Hot steam and big views. The Myvatn Nature Baths ticket gets you into Iceland’s geothermal world at Lake Myvatn, with steam floating over pools and sights toward the volcanic crater area around Hverjfall.
I love how the setting feels open-air and wild, even though the facilities are set up for an easy soak.
Next, I really like the simple, fun way you can spend time in the water. You can relax in mineral-rich geothermal pools drawn from a borehole that reaches 2,500 meters down, and the swim-up bar turns a bath into a whole experience.
One thing to plan for: towels aren’t included in the ticket. You’ll need to bring your own or rent on site, and the changing/shower setup can feel a bit more exposed than some other Iceland spas.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Entering Myvatn Nature Baths: Check-In to Your First Soak
- Geothermal Water From 2,500 Meters: What Makes the Pools Worth It
- Steam Holes, Natural Warmth, and the Real Sulfur Smell
- The Swim-Up Bar Experience: Bathing With a Drink
- Café Kvika for Light Meals and Warm Refills
- Views Toward Lake Myvatn and the Hverjfall Area
- Price and Value: How $58 Fits the Iceland Thermal-Bath Game
- Timing Your Visit: Last Entry and How Long to Stay
- Who Should Book Myvatn Nature Baths Admission
- Should You Book This Myvatn Nature Baths Ticket?
- FAQ
- What is included with the Myvatn Nature Baths admission ticket?
- What is not included in the ticket price?
- What should I bring to the baths?
- How long is the ticket valid?
- What time do the baths close, and when is the last entry?
- Can I eat or drink on site?
- What drinks are available at the swim-up bar?
- Where do I check in?
Key takeaways before you go

- Geothermal water from 2,500 meters down powers the pools
- Steam rises through holes in the floor, giving a true sulfur-bath feel
- Swim-up bar in the water lets you sip drinks without leaving the lagoon
- Day access through the evening: open until 10:00 PM, last entry 9:00 PM
- Included basics: changing rooms, showers, soap, and a locker
- Bring swimwear and a towel; meals and drinks are extra
Entering Myvatn Nature Baths: Check-In to Your First Soak

Your ticket experience starts at the Myvatn Nature Baths reception, where you present your voucher. From there, you’ll head into the facilities for changing, showers, and lockers—good to know because the ticket includes all the core basics like changing rooms, showers, soap, and a locker.
Bring swimwear and a towel from home if you can. The ticket doesn’t include towels, swimsuit, or bathrobes, and that’s a small cost that can surprise you if you packed lightly. If you forget, you might find towel and robe options on site, but don’t count on it—pack smart.
Also, the locker/shower area is not the most private setup. Expect an open-feel changing space with limited shower stalls and curtains. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing so you don’t waste energy worrying once you’re there.
Once you’re through that part, the mood shifts fast: you’re into warm water, steam in the air, and Iceland outdoors all around you.
Geothermal Water From 2,500 Meters: What Makes the Pools Worth It

The big selling point here is the water itself. The baths use geothermal water pulled from a borehole drilled down about 2,500 meters, and it’s mineral-heavy with a basic nature. In plain terms: it’s built for soaking, and it tends to feel forgiving even when the air outside is chilly.
You’ll find a steam-bath style setup with both warmth and that unmistakable geothermal atmosphere. The pools can vary in temperature (some visitors note more than one temperature option), which is handy when you want to bounce between “cozy” and “warmer water” without leaving the bathing area.
The mineral concentration is part of why people love this kind of Iceland soak. You’re not just killing time in a hot tub—you’re in a sulfur-geothermal system that’s been engineered for comfort, with enough heat to make a winter or shoulder-season visit feel totally doable.
If you have sensitive skin, be a little cautious with timing. You may want to limit very long soaks, since geothermal baths can be intense on some skin after a while.
Steam Holes, Natural Warmth, and the Real Sulfur Smell

This isn’t a lightly scented spa bath. Sulfur steam rises through holes in the floor, and that’s part of the authentic design. The effect is dramatic: you sit in warm water, steam curls around you, and the whole place feels like it’s breathing.
There is a downside to sulfur baths, and you should plan for it. Many people notice an eggy/sulfur smell in and around the baths, and it can feel stronger than other lagoons. If odors bug you easily, give yourself a few minutes to adjust after you get in the water.
The steam room experience matters too. A lot of the charm comes from how the bath complex creates natural-feeling steam. Instead of only relying on tiled hot tubs, the steam rises directly from the geothermal system and shapes how the space feels.
What to do:
- If smell bothers you, spend more time shifting between steam-heavy and calmer areas.
- Drink water outside the water and take short breaks. You’re in warm mineral water, not just a quick rinse.
The Swim-Up Bar Experience: Bathing With a Drink
This is one of the most memorable parts of the ticket. You can swim up to a bar while staying in the lagoon and order drinks to sip in the water.
The options include beer, wine, cider, soda, or sparkling wine (so you’re not stuck with just water). This turns the baths from a quiet “soak and leave” stop into something closer to a slow evening ritual.
Practical tip: think of the swim-up bar as a pacing tool. If you’re tempted to stay in the hottest water nonstop, use the drink moment for a time check and move between pool temperatures as you like.
Also, since your ticket includes day access to the lagoon area, you’re not limited to a quick dip. You can build a rhythm: soak, take a breath of cold air outside the water, then go back in. That’s where the geothermal magic really lands.
Café Kvika for Light Meals and Warm Refills

