Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri

Godafoss is the quick hit that grabs you first, but Lake Myvatn is the main event: a volcanic region packed with steam vents, bubbling mud, lava towers, pseudocraters, and the warm waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths. I like the way this tour gathers the north’s best sights into one day without making you arrange a car, read Icelandic road signs, or watch the weather forecast every five minutes.

I also like the small maximum group of 18 and the strong local flavor some guides bring. Armann, Daniel, Norbert, Jonas, and Mira are among the guides praised for their stories, humor, and practical help. The main drawback is time: this is a busy eight-hour outing, and the Nature Baths cost an additional ISK 7,400. If you are joining from a cruise ship, the return schedule deserves extra care.

Key points to know before you book

• Godafoss comes early: You get about 20 minutes at the Waterfall of the Gods, enough for the main viewpoints and photos.
• Lake Myvatn fills most of the day: Expect a string of volcanic sights rather than one long stop beside the lake.
• The Nature Baths cost extra: Admission is not included, and food and drinks are also your responsibility.
• Guides shape the experience: Armann, Daniel, Norbert, Jonas, and Mira have all been praised for local stories, geology, folklore, and flexible pacing.
• Winter can be demanding: One outing ran in temperatures around minus 13 degrees Celsius, and microspikes were supplied on an icy day.
• Cruise passengers should be cautious: A late return was a serious problem for one group, so this tour needs a careful check against your ship’s departure time.

Godafoss gives the day a strong opening

The drive from Akureyri to Lake Myvatn includes a stop at Godafoss, one of northern Iceland’s most memorable waterfalls. Its name means Waterfall of the Gods, and the broad, divided falls make a fine first stop before the tour turns toward volcanic country.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough to walk to the main viewing areas, take photographs, and watch the water pour over the dark rock. It is not enough for a long walk or a slow picnic, so keep your jacket and camera ready as you leave the vehicle.

The short stop works well because Godafoss is visually powerful without needing a long explanation. Your guide may also add local history, Viking stories, or details about the region. Several guides have been praised for making each stop more meaningful through folklore and personal knowledge of northern Iceland.

Hverir feels like another planet

At Namafjall Hverir, the ground changes color and texture. Steam rises from vents, mud bubbles in pools, and the air carries a strong sulfur smell. This is one of the most striking places on the route, but it is not gentle scenery. You are looking at active geothermal ground, so stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s directions.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is usually enough to see the main mud pools and steam columns, but you may not want to linger. The smell is powerful, and the ground can feel stark compared with the softer scenery around Lake Myvatn.

I would not skip Hverir simply because it smells bad. The bubbling mud and scorched earth explain the volcanic forces beneath Iceland better than a museum display can. Still, if you prefer waterfalls and peaceful views, this may be the least appealing stop of the day.

Grjotagja adds a dramatic rift and a famous screen location

Grjotagja Cave is a small lava cave cut by a rift, and it is also associated with Game of Thrones filming. The cave gives you a close look at the fractures and volcanic rock that shape the Myvatn area.

You have about 20 minutes here. That makes this a quick look rather than a long caving visit. The cave itself is the attraction, but the surrounding geology is just as important. Your guide can help explain how lava formed the cave and rift, while also pointing out the connection for fans of the television series.

The Game of Thrones angle is a bonus rather than the reason to choose the tour. If you are not a fan, you still get an unusual geological stop. If you are a fan, the location adds a bit of fun to an otherwise very earth-science-heavy day.

Skutustaoagigar shows Iceland’s unusual pseudocraters

At Skutustaoagigar, you see pseudocraters formed when lava met wet ground. They look like volcanic craters, but they were not made by the same kind of eruption as a true crater. This is one of those places where a guide adds real value, because the rounded forms make more sense once you know how they developed.

The scheduled visit is only about 15 minutes. You should think of it as a brief viewpoint and explanation, not a long hike. The stop gives you another pattern in the Myvatn story: this region is not just about one volcano, but about water, lava, steam, and shifting ground working together.

