Things to do in Myvatn
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Myvatn
Route 1
Route 1is Iceland's national main road, also known as the Ring Road because it circles the entire island. Completed in 1974, it has a total length of over 1,300 km and connects major towns such as the capital, Reykjavik, and the Capital of the North, Akureyri. It also connects most natural scenic spots, excluding the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes, making it a classic route for a self-drive tour around the island. Most sections of this road are two-way paved roads with good road conditions. Summer days are long, making it suitable for first-time visitors to plan an itinerary of about one week around the island. In winter, there is a chance to encounter the aurora along the way, but be aware of potential temporary road closures due to icy and snowy weather.Iceland · Olfus
Myvatn
Lake Myvatn, also known as Lake Miva, is located in northern Iceland. It is an important tourist area in Iceland, and tourists here are not aware of it every year. Lake Myvatn is about 37 square kilometers and has a water depth of 2.5 meters. It is the fifth largest lake in Iceland. Tourists can take a boat tour of the lake and even fish by the lake. Due to the barrier of the mountains, Myvatn is regarded as one of the very dry areas in Iceland, and the weather is often good. In addition to the beautiful scenery, the complete volcanic geographical landscape is preserved here, including geothermal heat, geysers, craters, etc. Due to the rich landscape, the Icelandic government planned it as a special reserve in 1974. A small aquatic creature gathers in the lake, and the trout that feed on this creature thrives in the lake. There are many strange-shaped islands in the lake, inhabited by various water birds, only one type of wild duck, there are more than 10 kinds, the number of which is more than 100,000. At Skutustadargigar, you will see countless fake craters that were formed during a volcanic eruption more than 2,000 years ago. Under the hillside in the east of the lake, there is a cluster of dark and rugged rocks. Some of these rocks are shaped like spires and some are like castles. They are clustered around a long and narrow valley. From a distance, the crater looks like a majestic black The old castle, this is one of the wonders of Lake Myvatn, Dimmuborgir. Near Lake Myvatn stands a conical volcanic crater. The large and small lava in this area is the result of the eruption of this crater. Continue to the east, the left side of the mountain road is a series of low hills with a wide rock crevice on it. Going forward through the rock crevice, it is dark at first, and gradually, your eyes are suddenly bright, and suddenly, there will be an open bay. This is another scenic spot of Lake Myvatn - underground hot springs. The water in the underground hot springs is kept at about 27°C all year round and can be used for bathing all year round. Going further east, you will find many gaps on both sides of the road, the big ones are 1 to 2 meters wide, and the small ones are one or two feet wide. You can see the water vapor rushing out of the hole, making the area filled with yellow smoke. In the lower part, the mud is rolling and the steam is steaming. This is the third wonder of the Miwadden Lake area - the Krafla hot gas field.Thingeyjarsveit · 14.8 km from downtown
Lava field Dimmuborgir
Lava field Dimmuborgir, also known as the "Dark Fortress," is a vast area of black rock formations created by cooling lava after a volcanic eruption. With its bizarre shapes and undulating terrain, it forms a natural labyrinth. The park features winding trails, among which the route passing through a naturally formed "church" cave is particularly popular—this cavern is tall and wide, with a top contour resembling a church dome, a testament to nature's incredible craftsmanship. Lava field Dimmuborgir is also widely known as one of the filming locations for the TV series "Game of Thrones," attracting many fans who come to explore it. This unique lava landscape fully showcases the rugged imprint left on the surface by volcanic activity in Iceland.Thingeyjarsveit · 4.1 km from Myvatn
Hverir
