Lake Mývatn covers about 37 square kilometres and has around 50 islands and islets. Together with the Laxá River and a landscape shaped by intense volcanic activity, these features define the character of the destination. If you’re looking for a hotel in Mývatn, it helps to decide what you want to focus on first: would you most like to explore geological landscapes, watch birds, or make the lake and its visitor attractions the centre of your trip?

Volcanic Features and Conservation

Lake Mývatn and the Laxá River are listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance. The Lake Mývatn and Laxá region is protected under Icelandic Act No. 97 of 9 June 2004. Individual landscapes also have designated protected status: Skútustaðagígar has been protected as a natural monument since 1973. Dimmuborgir near Mývatn consists of large lava formations; climbing on the rocks is not permitted.

The area’s volcanic character is also evident at other sites. The Mývatn area lies on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. Hverir, a geothermal area with boiling mud, hot springs and hissing fumaroles, lies east of Mývatn. Further afield is Hverfjall, a tuff crater around 2,500 years old.

Birdwatching by the Lake and Laxá River

The Mývatn North Bank Circle runs along the lakeshore and across rugged lava. It takes two to three hours to walk and is suitable for birdwatching. The route starts on the lakeshore opposite Hótel Reynihlíð. It combines a specific time commitment with a landscape where water and lava are equally present.

Höfði projects into Lake Mývatn as a rocky headland and is an excellent place for birdwatching. The Laxá is also important for certain species: its uppermost stretch is an important habitat in Iceland for the Barrow’s goldeneye and the common eider. The collection at Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum includes around 330 stuffed birds and about 500 eggs. The museum is also considered a good place for birdwatching at Lake Mývatn.

Trails, Lava and Geothermal Water

You can walk among still-warm lava flows in the Leirhnjúkur lava fields. The Mývatn Nature Baths offer a different kind of experience, with bathing in geothermal water drawn from depths of up to 2,500 metres. The destination therefore offers both a landscape to explore on foot and a bathing experience.

In Mývatnssveit, Geo Travel is a family-run adventure tour operator. Its offerings include Superjeep, private and day tours, as well as hiking and snowshoeing tours in North and East Iceland. These tours cover a wider area than Mývatn alone.

Getting Your Bearings and Local Experiences

Rangers at the Mývatn Visitor Center specialise in the Lake Mývatn and Laxá area. The exhibition covers the area’s landscape, wildlife and geology. It can be a helpful first stop, especially if you’d like to learn about these topics together before setting out to explore.

The Mývatn area lies along Iceland’s Ring Road. The Diamond Circle is a 250-kilometre circular route in North Iceland, and Lake Mývatn is one of its five main destinations. Local culture and food also complement the focus on the landscape: Mývatn Market offers a selection of handmade local crafts. Taste Mývatn takes visitors through culinary traditions as they explore the area’s nature.

Discover more destinations: Grenivík, Laufás, Hrisey, Akureyri, Bakki, Hallbjarnarstaðir, Laugar, Ólafsfjördur.

For the wider travel overview: Nordurland Eystra.