Lake Mývatn Tour from Akureyri: Worth It on a Cruise Stop?

LAST UPDATED May 29, 2026 BY Katarina Komazec

When our cruise ship docked in Akureyri, I wanted to see more than just the town itself.

Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Waterfall were at the top of my list, but I didn’t want to book the ship’s excursion.

The itinerary looked almost identical to a tour I found on GetYourGuide, while the cruise line price was nearly double.

I booked the Lake Mývatn tour from Akureyri independently, and it worked very well on a cruise day.

The tour started right at the port, covered the main sights around Lake Mývatn, and brought us back with plenty of time before all-aboard.

We even had time afterward to walk around Akureyri and get a feel for the town.

In this post, I’m sharing my honest experience — what the tour included, how it worked with a cruise schedule, and whether it’s worth booking if Akureyri is one of your cruise stops.

Why I Chose This Tour Instead of a Ship Excursion

I checked the cruise line’s shore excursion first, and it was very similar to this Lake Mývatn tour: the same main stops, roughly the same duration, and the same starting point in Akureyri.

The biggest difference was the price.

The ship’s tour was almost twice as expensive.

What made me comfortable booking independently was the logistics.

The tour started directly from the cruise port and had a clear return time well before all-aboard.

The distances around North Iceland also felt realistic for a cruise day, and the itinerary didn’t look rushed or overly ambitious.

In the end, it felt like a low-risk choice.

We saw everything we wanted around Lake Mývatn, stayed on schedule, and still had time to explore Akureyri afterward — without paying cruise line prices.

Tour Overview (Duration, Route & Logistics)

The tour lasted just under six hours, which worked perfectly for a cruise day in Akureyri.

Pickup was easy.

The guides waited outside the cruise terminal gates, checked us in, and walked us to the bus parked about two minutes away.

Transportation was by a regular tour bus, and the group size felt comfortable.

The route headed east of Akureyri and covered the main Lake Mývatn sights, including Goðafoss Waterfall, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá cave, and the Námaskarð geothermal area.

The pace felt relaxed, with enough time for photos, short explanations, and walking around without feeling rushed.

A boxed lunch was included at Grjótagjá cave, with a sandwich, juice, water, and a small sweet.

Overall, the tour felt very cruise-friendly: easy pickup, clear timing, and a smooth return to Akureyri.

Stops on the Lake Myvatn Tour

After leaving Akureyri, the tour follows a logical loop through North Iceland, stopping at some of the region’s most distinctive natural sights.

What I liked most about this tour was how balanced the day felt, with enough time at each stop to explore without constantly watching the clock.

Goðafoss (Godafoss) Waterfall

Goðafoss was our first major stop, and the scenery immediately felt dramatic — wide open, raw, and very much Lord of the Rings–like.

The waterfall is broad and powerful, with a horseshoe shape that makes it impressive from every angle.

I’ve already seen Gullfoss on my Golden Circle tour, and while it’s often considered Iceland’s most famous waterfall, Goðafoss honestly felt just as impressive in its own way.

It’s less crowded, more open, and the setting feels very natural and untouched.

There was plenty of time here to walk closer to the waterfall and also reach the viewpoint above the gorge.

You can stay on the upper path, but some stairs lead down closer to the water if you want a different perspective.

The ground can be muddy, especially near the paths closer to the falls, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.

At the parking area, there’s a small café, a souvenir shop, and restrooms.

Lake Mývatn & Pseudo Craters

After Goðafoss, the landscape changed as we approached Lake Mývatn.

It felt flatter, wider, and more volcanic, with unusual formations scattered around the shoreline.

The scenery is beautiful, but summer visitors should know about the midges.

I visited in June, during cruise season, and there were countless flies around the lake.

They don’t bite, but they are very annoying.

I used my scarf to cover my face, which helped a lot.

We stopped near the pseudo craters at Skútustaðagígar, where there’s an easy walking path around the formations.

The paths are mostly flat and well-maintained, with lovely views over the lake.

There’s also a modern visitor center nearby with a small exhibition, worth a quick look if you want to understand more about the lake and its unique environment.

Dimmuborgir Lava Fields

Dimmuborgir is famous for its unusual lava formations, with marked paths winding between tall rock shapes, arches, and caves.

This was one of the longer stops of the day, with close to an hour here.

There’s a restaurant and café on site, and many people used this stop for lunch.

I noticed lots of visitors ordering traditional Icelandic lamb soup, Kjötsúpa, which seems to be popular in this area.

I skipped lunch and spent the time walking the trails instead.

The area is easy to explore on foot, and out of all the stops, Dimmuborgir felt like the place where you could choose your own pace.

Grjótagjá Cave

After Dimmuborgir, we stopped at Grjótagjá cave, where we also had our boxed lunch break.

The lunch included a sandwich, juice, water, and a small sweet — simple, but enough for a mid-day stop.

The cave doesn’t look like much from the outside, just a narrow opening in the lava rock, but it’s worth going in.

Grjótagjá is also known as a Game of Thrones filming location, which adds a bit of fun context.

Inside, the cave is steep and can be slippery, so take care.

I’d go down as soon as you arrive, before it gets crowded and harder to move around.

We spent around 30 minutes here, which was enough time to eat, see the cave, and continue the tour.

Námaskarð Geothermal Area

Our last stop was the Námaskarð geothermal area, and it completely caught me off guard.

We had around 30 minutes here, enough time to walk the marked paths and take in the landscape.

After waterfalls, lakes, and lava fields, this felt completely different — steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and a strong sulfur smell rising from the ground.

I honestly couldn’t decide whether I was more impressed by Goðafoss or Námaskarð.

They are totally different, but both were incredible in their own way.

The paths are clearly marked, though the ground can be uneven, so watch your step.

For me, this was one of the most memorable parts of the tour.

🎥 Watch the tour: I filmed the Lake Myvatn tour from Akureyri cruise port during our cruise stop.

Practical Tips for the Lake Mývatn Tour from Akureyri

• Dress in layers and bring a light waterproof jacket.
• Weather changes quickly in North Iceland, so check Vedur.is before you go.
• Wear sturdy shoes, especially for wet paths near waterfalls and geothermal areas.
• Bring a scarf for the midges around Lake Mývatn in summer. They don’t bite, but they are very annoying.
• Make sure the tour returns at least 1 hour before all-aboard. Ours had plenty of buffer time.
• You don’t need cash, as cards are accepted everywhere along the route.

Was This Tour Worth It on a Cruise Stop?

Yes, absolutely. This Lake Mývatn tour from Akureyri delivered everything I was hoping for on a cruise day.

It covered the same highlights as the ship’s tour, started directly at the port, and returned with plenty of buffer time — without the cruise line price tag.

The pace felt right for a long but manageable day, with enough time to explore each stop without rushing.

If Akureyri is your first stop in North Iceland and you want to see more than the town, this is an easy tour to recommend for cruise passengers.