Lake Myvatn, Waterfall, Hot Springs, and Volcano Tour from Akureyri

Goðafoss is the big opening act: a broad, powerful waterfall that gives this Akureyri day trip an immediate sense of scale. From there, the route heads east through North Iceland’s volcanic country to Lake Mývatn, where craters, lava formations and steaming ground make for a varied day.

I like the combination of Goðafoss and the Mývatn area in one outing, and the included sandwich lunch saves you from having to find food between stops. The trade-off is pace: there is a lot of ground to cover, and some stops are short. This works best if you want an overview, not a slow walk at every site.

The quick facts

1 / 5

• Goðafoss gets 35 minutes: Enough for a look around and photos, but not a long visit.
• Mývatn country brings the variety: See Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð, then take a scenic drive near the lake.
• Krafla and Víti are possible stops: They are not guaranteed parts of the route.
• The packed lunch is simple: Sandwiches, chocolate and juice are included. Bring water and any extra snacks you want.
• The bus makes a broad route manageable: The tour takes roughly six hours, with several hours spent driving between sites.
• Pickup needs attention: The Akureyri meeting point can be hard to find, so confirm the exact location and arrive 15 minutes early.

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From Akureyri to Goðafoss

The tour starts in Akureyri and heads toward Goðafoss, about a 40-minute bus ride away. The road time is part of the experience: you leave the town behind and get a first look at the broad, open country of North Iceland.

Goðafoss is known as the waterfall of the gods. Its name and curving cascade make it one of the region’s best-known sights, and it is a fitting first stop. You have about 35 minutes with a guide, enough to take in the falls and get a few different views, but not enough for a leisurely wander.

I’d use the time well: listen to the guide’s orientation, take in the scale of the water, then make your way back to the bus before the group leaves. The route does not promise a long hike or a private viewpoint. If you are hoping to linger, this quick visit may feel clipped.

Skútustaðagígar and the edge of Mývatn

After another bus ride, the tour stops at Skútustaðagígar for about 15 minutes. These craters are a striking reminder that volcanic activity shaped the region. The stop offers a quick chance to look around and take in the unusual forms near Lake Mývatn.

Fifteen minutes is brief, so think of this as a taste rather than a full walk. The stop is valuable because it adds a different kind of volcanic feature to the day. Instead of only seeing lava fields, you get a look at crater formations as well.

Mývatn is also known for birdlife. That does not mean this tour is a dedicated birdwatching trip, or that you should expect to see a particular species. One point of feedback about the short stops was that there was not enough time to walk far from the parking area, so don’t book this expecting a long birding session or a guaranteed puffin sighting.

Dimmuborgir’s unusual lava formations

Dimmuborgir gets around 40 minutes, one of the longer stops on the route. Its lava formations are the sort of place where the ground seems to have been shaped into odd towers, arches and rough-edged forms. It brings a change of pace from the open views at the lake and the water at Goðafoss.

The guide leads the visit, and the time gives you more room to look around than at Skútustaðagígar. Still, this is not an open-ended hike. The route and time are part of a group excursion, so keep an eye on the clock and follow the guide’s instructions about where to meet.

I like that Dimmuborgir gives the tour a close-up look at lava rather than just a view from the bus. If you enjoy unusual rock formations, this may be one of the most memorable stops. If you want to explore at your own pace, the fixed schedule is the limitation.

Námaskarð: geothermal ground, not a bathing stop

Námaskarð is a 20-minute stop in an active geothermal area. Bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles give the place a very different feel from the rest of the route. You can see geothermal activity up close, but the tour does not include a soak in a hot spring or a visit to a bathing facility.

That distinction matters. The title’s reference to hot springs can sound like a promise of a swim, but the scheduled stop is at Námaskarð, where the focus is the steaming, bubbling ground. Bring warm layers and waterproof outerwear, and stick to the paths and guide’s directions.

The visit is short, but it adds a strong contrast to the craters and lava formations. You get a sense of the forces at work below the surface without needing a hike or a long detour.

Lake Mývatn, Krafla and Víti

The tour allows about 50 minutes for a scenic drive in the Lake Mývatn area, with views of the lake and possible stops at Krafla Volcano and Víti Crater. The word possible is important: these extra stops depend on the day’s route and conditions, so don’t treat them as guaranteed.

Mývatn is the broad setting that ties the day together. You have already seen craters and lava formations; now the lake and surrounding scenery help put those sights in context. The drive gives you time to look out from the bus, though it is not the same as a long walk along the shore.

The route then takes about an hour and 20 minutes back toward Akureyri. Add that to the earlier drives and the tour’s roughly six-hour length makes sense. You’ll spend a substantial part of the day on the bus, but that is the practical trade-off for seeing several sites spread across the region in one outing.

