Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included

Forest Lagoon’s best feature is the setting: you soak among birch and pine trees while looking toward Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. The water is warm but not scorching, and the whole place feels calmer and less showy than Iceland’s biggest spa names.

I like the included towel and locker, which make the visit easy, and I like having a drink at the in-pool bar without paying extra for the first one. The main consideration is the changing routine: showering without a swimsuit is customary, and private shower space is limited.

Key details before you book

• Two warm pools at 37°C: The larger pool has 530 square meters of water, while the smaller 330-square-meter pool offers a quieter soak.
• A real hot-and-cold circuit: The Finnish-style sauna reaches about 80°C, followed by an 11°C cold pool that is refreshingly, and sometimes shockingly, cold.
• One drink is included: The ticket includes a drink at the swim-up bar, with additional drinks available for purchase.
• Your towel and locker are covered: You do not need to pack a towel or rent one on arrival.
• A convenient Akureyri stop: The lagoon is near public transportation, and a free shuttle has been reported from the town area and near the cruise port.
• Plan on roughly two hours: That gives you enough time to change, soak, try the sauna and cold pool, and enjoy your drink without rushing.

Arriving at Forest Lagoon from Akureyri

Forest Lagoon is at Vaðlaskógur 605, across from Akureyri’s town center and above the fjord. The spa sits in a wooded area, with the forest behind the pools and views toward Akureyri and the surrounding mountains.

Getting there can be simple, but check the transport details for your date. A free shuttle has operated from the town area, with pickup near the city information center and HOF. It is especially useful if you are visiting from a cruise ship. The port is close enough that the pickup point may be a short walk, but schedules can be less frequent outside the main season.

You can also walk from central Akureyri. That took one visitor about two hours at the spa, with the walk there and back manageable on a clear day. In winter, ice can make the route less pleasant, so I would not count on walking unless you are comfortable with the conditions.

Parking is available, and the short walk from the parking area to the lagoon is easy. If you use a taxi, confirm the return plan before settling into the water. A requested cab has failed to appear for one visitor, while the bus later provided a useful backup.

Check-in, lockers, and the changing rooms

The entry process is designed to move quickly. You receive a wristband that works for entering the facility, opening your locker, and charging extra drinks. Your ticket also includes a towel, a small detail that matters in Iceland, where carrying wet swim gear around town is not much fun.

The locker gives you a secure place for clothes and belongings. Facilities are kept very clean, and check-in and check-out are generally straightforward. There is also a swimsuit dryer that takes about ten seconds, a helpful touch if you have plans after your soak.

The changing arrangement is the one point that may affect your comfort. Showering naked before entering the lagoon is part of Icelandic bathing custom. There are private shower cubicles, but not many, and the changing area is not fully private. One report noted only one private changing cubicle.

I would treat this as a practical cultural detail, not a surprise. If privacy is important to you, allow extra time and expect to wait for a private stall. The facility is intended for people who plan to bathe or use the sauna, not for sightseeing only.

The 37°C pools and fjord views

The larger pool is the social heart of Forest Lagoon. It covers 530 square meters and stays around 37°C, or 98.6°F. That temperature feels warm and comfortable for a long soak, though it is gentler than the very hot water some people expect from an Icelandic spa.

There are three swim-up bars in the larger pool, plus an indoor entrance. The indoor access matters in cold or windy weather because you can enter the water without making a long dash outdoors. Once you are in, the combination of steam, trees, and mountain views does most of the work.

The smaller pool covers 330 square meters and has the same 37°C temperature. It is the better choice when you want a quieter corner. You can move between the two pools, but the smaller one may feel more restful if the main pool becomes busy.

The views are attractive rather than completely open. Vegetation partly screens the fjord in some areas, but you can still look toward Eyjafjörður and Akureyri. At dusk, the mountains and ski slopes add another layer to the scene. In November, the short daylight hours can make the sauna and warm water feel especially inviting.

Cruise ship timing can change the mood. The lagoon may become busier as the morning goes on when a ship is in port. If you want a quieter visit, an earlier time may help, though the best slot depends on the shuttle schedule and your day in Akureyri.

Sauna, cold pool, and the Icelandic contrast

The Finnish-style dry sauna is heated to about 80°C with low humidity. It has views toward Eyjafjörður and the mountains, so you can sit in the heat without staring at a blank wall.

The cold pool is kept at about 11°C, or 51.8°F. That is cold enough to make you reconsider your life choices for a moment. A brief dip after the warm pool or sauna can feel bracing and energizing, but you do not need to stay in long to get the point.

You can create your own hot-and-cold routine: warm pool, sauna, short cold plunge, then back to the warm water. If you dislike cold water, simply enjoy the sauna and skip the plunge. The cold pool is an option, not a test you must pass.

This part adds value because Forest Lagoon is more than a warm swimming pool. You have several ways to use the facility, whether your ideal visit is a gentle soak, a sauna session, or a traditional contrast-bathing circuit.

