Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss and Dettifoss Day Tour
Volcanic landscapes, sacred waterfalls, and raw geothermal power in one unforgettable journey through North Iceland.
This full-day tour brings you face to face with the defining natural landmarks of northern Iceland, centered around a Lake Mývatn day tour that takes in roaring waterfalls, ancient lava fields, and the restless energy of the earth beneath your feet.
Departing along the coastline of Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland's longest fjords, the route passes through landscapes shaped over millennia by volcanic activity. Each stop reveals a distinct chapter in the geological story of this region.
From the sacred Goðafoss waterfall to the thundering force of Dettifoss, the itinerary covers the full spectrum of what makes the North so compelling for those who travel beyond the Golden Circle.
The return leg winds through the surreal formations of Dimmuborgir and the pseudo craters of Skútustaðagígar before a final viewpoint over Eyjafjörður toward Akureyri, closing the loop on a day rich in contrast and discovery.
Tour Highlights
Stand beside Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, where Iceland's conversion to Christianity in the year 1000 is said to have taken place on its banks.
Walk through Dimmuborgir, a landscape of towering lava pillars, caverns, and hidden chambers formed by a dramatic eruption 2,300 years ago.
Witness Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, fed by the glacial waters of Vatnajökull as they crash 45 meters into a deep canyon.
Explore the Hverir geothermal area at Námaskarð, where fumaroles, boiling mud pots, and sulphur crystals create an otherworldly sensory experience.
Discover the pseudo craters of Skútustaðagígar, rare geological formations created by steam explosions where lava once flowed over wetlands and lakes.
Survey the shores of Lake Mývatn itself, a body of water born from a basaltic lava eruption and still surrounded by some of Iceland's most dramatic volcanic landforms.
End the day with a panoramic view across Eyjafjörður toward Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital, as the tour completes its coastal arc.
Itinerary
The first stop is Goðafoss, where water drops 12 meters over a 30-meter-wide horseshoe of basalt. In the year 1000, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw his pagan idols into these falls after declaring Christianity the law of the land, giving the waterfall its enduring name.
The route continues to Lake Mývatn, created by a vast basaltic lava flow roughly 2,300 years ago. A stop at the Hverir geothermal area in Námaskarð brings you to a field of smoking fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and vividly coloured sulphur deposits.
Fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull, Dettifoss is approximately 100 meters wide and drops around 45 meters into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. The sheer volume of water moving through this system makes it one of the most forceful waterfalls on the European continent.
On the return leg, the tour stops at Dimmuborgir, where an ancient lava flow passed over a lake, causing steam explosions that fractured and sculpted the cooling rock into towers, arches, and cave systems. The resulting landscape is one of the most visited natural sites in the Mývatn region.
The pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar are classified as significant natural monuments in Iceland. They formed when thin lava sheets flowed over waterlogged ground, trapping steam that erupted upward to create the rounded crater shapes that now frame the southern shore of the lake.
The final stop provides a broad view over Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, looking back toward Akureyri. It serves as a quiet counterpoint to the day's more dramatic landscapes before the return to town.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional guided tour with commentary
- Transportation in a comfortable vehicle
- Stops at all listed sites along the route
- Entry to publicly accessible natural areas
Not Included
- Food and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for the guide
- Any entrance fees to private or ticketed facilities
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot
Spaces on this tour are limited. Secure your place on this full-day exploration of North Iceland's most iconic volcanic and hydrological landmarks.
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