HOT SPRINGS · AKUREYRI
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 akureyri hot springs tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and pack a towel.
Spend an unhurried day at Forest Lagoon, a modern geothermal spa in Vaðlaskógur forest above Eyjafjörður. Your admission includes a towel, locker, shower products, and one swim-up drink. Move between two warm pools, an 80°C sauna, and an 11°C cold pool, then eat at Forest Bistro.
“Great alternative to blue lagoon, clean and lesser crowd”
From Akureyri’s cruise terminal, you’ll visit crescent-shaped Goðafoss, the volcanic formations around Lake Mývatn, and spend about two hours at Mývatn Nature Baths. English-speaking guides such as Hannes, Arno, and Runar have added local stories, humor, and Icelandic songs along the way.
“Ju Jitsu dude was awesome. Very entertaining and highly educated about the area. Driver was excellent.”
From Akureyri, visit Goðafoss, Grenjaðarstaður’s turf farmhouse, and Forest Lagoon in 5 to 6 hours. Saga Travel provides transfers, Wi-Fi, museum and lagoon admission, plus a towel. Guides such as Thora, Fönn, and Ronar have made this outing especially engaging.
“Knowledgeable, informative tour guide. Julie arrived at the port early, and showed us a lovely day. The Forest Lagoon was very nice, fun that you could relax with a drink while soaking! The museum of the old turf house was interesting, and the falls were very pretty. Luckily we had a beautiful day, and best of all, our small tour was just my husband and me!”
From Akureyri port, join an English-speaking Saga Travel guide such as Hilmar, Dabba, Michiel, or Aitana for Goðafoss, Grenjaðarstaður turf house, and 90 minutes at Forest Lagoon. Pickup, museum and spa entry, towel, WiFi, and return to your ship are included.
“The only thing is, they left us on the bus for almost 40 minutes without the air conditioning on, and it was very hot there that was my only complaint”
This six-hour English tour links Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, and two relaxing hours at Mývatn Nature Baths. Pickup times are set around your ship’s docking schedule. Guides such as Petra, Victoria, Niko, and Nicole have earned praise for lively local stories, while the main cautions are tight timing, changing-room privacy, and mixed lunch arrangements.
“Never got the opportunity to join the tour. Got off the NCL Star on 7/27. Read the pick-up directions multiple times. Waited in the NCL bus parking lot from 12:30- 1pm. Was then informed there was a second bus lot down the street/one block over where the other cruise ship was parked. Walked as fast as possible to see the bus with company logo driving by. I waved, but the driver did not stop. I then contacted the company/tour operator to be told they tried to call me with no response. At 1:15pm, they called the driver who reportedly said they were to far as they needed to stick to…”
From Akureyri’s cruise terminal, ride a comfortable minibus to Goðafoss, Laufás turf houses, Eyjafjörður, and the optional Forest Lagoon. English-speaking guides such as Baldur and Joanna share local stories, adjust stops when possible, and return you to port before sailing.
“the experience was unique. Small group, comfortable bus. The information was given very competently and you could feel how much our guide loves his city. Everyone in the group was thought of, those of us who did not want to visit the forest lagoon, we were not left bored and visited the Christmas village. Good timing so that we are on time even earlier for the ship's departure..”
Spend about two hours at Forest Lagoon in Vaðlaskógur forest, soaking in two warm geothermal pools above Eyjafjörður. Your admission includes a towel, locker, and one drink at the swim-up bar, with sauna and cold pool access included.
“Be prepared to shower naked with other women before entering the lagoon. There are a few private showers but not many so you will have to wait. Off season the bus runs only on the hour. Coming back to catch the cruise ship the cab that was requested never showed up. Fortunately the bus started going back and forth more frequently. The lagoon is delightful and much less expensive than Blue or Sky lagoons. The drink I had was delicious! Very relaxing!”
Join The Traveling Viking for a four-hour outing from Akureyri to Goðafoss, the year-round Christmas House, and Forest Lagoon. Guides such as Joanna, Graham, Lilja, and Ingimundur add local stories, while the geothermal pools provide a calm finish with views over town and the mountains.
