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Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Shore Excursion from Akureyri

Name: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Shore Excursion from Akureyri
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 88366
Price: 25300 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

About 6.5 hoursGroup: Small groupEasyMinibus from Akureyri harbourAll agesApril–September

5.0(1 review)

Path through the lava formations at Dimmuborgir

The Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn

This Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss shore excursion picks you up at the cruise port in Akureyri and takes you to North Iceland's volcanic lake district, with lava formations, geothermal areas and the wide Goðafoss waterfall.

Goðafoss waterfallSkútustaðagígar pseudo cratersDimmuborgir lava formationsNámaskarð geothermal area

Timed to your ship's schedule, straight from the Akureyri cruise terminal
Goðafoss, the wide waterfall of the gods
Dimmuborgir's dark lava towers and Skútustaðagígar's pseudo craters
The steaming ground and mud pots of Námaskarð
Small group coach, guided in English

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up at Akureyri cruise terminalBoard the coach at the harbour.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo cratersWalk among crater-shaped hills formed by steam, not lava.

These pseudo craters formed when lava flowed over wet ground and steam explosions pushed up crater-like mounds, so they are hills formed by steam, not lava. An easy, flat loop path runs around several of them, on the south shore of Lake Mývatn.

Walking · easy, flat loop path

DimmuborgirDark lava pillars and arches shaped like ruined towers.

Dimmuborgir means 'Dark Castles', and it fits: a maze of black lava towers, arches and small caves, left behind about 2,300 years ago when a lava lake drained away and the crust collapsed into castle-like shapes. Hollow rock chimneys that once cooled the lava from below can be walked between and, in places, through. Five marked loops, from about 600 metres to 2.3 kilometres, let you choose a short stroll or a longer walk.

Walking · easy to moderate, uneven lava ground

Read our Dimmuborgir guide →

Námaskarð geothermal areaSteaming, bare ground with bubbling mud pots.

Námaskarð and Hverarönd, often just called Hverir, is one of the starkest landscapes in Iceland: bare, cracked ground in shades of grey, yellow, pink and orange, with steam vents hissing and mud pots bubbling on every side. It sits at about 400 metres above sea level beside the mountain Námafjall, a few kilometres east of Lake Mývatn. The smell of sulphur reaches you before the sight does. The ground is hot, so stay on the marked paths.

Walking · short, on marked pathsTip · stay on the paths, the ground can be dangerously hot

Read our Námaskarð and Hverarönd guide →

Goðafoss waterfallA wide curtain of water known as the waterfall of the gods.

Goðafoss, the 'waterfall of the gods', is a horseshoe-shaped fall on the Skjálfandafljót river, about 12 metres high and 30 metres wide, right beside the Ring Road. The name is tied to a well-known story about Iceland's conversion to Christianity around the year 1000. Paths on both banks give different views of the curve. It is one of the country's most photogenic falls, viewable from paths on both banks.

Time here · about 20–30 minutesWalking · easy paths on both sides

Read our Goðafoss guide →

6Return to Akureyri cruise terminalDrop-off at the harbour in good time for departure.

About the Lake Mývatn Goðafoss shore excursion

Lake Mývatn is one of the most volcanic corners of Iceland, and this excursion is built around a cruise ship's limited time in Akureyri. The coach picks you up at the harbour and heads inland to the lake district, so you see the highlights without needing your own transport.

Around the lake you get pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, formed by steam explosions rather than eruptions, and Dimmuborgir, a field of dark, twisted lava pillars that look like ruined castles. Námaskarð adds a starker landscape of bare, steaming ground with bubbling mud pots and a strong smell of sulphur.

Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, is a highlight of the return leg: a wide curtain of water dropping over a rock shelf, easy to view from short paths on either bank.

All the walking is easy and on mostly flat ground, so the trip suits most fitness levels and ages. Because you are on a fixed excursion schedule, timings are built to get you back to the ship comfortably before departure.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Entry to Earth Lagoon (Forest Lagoon until Earth Lagoon reopens)

Included

Transport to and from Akureyri harbour by minibus
English-speaking guide

Not included

Food and drinks
Forest Lagoon entry (optional add-on when booking)

What to bring

Warm, waterproof jacket
Comfortable walking shoes
Camera

Good to know

About 6.5 hours, timed to your ship's docking and departure times
Easy difficulty, mostly flat and short walks
Meet at Akureyri harbour, Strandgata
Forest Lagoon can be added when booking; you get about 1.5 hours there, but some cruise schedules leave no time for it
If you add the lagoon, bring a swimsuit and towel (rental available on site)
Guests who don't bathe are taken back to Akureyri earlier
Runs April to September, on cruise ship days
Minimum 2 people per booking.

Questions people ask

Will I be back at the ship on time?

Yes, the schedule is built around cruise port calls, with time built in to return before departure.

Is there much walking?

No, all the stops have short, mostly flat paths.

Do we visit a geothermal bath?

Not as standard. You can add Forest Lagoon entry when booking, with about 1.5 hours there, if your ship's schedule allows. Guests who don't bathe return to Akureyri earlier.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, the walking is easy and suits most ages.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

Lovely tour in Akureyri

Lovely day from our cruise tour in Akureyri. Lake Myvatn was beautiful and Godafoss had been on my bucket list for years. Our guide was very nice and the whole group had a fantastic time.
Recommend this tour if you are coming on a cruise to Iceland.

Amanda · December 2024

From25,300 ISKPer person · Minimum 2 people per booking