Mývatn, Goðafoss, Dettifoss, Selfoss, Grjótagjá Cave and the Nature Baths
A full-day private journey through Iceland's most striking volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and geothermal wonders in the north.
This private Mývatn day tour from Akureyri covers an extraordinary range of natural and geological highlights across the north of Iceland in a single nine-hour journey. From thundering waterfalls to ancient lava formations and geothermal pools, every stop reveals a distinct chapter of Iceland's volcanic history.
The route follows the coast of Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, before heading inland toward the volcanic heartland surrounding Lake Mývatn. The lake itself was shaped by a large basaltic lava eruption roughly 2,300 years ago, and the surrounding terrain still bears the marks of that event in the form of lava pillars, pseudo craters, and rootless vents.
The itinerary also ventures north of Mývatn to the canyon carved by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, where both Selfoss and the immense Dettifoss waterfall are located. The day concludes with a soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths before returning to Akureyri via a scenic viewpoint over the fjord.
Because this is a private tour, the pace and focus can be adjusted to suit your interests, making it an ideal choice for travelers who want to cover the region thoroughly without joining a larger group.
Tour Highlights
Stand beside Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, where Iceland's conversion to Christianity is said to have taken place in the year 1000.
Explore Dimmuborgir, a labyrinthine field of lava towers and caverns formed when flowing lava passed over a lake 2,300 years ago.
Walk among the pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, rare geological formations created by steam explosions beneath thin lava flows over water.
Visit Grjótagjá, a small lava cave containing a naturally heated thermal spring that has drawn visitors and locals for centuries.
Witness Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull and dropping 45 meters into a rugged canyon.
Relax in the Mývatn Nature Baths, a geothermal bathing complex drawing water from depths of up to 2,500 meters beneath the Earth's surface.
Take in a panoramic viewpoint over Eyjafjörður on the return drive to Akureyri, offering a final look across one of Iceland's longest fjords.
Itinerary
The tour begins with a stop at Goðafoss, where water falls 12 meters over a 30-meter-wide arc of basalt. The site takes its name from the legend of Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, who threw his pagan idols into the falls after declaring Christianity the official religion of Iceland around the year 1000.
Arriving at Lake Mývatn, the group visits the pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, which rank among Iceland's most significant natural monuments. The nearby Dimmuborgir area features towering lava stacks, hidden chambers, and cave formations created when ancient lava flows solidified over a boiling lake.
Grjótagjá is a compact lava cave near the lake that shelters a thermal spring with naturally heated water rising through a geological rift. Nearby, the Hverir geothermal field displays smoking fumaroles and multicolored mud pots surrounded by sulphur crystals.
The route continues north to the canyon of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, where Selfoss cascades over a wide basalt shelf before the river drops dramatically at Dettifoss. At roughly 100 meters wide and 45 meters tall, Dettifoss is among the most forceful waterfalls on the European continent.
Drawing on a centuries-old bathing tradition, the Nature Baths complex offers an outdoor geothermal pool fed by water drawn from up to 2,500 meters underground. Bathers soak in mineral-rich water while clouds of steam drift up from a nearby earth fissure.
The final leg of the journey follows the fjord coast back toward Akureyri, with a scenic stop overlooking Eyjafjörður. This vantage point provides a broad view of the fjord and the town before the tour concludes.
What Is Included
Included
- Private transport for the full 9-hour tour
- Professional driver and guide
- All stops listed in the itinerary
- Entry to the Mývatn Nature Baths bathing experience
- Scenic coastal and fjord driving route
Not Included
- Food and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide or driver
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Mývatn Tour
Secure your spot on this private all-in-one exploration of Iceland's northern volcanic landscape, from cascading waterfalls to geothermal pools and ancient lava fields.
Book Now
