The wonderful Myvatn region can be found in North Iceland. It’s part of the famous ‘Diamond Circle’ which also includes Husavik, Godafoss and Dettifoss. It’s one of the best places to visit in the north of Iceland and a personal favourite of mine.
In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about visiting Lake Myvatn including how long to spend there, when to visit and the best things to do in Myvatn.
The Myvatn area is part of Iceland’s famous ring road, making it an easy and convenient spot for those doing a road trip in Iceland. There’s a range of diverse and unique attractions in Myvatn and enough to keep you busy for at least one day.
I visited Myvatn as part of my solo road trip around Iceland’s ring road. I loved it so much I ended up spending an extra night there.
Below, I’ve shared all the best things to do in Myvatn, including some helpful tips and a map of all the destinations mentioned.
Read next: the 16 BEST Things to Do in Iceland
How long to spend at Lake Myvatn
You need at least one full day in Lake Myvatn to experience the best of what this area has to offer. It’s a brilliant spot to base yourself for a couple of nights to explore the wider area.
At the absolute minimum, allow a full day exploring Lake Myvatn.
If you’re visiting Lake Myvatn on a day trip, you’ll be taken to the major highlights such as Godafoss and the Krafla volcanic area. You can do day trips from the nearby Akureyri.
The best time of year to visit Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is best visited between April and September when the ring road is fully accessible. In the winter, you might find many of the attractions can’t be accessed because of heavy snow.
If you are planning a winter road trip in Iceland, be prepared for road closures and not being able to see all the attractions.
It’s also possible to join day trips from Akureyri in the winter.
Tip: Lake Myvatn translates to the “lake of midges”. It’s nicknamed ‘Midge Lake’ and if you visit in the summer, you’ll see why. The lake area is overtaken by midges and flies and it can be very irritating. If you plan to visit Myvatn in the summer months, be prepared for insects! (I went in May and didn’t have any issues, apparently July & August are the worst months for this).
The best things to do in Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is full of amazing and exciting things to do. Exploring this volcanically active area is a great way to learn more about Iceland’s interesting volcanic history and see more of this beautiful country.
Visit the Hverir Geothermal Area
The Lake Myvatn area is no stranger to Iceland’s volcanic activity. In fact, it’s one of the most volcanically active areas of Iceland.
One of the best places to witness volcanic activity is by visiting the Hverir Geothermal Area. This is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in the North of Iceland. If you’re interested in the geological wonders of Iceland, Hverir alone will make the trip north worthwhile.
Hverir is comparable to the Geysir area in the Golden Circle. But in my opinion, it’s even more impressive. The area is filled with steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and colourful pools of water.
There is a footpath that takes visitors through the area. The smell of rotten eggs (sulphur) at Hverir is the strongest I experienced in Iceland, but it’s worth it. I visited Hverir twice while in Myvatn as I found it so fascinating.
It’s possible to do a 1.5 mile (2.5 km) hike up Mt. Namafjall. This short (but steep) hike rewards trekkers with incredible views of the Hverir area. Wear sensible shoes if you plan to do this. It was very slippery and muddy when I went.
Visiting Hverir is one of the most popular things to do in the Myvatn area. Try to visit here early or late in the day to avoid the worst of the crowds. While not everyone includes Myvatn on their road trip in Iceland, it’s a popular coach trip from Akureyri (including from the cruise ships).
Where to find Hverir: this stunning geothermal area is just off the main ring road to the east of Lake Myvatn.
See the Skutustadagigar Pseudo-Craters
When arriving in Lake Myvatn, it’s hard not to notice the unique-looking craters stretching out into the lake. These are the Skutustadagigar Pseudo-Craters which were formed over 2,300 years ago.
They’re the main feature of the incredible lake area and it’s hard to miss them. There is a circular walking path to the west of the lake. It’s a brilliant spot to get some epic views of the craters.
Tip: this is a prime spot for bird watching, especially in the spring and summer months.
Where to find Skutustadagigar: the main parking lot for the craters is on Road 848 to the west of Lake Myvatn. It’s also where you’ll find the Myvatn visitor centre.
Relax in the Myvatn Nature Baths
No trip to Iceland is complete without relaxing in at least one of the many hot springs. In Lake Myvatn, you’ll find the famous Myvatn Nature Baths.
These geothermal pools are a great way to relax after all the exploring you’ll no doubt be doing. They’re similar to the Blue Lagoon, but not quite as luxurious (which might be what you want). The Nature Baths in Myvatn are cheaper than the Blue Lagoon and a good alternative. The setting is very peaceful and in the heart of the Icelandic countryside.
