From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

North Iceland packs strange wonders into one long day. This six-hour trip from Akureyri takes you from the broad curve of Goðafoss to the grassy pseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn, then into Dimmuborgir’s dark lava formations and Námaskarð’s steaming mud pools. I especially like the variety and the easy cruise-port pickup, while the packed lunch saves you from hunting for food between stops. The main catch is the pace: you see a lot, but some stops can feel short.

The tour costs $187 per person and includes transport, WiFi, a guide in English or German, port pickup and drop-off, and a packed lunch. Guides such as Nico, Richie Rich, Alan, Kjartan, and Matthias have been singled out for lively commentary, local stories, and good humor. Still, you should allow for delays, crowded sites, and the occasional late return to Akureyri.

Key points to know before you book

• The route covers four very different sights: a waterfall, pseudo-craters, lava formations, and an active geothermal area.
• Goðafoss is the first major stop: you get about 45 minutes to view the broad, curved falls and hear the story behind their name.
• Dimmuborgir is the best walking stop: the 55-minute visit gives you time to wander among twisted volcanic rock.
• Námaskarð smells as strong as it looks: sulfur hangs over the boiling mud pools, and you must stay on marked paths.
• The $187 price is strong for a cruise-port day trip: it can cost about half the price of a comparable ship excursion, according to one direct comparison.
• Pack patience and warm layers: the bus ride is comfortable, but the schedule leaves little room for delays or slow walkers.

Why Mývatn makes such a good day trip from Akureyri

Akureyri is a useful base for North Iceland, but the region’s most unusual scenery lies farther east. The Mývatn area was shaped by repeated volcanic activity, and within a few hours you can see formations created by lava, steam, boiling water, and erosion.

That variety gives this tour its value. You are not spending six hours looking at one type of scenery. One stop is green and open, the next is black and twisted, and the final one appears almost alien, with yellow ground, steam, and bubbling mud.

The route also works well for people arriving by cruise ship. Pickup is provided at the port, and the tour returns to the same general starting point at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet the guide in the large parking lot. At Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, the meeting point is the visitor center by the cruise port.

Look for the guide wearing an orange jacket or vest with a BusTravel Iceland logo. This matters because the buses are parked at Gránufélagsgata 50, and port directions can feel unclear when several ships arrive at once.

The road to Goðafoss takes about 40 minutes

The first bus ride lasts roughly 40 minutes. That is enough time for the guide to explain the area, point out features along the route, and share stories about Icelandic customs, horses, sheep, and local traditions.

Several guides have been praised for keeping up commentary between stops. Alan, from the Netherlands, was described as especially energetic, while Richie Rich used WhatsApp to share information and map pins during the day. That extra communication can help you remember what you are seeing, though one passenger found the repeated sheep and horse stories a little much after several days in Iceland.

You ride in a coach with WiFi on board. The bus provides a practical base for a long day, but this is still a group outing. People who return late, get on the wrong bus, or need extra assistance can slow the schedule. The company appears to work hard to keep things moving, yet you should be ready for a fairly organized, clock-conscious day.

Goðafoss: a broad waterfall with a turning point in Icelandic history

Goðafoss is the first sightseeing stop, with about 45 minutes to walk, take photos, and view the falls from the accessible paths around the river. The water drops across a roughly 30-meter-wide semicircle, creating a broad curtain of white water against dark volcanic rock.

The name means Waterfall of the Gods. It is linked to Iceland’s shift from pagan worship to Christianity. According to the story shared on the tour, a law speaker threw images of the old gods into the falls after Iceland adopted Christianity. That gives this stop more weight than a quick photo break.

I like the scale of Goðafoss. It is not only tall or powerful. Its curved shape lets you see several sections of rushing water at once, and the black rock makes the white spray look even brighter.

Stay aware of the time. Forty-five minutes is enough for the main viewpoints, but not for a long, unhurried walk along every path. In poor weather, spray and wind can make the viewing areas feel colder than expected, so keep your rain jacket handy even if the bus ride began under clear skies.

Skútustaðagígar reveals volcanoes that never erupted

After another 40-minute drive, the group reaches Skútustaðagígar, the pseudo-craters on the edge of Lake Mývatn. You get about 20 minutes here, so this is a short stop rather than a full walk.

The grassy mounds look like small volcanic craters, but they were not formed by lava erupting from underground. Instead, lava flowed into wet ground around the lake. The heat caused steam explosions, which shaped the rounded hollows and knolls you see today.

This is one of the tour’s most useful geology lessons because the site looks simple until you understand how it formed. The green grass can make the craters seem gentle, but their origin involved boiling water meeting hot magma.

With only 20 minutes, you should focus on the closest viewpoints and listen carefully to the guide’s explanation. If you want a long lakeside walk or more time among the formations, a private trip or a separate day in the Mývatn area would suit you better.

Midges can also be an issue around Mývatn, especially in summer. Pack insect protection if you are sensitive to small flying insects. Several people have found the flies distracting, and one person wished the tour had warned them in advance.

Dimmuborgir is the day’s best walk

The next drive takes about 10 minutes, followed by roughly 55 minutes at Dimmuborgir. This is the stop where you get the clearest chance to leave the bus and explore on foot.

Dimmuborgir means Dark Castles, and the name fits. The lava field contains arches, pillars, tunnels, and bulky rock walls formed as molten lava cooled. The shapes can look like crouching animals, ruined towers, or troll figures, which explains why Icelandic stories often connect these rocks with hidden people and mischievous creatures.

