Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

Four striking sides of Iceland in six hours. This bus tour links Godafoss Waterfall, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the steaming ground at Námaskarð. I like the wide variety of scenery and the easy round-trip transport from Akureyri, especially if you are visiting by cruise ship. The packed lunch also saves you from hunting for food in a remote area.

The main tradeoff is time. I like that you see so much of northern Iceland in one outing, but the stops can feel short, particularly at Námaskarð and Lake Mývatn. Also, despite the title, these are geothermal features to look at, not bathing hot springs, and swimming admission is not included.

Quick take: what matters most

• Godafoss comes first: You get close views of one of northern Iceland’s most important waterfalls, with about 45 minutes to walk and take pictures.
• The title needs a careful reading: Námaskarð has boiling mud pots and sulfur steam, but it is not a swimming stop.
• A lot fits into six hours: The route covers waterfalls, pseudocraters, lava formations, and geothermal ground without requiring a separate car.
• Lunch is simple: Plan on a prepared sandwich and bottled water. Dietary requests need extra attention.
• Good for cruise schedules: The tour begins and ends at Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri and is designed to return after roughly six hours.
• Bring layers and insect protection: August can be cool, and midges around Lake Mývatn can be irritating.

Four northern Iceland sights in one outing

This is a sightseeing tour for people who want a broad first look at North Iceland. You move from a powerful waterfall to volcanic landforms, then to steaming earth. The route gives you a useful sense of how water, fire, and weather have shaped the region.

The tour costs $188 per person. That is not a bargain-basement bus ride, but the price includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a packed lunch, a guide, and four major stops. You are also paying to avoid arranging a rental car, fuel, navigation, and parking.

The group can reach 58 people, so this is not a small custom excursion. That size helps keep the price lower and makes the tour practical for cruise visitors, but it also means you follow a fixed schedule. If you want long walks, quiet photography, or time to explore every path, a private tour or rental car would give you more freedom.

Guides have included Nico, Lili, Kerstain, Ivy, and others. Several have been praised for explaining local culture, geography, and Icelandic legends in an entertaining way. The quality of the guiding can vary by individual, so I would treat the guide as an important part of the day, but not the sole reason to book.

Godafoss: a strong opening stop

Godafoss means Waterfall of the Gods, and it has an important place in Icelandic history. The falls are not just pretty water rushing over rock. They are tied to the country’s conversion to Christianity, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick photo opportunity.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to walk between viewpoints, see the broad horseshoe of falling water, and take photographs from different angles. The paths are generally manageable, and one account described the walking as mostly flat, though conditions and comfort levels vary.

Godafoss is often the most immediately dramatic stop of the day. The sound of the water, the spray, and the open setting make a strong first impression. If the weather clears, the falls can look completely different from one minute to the next.

Use the time wisely. Bathroom lines at early stops can eat into the visit, and facilities may be busy when several buses arrive. If you need the toilet, go promptly rather than waiting until the last few minutes. Some facilities along the route charge about 39 Icelandic króna, roughly $2 according to one account, so carry a small amount of money.

Lake Mývatn and the Skútustaðir pseudocraters

The Lake Mývatn viewpoint gives you a quick look across one of Iceland’s most unusual volcanic areas. The stop focuses on the Skútustaðir pseudocraters, rounded formations that look like small volcanoes but were created by steam explosions when lava met wet ground.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough to take in the view and understand the shape of the craters, but it is not enough for a long walk around the area. If you enjoy geology or birdlife, you may wish for more time.

The lake area is also where midges can become a nuisance, particularly in summer. They are tiny flying insects rather than dangerous pests, but they can swarm around your face. A midge net is a sensible addition to your day bag, especially if you are visiting in August.

Bring layers too. Northern Iceland can feel cool even when the forecast looks pleasant, and conditions may change quickly. A waterproof outer layer, warm sweater, hat, and comfortable shoes will serve you better than a heavy suitcase full of clothes you cannot easily adjust.

Dimmuborgir: lava towers and local legends

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, a fitting name for this broad field of twisted lava. Ancient eruptions left behind caves, pillars, arches, and bulky rock formations. The walking paths let you get closer to the shapes than you can at the roadside viewpoints.

You have about 55 minutes, making this one of the more generous stops. You can stroll through part of the lava field, though you will not cover every path in the allotted time. The rough volcanic ground can be uneven, and some sections may involve slopes or steps.

This is the stop where a guide’s storytelling can add real value. Icelandic legends connect Dimmuborgir with trolls, and guides such as Nico have been praised for bringing those stories into the visit. The tales give the black rocks a human sense of place without replacing the geological explanation.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. You do not need serious hiking equipment, but thin sneakers may be uncomfortable on rough lava. Older visitors or anyone with balance problems should take the paths slowly. The tour is accessible to many people, yet it is not a flat paved stroll at every point.

Námaskarð: where the ground hisses and smells of sulfur

At Námaskarð, also called Hverir, the scenery shifts from black lava to orange, red, and rust-colored earth. Boiling mud pots bubble in the open ground, while sulfuric steam rises from vents. The smell can be strong, often resembling rotten eggs, so do not be surprised when the air feels as dramatic as the view.

