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Mývatn Nature Baths
ℹ️Practical info — Mývatn Nature Baths
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Book your admission tickets well in advance, especially during the peak summer season.
- The sulphur smell is natural; make sure to remove all silver jewelry before entering the water as it will tarnish.
- Plan an evening visit to experience the midnight sun or the northern lights in winter.
- In summer, the midges (small flies) around the lake can be annoying, so bringing a head net is highly recommended.
🍽 Food
A sweet, dark rye bread baked underground using geothermal heat. Try it at the lagoon's cafe.
A local favorite from the lake, often served on dark bread in restaurants around Reykjahlíð.
A traditional, hearty Icelandic lamb soup, excellent for warming up after a long soak.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The nature baths' shop sells locally produced mud masks and bath salts.
Handknitted Icelandic wool sweaters can be found in the souvenir shops in nearby Reykjahlíð.
A forested area on the shores of Lake Mývatn, offering a peaceful walk and beautiful views of lava formations.
Visit this nearby geothermal area with bubbling mud pots early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds.
Water temperature…
Opened in 2004, the Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin) offer a serene geothermal experience in the heart of North Iceland's volcanic landscape. The water is drawn from depths of up to 2,500 meters and enters the lagoon at temperatures between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius. Its unique chemical composition, high in sulfur and minerals, is beneficial for skin conditions and provides a natural way to unwind without heavy chemical treatments. The facility features two outdoor pools and natural steam baths built directly over geothermal vents, where steam rises through floorboards. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Lake Mývatn and the surrounding lava fields, making it a prime spot for viewing the Aurora Borealis in winter. Unlike the more crowded Blue Lagoon in the south, Mývatn maintains a more tranquil atmosphere, perfectly complementing a day of exploring the nearby Hverir mud pools or Dimmuborgir lava formations.
- Location: Iceland
- Top sights: Grjótagjá · Myvatn Nature Baths · Námafjall
- Nearby: Lake Mývatn (8 km)
- Population: ~227
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -6 | -6 | -5 | -3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | -1 | -4 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 83 | 68 | 77 | 68 | 71 | 58 | 78 | 83 | 106 | 105 | 101 | 96 |
Geography
Facts
- Opened in 2004
- Water temperature 36-40°C
- Rich in sulfur and silica
- Natural steam baths available
- Overlooks Lake Mývatn
- Located in active volcanic zone
- Alkaline water (pH 8.5)
- Open year-round to visitors
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Sights in the town Mývatn Nature Baths (6)
Frequently asked questions
Are the Mývatn Nature Baths less crowded than the Blue Lagoon?
Do I need a reservation?
Can I rent towels there?
Does the water contain silica as well?
Are there steam baths?
Mývatn Nature Baths: where is it located?
Mývatn Nature Baths: what is there to see?
Mývatn Nature Baths: when is the best time to visit?
Mývatn Nature Baths: why is it worth visiting?
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