About This Experience

Forest Lagoon opened in 2022, and it already feels like it's always been part of the landscape. Built into a birch-covered hillside above Eyjafjörður, a few minutes' drive from Akureyri, it's everything the Blue Lagoon is — geothermal pools, swim-up bar, stunning views — but on a more human scale.

The infinity-edge design is the standout feature. The main pool extends to the very edge of the hillside, so from the water you look straight out over the fjord with no barrier. On a clear day, the snow-capped mountains on the opposite shore fill the horizon. We spent an embarrassingly long time just floating at the edge, watching boats move through the fjord below.

It was our second-favourite hot spring in Iceland (the Mývatn Nature Baths just edged it out for sheer otherworldliness), but Forest Lagoon felt the most luxurious. Fewer people, beautiful design, and the setting among the birch trees gives it a cosy, Nordic atmosphere that the more open geothermal pools lack.

What to Expect

The facility is compact but well-designed. After changing and showering, you walk out into the main pool area, which is built into the hillside on several levels. The lowest level has the infinity pool with fjord views. Above it, a warmer pool is tucked among birch trees. There's a cold plunge pool for the brave, and a steam room built into the hillside.

The swim-up bar serves drinks and light snacks — a beer in the warm water with the fjord view is one of those simple pleasures worth the trip. The water temperature sits around 38-40°C in the main pools, with the upper pool slightly warmer.

The atmosphere is noticeably calmer than the Blue Lagoon. Capacity is limited, so even on busy days it never felt overcrowded. We visited on a weekday afternoon and shared the infinity pool with maybe ten other people.

Practical Tips

• Book in advance online — capacity is limited and peak slots sell out
• Located about 10 minutes' drive from central Akureyri, well-signposted
• Standard entry includes towel, pool access, and one free drink at the bar
• Weekday afternoons are the quietest; weekend mornings get busy
• Bring your own swimsuit — rentals may be available but selection is limited
• Condition your hair before entering (same silica mineral caution as Blue Lagoon)
• The birch forest setting is most atmospheric in autumn when the leaves turn golden
• Budget 2-3 hours for a relaxed visit including changing and a drink
• Current prices are around 6,490 ISK (roughly 45 EUR) — cheaper than Blue Lagoon
• Combine with Goðafoss — they're both on the same stretch of the Ring Road near Akureyri