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Mývatn

North Iceland, Iceland37 km² surface
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Mývatn

North Iceland, Iceland37 km² surface

About

Mývatn is a shallow lake situated in an area of active volcanism in the north of Iceland, near Krafla volcano. It has a high amount of biological activity.

A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.

Check local conditions before visiting. Iceland's weather changes fast.

AI assistant

Plan your visit to Mývatn

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Driving conditions
Road conditions
Check live· From Reykjavík to the foss
Drive: Good·Visit now·30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
ClosuresChecking…
Wind—
Visibility—
open map
Prices
Cost to visit
Free
No fees
Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
Forecast
Today
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Northern lights
Tonight
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Moon—
Aurora forecast for tonight
NorthReykjavíkSouth CoastWestEastWestfjordsReykjanesHighlands
Sun & light
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Cars & campers

−15%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −15%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −15%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −15%

Tours near Mývatn

Free cancellationSmall groups
Akureyri Whale Watching
North

Akureyri Whale Watching

Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.

Duration3 hours
PickupAkureyri
HighlightsEyjafjörður
TypeBoat tour
From
14.500 kr
View tour →
Glacier & Golden Circle
Adventure

Glacier & Golden Circle

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

Duration10 hours
PickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobile
VehicleSuper Jeep
From
49.990 kr
View tour →

Daily conditions for your trip

Roads, weather, and aurora for your exact travel dates — one short email each morning, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.

Photos & videos

Mývatn — photo by Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons

No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Mývatn, no lookalikes. Search YouTube

Reviews

Nearby

Waterfalls

#1.Ullarfoss
27 km·~33 min drive

A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

#2.Geitafoss
27 km·~33 min drive

A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

Geitafoss
#3.Goðafoss
28 km·~33 min drive

The Waterfall of the Gods. Wide, horseshoe-shaped falls dropping 12 meters. According to…

Goðafoss
#4.Barnafoss
30 km·~36 min drive

A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.

4 waterfalls near North Iceland

Hot Springs

#1.Stóragjá Cave
4 km·~5 min drive

Lava cave hot spring near Mývatn. Grjótagjá's quieter neighbor.

#2.Grjótagjá
5.5 km·~7 min drive

Lava cave with hot spring near Mývatn. Yes, it's the Game of Thrones cave. Currently too…

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Þingeyjarsveit
7.1 km·~9 min drive

Geothermal spot. Real Iceland experience. Best with few people.

#4.Geothermal hot spring near Laugar
22 km·~26 min drive

Natural geothermal hot spring near Laugar in Þingeyjarsveit, North Iceland. Mapped with…

4 hot springs near North Iceland

Campsites

#1.Vogar
4.1 km·~5 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#2.Bjarg
5.5 km·~7 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#3.Hlíð
6.3 km·~8 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#4.Hlíð, Mývatni
6.3 km·~8 min drive

The scenery around the camp site is divers, good flat areas and lava tubs that offer good…

4 campsites near North Iceland

Supermarkets

#1.Krambúð
5.7 km·~7 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#2.Nettó
51 km·~62 min drive

Nettó supermarket — supplies

#3.Hagkaup
52 km·~62 min drive

Hagkaup supermarket — supplies

#4.Krónan
52 km·~62 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near North Iceland

Gas stations

#1.Mývatn
4.4 km·~5 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

#2.Reykjahlíð
5.7 km·~7 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Laugar
22 km·~27 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#4.Fosshóll
27 km·~33 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near North Iceland

Tours

#1.Akureyri Whale Watching
3 hours·Pickup Akureyri

Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.

from 11,990 krView tour →
#2.Glacier & Golden Circle
10 hours·Pickup Reykjavík

Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.

from 32,990 krView tour →
2 tours near North Iceland

Frequently
asked
questions

How do I get to Mývatn?
Mývatn is in North Iceland. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland lakes often need a 4×4 and some access roads only open in summer.
Can I fish at Mývatn?
Angling in Iceland requires a permit bought per water body from the landowner or local angling association, and gear used abroad must be disinfected first. Check the local rules for Mývatn before you cast.
Can I swim in Mývatn?
Icelandic lakes are cold year-round and swimming rules vary by lake — some are protected or have unstable shorelines. Check local signage at Mývatn before entering the water.
When is the best time to visit Mývatn?
Roadside lakes are visitable year-round, though winter access depends on conditions. Highland lakes and reservoirs are typically reachable only in summer once the F-roads open. Check live road conditions before you drive.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

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