The natural hot pools at Lake Myvatn could be called the Blue Lagoon of the North. In many ways they resemble their famous counterpart near Reykjavik.
A modern hot pool complex
In Icelandic the complex is called Jarðböðin við Mývatn. For years its English name was Myvatn Nature Baths, but today it operates as Earth Lagoon Mývatn. It is a modern complex of geothermal pools surrounded by rugged Icelandic landscape. Thanks to their unique minerals, silica and microorganisms, the pools offer a wonderfully relaxing soak and also help relieve stress and sore muscles. In Iceland’s cold climate they also provide a sometimes much-needed chance to warm up properly.
You could say that Earth Lagoon Mývatn is North Iceland’s answer to the much better-known Blue Lagoon (Bláa lónið in Icelandic) near Reykjavik. The design and character of the pools are indeed very similar – there are fewer spa treatments on offer here, but prices are noticeably lower.
Opened on June 30, 2004, the tastefully designed complex offers a completely natural experience: you soak amid clouds of steam in water drawn from a borehole 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) deep, at 36–40 °C (97–104°F). There are also steam baths, where sulfur steam rises through holes in the floor straight from the geothermal area below, and a bistro.
Earth Lagoon Mývatn ticket prices
To enjoy the pools, you of course need a ticket. The basic Earth Essential ticket costs from 7,900 ISK (about $65) for adults. There’s also a pricier Earth Signature ticket that includes a towel and a drink, and teens and children pay less (kids up to 5 get in free). Prices depend on the day and time of entry. Book your ticket here: Earth Essential – Earth Lagoon Mývatn.
| Earth Lagoon Mývatn prices (2026) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ticket or rental | Earth Essential | Earth Signature (towel and drink included) |
| Adults (16+) | from 7,900 ISK (~$65) | from 9,900 ISK (~$85) |
| Teens (13–15) | from 3,900 ISK (~$35) | from 4,900 ISK (~$40) |
| Children (6–12) | from 2,500 ISK (~$21) | from 3,500 ISK (~$29) |
| Children (0–5) | free with an adult | free with an adult |
| Towel rental | 1,200 ISK (~$10) | included |
| Swimsuit rental | 1,100 ISK (~$9) | 1,100 ISK (~$9) |
Source: Earth Lagoon Mývatn and Tourdesk, checked September 11, 2026
Opening hours
Earth Lagoon Mývatn is open daily:
- from June 1 to August 31 – from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.,
- from September 1 to May 31 – from noon to 10 p.m.
You have to get out of the water 20 minutes before closing time. Otherwise, you can stay as long as you like – most people spend about 90 minutes there.
How to get to Earth Lagoon Mývatn
As the name suggests, the complex is in the Lake Myvatn area, in North Iceland.
The pools are about 4 km (2.5 miles) east of the village of Reykjahlíð, at the northeastern “corner” of the lake. From Route 1, turn south at the prominent Jardbodin/Nature Baths sign.
Map: driving route from Akureyri to Earth Lagoon Mývatn — click to open the interactive map
Although the complex is sometimes described as being near Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland is actually about 90 km (55 miles) away.
Photos of Earth Lagoon Mývatn