Hverir, located near Námaskarð in the Myvatn region of northern Iceland, is one of the most visually stunning geothermal wonders in Iceland and the most accessible active geothermal attraction. Part of the Krafla volcanic system, the landscape is covered with boiling mud pools, roaring fumaroles, and intense mineral colors such as sulfur yellow, rust red, and white clay. The pungent smell of sulfur fills the air, making the entire area feel like an apocalyptic scene. The mud pools bubble gently or churn violently depending on temperature changes, while the fumaroles emit a low humming sound, creating an intense sensory experience. The attraction features marked trails that allow you to walk around the main geothermal features up close. The entire walk takes about 20–45 minutes. It is strictly forbidden to step off the trails to avoid breaking through the crust and getting burned. It is a must-visit geothermal highlight for any itinerary in the Myvatn region.Thingeyjarsveit · 9.5 km from Myvatn
Namafjall
The Námafjall geothermal area is located at the foot of Námafjall mountain, east of Myvatn in Iceland, and is one of the most typical high-temperature geothermal landscapes in the country. The area is filled with white plumes of steam rising from the ground, alongside boiling gray mud pools with temperatures reaching 80–100°C. The surface of the earth is stained with the characteristic yellow-orange hues of sulfur deposits, and the air is thick with the pungent smell of hydrogen sulfide. The entire area is as desolate and surreal as the surface of the moon, contrasting sharply with the typical Nordic tundra landscape. It is one of the most intuitive and concentrated displays of geothermal activity in Iceland and a classic place to experience the "land of fire and ice" essence of this region.Thingeyjarsveit · 9 km from Myvatn
Grjótagjá cave
Grjótagjá cave is a hidden natural lava cave in the Myvatn region of northern Iceland, and its name means rock fissure in Icelandic. The cave contains a geothermal hot spring that was historically a favorite natural bathing spot for locals, but since the Krafla volcanic activity between 1975–1984, the water temperature has risen and is no longer suitable for bathing. The interior of the cave is dark and mysterious, with spring water flowing quietly beneath the rock walls and light filtering in through the rock fissures, creating a surreal play of light and shadow. As one of the filming locations for the TV series "Game of Thrones," it attracts many fans who come to visit.Thingeyjarsveit · 5.8 km from Myvatn
Goðafoss Waterfall
Goðafoss Waterfallis located in northern Iceland, right beside Route 1 (the ring road), between Akureyri and Myvatn, and is a classic roadside stop on a self-drive trip around the island. Its name comes from an old Norse story: according to legend, in 999 or 1000 AD, when Iceland decided at the national assembly to convert to Christianity, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Þorkelsson threw the statues of the old Norse gods into this waterfall on his way home to renounce the old faith. The name Goðafoss thus comes from this event and literally means the waterfall of the gods. The waterfall has a drop of more than 10 m and is approx. 30 m wide, with the curtain of water spreading in a semicircular arc and a large rock dividing it into two channels in the middle, giving it the appearance of an open fan. The water plunges over a basalt cliff with a powerful flow and a thundering roar. On sunny days, rainbows are often visible in the mist.Thingeyjarsveit · 26.9 km from Myvatn
Krafla
Krafla is an active central volcano near Myvatn in northern Iceland, located on the boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates, and has erupted many times. It is a low, broad shield volcano with a caldera approx. 10 km in diameter, formed by the collapse of the crater after a violent eruption approx. 100,000 years ago. The visiting area is within this caldera, and the entire region is steaming, desolate, and dotted with sulfurous landscapes along the way, emitting a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide. The most famous modern event is the Krafla Fires from 1975–1984, which involved nine eruptions and left behind a vast field of black lava, creating a stunning sight.Thingeyjarsveit · 16.8 km from Myvatn
Hverfjall
Hverfjall is a massive volcanic crater near Myvatn in northern Iceland, formed approx. 2,500 years ago by a steam explosion—when hot magma met groundwater, a violent explosion ejected basalt fragments to the surface, creating this nearly circular crater. The crater is approx. 1,000 m in diameter and approx. 100 m deep, making it one of the best-preserved craters in Iceland. Viewed from a distance, the wide, flat outline of the crater rim presents an impressively geometric regularity, and it is also one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones.Thingeyjarsveit · 5.7 km from Myvatn
Leirhnjukur