What the pace means for you

This is an overview tour, not a series of long stops. The planned visits range from 15 minutes at Skútustaðagígar to about 50 minutes for the Lake Mývatn drive, with 35 minutes at Goðafoss, 40 at Dimmuborgir and 20 at Námaskarð. Road time takes up several hours of the day.

That pace suits you if you want to see a range of North Iceland sights without arranging a rental car or planning each stop yourself. It is less suitable if your ideal day means lingering, hiking for hours or waiting patiently for wildlife. One account of the trip described the stops as rushed, which matches the tight schedule on paper.

The tour is rated beginner-level for fitness, but it is not wheelchair-accessible. You should still expect to get on and off the bus and walk around at the stops. Wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a hat, gloves and a waterproof coat. Icelandic weather can change, and the tour advises dressing for the conditions on the day.

Lunch, guide and bus comfort

The included packed lunch contains sandwiches, chocolate and juice. It is a convenient mid-tour meal, not a restaurant stop. Bring drinking water, which is not included, and pack extra snacks if you know a sandwich lunch won’t be enough for you.

An English-speaking guide accompanies the tour, and Wi-Fi is listed on board. The quality of the guiding can shape a day with so much time on the road. Ivy has been singled out for being funny and informative, while another mention praised both the guide and bus driver. You cannot count on a particular guide being assigned, but a strong guide can help the long drives feel more connected to the places you are seeing.

A few practical cautions are worth keeping in mind. Some feedback has focused on difficulty finding the correct pickup spot at Akureyri’s cruise terminal, including confusion between the map location and where the bus was parked. Confirm your departure details after booking, check the exact meeting point, and arrive 15 minutes early. If you are joining from a cruise ship, allow for the fact that start times and duration can shift with ship schedules, weather, road works and other unforeseen circumstances.

The tour also lists a range of departure times, from early morning to afternoon, with return times depending on the departure and route duration. Choose the time that fits your plans and attend the specific time you booked. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Is the price worth it?

The experience is advertised from $166.49, while the join-in sightseeing option is listed from $180.99. Check the price shown for your selected date and package before booking, since the available price can vary.

For that cost, you get round-trip transport, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi and a packed lunch, along with visits to several major natural sights. That can be good value if you have limited time in Akureyri and would otherwise need to arrange transport to Goðafoss and the Mývatn area yourself.

The value is less convincing if you want plenty of time at every stop. The drive is long, and the schedule is designed to cover ground, not to linger. One piece of feedback described the experience as poor value because the visits felt too short. That is a fair concern to weigh against the convenience of having transport and a guide handle a complicated day.

There has also been feedback about a guide welcoming tips while saying they were not required. Tipping is not listed as an included or required cost, and gratuities are excluded from the price. If you prefer not to tip, you are not obligated to do so.

Who should book this day trip?

I’d choose this tour if you are based in Akureyri, want to see several signature sights in one day and are comfortable with a bus-heavy schedule. It is especially practical if you do not have a car and would rather let a guide manage the route, timing and driving.

I would look for a slower or more specialized option if your priorities are a long hike, extensive birdwatching, a guaranteed visit to Krafla or Víti, or a soak in hot water. Those are not promises of this tour. It is best understood as a brisk sampler of waterfalls, volcanic features and lake views.

The tour is for ages two and up, and children aged 16 or older pay the adult rate. It is not wheelchair-accessible. Cancellation is eligible for a full refund if made at least 24 hours before the activity date, according to destination local time.

Should you book?

Book it if you want a guided, one-day introduction to Goðafoss and the Mývatn region, and you accept short stops in exchange for covering several sites. The packed lunch and return transport add practical value, while the guide can make the drive more useful than simply watching the road roll by.

Skip it if you want a slow visit or expect the words hot springs to mean a bathing break. Before paying, check the final price, confirm the pickup location and remember that Krafla and Víti are only possible stops. With those expectations set, this is a convenient way to see a wide range of North Iceland in a single outing.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The sightseeing tour is described as roughly six hours. The exact start and duration can change with cruise ship times, weather, road works and unforeseen circumstances.

Where does the tour depart from?

The departure point is in Akureyri, with the Akureyri Cruise Terminal named as the meeting point. Confirm the exact bus pickup location before travel, since finding the bus has caused confusion.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before your selected departure time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Which sights are included?

The planned stops include Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir and Námaskarð, plus a scenic drive in the Lake Mývatn area.

Does the tour include a swim in hot springs?

No bathing stop is listed. Námaskarð is a geothermal area with steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots.

Are Krafla Volcano and Víti Crater guaranteed stops?

No. The Lake Mývatn portion may include stops at Krafla Volcano and Víti Crater, depending on the route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The packed lunch includes sandwiches, chocolate and juice. Drinking water is not included.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring drinking water, snacks if you want extra food, a hat or cap, gloves, a waterproof coat and comfortable walking shoes. Dress for the day’s weather.

Is the tour wheelchair-accessible?

No. The activity is not wheelchair-accessible.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time.