Where to find the Myvatn Nature Baths: the baths are just off the ring road between Lake Myvatn and the Hverir area.
Walk through the Dimmuborgir lava field
The lava fields of Dimmuborgir are some of the most impressive in Iceland. The fields are filled with other-worldly giant lava rock formations and lava pillars.
There are several walking paths around the area which range in distance.
For the best experience, I’d recommend walking the Kirkjuhringur (or Church) path. This is a 2.7 mile (4.3km) loop path. It takes visitors through the spectacular lava formations to the famous Kirkjuhringur (a formation that looks like a church).
There’s also a hiking trail which connects the lava fields with other attractions such as the Grjotagja Cave. This will take a few hours to complete. Unless you have the time, I’d personally avoid doing the longer hike. There are so many amazing things to see in Myvatn and you don’t want to miss out.
Where to find Dimmuborgir: the lava fields are just off Road 848 through the main Myvatn area.
Admire Lake Myvatn
No list of things to do in Myvatn would be complete without mentioning the star of the show – Lake Myvatn itself.
At almost 6 miles (9.6 km) long and 4 miles (6.5 km) wide, Lake Myvatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland. The lake is surrounded by unique volcanic landscapes making it a picturesque spot. Despite it arguably being the most popular attraction in the north of Iceland, I found Lake Myvatn to be incredibly peaceful and serene.
If you’re on a tight schedule and don’t have long to spend in Myvatn, it’s still worth building in some time to admire the lake. There are a couple of viewpoints along Route 848 where you can safely pull over.
Hike the Viti Crater
Visiting the Viti Crater was my favourite thing to do in Lake Myvatn. The crater is part of the Krafla Volcano Area and was formed by a giant explosion in the 1700s. The literal translation of Viti is ‘hell’, which gives you an idea of how powerful the explosion was.
The 300-metre-wide crater is filled with bright blue water. You can see the crater from the parking lot, but I’d recommend spending some time following the walking path around the crater rim. You can only go about halfway around, and you see the crater from a different perspective.
The weather can sometimes have an impact on the colour of the water. Sometimes the water is aqua blue, on other days, it turns into a green lake.
Where to find the Viti Crater: turn off the ring road onto an unnamed road (it’s well-signposted). The turning is opposite the turning for the Hverir area. Keep following the road past the Power Plant.
Tip: don’t miss the Krafla Panoramic Viewpoint on the way to the Viti Crater. There are some stunning panoramic views of the area including the famous Krafla Geothermal Power Plant.
Visit Leirhnjukur
Right next door to the Viti Crater is Leirhnjukur, another active volcano in the Krafla area.
This was another favourite spot of mine in Myvatn. There is an incredible hiking trail which takes you through an almost other-worldly landscape to the main viewpoint. Here, you’ll find vibrant, steaming volcanic lakes.
If you’re a fan of volcanoes and lunar-like landscapes, don’t miss visiting Leirhnjukur.
Tip: be sure to stick to the well-marked walking paths. There is a lot of volcanic activity in this area. It’s not the place to go off exploring.
Where to find Leirhnjukur: You’ll pass here to get to the Viti Crater. You can either visit on the way to Viti or on the way back to the ring road.
Hike the Hverfjall Volcano
Next up is another volcano… the Hverfjall Volcano. This huge volcano was formed around 2500 years ago. It has a diameter of 0.6 miles (1km) and it’s one mighty volcano.
It’s possible to hike around the entire rim of the volcano. In my opinion, it’s one of the best hiking trails in the area. The entire hike will take you around 2 hours, but it’s possible to just walk part of it and turn around at any time.
I did the hike in strong winds and heavy rain so it wasn’t the most pleasant experience, but it was still one of the best things I did in Myvatn. There aren’t many places in the world where you can hike around a volcano crater!
Where to find Hverfjall: turn off Road 848 by Lake Myvatn onto the Hverfjall road. It’s a narrow, gravel road, but most cars should be able to manage.
Read next: How to Visit Iceland on a Budget
Find THAT Game of Thrones Cave
If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, visiting the Grjotagja Cave is an absolute must while in Lake Myvatn.
This famous spot was home to that steamy scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte. They did have to film some of the scene inside a studio as it’s illegal to bathe in the water. However, the cave was still featured in the show.