Dimmuborgir is the day’s most atmospheric walk

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, a fitting name for the twisted lava formations here. Jagged walls and unusual rock shapes create a setting that feels almost built rather than naturally formed. It is also one of the most atmospheric parts of the route, especially when your guide adds Icelandic troll stories and local folklore.

You get about 30 minutes. That is enough to walk among the most accessible formations, but it is not enough to explore every path. If Dimmuborgir is your main reason for coming to Myvatn, the limited time may frustrate you. One careful assessment of the tour made exactly this point: the area deserves longer than half an hour.

For most people, the short visit is a fair trade. This tour is designed to show you many sides of the region, not to give you a full hike at one site. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and in winter be ready for icy patches. One guide supplied microspikes, but you should not assume that will always happen.

The Myvatn Nature Baths are the relaxing finish

The Myvatn Nature Baths provide the day’s warm break. After hours of volcanic sites and short walks, soaking in the geothermal water gives the itinerary a slower rhythm. You can also use the cafe, although food and drinks are not included.

The stop is scheduled for about one hour. That is enough for a worthwhile soak, but you will not have unlimited time to lounge. The entrance fee is separate and listed as ISK 7,400 per person. Check the current price when booking, since Icelandic admission costs can change.

The baths are not included in the tour price, so add the fee before deciding that the $205.15 fare fits your budget. If you already plan to visit another geothermal pool, you may decide the extra cost is not necessary. If you want one warm, restful hour built into a long sightseeing day, the baths make good sense.

There is also a practical choice between bathing and eating. One account of the trip described having to choose lunch or the Nature Baths because the schedule was tight. Bring a snack if you can, or plan to buy food at the cafe, but do not expect a full meal to be part of the tour.

What the eight-hour schedule feels like

This is a full day, not a relaxed half-day outing. The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs for about eight hours, with pickup and drop-off included. You spend much of the day in the vehicle, moving between stops, but that driving is what lets you connect Godafoss with several Myvatn sights in one outing.

The listed Lake Myvatn portion takes about six hours and includes the main sites, the Nature Baths, lava formations, geothermal areas, pseudocraters, the cave, and Game of Thrones locations. The stop lengths vary, from 15 minutes at Skutustaoagigar to 30 minutes at Dimmuborgir and one hour at the baths.

That pace suits you if you want a broad introduction to the region. It is less suitable if you prefer long hikes, quiet photography, or an hour at every viewpoint. Some guides have adjusted the order or timing to suit the group, which can help, but flexibility cannot turn an eight-hour tour into a slow exploration.

Small-group transport and the value of a guide

A maximum of 18 people keeps this smaller than a large coach excursion. Pickup and drop-off remove the need to drive, which matters in winter, when snow and ice can make northern Iceland’s roads more stressful.

The guide is a major part of the value. Armann has been praised for Viking folklore and for bringing each stop to life. Daniel is known for humor and broad explanations of Icelandic culture. Norbert has handled icy conditions and supplied microspikes on one trip. Jonas has been praised for keeping the group on schedule, while Mira received strong marks for practical help and clear explanations.

Those names do not guarantee who will lead your departure, but they show the kind of experience the operator aims to provide. A local guide can also add details about farming, daily life, weather, geology, and how northern Iceland has changed. That personal context is something you do not get from a rental car and a printed map.

The group size also allows some adjustment. Guides have altered the order of stops to avoid crowds and have helped participants balance sightseeing with bathing or food. Still, you should expect a shared schedule, not a private tour.

Price, extra costs, and overall value

The listed price is $205.15 per person. That is not cheap, but Iceland day trips rarely are, and this one includes transport, pickup, drop-off, and an English-speaking guide for about eight hours.

