visiting the baths. The following night we stayed at Akureyri H.I. Hostel.

On the other hand, book a room at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland to make your trip a bit more intimate.

2) Opening Hours 

• Opening hours: 12pm – 10pm
• Closed January 1st

The Nature Baths are open every single day of the year except for January 1st. The usual hours are from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, though they differ slightly during the Christmas holiday. Furthermore, the last entrance allowed is at 9:30pm. Be sure to double check the opening hours on their site before visiting.

Myvatn Nature Baths was just one of the places we swam in Iceland. Curious about the others? Check out the best places to swim in Iceland. 

3) Ticket Options for Myvatn Nature Baths

• Towel, swimsuit, and bathrobe rentals available
• No time limit after entry 
• Drink bracelets available

The ticket prices vary based on your age and status. For adults, a single ticket costs around 5700 ISK (~$45). Tickets for teenagers, older citizens, students, or an individual with a disability are slightly less expensive. Furthermore, I recommend purchasing a ticket in advance online, though tickets are also available upon arrival. Additionally, ticket prices can change based on the time of year, so be sure to check them out on their website.

Not sure whether you want to visit the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths? No worries, take a look at this article: Myvatn Nature Baths vs. Blue Lagoon: Which to Choose.

Rentals

The Nature Baths also offer rentals for all swimming necessities. Towels and swimsuit rentals cost 850 ISK (~$7) each while a bathrobe rental costs 1800 ISK (~$14). 

Entrance Time Listed on Ticket

There is no time limit for how long you can stay in the baths (woohoo!). We stayed for around an hour, which was the perfect amount of time considering the warmth of the water. However, be sure to arrive as close as possible to the entry time on the ticket. For example, their website says to arrive between 2:00pm and 2:30pm for a ticket that begins at 2:00pm. We arrived slightly early for our ticket, however, and they let us in with no problem. 

Drink and Food Options

When checking in, there is the option to purchase a drink bracelet. The bracelet allows for a maximum of two wines or three beers. There is also a café offering lunch and dinner options. Dishes include, for example, smoked char, the smoothie of the day, and the famous geyser bread.

Visit Myvatn Nature Baths FAQ for more information.

Panoramic view of Myvatn Nature Baths

4) The Best Time to Visit

• After opening or before closing time 
• Estimated visit time: 1 hour +

If you would like to avoid the crowds, the best time of day to visit is in the morning right after they open or in the evening right before they close. You will have the best chance for some privacy in the Nature Baths during those times simply due to the fact most people will visit in the afternoon and early evening. 

We visited in the afternoon around 2pm and found the Nature Baths to be somewhat crowded. However, I will say that the experience was still quite enjoyable. Even with some crowds, there was enough room to walk around in the water and to find our own spot on the benches along the wall. 

5) Quick Facts on Myvatn Nature Baths

1. The Myvatn Nature Baths are open every single day of the year, except for January 1st. 

2. An adult ticket costs around $50 (~7,300 ISK), and there are towel, swimsuit, and robe rentals available. 

3. The Nature Baths are located in northern Iceland, just east of the city of Akureyri. 

4. The temperature of the water ranges from about 96.8 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 40 degrees Celsius). 

5. There are the main Nature Baths as well as outdoor showers and steam baths. 

6) Background 

• Geothermal pool, steam baths, and outdoor showers
• Temperature: 96.8 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit

The Myvatn Nature Baths are human-made, and the water flows from Bjarnarflag. The National Power Company drills in that area, and under the surface they discovered many years ago the naturally warm waters that now flow into the Nature Baths. Moreover, the water is a beautiful turquoise color. They have also built benches along the edges of the pool so you can truly sit back and relax during your visit. 

Iceland boasts many other geothermal pools in addition to Myvatn, including the Blue Lagoon on Reykjanes Peninsula and Seljavallalaug Pool on the south coast. 

Enjoying our time in Iceland at the Blue Lagoon

Size of Myvatn Nature Baths

The Nature Baths and adjacent basin hold approximately 9.25 million gallons (~3.5 million liters) of water. Furthermore, the water is just over four feet (~1.3 meters) at its deepest point.

Temperature of Myvatn Nature Baths

The temperature of the baths range from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius or 96.8 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Some areas of the baths are hotter or cooler than others. Moreover, some spots were so hot we could not stand there for longer than about 10 seconds. 

Are you more interested in exploring the glacial waters of Iceland? Then head to the Glacier Lagoon for a kayaking tour.

Additional Attractions

While visiting Myvatn Nature Baths, check out the two steam baths. Steam from the geothermal area below rises through the floor, heating the small bath room. The temperature is generally 50 degrees celsius or 122 degrees Fahrenheit. I cannot forget to mention that they also boast 100% humidity (though this should be nothing for those coming from a state such as Florida in the U.S.) In addition, there are a few outdoor showers to provide a cool down between the steam room and baths. 

If you start to get overheated, take a break outside of the Nature Baths. Cool down with either the outdoor showers or complimentary water.

7) Preparing to Enter Myvatn Nature Baths

• Obtain a locker
• Remove jewelry
• Shower without a swimsuit

There are two changing rooms, one for men and one for women. The front desk provides a token upon check in, and that token is then inserted into a locker in exchange for a wristband with a key. I stored all my necessary items, such as my clothes and phone, in the locker while I was in the baths. Additionally, it is recommended to remove any silver jewelry. The sulfur within the geothermal water can cause silver to turn black, and it is better to be safe than sorry in this situation. 

Before entering Myvatn Nature Baths, they ask everyone to shower without a swimsuit. The women’s changing room had a couple of public showers as well as two private showers in stalls. There is shampoo, conditioner, and body wash available. It is from Sóley Organics, an Icelandic company. You can also find their products on Amazon under the Sóley Organics shop.

8) Recommended Items to Bring  

Need additional recommendations on what to pack for Iceland? Then check out my Iceland summer road trip packing list and international travel essentials.

1. Towel: They do provide towel rentals upon arrival, but bring your own towel if you want to save a few dollars. Amazon has a variety of travel towels, including the green Rainleaf microfiber towel. Travel towels are specifically designed to conserve space and dry quickly for greater convenience while traveling.

2. Flip flops: Pack a pair of flip flops if you would like to wear shoes from the changing rooms to the Nature Baths. You can then leave your shoes by a chair outside. 

3. Swimsuit: They also provide swimsuit rentals upon arrival, but bring your own to save some money. Additionally, Iceland has a few other hot springs and geothermal pools within its borders, so you will need a swimsuit for those as well.

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Check out the hidden gems of Iceland: The Best Hidden Gems in Iceland.

For some of my FAVORITE activities: Top 3 Things To Do in Iceland.