Even if you’re not a fan of Game of Thrones, I’d still recommend visiting the Grjotagja Cave. This small lava cave is home to some beautiful crystal blue hot springs. Locals used to bathe in the mineral-rich waters. However, since the Kafla fires (volcanic eruptions in the 1970s), this has been banned due to the high temperature of the water.
Visiting the Grjotagja is easy enough. There’s a small parking lot a few minutes walk from the cave. It can get very crowded here so I’d suggest going as early in the day as you can.
The cave is very small, and you’ll need to climb down into the cave. I’d suggest wearing some sturdy shoes for this.
Where to find the Grjotagja cave: turn off the ring road onto Road 860.
Check out the Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum
If you’re interested in birds, consider visiting the Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum. The museum opened back in 2008 and has 330 stuffed birds. The museum aims to educate visitors on the rich wildlife in the area.
I didn’t make it here because of timing, but I imagine it’s a fun spot for children or a rainy day.
Where to find the museum: the museum is just off the ring road (1) to the north of the lake.
Go on an ATV tour
Riding an ATV through the Myvatn area is a fun and unique way to experience this volcanic area.
Your guides will take you to hidden gems which can’t be accessed by car. This activity is only available in the spring and summer months (May-September).
If you want to drive the ATV, you’ll need a valid driver’s licence.
Find out more about ATV tours in Myvatn.
Ride a snowmobile
If you’re visiting Myvatn in the winter, consider riding a snowmobile across the snowy landscape.
The snowmobile tour begins in the nearby Reykjahlid. You’ll ride through the Myvatn Nature Reserve and learn facts about the area.
With many of Myvatn’s attractions closed in the winter, it’s a great way to experience this volcanic landscape.
If you plan to drive the snowmobile, you’ll need a valid driver’s licence. The tour normally runs from November to February but is very much weather (and snow) dependent.
Search for the Northern Lights
The Myvatn area is in a remote part of Iceland. There is minimal light pollution here, and it’s further north than many of the tourist areas. This makes it an ideal location to go hunting for the Northern Lights.
Of course, when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights, there’s only so much you can do. Most of it comes down to luck.
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is between October and March. This is when the nights are the longest and darkest.
Many of the hotels in Myvatn offer “Northern Lights wake-up calls”. This means the hotel staff will wake you up if the lights put on a show. It saves you from having to stay up all night and hoping for the best.
GeoTravel also offers a Northern Lights tour in Myvatn.
Other things to do in the Lake Myvatn area
The wider Lake Myvatn area is filled with unmissable spots and amazing things to do. The activities mentioned above are all things to see in and around Myvatn itself.
The destinations mentioned in the below list require you to travel a little further from Myvatn. However, they’re all close by and convenient on a trip around Iceland’s ring road.
Be wowed by Dettifoss
The Dettifoss waterfall is the most powerful in Europe and wow, it’s an impressive sight. It’s one of the best things to do in Myvatn.
By this point on your Iceland trip, you’ve probably seen a few hundred waterfalls (I’m not sure that’s even an exaggeration). It would be easy to skip Dettifoss thinking “It’s just another waterfall”.
However, Dettifoss is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Iceland. It is a must on any visit to the North of Iceland. If you have limited time for your trip, be sure to include Dettifoss on your itinerary. It’s truly breathtaking.
There are two different ways to explore Dettifoss. You can approach the waterfall from the western side along Route 862. This is a paved road with a large parking lot at the end. Once you’re there, there are various walking paths to follow and you can view the falls from all different angles.
You can also see Dettifoss from the eastern side. The road here isn’t as well maintained. I skipped doing this on my trip and stuck to the western side. I certainly didn’t feel like I had missed anything by not going to the eastern side.
Dettifoss is one of the most popular attractions in this area of Iceland. I’d suggest going either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Depending on whether you’re driving the ring road clockwise or anti-clockwise, it’ll likely be your first or last stop before entering/leaving the Myvatn area.
Where to find Dettifoss: the waterfall is found in Vatnajokull National Park to the east of Myvatn. Turn off Route 1 onto Route 862 to see the falls from the western side.
Spend time in Husavik
About 40 minutes north of Myvatn is the sleepy town of Husavik. I only spent two nights in Husavik but absolutely fell in love with it. It’s my favourite place in all of Iceland and I can’t wait to head back there one day.
Husavik is the best place in Iceland to see whales. In fact, it’s known as the whale watching capital of Europe. During my whale watching trips in Husavik, I saw endless humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and even TWO blue whales.
