Join your private driver-guide for an 8-hour exploration of North Iceland’s most captivating geothermal landscapes around Lake Mývatn. 

From panoramic crater overlooks to steamy mud pools and soothing hot springs, this trip immerses you in the volcanic forces that shape this otherworldly region, all at a comfortable pace with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Akureyri.

Highlights of Our Lake Mývatn Geothermal Wonders Day Trip

Private hotel pick-up and drop-off in Akureyri

Spectacular views from Goðanes Peninsula & Hverfjall crater

Wandering among Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters

Immersive steam vents, mud pots & mineral fields at Hverir

Game of Thrones–famous Grjótagjá lava cave & luxurious Mývatn Nature Baths

Flexible itinerary—add extra stops or extend any visit

Our Lake Mývatn Geothermal Wonders Itinerary

All our day trips are fully customizable. Below is our recommended route—just let us know if you’d like to adjust timing, include a lakeside lunch, or add a crater hike.

Departure from Akureyri and Scenic Drive

Your private driver-guide will collect you at your Akureyri accommodation and head east along Route 1 toward Lake Mývatn. 

As the fjord’s calm waters give way to rolling lava fields and verdant farmland, your guide will introduce the tectonic and glacial forces that forged North Iceland’s unique terrain. Passing through quaint villages and beneath snow-capped peaks, you’ll gain context for the geothermal marvels ahead while enjoying an informative, relaxing drive.

Goðanes Peninsula & Hverfjall Crater Overlook

Before reaching the lake shore, pause at the Goðanes Peninsula overlook for sweeping views of Mývatn’s deep-blue waters framed by jagged lava ridges. 

Dominating the eastern horizon, Hverfjall’s perfectly circular tephra rim rises from the plains—a remnant of a violent eruption 2,500 years ago. Your guide will explain how steam-charged blasts created this crater and why its summit offers one of the region’s finest vantage points. 

Stretch your legs and absorb the interplay of fire and ice that shapes this extraordinary landscape.

Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters

Continue to the lakeside pseudocraters of Skútustaðir, where grassy mounds mark where hot lava once hissed over wet ground. 

Wander among these “false craters” along well-marked paths as your guide describes the steam explosions that formed them, distinguishing these features from true volcanic vents. Keep watch for flocks of ducks and waders feeding along the nutrient-rich shoreline, and learn how Mývatn’s unique ecology supports an unusually diverse bird population.

Hverir Geothermal Fields

A short drive brings you to Hverir, a surreal geothermal zone of bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and vividly colored mineral deposits. 

Stroll the boardwalks above soils tinged ochre, rust, and sulfur yellow as your guide explains the subterranean processes fueling these thermal displays. Feel the ground tremble beneath your feet, inhale the sulfur-tinged air, and marvel at how acidic steam alters the earth’s surface. 

This sensory-rich stop offers an unforgettable glimpse into Iceland’s volcanic heart.

Grjótagjá Lava Cave & Mývatn Nature Baths

From Hverir, it’s a quick hop to the Grjótagjá lava cave—famous for its crystal-clear hot spring featured in “Game of Thrones.” 

Step inside to view the gently steaming pool and hear tales of its changing temperature over the centuries. Then, unwind at the nearby Mývatn Nature Baths, where milky-blue geothermal waters and silica mud masks soothe tired muscles. Surrounded by steam rising against rugged lava formations, you’ll experience the therapeutic warmth that has made these baths a local treasure.

Return Drive to Akureyri

After your relaxing soak, board the vehicle for the return journey to Akureyri, retracing scenic roads along the lake’s shore and through the volcanic highlands. 

Optional Extras To Include On Your Day Trip

Here are a few optional extras you might add to your Lake Mývatn Geothermal tour to tailor it just for you:

Hverfjall Crater Rim Hike: A brisk 20-minute climb to peer into the perfectly circular crater and enjoy sweeping 360° views of the lake and lava fields.

Dimmuborgir Lava Labyrinth: A wander through towering, castle-like lava pillars and arches, where local folklore of hidden elves brings the eerie landscape to life.

Skútustaðagígar Lava Pillars – A stop to admire the spiky, dragon-tooth formations left behind by ancient lava flows, perfect for dramatic photos.

Grjótagjá Winter Swim: If you’d like a more intimate dip, slip into the heated spring inside the cave (temperature permitting) instead of the main baths.

Lakeside Picnic at Höfði: Enjoy a packed lunch on the grassy peninsula of Höfði with panoramic views back across Mývatn, watching ducks and tufted ducks forage along the shore.

Let us know which extras appeal to you, and we’ll weave them seamlessly into your private day-trip itinerary!