The included drink and Forest Bistro

The ticket includes one drink at the swim-up bar. The drink is described as alcoholic in the booking details, so check the available choice when you arrive if you prefer a nonalcoholic option. Some drink selections may include alternatives such as smoothies, but the exact menu can vary.

Having the first drink included is a useful value point. Additional drinks have been reported at roughly £4 to £10, which is reasonable for a bar inside a geothermal pool, though the total cost can rise if you stay for several rounds.

The bar is part of the pleasure here. You can rest in warm water, hold your drink, and take in the trees and fjord instead of leaving the pool every time you want refreshment. Keep your expectations practical: the drink adds comfort and atmosphere, but the water, sauna, and setting are the main reasons to come.

The Forest Bistro offers a wood-clad indoor space, fjord views, and a fireplace. The provided ticket is for lagoon admission, towel, locker, and one drink, so do not assume a meal is included. The bistro is useful if you want to extend the visit with food or a warm indoor pause.

How to spend your two hours

A two-hour visit is enough if you keep moving at an easy pace. I would allow time for the following:

• Check in, collect your wristband and towel, and put your things in the locker.
• Shower before entering the pool area.
• Start in the larger pool and get used to the 37°C water.
• Move to the smaller pool if you want a quieter soak.
• Try the sauna, then decide if the 11°C cold pool appeals.
• Claim your included drink at the swim-up bar.
• Use the swimsuit dryer before changing.

You could spend the entire visit in the warm water, and that would still make sense. The sauna and cold pool are there for people who want more variety, not because you need to complete a set course.

If you book a late slot, check the closing times carefully. A 10 PM entry has been associated with the pool and bar closing at 11:30 PM, which leaves less time than the advertised two-hour estimate. Do not assume a late booking means you can stay well past midnight.

What the $86.27 price really buys you

At $86.27 per person, Forest Lagoon is not a cheap swim. The price makes more sense when you count the towel, locker, included drink, sauna, cold pool, and access to both warm pools. You also avoid paying separately for the basic items that can make a spa visit awkward.

The value is strongest if you want a polished two-hour stop rather than an all-day spa. You receive enough time to use the main facilities, and the setting gives the visit a sense of place that an ordinary indoor pool cannot match.

Compared with Iceland’s best-known lagoons, the attraction is also relative calm and price. The facility can become busy, especially with a cruise ship in port, but it is often less crowded than the biggest names. That does not mean you will have the pools to yourself. It means the visit can feel more manageable, especially outside peak times.

The drink and towel are worth something for cruise passengers and day visitors who are carrying limited luggage. If you already have a towel and only want a quick swim, the price may feel high. If you want a clean, organized spa visit with a fjord setting, it is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy Forest Lagoon most

I would recommend this experience if you want a relaxing break during a day in Akureyri. It fits well between sightseeing stops, and the two-hour length is easy to work around a cruise call or a short city stay.

It is also a good choice for couples and friends who want something calm rather than a guided activity. You do not need a guide or a schedule once you enter. You choose your own pace, your pool, and how much time to give the sauna and cold plunge.

Families should check the age rules closely. Children 11 and younger may stay in the lagoon only until 8 PM, and children’s tickets are available on-site. The facility is aimed at bathing and sauna use, so it is not suitable for anyone who only wants to enter for the view.

I would pause before booking if shared changing and shower areas make you uncomfortable. Private shower cubicles exist, but there are not many. I would also allow extra transport time if you are returning to a cruise ship or relying on an off-season bus.

Final call: book it for the setting and easy comforts

Book Forest Lagoon if you want warm water among trees, fjord views, a sauna, and a drink in a well-organized two-hour visit. The included towel and locker remove small hassles, while the cold pool gives the experience a proper Icelandic bathing edge.

Skip it if you want total privacy, a very hot pool, or a full-day resort stay. For most people with time in Akureyri, though, this is a sensible splurge. Choose your time with transport and cruise traffic in mind, and you should have a peaceful way to slow down before moving on.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refundable.

FAQ

Where is Forest Lagoon located?

Forest Lagoon is at Vaðlaskógur 605 in Akureyri, Iceland. It is set in the forest across from the town and overlooks Eyjafjörður.

How long does the visit last?

The visit lasts approximately two hours. That includes time for changing, showering, soaking, using the sauna and cold pool, and having the included drink.

What is included with admission?

Admission includes access to the two geothermal pools, Finnish-style dry sauna, cold pool, one towel, one locker, and one included drink at the in-pool bar.

How warm are the geothermal pools?

Both pools are kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F. The water is warm and comfortable rather than extremely hot.

How cold is the cold pool?

The cold pool is cooled to about 11°C, or 51.8°F.

Are towels and lockers provided?

Yes. A towel and locker are included with this admission ticket.

Are children allowed at Forest Lagoon?

Children are allowed, and children’s tickets are available on-site. Children 11 and younger may stay in the lagoon only until 8 PM.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.