I would give this stop priority if you are deciding where to spend your attention. Goðafoss is immediately dramatic, but Dimmuborgir rewards slower looking. The shadows inside the formations change as you walk, and the rough black stone feels very different from the open grass around the pseudo-craters.

The 55-minute visit gives you enough time for a meaningful stroll, but not for every trail. Wear shoes with a solid sole, since the ground can be uneven around the lava. Keep track of the bus departure time. One late return can shorten the final stop for the whole group.

This is also where the lunch may become a practical matter. The tour includes a packed lunch with a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice, along with a water bottle as described in the tour information. The meal is convenient, but it is modest. Some people liked the sandwiches, while others found the filling too light or the mayonnaise too heavy. If you need a larger lunch, bring an extra snack or buy one at a visitor center when there is time.

Námaskarð looks like another planet, and smells like sulfur

The final sightseeing stop is Námaskarð, about 15 minutes from Dimmuborgir. You have around 40 minutes to walk among steaming ground, boiling mud pools, and mineral-stained earth.

This is the most unusual stop on the route. The area is barren, with little of the grass seen around Lake Mývatn. Instead, the ground is marked by yellow, orange, gray, and brown mineral colors. Steam rises from vents, and the sulfur smell can be strong enough to make you pull your collar over your nose.

Stay on the marked paths. The ground around geothermal features is not a place for improvisation, and the tour specifically warns you to follow the walkways. Keep children close and do not step beyond barriers for a better photo.

Námaskarð is also where weather and timing matter most. In one account, a late start left the group rushed during the final stop. If the bus leaves Akureyri 15 minutes late or loses time at an earlier site, this fascinating area may receive less than the planned 40 minutes.

Still, the stop earns its place. The boiling pools make the volcanic forces beneath Iceland feel immediate. You do not need a long visit to understand why this area is memorable, but you do need enough time to walk carefully, take in the colors, and let your nose recover.

The 80-minute return ride to Akureyri

After Námaskarð, the return trip takes about 80 minutes. This is the longest continuous bus ride of the day, so it offers a chance to rest after the walks.

The tour is scheduled to finish back at Gránufélagsgata 50. In practice, delays are possible. Most of the day appears to run on a tight plan, and one late return to port caused concern for people with ship departure deadlines.

For that reason, check your ship’s all-aboard time before booking. The tour is designed for port calls and includes port pickup and drop-off, but you should still keep some margin. Do not arrange a separate activity immediately after the scheduled return.

Is $187 good value?

At $187 per person, this is not a budget bus ride. It is a full regional excursion with transport from Akureyri, a live guide, WiFi, port pickup, a packed lunch, and four major stops.

The value looks strongest for cruise passengers. One direct comparison put this outing at about half the price of a similar cruise excursion while covering the same route. That difference can be significant for couples and families.

You are also paying for access to several far-flung sights in one day. Renting a car might provide more freedom, but this tour removes the need to navigate unfamiliar roads, watch the clock, and find parking at busy sites. The tradeoff is less flexibility and less time at each stop.

The lunch is useful, but do not book the tour for the food. It is a basic packed meal rather than a full restaurant lunch. The chicken or vegan sandwich, chocolate, and juice should keep you going, but bring extra food if you eat a lot or prefer more choice.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this tour if you have one day in Akureyri and want the broadest possible introduction to the Mývatn area. It suits cruise passengers, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who prefers a guide to explain the geology and local stories.

It also works for people who enjoy variety. You get a waterfall, a historical tale, volcanic formations, a short crater visit, a lava walk, and geothermal activity in one outing.

You may want something else if you dislike fixed schedules, need long walks at each location, or want to photograph every site without rushing. A private tour or a longer stay around Mývatn would give you more control.

Mobility needs deserve a quick note. One guide and driver were praised for helping a wheelchair user with logistics and identifying accessible locations. However, the tour includes uneven lava terrain and outdoor paths, so contact the operator before booking if you need specific assistance.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see the essential Mývatn sights from Akureyri without driving. The route is packed, but the mix of Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, and Námaskarð gives you a strong sense of why North Iceland is so unusual.

Skip it if you need a slow day or have a strict ship schedule with no room for delay. For most cruise passengers, though, the price, port pickup, lunch, and range of scenery make this one of the better-value ways to spend a day ashore. Wear layers, bring snacks, prepare for sulfur and midges, and stay ready to board the bus on time.

FAQ

How long is the Mývatn tour from Akureyri?

The tour lasts six hours, including transport between Akureyri and the sightseeing stops.

What sights are included?

The route includes Goðafoss Waterfall, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the Námaskarð geothermal area.

Where does the tour meet?

If your ship docks at Tangarbryggja Pier, meet the guide in the large parking lot at Gránufélagsgata 50. If your ship docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Pier, meet at the visitor center by the cruise port.

How can I identify the tour guide?

The guides wear an orange jacket or vest with the BusTravel Iceland logo.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The packed lunch includes a chicken or vegan sandwich, a chocolate bar, and juice. The tour information also describes a water bottle as part of the lunch.

Is WiFi available on the bus?

Yes. WiFi is included on board.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or German.

Is the tour suitable for cruise passengers?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the port are included. You should still allow extra time in case the tour returns later than scheduled.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.