The value is strongest if you are based in Akureyri without a car. You get Godafoss, several Myvatn highlights, geothermal sites, lava formations, and the option of a hot-spring visit without paying for fuel, navigation, or a separate driver. The small group also gives it an advantage over a large bus trip.

Budget for the Nature Baths separately at ISK 7,400, plus any food and drinks. If you skip the baths, the tour still includes plenty of free outdoor stops. If you add the bath fee, the day becomes a more expensive but more varied combination of sightseeing and relaxation.

The tour is also a good fit for a short stay. You see a large portion of the area in one day, though you give up the freedom to wait for perfect light at Dimmuborgir or linger beside Godafoss.

Winter weather and physical demands

You need moderate physical fitness. The stops involve walking outdoors, standing on uneven ground, and dealing with changing conditions. The tour is not presented as a strenuous hike, but it is not a sit-in-the-vehicle sightseeing ride either.

Winter can be particularly rewarding, with snow and cold adding drama to the volcanic scenery. It can also be hard work. One outing took place at about minus 13 degrees Celsius, and another involved icy patches where microspikes were useful.

Bring warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, gloves, and shoes with good grip. Keep your camera ready but do not sacrifice comfort for a photograph. Hverir can be windy and cold, while the baths require a change into swimwear, so pack accordingly.

Weather can also affect the departure. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Cruise passengers need a firm return plan

This tour can work as a shore excursion, but cruise passengers should be more careful than hotel-based visitors. The day ends back at the meeting point, and one late return caused serious anxiety for a group that was barely back in time for departure.

That experience does not mean every tour will run late, but the risk matters. Ask the operator for a realistic return time, confirm the ship’s departure schedule, and tell the guide clearly if your group has an earlier deadline than other passengers. Do not assume the driver will automatically prioritize your ship unless the timing has been discussed.

For a hotel-based stay in Akureyri, this concern is much smaller. Pickup and drop-off make the tour easy to fit into a normal sightseeing day.

Who should book this Myvatn tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see many of northern Iceland’s major sights in one day and prefer a guide to driving. It suits first-time visitors, people staying briefly in Akureyri, fans of volcanic geology, and anyone who wants to combine outdoor sightseeing with a geothermal soak.

It also works well for you if you enjoy stories. The best guides add Icelandic folklore, Viking tales, local life, and explanations of the volcanic features. That turns a series of quick stops into a connected picture of the region.

I would hesitate if your priority is a long hike, a quiet day, or complete control over the schedule. Dimmuborgir gets only about 30 minutes, Grjotagja and Hverir about 20 minutes each, and the whole day includes plenty of driving. I would also think twice if you are on a cruise with a tight departure time unless the operator gives you a firm return plan.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 75 reviews, with 93 percent of customers recommending it. That reflects a very strong overall record, while the lower scores point to the issues worth taking seriously: a rushed schedule, a closed facility on one departure, concerns about company handling, and one uncomfortable cruise return.

My verdict

Book this tour if you want a practical, well-packed introduction to Godafoss and the Myvatn region, especially without a rental car. The volcanic sights are varied, the small vehicle is more pleasant than a large coach, and a good guide can add folklore and local detail that make the scenery easier to understand.

Before paying, confirm that the Nature Baths are open, add ISK 7,400 to your budget, and check the return time if you are sailing from Akureyri. For most hotel-based visitors, this is a strong use of one day. For cruise passengers, it is worthwhile only when the timing leaves a comfortable margin.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Myvatn and Godafoss tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are offered, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available in Akureyri?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Akureyri hotel are listed as part of the experience.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 participants.

Is admission to the Myvatn Nature Baths included?

No. Admission is not included and is listed as ISK 7,400 per person.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The Nature Baths have a cafe.

What sights are included around Lake Myvatn?

The route includes Hverir mud pools, Grjotagja Cave and Rift, Skutustaoagigar pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, natural steam vents, Game of Thrones locations, and the Myvatn Nature Baths.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.