What is Forest Lagoon and how much does it cost?

Forest Lagoon (Skógarböðin) is a geothermal spa opened in 2022 in the hills above Akureyri, with infinity pools overlooking Eyjafjörður fjord and the surrounding mountains. Admission is ISK 6,500–9,500 (approximately EUR 44–64) depending on whether you add the Skógarbad ritual.

Forest Lagoon Akureyri Guide 2026 — Prices, Views & Practical Tips

Forest Lagoon in context

When the Sky Lagoon opened in 2021, Iceland demonstrated there was demand for a well-designed geothermal spa with strong aesthetics that was not the Blue Lagoon. Forest Lagoon, which opened in October 2022 above Akureyri, followed a similar logic applied to northern Iceland.

The facility sits at roughly 200 metres elevation in the Öngulstaðahlíð hillside forest — a plantation of largely Sitka spruce, one of the few forested areas in Iceland, which explains the name. From the pools, the view sweeps across Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, toward the mountains on the far shore. Akureyri — Iceland’s second-largest city, though with only about 20,000 residents — is visible below.

It is a young facility. Unlike the Blue Lagoon’s decades of operation or the Secret Lagoon’s century-old history, Forest Lagoon does not have an established reputation. What it has is good design, a setting that genuinely rewards the visit, and an identity as the spa of choice for travellers spending time in northern Iceland rather than clustering on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Ticket prices and options

Lagoon Pass (ISK 6,500 / approximately EUR 44): Access to the main geothermal pools, changing rooms, lockers, and towel.

Lagoon Pass with Skógarbad ritual (ISK 9,500 / approximately EUR 64): Lagoon access plus the structured thermal and wellness ritual — similar in concept to Sky Lagoon’s Skjól ritual, though Forest Lagoon’s version incorporates different steps.

The Skógarbad ritual includes: geothermal pool immersion, a cold pool step, the Forest Sauna (a large wood-burning sauna with view windows), a cold outdoor shower, a forest steam room with forest aroma, and a body scrub using Icelandic ingredients.

Children under 14 are not permitted. Like Sky Lagoon, this is an adult-focused facility.

Goðafoss waterfall and Forest Lagoon day tour from Akureyri

The view factor

Forest Lagoon’s strongest selling point is its view. The infinity pools face southwest across Eyjafjörður fjord, with the opposite mountain range at roughly the same elevation. In late afternoon and evening, particularly in spring and autumn, the light hits the fjord and mountains at angles that produce dramatic colours.

In summer, the midnight sun turns the fjord golden from around 23:00 onward. The spa is open until midnight on many evenings, making an end-of-day visit during midnight sun season genuinely worth planning around.

In winter — November through March — the dark sky over the fjord is excellent for northern lights viewing. The light pollution from Akureyri affects the direct overhead sky somewhat, but the fjord-side horizon is relatively dark. Sightings from the pool are reported regularly in active aurora periods.

Getting there from Akureyri

By car: Forest Lagoon is located off Route 82, approximately 5 km from central Akureyri. The road to the facility is unpaved for the last kilometre or so but manageable in a standard 2WD vehicle. Journey time from Akureyri is 10–12 minutes. Free parking at the site.

By taxi: From central Akureyri, approximately ISK 2,500–4,000. Worth considering for a single round trip if not hiring a car during your Akureyri stay.

On a port transfer tour: Akureyri is a major cruise ship port. Several tour operators run combined Goðafoss and Forest Lagoon excursions from the port that return visitors before ship departure time. These are popular because they combine one of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls with a hot spring stop efficiently.

Goðafoss waterfall and Forest Lagoon from Akureyri port

Combining with Goðafoss and other sights

Goðafoss is 50 km west of Akureyri on Route 1, making it a natural pairing — drive to Goðafoss, spend 45 minutes at the waterfall, then return to Forest Lagoon for the afternoon. This is exactly the combination most tours operate.

If you are spending more time in the north, Mývatn Nature Baths are 100 km to the east and offer a different but comparable geothermal experience. Mývatn itself deserves a full day independently. The north Iceland 4-day itinerary builds both into a circuit.

Akureyri city itself has a compact centre worth 2–3 hours: the distinctive black Akureyrarkirkja church, the botanical garden (surprisingly good given latitude), and good independent restaurants. See the Akureyri destination guide for a fuller breakdown.

Comparing Forest Lagoon to Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon

Forest Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are the most direct comparison — both opened post-2020, both have structured rituals, both target an adult market at mid-range prices (ISK 6,500–9,500 versus ISK 9,490–13,490 for Sky Lagoon). Sky Lagoon has the ocean infinity edge; Forest Lagoon has the fjord-and-mountains infinity edge. Sky Lagoon is in Reykjavík; Forest Lagoon is in the north.

Against the Blue Lagoon, Forest Lagoon is simpler, cheaper, less famous, and considerably less crowded. The Blue Lagoon’s milky silica water and volcanic lava setting are genuinely unique. Forest Lagoon’s setting — conifer forest and fjord — feels more Scandinavian than quintessentially Icelandic. Neither is better; they are different.