If you decide to do a whale watching tour, I highly recommend Gentle Giants. They offer a range of tours and it was the best whale watching experience I’ve ever had.
The town is also home to the Whale Watching Museum, which shares more information about the town’s dark history with whaling.
Another popular spot in Husavik is the GeoSea spa. Yes, another geothermal hot spring, but this one has an infinity pool over the bay. It’s also much quieter than its counterparts such as the Myvatn Nature Baths and the Blue Lagoon. I spent an hour relaxing in the pools and watching humpback whales play in the bay.
Husavik is often skipped on itineraries as people opt to spend time in Akureyri instead. I much preferred Husavik. It’s a smaller town and has a real authentic charm to it.
How to get to Husavik: from Lake Myvatn, follow Road 87 to the north before turning right onto Road 85. If you’re visiting Husavik before Myvatn, turn onto Road 85 after leaving Akureyri.
Read next: Is driving Iceland’s Ring Road worth it?
Admire Godafoss
Yes, another waterfall (sorry). But Godafoss is one of the highlights of Northern Iceland and the Diamond Circle.
Godafoss translates to “waterfalls of the gods” which will give you an idea of just how impressive this waterfall is. The waterfall runs through lava fields and has aqua-blue water creating a magnificent sight. It’s very accessible and one of the best things to see on Iceland’s ring road.
You can visit Godafoss from both the east and west sides. The west side has a great viewing platform, whereas the east side lets you get right down to the water. It’s easy enough to see both sides and they both offer spectacular views (although I’d say the east takes the crown for me).
Where to find Godafoss: the waterfall is just by the ring road between Husavik and Myvatn, so a quick stop here is easy enough for most people.
Visit Asbyrgi
Asbyrgi is one of Iceland’s most unique natural features. This giant horseshoe-shaped canyon can be found about 90 minutes north of Myvatn. It’s a little off the beaten path, but that’s all the more reason to visit.
The canyon is approximately 0.6 miles (1km) wide and 2.1 miles (3.5km) long. It’s also filled with trees and vegetation which is an unusual sight in Iceland.
There are different ways to explore the Asbyrgi canyon. The most popular is to walk to Botnstjorn Pond. It’s a short circular walk with incredible views once you reach the pond. For a longer hike, try the Klappir Trail. I didn’t have time to do this hike, but have only heard good things.
Asbyrgi has its own visitor centre which is open between May and September. I’d recommend stopping there on your way to check the conditions of the trails. The canyon is only accessible in the summer months.
How to get to Asbyrgi: you can reach the canyon from Dettifoss, but the road is long and unpaved. The best way to get to Asbyrgi is to follow Road 85 from Husavik.
Hike to Hljodhaklettar
If you’re visiting Asbyrgi, add in a stop at Hljodhaklettar. This beautiful hidden gem in Northern Iceland has some incredible basalt rock formations including caves.
Located in the Vatnajokull National Park, Hljodhaklettar has a couple of accessible hiking trails. There’s an easy trail to follow which takes about an hour to complete (marked blue). If you’re up for a challenge, follow the red trail which is a little more challenging.
How to get to Hljodhaklettar: you’ll find this hidden gem between Asbyrgi and Dettifoss on Route 862. It’s a very remote area down a gravel road. I’d only recommend visiting if you have a 4WD and you’re a confident driver.
Continuing your road trip around Iceland’s ring road? Consider a stop at Studlagil Canyon to see Iceland’s famous basalt columns.
Where to stay in Lake Myvatn
While Myvatn is a popular destination, there’s a limited amount of accommodation in the area. When choosing your accommodation in Myvatn, make sure to book well in advance.
I’d recommend staying in the Berjaya Hotel (Icelandair). It’s a modern hotel (with hot tubs) and has a delicious breakfast.
Hotel Laxa is another popular hotel in the Myvatn area. The rooms are modern and it’s in a lovely setting.
For a budget option, consider the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse.
Summary: is Lake Myvatn worth visiting?
To put it simply, yes, Lake Myvatn is worth visiting. The Myvatn area is filled with incredible other-worldly landscapes, volcanic activity, and powerful waterfalls. It was one of my favourite places in Iceland.
Having said that, if you’re not that interested in the volcanic side of Iceland, you might find the Myvatn area a little boring. It’s in a very remote region of Iceland and beyond what’s mentioned in my list of things to do in Myvatn above, there’s not much going on. However, I personally loved Myvatn. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.
If you have limited time in Iceland, find out how to build a visit to Lake Myvatn into your itinerary.