You can eat and drink at Café Kvika before or after your soak. Meals and drinks are not included in the admission ticket, but the cafe is part of the overall experience—especially if you plan to stay for more than an hour.
I like this arrangement because it lets you keep the day simple. Soak first, then refuel with something light while you’re still in the right headspace. If you go the other way, the cafe can also make a long bathing session feel less like a gamble with your energy levels.
Aim to time your meal so you’re not rushing right before you’re supposed to be in the water. Warm food after a soak hits differently in Iceland, and you’ll also be able to dry off and relax for a bit in a more normal indoor setting.
Views Toward Lake Myvatn and the Hverjfall Area
Myvatn Nature Baths is designed for looking outward. The experience includes views of the surrounding natural area, including Lake Myvatn and the volcanic crater area of Hverjfall.
This matters more than you might think. In a geothermal bath, you can easily get stuck in a “hot water bubble.” The view pulls you out of that tunnel vision and reminds you you’re in a volcanic region, not in a generic spa.
For photography and mood, the evening can be excellent. The baths run late, and sunset light over the northern Iceland air tends to make steam look even more dramatic.
If weather is rough—wind and cold are common in the north—you’ll still get the experience. You might just want to wrap up your strongest steam-and-water time earlier and save the lighter soak for when the wind calms.
Price and Value: How $58 Fits the Iceland Thermal-Bath Game

The ticket price is about $58 per person, with day access that lasts for the date shown by availability. In a country where geothermal spas can get expensive, value is part of the appeal here.
A lot of people compare Myvatn Nature Baths to the big, famous lagoons in Iceland. The takeaway is simple: you often pay less here while getting a very similar core idea—geothermal soaking, steam atmosphere, and outdoor views.
You’re also buying comfort. The ticket includes changing rooms, showers, soap, and a locker. That reduces hassle costs while you’re there.
What’s extra is also clear:
- towels (not included)
- swimsuit (not included)
- bathrobe (not included)
- meals and drinks (not included)
So the real value math depends on what you already have packed. If you’re traveling light, budget for towels and plan your meal/snacks. If you pack properly, the base ticket can feel like a straightforward, good deal for a long soak day.
Timing Your Visit: Last Entry and How Long to Stay

The baths are open until 10:00 PM, with the last entry at 9:00 PM. That schedule is great if you want to combine the baths with evening plans around Lake Mývatn or just stretch your day.
Because it’s day access, you can pace yourself. You don’t have to treat it like a rushed timed-ticket sprint where you must hit every moment. Still, I’d plan for a solid chunk of time—long enough to try more than one pool, enjoy the steam periods, and use the cafe.
A realistic rhythm could look like:
- arrive and get set up (don’t cut it too close to the last entry)
- soak for a first round
- take a break and grab a light cafe bite if you’re hungry
- return for another round, then finish with sunset-style steam and views if conditions allow
One small caution: check-in can involve waiting, especially if lots of people arrive around the same time slot. If you hate lines, choose an arrival time slightly off the obvious peaks.
Who Should Book Myvatn Nature Baths Admission
This ticket works best if you want:
- a geothermal soak that feels outdoors and scenic
- a more relaxed pace than the biggest mega-spas
- a bath experience with something extra to do in the water (that swim-up bar is a big deal)
- facilities that handle the essentials well (changing rooms, showers, soap, locker)
It’s also a strong choice for couples and solo travelers because the space lets you go at your own tempo. If you’re traveling as a family, it can be a fun outing, as long as everyone follows the same basic plan: swimwear, towel, and a gradual approach to long soaks.
If you’re someone who dislikes strong sulfur odors or needs very private shower/changing areas, you’ll want to plan with those factors in mind.
Should You Book This Myvatn Nature Baths Ticket?
I’d book it if you want the best kind of Iceland thermal experience: warm geothermal pools, visible steam, a real volcanic-area setting, and a swim-up bar that turns the soak into an event. The included basics (changing rooms, showers, soap, locker) make it easier to show up and enjoy your time.
I wouldn’t prioritize this ticket if sulfur smell and less-private changing/shower spaces would genuinely stress you out. In that case, you might prefer a bath with a more enclosed setup and lighter scent.
If you do go, pack smarter than you think: bring swimwear and a towel, plan a meal around your soak time, and aim to arrive with enough daylight buffer so you’re not watching the clock.
Overall: for the price and the atmosphere, this is one of the most satisfying “soak day” options in North Iceland—steam, views, and a bar you don’t have to leave your pool for.
FAQ
What is included with the Myvatn Nature Baths admission ticket?
The ticket includes day access to the steam baths and the lagoon, access to changing rooms, showers, soap, and a locker.
What is not included in the ticket price?
Towels, swimwear, bathrobe, and meals and drinks are not included.
What should I bring to the baths?
Bring swimwear and a towel.
How long is the ticket valid?
The ticket is valid for 1 day.
What time do the baths close, and when is the last entry?
The baths are open until 10:00 PM, and the last entry is at 9:00 PM.
Can I eat or drink on site?
Yes. There is a cafe (Café Kvika) with light meals and drinks, and the swim-up bar also serves drinks, but meals and drinks are not included in the ticket.
What drinks are available at the swim-up bar?
The swim-up bar offers beer, wine, cider, soda, or a glass of sparkling wine.
Where do I check in?
Present your voucher at the Myvatn Nature Baths reception.