For a full comparison of all major options, see best geothermal pools in Iceland.

Practical details

Opening hours: Generally 11:00–23:00 on weekdays, 10:00–24:00 on weekends, with seasonal variation. Check the Forest Lagoon website for current hours.

Advance booking: Recommended in summer and for weekend visits. Less critical than Blue Lagoon given smaller tourist volumes in northern Iceland, but the facility has limited capacity.

Age restriction: No children under 14. Verify ID may be requested.

Food and drink: An on-site café bar serves Icelandic-inspired snacks, soup, and drinks. ISK 1,500–2,000 for a beer, consistent with north Iceland prices.

Facilities: Modern changing rooms, lockers, towels included with admission, hairdryers, showers. The standard of facilities is noticeably higher than Mývatn Nature Baths but slightly below Sky Lagoon’s polish.

Frequently asked questions about Forest Lagoon

Is Forest Lagoon worth visiting if I am only in Akureyri for a day?

Yes, particularly if arriving by cruise ship. The combination of Goðafoss waterfall (spectacular in its own right) and Forest Lagoon fills a port day efficiently and pleasurably. If you only have time for one, Goðafoss is the priority from a sightseeing standpoint; Forest Lagoon is the priority if relaxation and views matter more.

How crowded is Forest Lagoon compared to Blue Lagoon?

Significantly less crowded. Northern Iceland attracts fewer tourists than the Reykjanes Peninsula, and Forest Lagoon’s capacity is smaller than Blue Lagoon’s. Even in summer, the pools rarely feel packed.

Is Forest Lagoon good for northern lights viewing?

It is a better vantage point than central Akureyri due to elevation and the dark fjord horizon. However, for dedicated aurora photography, you want a more remote location with less artificial light. See the where to see northern lights in Iceland guide for optimum spots.

What is the water temperature at Forest Lagoon?

The main geothermal pool is maintained at 38–42°C. The cold plunge (part of the ritual) is significantly colder at around 5–8°C. The sauna reaches 80–90°C.

Does Forest Lagoon have the same milky-blue water as the Blue Lagoon?

No. Forest Lagoon’s water is geothermal but has a different mineral composition — it appears clear to light grey-green rather than the distinctive milky blue of the Blue Lagoon’s silica-rich water. The visual effect is less dramatic but the soaking experience is comparable.

Akureyri as a base for northern Iceland

Forest Lagoon is best understood as one component of an Akureyri-based northern Iceland visit. Akureyri itself — Iceland’s second city, although with only about 20,000 residents — has more character than most visitors expect from a small town.

Akureyrarkirkja: The distinctive black church (designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík) sits at the top of a long staircase in the city centre. Free to enter, with stained glass windows that are locally significant — several panels were originally from Coventry Cathedral before it was destroyed in World War II.

Botanical Garden (Lystigarðurinn): One of the northernmost botanical gardens in the world, at latitude 65.7°N. Impressively diverse given the climate, with around 7,000 plant species including trees that have no business growing this far north. Free entry, open daily in summer.

Nonnahús: The childhood home of Jón Sveinsson, an Icelandic author who wrote the “Nonni” children’s book series popular in Europe in the early 20th century. Small museum, modest entry fee.

The city centre restaurants: Akureyri has a better restaurant scene than a town of its size might suggest. Rub23 on Kaupvangsstræti is well regarded for fish and sushi, and there are several café-style lunch places along the pedestrian Hafnarstræti.

The drive from Reykjavík to Akureyri

If you are arriving from Reykjavík by car, the Ring Road (Route 1) runs north from Reykjavík along the west coast, inland across the highlands, and then follows the valley system down to Akureyri. The distance is about 390 km — a 4.5-hour drive if continuous.

The most scenic section of this route is the Hvalfjörður area (or the tunnel bypass) and the highland crossing between Borgarfjörður and Varmahlíð. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is 60 km west of the Ring Road just north of Borgarnes — worth a 2-day detour if time allows.

Many visitors fly Reykjavík to Akureyri (about 50 minutes with Icelandair domestic or Air Iceland Connect) and rent a car locally, then drive a shorter northern loop before returning.

Northern Iceland thermal highlights in combination

Forest Lagoon pairs naturally with the wider north Iceland thermal landscape. A 3-night northern Iceland circuit might look like:

Day 1 (Akureyri arrival): City walk, dinner, Forest Lagoon evening soak. Day 2 (Mývatn): Drive to Lake Mývatn. Hverfjall hike, Námaskarð mud pots, Dimmuborgir lava pillars, evening at Mývatn Nature Baths. Day 3 (Diamond Circle): Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon, Húsavík whale watching. Day 4: Return to Akureyri, Goðafoss stop on the way.

This itinerary uses Forest Lagoon as a comfortable evening arrival experience and Mývatn Nature Baths as the longer immersive stop. The contrast between the two — Akureyri’s fjord setting versus Mývatn’s raw volcanic landscape — is part of what makes north Iceland worth dedicating time to separately from the south.

