• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

5 Best things to do in Myvatn (Iceland) – Map + Out-of-this-world landscapes!

Last updated on March 14, 2023 by Claire - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Let me show you the top things to do in Myvatn Iceland... my favorite region!
Sure it does not have the fjords or icebergs of South Iceland, but I loved the atmosphere of post-apocalypse and the connection with Earth.
Below is my guide with my selection of the best attractions not to be missed around Lake Myvatn Iceland.

Before all my photos + tips, here are my favorites to plan your Summer Iceland trip:

car rental

My favorite platform to rent a car in Iceland: Discovercars

hotel

My favorite places to stay around Iceland:

  • Reykjavik, the capital, of course:  Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel 
  • Vik to explore the South Coast: Hotel Vik i Myrdal
  • Lake Myvatn, in the north: Hotel Laxa
  • Borgarnes, between Snaefellsnes and Silver Circle: Hotel Hamar
bus

My favorite bus tour from Reykjavik (Summer): Amazing Snaefellsnes Peninsula

boat

My favorite activity around Iceland (Summer): Whale watching from Husavik (best) or Reykjavik or Akureyri

tips key

My favorite platform to book travel-packages in Iceland: guidetoiceland

Top 5 things to see around lake Myvatn Iceland

Table Of Contents
Best things to do in Myvatn Iceland - Map
#5 - Hverfjall crater
#4 - Geothermal area of Hverir
#3 - Pseudo-craters of Skutustagagigar
#2 - Lava field of Dimmuborgir
#1 - Steaming lava of Leirhnjukur
Where to stay near Lake Myvatn Iceland?

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
// If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Best things to do in Myvatn Iceland - Map

About Lake Myvatn & the Top Things to do

The area around Myvatn was my favorite in Iceland. I love all the geological features and the impression to be on another planet or to be a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world.
It is located in north Iceland, along road 1

  • Akureyri to Myvatn = 1h10 drive
  • Reykjavik to Myvatn = 6h drive
  • Egilsstadir to Myvatn = 2h15 drive

Below you will find my 5 favorite places to see around the lake and in the nearby area (but there are so many more amazing places to see! You can find them in my eBook)

Lake Myvatn Iceland Map

Things to do Lake Myvatn Map Iceland

And you can find the complete map with all the amazing things to do in Myvatn in my eBook:

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

If you are traveling in Winter, check out my article about Myvatn under the snow.


#5 - Hverfjall crater

Things to do in Myvatn Iceland - Hverfjall

What is Hverfjall...

Easily spotted around Lake Myvatn, Hverfjall is a circular explosion crater about 140 metres deep and 1km in diameter which makes it one of the largest of its kind in the world. It is completely bare and can be climbed and circled.

Why I loved it...

This one of the bigger preserved craters I have ever seen. It makes you realise the power of volcanic eruptions. Plus the views of the area are quite nice.

Discover Hverfjall with more photos, info and some planning tips on my dedicated article


Need to rent a car in Iceland?

directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

How to rent a car in Iceland 2

or see my 36 practical tips to choose the best car to rent for the roads in Iceland (Summer or Winter) and find the best deals

+ read tips
+ Car + Deals

#4 - Geothermal area of Hverir

What to do in Myvatn Iceland - Hverir

What is Hverir..

Hverir is a geothermal area with at the foothill of Namafjall which features mud springs, steam vents, cracked mud and fumaroles.

Why I loved it...

Some people who visisted yellowstone or Wai-o-tapu are disapointed by Hverir. Personnally I really enjoyed the sharped contrast with the mountains and the atmosphere of being on another planet due to the bare surrounding landscape.

Discover Hverir with more photos, info and some planning tips on my dedicated article


#3 - Pseudo-craters of Skutustagagigar

What to see around Lake Myvatn Iceland

What are the pseudo-craters...

Skútustadagígar is where the famous pseudocraters can be found on lake Myvatn.  They were formed as lava entered a large lake trapping its wet sediment underneath. Later eruptions formed the craters

Why I loved it...

Simply because they have beautiful shapes, round and smooth. And with some luck you can get some nice reflections on the lake, a magical moment

Discover the pseudo-craters with more photos, info and some planning tips on my dedicated article


Where to stay in Iceland?

Iceland Accommodations

See my selection of all the best areas to stay to enjoy the beautiful regions of Iceland...
+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

#2 - Lava field of Dimmuborgir

Visit Dimmuborgir, Myvatn, Iceland

What is Dimmuborgir...

There are many lava fields in Iceland, but none of them are like Dimmuborgir. The formations are intricate and have triggered the creation of many stories with elves, trolls and other mystical creatures. 

Why I loved it...

This is a place where you can let you imagination free and spend hours imaginiing shapes in those rocks. The pillars are impressive. And if you travel in September, you wil enjoy like me the autumn colors of the surrounding bushes.

Discover Dimmuborgir with more photos, info and some planning tips on my dedicated article


#1 - Steaming lava of Leirhnjukur

Visit leirhnjukur, Myvatn, Iceland

What is Leirhnjukur...

Leirhnjukur is a geothermal area partly composed of a lava field that is still steaming 30 years after the last volcanic event. It also includes a rhyolite hill that rises 50 meters above the surrounding lava field.

Why I loved it...

I think this choice will be the most contestes. Yes this geothermal area is not the most colorful or the biggest but I really loved walking in the steaming lava, feeling all alone as if the only survivor after an apocalypse. Such a special experience!

Discover Leirhnjúkur with more photos, info and some planning tips on my dedicated article


I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
Buy me a coffee

Where to stay near Lake Myvatn Iceland?

I strongly recommend staying 2 or 3 days in the region to have time to really discover it.
See my entire article about where to stay around Lake Myvatn and North iceland.

I personally stayed at the Dimmuborgir Guesthouse by Lake Myvatn. One of my favorite accommodations in Iceland. I love how close it is to the lake and all the lava rocks around. So peaceful!

Myvatn Accommodation - Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

Myvatn Accommodation - Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

But you can find other great accommodations in the area - check out your options here


Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?

  • All my favorite things to do in North Iceland - read article
  • Tips to plan your Iceland road trip - read article
  • Tips to rent a car in Iceland - read article
  • Tips to drive around Iceland - read article
  • Itinerary suggestions - read article
  • 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures - read article
  • The best stops on the Ring Road - read article
  • The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland - read article
  • 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - read article
  • 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland - read article
  • The 10 best lava caves in Iceland - read article
  • The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland - read article
  • The Golden Circle - read article
  • The Snaefellsnes peninsula - read article

Planning a trip to Iceland?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Iceland road trip Journal

PREVIOUS BEST OF: 

BEST STOPS ON THE RING ROAD

NEXT BEST OF: 

7 BEST OFF BEATEN PATH IN ICELAND

Tourism Iceland Travel Guide

What do you think, will you visit all 5?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. William jones says

    January 6, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    Your site has been very helpful as we plan our return trip to Iceland this year. Thank You

    Reply
    • Claire Robinson says

      January 6, 2015 at 8:35 PM

      Thank you William for taking the time to leave me this comment. I am very happy you found it helpful.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr
LoireLovers.fr
CorsicaLovers.fr
Provencelovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth · Log in