“Our tour guide was Lilian - she was punctual, flexible, knowledgeable and a joy to be with. The tour went smoothly, we went everywhere we expected to go and Lilian even took the time to take us to places we were not expecting to see. When we come back we will definitely use the same tour guide or if anyone asks for a recommendation, you couldn’t get better than Lillian.”
From Akureyri port, you’ll visit Godafoss, drive through Fnjoskadalur Valley and along Eyjafjordur Bay, then spend 75 minutes at Forest Lagoon. English-speaking guides, including Ritchie, provide local context. Bring swimwear and a towel, and allow time for the free shuttle back to town.
“Our guide Ritchie was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Would have loved to have stayed longer at Godafoss maybe just another 15 minutes. The Forest Lagoon was wonderful but there was a little confusion with regards to our entrance ticket.”
Travel from Akureyri to Goðafoss with a licensed guide such as Siggy, Krista, or Reynir, pause for fjord views, then spend about 90 minutes at the Forest Lagoon. Pickup is offered, groups can reach 19 people, and the lagoon entry is included.
“They were easy to find right outside the cruise terminal. When I messaged them they responded and answered all my questions. We were a full van. The guide was very kind. I wish there was a little more information about Iceland as we were driving. The driver was a good safe driver and I felt safe. We stopped at a waterfall and I wish we had more time. There were two sides and we only had time to see one. If I am ever back in Iceland I would trust and book with this company again. The forest lagoon was also amazing. The drinks were very $$$.”
You’ll ride an electric bike through Kjarnaskógur forest, farm roads, and Akureyri’s old town with a local guide. The route includes hills, gravel, and mud, but the motor helps. Afterward, your Forest Lagoon admission is included, making this a lively sightseeing and bathing combo.
“My wife and I, along with another couple, toured Akureyri on the Forest Lagoon e-bike tour. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, which was informative, interesting, and a great way to learn about the city. We especially appreciated the enthusiasm of our guides for showing us Akureyri — this was one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland!”
Travel from Akureyri to snowy Godafoss, the Christmas House in Eyjafjordur, and Forest Lagoon. The Traveling Viking provides an English-speaking guide, pickup, Wi-Fi, and time to explore each stop. Guides such as Lilja and Joanna have been praised for warm service and local stories.
“This was a great value for money trip. Our tour guide Lilja was amazing. She was very knowledgable friendly & helpful. We wanted to sit outside with our lunch at waterfall & she helped us clear snow off table & chairs. Thank you Lilja you helped make our trips more special.”
Travel from Akureyri port along Eyjafjörður to Goðafoss, then return for a soak at Forest Lagoon. An English-speaking local guide such as Siggi or Ean handles the drive, stops, and port pickup. Expect a small-group van, about an hour at the lagoon, and time for waterfall photos.
“Very fun, great guide, waterfall was incredible as well as the forest lagoon”
Start at Akureyri harbor for a guided whale-watching trip through Eyjafjörður, then make your own way to Forest Lagoon for a 5 PM soaking time. Look for humpback whales, dolphins, and seabirds, with heated seating, Wi-Fi, snacks, and warm overalls on the boat.
“Everything was great, we couldn't see whales as close as we had hoped but the excursion was well organised.”
Travel from Akureyri to snowy Goðafoss, the Santa Claus House, and Forest Lagoon with an English-speaking guide. Marcus is one named guide associated with the tour. Transportation and hotel pickup are included, but lagoon admission, meals, and drinks cost extra.
“Our tour guide, Marcus was very polite, funny and professional, full of useful information about his home town, speaking with such passion and trying to point out the best spots for us. He picked us up on time and drove us to our designated spots, allowing us to have plenty of time to freely explore, we weren't rushed at all, which makes all the difference. As it was just the two of us on this tour, it made it more special. Marcus stopped off for us to take pictures of Akureyri which was nice and drove us back to the hotel at the end of our day. Thankyou again Marcus,…”
A terrace, a lagoon, a bath house or a crater at dawn.