What Forest Lagoon does well and where it falls short

Does well:

The fjord view is genuinely excellent, particularly in evening light.
The ritual is well-structured and the steam room is high quality.
The facility feels new and is very well maintained.
Crowd levels are manageable — no Blue Lagoon-style crush.
The forest setting around the car park and approach path is pleasant.

Falls short:

The water itself lacks visual drama — no milky-blue silica colour.
The F-road-adjacent access (unpaved final section) is rougher than expected for a premium facility.
Dining options at the café are limited compared to Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
Less international name recognition means it is less commonly included in package tours, requiring independent organisation.

For visitors who have already done Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon and are spending time in northern Iceland, Forest Lagoon is the obvious choice. For visitors who are only going to do one thermal spa in Iceland, Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon remain more compelling.

Practical details: the 2026 status

Forest Lagoon opened in 2022 and is, by Iceland tourism standards, very new. The facility has been refining its operations since opening. Current practical notes:

The café and bar have expanded their menu since the original opening. Booking is done online via the Forest Lagoon website. Gift cards are available. Group bookings (10+) require separate coordination. The winter season hours have been extended compared to the first year of operation, reflecting demand from northern lights tourists and cruise ship visitors.

The site does not have a gym, spa treatment rooms, or hotel accommodation on-site. These are in Akureyri, 10 minutes away. Several Akureyri hotels offer Forest Lagoon packages bundled with accommodation.

The Northern Iceland cruise ship context

Akureyri is one of Iceland’s busiest cruise ship ports, with vessels calling throughout summer. The combination of Goðafoss waterfall and Forest Lagoon fills a port day efficiently — a scenic waterfall 50 km west plus a thermal spa return into Akureyri before ship departure.

For cruise visitors, the key logistics: confirm your ship’s departure time with the excursion desk and build 45 minutes of buffer beyond the Forest Lagoon closing time to reach the port. The distance from Forest Lagoon to the Akureyri cruise terminal is about 15 minutes by car.

Most organised excursions from Akureyri port include Forest Lagoon admission in the ticket price. Independent cruise visitors who rent a car locally should book Forest Lagoon admission in advance — ship schedules mean many visitors arrive simultaneously, and pre-booking avoids delays.

The Skógarbad ritual compared to other Icelandic rituals

Forest Lagoon’s Skógarbad ritual differs from Sky Lagoon’s Skjól ritual in several respects beyond the obvious location difference:

Sky Lagoon Skjól: Ocean and horizon-focused aesthetics. The cold plunge is at 5–7°C. The sauna has a direct view of the lagoon. The body scrub uses Icelandic ingredients. The ritual feels Nordic-industrial in aesthetic.

Forest Lagoon Skógarbad: Forest and fjord-focused aesthetics. The sauna is wood-burning, producing a different heat profile from electric saunas. The steam room is scented with forest botanicals — pine and birch. The ritual feels more traditionally Scandinavian-rustic.

Both are effective as thermal wellness sequences. The sky and ocean at Sky Lagoon versus the forest and fjord at Forest Lagoon is the definitive aesthetic difference. Which appeals depends on personal preference — neither is objectively superior.

For visitors who want to compare directly, doing Sky Lagoon at the start of an Icelandic trip and Forest Lagoon in northern Iceland is the most logical sequencing.

Combining Forest Lagoon with Akureyri’s other attractions

Akureyri rewards more than a single-day detour. For visitors making the effort to travel north, combining the Forest Lagoon visit with the city’s other highlights creates a fuller experience.

Akureyri Botanical Garden (Lystigarðurinn): Free admission. The world’s northernmost botanical garden (according to most sources) sits in central Akureyri and is genuinely impressive — particularly in summer when the extended daylight produces lush growth. Open daily in summer. A pleasant 45-minute stroll before or after the lagoon.

Akureyrarkirkja: The landmark church visible from the harbour, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson (who also designed Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík). Free to enter. The interior is quieter and more intimate than the Reykjavík church, with stained glass depicting Icelandic landscapes.

Ráðhústorg (the town square): Akureyri’s main square has cafés, the tourist information office, and a relaxed small-city atmosphere. The coffee shops here (particularly Bláa Kannan, a local institution) are cheaper than their Reykjavík equivalents.

Lake Mývatn day trip: The Mývatn area is 100km east of Akureyri on Route 1 — a two-hour drive each way. Combining a morning at Mývatn Nature Baths, the Námaskarð geothermal area, and Dimmuborgir lava field with a Forest Lagoon evening creates a full geothermal day. This requires a car and early start but is a logical extension for visitors already in the north.

Eyjafjörður fjord boat trips: Whale watching from Akureyri targets humpback whales, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins in the deep fjord. Tour operators run trips from the Akureyri harbour, typically 2–3 hours, ISK 8,500–12,000. Combined with Forest Lagoon in the same day for a northern Iceland experience.

For visitors flying into Akureyri Airport (flight time 45 minutes from Reykjavík, ISK 8,000–20,000 depending on booking timing), two nights in Akureyri with a Forest Lagoon visit and a Mývatn day is a genuinely rewarding alternative to the standard south Iceland tourist route.