Mývatn Nature Baths

Mývatn Nature Baths sit above Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, drawing on the same type of mineral-rich geothermal water as the Blue Lagoon but set against a stark volcanic landscape of lava fields and pseudo-craters rather than the Reykjanes coastline. The main lagoon holds around 3.5 million liters of milky-blue water kept between 36-40°C, fed by a nearby borehole, with a bar built into the pool where visitors can order drinks without leaving the water. Two natural steam baths built into small stone huts sit just above the main lagoon, drawing steam directly from vents in the ground for a sauna-like experience. Because Mývatn is one of Iceland's least populated regions, the baths see far fewer visitors than the Blue Lagoon even in summer, and the surrounding area's dark lava fields, dramatic in any season, provide a very different backdrop than the softer greens near Reykjavik. In winter, the lagoon is a good spot for aurora viewing while soaking, since the region has low light pollution and clear skies are common. A typical visit lasts two to three hours, including the changing rooms, lagoon, and steam huts, and the site is easily combined with other geothermal and lava features around the lake such as Hverir and the Mývatn pseudo-craters.