The minerals in the hot water stain the earth in unusual colors. You will see steaming ground, mineral crusts, and mud that looks as if it belongs on another planet. It is one of the most memorable stops because the area feels active and slightly hostile, even though you are standing on a marked sightseeing route.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes. That sounds reasonable until you factor in walking from the bus, taking pictures, and reaching the larger geothermal features. If you want to examine the whole area, the visit can feel rushed. The terrain may also include uneven or steep sections, so senior visitors should be prepared for a slower pace.

Stay on the marked paths and follow guide instructions. This is boiling ground, not a place for casual wandering. Most important, understand that Námaskarð is not a bathing facility. The hot springs in the title refer to visible geothermal activity. You do not receive a ticket for the Mývatn Nature Baths, and swimming is not part of this excursion.

Lunch is practical, not a highlight

The included lunch is useful because there are limited chances to buy food during the route. The current expectation is a simple prepared sandwich and bottled water. Chicken or another meat option and a vegetarian or vegan option may be available, but the precise choices can vary.

Some people find the sandwich perfectly sufficient, especially with a good view and a busy day ahead. Others expect more for the price and are disappointed by the basic presentation. Do not count on a full meal, snacks, juice, dessert, or a café-style lunch.

Dietary needs require care. One family found that there was not enough vegan food despite requesting it in advance. If you have a strict dietary requirement, contact BusTravel Iceland before departure and bring a backup snack. That is especially wise because the stops are short and you may not have another convenient chance to buy food.

Seating can also be limited when the bus stops for lunch. A small snack, refillable water bottle, and something easy to eat while standing or sitting outdoors will make the break less stressful.

Bus comfort, meeting point, and timing

The air-conditioned vehicle provides the practical backbone of the day. You can watch the countryside through the windows without concentrating on driving, and the route includes long stretches between stops. The scenery along the road includes farmland, hills, and changing volcanic terrain.

The meeting point is Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri, and the tour returns there. Several people have found the bus difficult to identify, with unclear signage or confusion among multiple tour operators. Arrive early and confirm the exact bus and departure time rather than assuming the first coach you see is yours.

This point matters even more if you are joining independently rather than from a cruise ship. Parking is not arranged for you, and finding a paid parking place can take extra time. Give yourself a 10 to 15 minute cushion if you are driving into Akureyri.

Departure times can change. One visitor missed the tour after the departure moved from 10:30 to 9:30 and the notification was not seen until the morning. Check your email, messages, and booking details before heading to the meeting point, particularly if your ship has limited internet access.

The tour is advertised at about six hours including driving and stops. It generally works well for a cruise port day, but you should allow extra time around the edges if your ship schedule is tight. The tour company has provided refunds in cases involving missed departures, but it is still better not to rely on that outcome.

What the guiding adds

A strong guide turns the long bus sections into part of the experience. The best guides explain what you are passing, connect volcanic features with Icelandic culture, and give clear instructions before each stop. Nico has been praised for combining local legends with useful information, while Lili has been described as warm, patient, and helpful with photographs.

Drivers also matter on a route with plenty of road time. Arthur and Lasse have received praise for safe, friendly service and for helping keep the day on schedule. Good coordination between driver and guide means you spend less time waiting and more time looking at the sights.

Not every guide will suit every group. One account described a guide as informative on the bus but less friendly during the stops. Another found the commentary less lively than expected. You should book for the route and scenery first, then consider excellent guiding a welcome bonus.

Is $188 a fair price?

At $188, this is best viewed as a convenient regional overview rather than a slow, intimate visit. The fee covers transport, a guide, lunch, and access to several distant sites in a single day. For a cruise passenger who wants to see more than Akureyri before returning to the ship, that can be good value.

The price is harder to justify if you dislike fixed schedules or already have a car. You may prefer choosing one or two sites and spending much longer at each. A rental car could also let you stop for photographs, food, and viewpoints at your own pace, though you would take on all the driving and planning.

The strongest value comes from the variety. In six hours, you see a historic waterfall, volcanic craters, lava formations, and active geothermal ground. Few individual stops receive enough time for a full exploration, but the combined picture of northern Iceland is impressive.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it if you want a first look at North Iceland without driving. It suits cruise visitors, couples, families, and active older visitors who can manage uneven ground and a brisk schedule.

It is also a good fit if you want to learn while you look. The best guides add stories about Icelandic people, legends, geology, and daily life, making the scenery easier to understand.

I would hesitate if your main goal is swimming in hot water. This tour does not include the Mývatn Nature Baths or another bathing stop. I would also think twice if you need long, unhurried visits, have strict dietary needs without a backup snack, or find uneven paths difficult.

For most people, the deciding question is simple: do you want breadth or depth? Choose this tour for breadth. You will see many of the region’s signature sights, but you will need to accept short visits and a basic lunch.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Mývatn tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts about six hours, including driving time and stops.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Gránufélagsgata 50 in Akureyri and returns to the same meeting point.

Does the tour include swimming in hot springs?

No. The geothermal stop is Námaskarð, where you see boiling mud pots and sulfuric steam. Bathing is not included.

Is admission to the Mývatn Nature Baths included?

No. The tour price does not include a ticket to the Mývatn Nature Baths.

What is included for lunch?

A packed lunch is included. Available information describes it as a simple prepared sandwich with bottled water, with meat and vegetarian or vegan options subject to availability.

How many people can join the tour?

The vehicle can carry a maximum of 58 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.