Leirhnjukur is an active geothermal area within the Krafla volcanic system in the Myvatn region of northeast Iceland, famous for its fresh lava fields that are still dissipating heat, billowing steam, and vibrant, colorful geothermal landscapes. This lava flow is the product of continuous eruptions of the Krafla volcano from the 1970s to the 1980s, and the surface still retains residual heat, with some areas filled with steam and a strong smell of sulfur. The trail winds through the black and gray lava fields, allowing you to observe bubbling mud pools, fumaroles, and brilliantly colored mineralized rock layers up close, creating a landscape that feels otherworldly. The entire trail is relatively flat, covering a distance of approx. 2–3 km. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and strictly follow the marked route to avoid stepping on high-temperature surfaces. It is one of the most visually striking natural wonders of the geothermal experiences in the Myvatn region.Thingeyjarsveit · 16 km from Myvatn
Experiences you can't miss in Myvatn
Featured Day tours in Myvatn
View all Day tours
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 1,626.24
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 1,626.24
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 1,626.24
5.0/5
· 3 reviews· 147 booked149 travelers saved
FromSGD 224.82
3.8/5
· 6 reviews· 39 bookedBook now for tomorrow
108 travelers saved
FromSGD 255.99
45 booked
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSGD 152.68
Featured Spa & wellness in Myvatn
View all Spa & wellness
FromSGD 83.23
5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 49 bookedFree cancellation
Book now for today
FromSGD 104.30
FromSGD 287.00
4.8/5
· 80 reviews· 50 bookedFree cancellation
Book now for today
95% of travelers recommend
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSGD 70.48SGD 74.19
More ways to travel from Myvatn
Group Tours in Myvatn
View More Group Tours in Myvatn
Free things to do in Myvatn
Route 1
Iceland · OlfusMyvatn
Thingeyjarsveit · 14.8 km from downtownLava field Dimmuborgir
Thingeyjarsveit · 4.1 km from MyvatnHverir
Thingeyjarsveit · 9.5 km from MyvatnNamafjall
Thingeyjarsveit · 9 km from MyvatnGrjótagjá cave
Thingeyjarsveit · 5.8 km from MyvatnGoðafoss Waterfall
Thingeyjarsveit · 26.9 km from MyvatnKrafla
Thingeyjarsveit · 16.8 km from MyvatnHverfjall
Thingeyjarsveit · 5.7 km from MyvatnLeirhnjukur
Thingeyjarsveit · 16 km from Myvatn
What travelers say about Myvatn
东张西望望东西March 28, 2020
5.0
Highway 1 is a must-go road to Iceland. The road is mostly covered with grasslands. The scenery is not special, but it is very interesting to see such a vibrant scene at the northern end of the earth.
Route 1
D了个YApril 19, 2022
4.0
Lake Mývatn is located about 90 kilometers east of Akureyri. It is the fourth largest lake in Iceland. It is a shallow lake with an area of about 37 square kilometers. We came from the Havel geothermal area and drove west along Highway 1. It didn't take long to get there. It is said that Lake Mývatn was formed by a volcanic eruption about 2,300 years ago. To this day, the volcanoes in this area are still very active. The neighboring Krafla volcano last erupted in 1984. Therefore, the geothermal resources here are really unique and endless.
Myvatn
竞波November 26, 2020
5.0
This is one of the attractions in the Myvatn scenic area in Iceland. It is full of strange rocks formed by the cooling of volcanic lava, like a black castle and a maze. Legend has it that this is where the Icelandic Santa Claus usually lives.
Lava field Dimmuborgir
张知珩September 10, 2019
5.0
There is a very strong smell of sulfur in the vast wasteland. When you walk in, you can see the scorched earth. Geothermal energy is really powerful. There is also a thermal power plant nearby. It is economical and environmentally friendly. It is worth a visit.
Namafjall
浅末回首March 2, 2021
5.0
In the pristine cave, the hot spring water is at a suitable temperature. Warm and comfortable.
Grjótagjá cave
jkidd28September 2, 2022
5.0
The waterfall is located on Iceland's Highway 1. The surrounding area is covered with green grass in summer and snow in winter. The scenery is charming and fascinating. The waterfall is shaped like a hoof and the water falls straight down!
Goðafoss Waterfall
M34***23March 3, 2021
5.0
This is the first time I have seen such a spectacular scene, with steam coming out of the ground and a barren wasteland all around. I was impressed by the power of nature.
Krafla
라파엘르February 2, 2022
3.0
The smell of sulfur in the volcanic zone is so strong that it is worth seeing as you drive by.
Leirhnjukur