1-Day Myvatn Marvel: Waterfalls to Dark Castles

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by Ethan

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Myvatn 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day journey to Myvatn, a destination brimming with natural beauty and geological marvels. Your adventure begins at the breathtaking Goðafoss Waterfall, where you'll spend an hour marveling at the 'Waterfall of the Gods'. Next, immerse yourself in the heart of Myvatn for three hours, exploring its diverse landscapes and rich birdlife. The Dark Castles await you with their dramatic lava formations at Dimmuborgir for an hour of exploration, reminiscent of a fantasy world. Then, delve into the warmth of Grotagja Cave, a geothermal spring hidden within a rocky cave, for an hour of serene contemplation. Conclude your day at Namafjall, where you'll witness the raw power of Earth's geothermal activity for an hour. This itinerary is crafted to showcase the best of Myvatn's natural attractions, each offering a unique glimpse into Iceland's wild heart.

Top 5 Hotels in Myvatn
TOP 1
Hótel Laxá
Hótel Laxá
hotelStar
3/5
92 reviews
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TOP 2
Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Mývatn - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
hotelStar
3/5
118 reviews
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TOP 3
Fosshotel Myvatn
Fosshotel Myvatn
hotelStar
3/5
98 reviews
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Kjarnagerdi Cottages
Kjarnagerdi Cottages
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Aska Modern Cabin
Aska Modern Cabin
hotelStar
3/5
6 reviews
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Itinerary at a Glance
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1 Day in Myvatn Itinerary: Day 1

1

Goðafoss Waterfall

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Begin your Myvatn adventure with the awe-inspiring Goðafoss Waterfall, often called the 'Waterfall of the Gods'. As the first stop of the day, this stunning cascade offers a refreshing start with its thunderous waters plunging into a scenic canyon. The historical significance and natural beauty of Goðafoss make it a must-see, setting the tone for a day filled with Iceland's dramatic landscapes.

Attraction Info

  • Goðafoss Waterfall, 645, Iceland
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
34 min,40.22 km
2

Myvatn

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Next, immerse yourself in the volcanic wonderland of Myvatn for three hours of exploration. This diverse area, known for its geothermal activity and rich birdlife, presents a tapestry of bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and tranquil lakeside views. Myvatn's unique terrain, shaped by centuries of volcanic events, offers a plethora of photo opportunities and a chance to witness nature's raw power.

Attraction Info

  • 660, Iceland
  • Suggested tour duration: 3-5 hour
  • Open 24 hours
16 min,15.32 km
3

Dark Castles

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Continue your journey to the mysterious Dark Castles, or Dimmuborgir, a labyrinth of towering lava formations. Spend an hour wandering through this 'dark fortress', where myths and legends come to life amidst the twisted pillars and caves. The stark, dramatic landscape of Dimmuborgir serves as a natural playground for the imagination and a stark contrast to the earlier aquatic marvels.

Attraction Info

  • Dimmuborgir, Iceland
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe
Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe
4.3/5 · 4 reviews
3.2 km from attraction
Kaffi Borgir
Kaffi Borgir
4/5 · 1 review
0.6 km from attraction
Vogafjós Farm Resort
Vogafjós Farm Resort
/5 · 0 reviews
3.2 km from attraction
8 min,5.64 km
4

Grotagja Cave

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Delve into the depths of Grotagja Cave, a rugged lava cave hiding a geothermal spring within its depths. With an hour to explore, you can marvel at the steamy waters and the cave's rocky interior, which was once a popular bathing spot. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the cave's historical significance, makes Grotagja a captivating stop on your Myvatn itinerary.

Attraction Info

  • Road 1, Reykjahlid, Iceland
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe
Vogafjos Cowshed Cafe
4.3/5 · 4 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Gamli Baerinn
Gamli Baerinn
/5 · 0 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Myvatnnaturebaths
Myvatnnaturebaths
/5 · 0 reviews
3.0 km from attraction
Vogafjós Farm Resort
Vogafjós Farm Resort
/5 · 0 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Hotel Reykjahlid Restaurant
Hotel Reykjahlid Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Mylla Restaurant
Mylla Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
6 min,5.61 km
5

Namafjall

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Conclude your day at Namafjall, a high-temperature geothermal area that's home to hissing steam vents and boiling mud pots. Spending an hour here allows you to experience the earth's energy up close. The colorful mineral deposits and otherworldly atmosphere at Namafjall provide a fitting finale to a day spent discovering the natural wonders that make Myvatn an unforgettable destination.

Attraction Info

  • Iceland
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour

Where to Stay Tonight

4.1/54 Reviews
4.1/5Very Good4 Reviews
Reykjahlie
|4.07km from city center
4/540 Reviews
4/5Very Good40 Reviews
Reykjahlie
|4.12km from city center

Top Things to Do in Myvatn-2024

TOP 1
Myvatn
Myvatn
4.7/5 · 46 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,121 review
Highlights:
Lake Myvatn, also known as Lake Miva, is located in northern Iceland. It is an important tourist area in Iceland, and tourists here are not aware of it every year. Lake Myvatn is about 37 square kilometers and has a water depth of 2.5 meters. It is the fifth largest lake in Iceland. Tourists can take a boat tour of the lake and even fish by the lake. Due to the barrier of the mountains, Myvatn is regarded as one of the very dry areas in Iceland, and the weather is often good. In addition to the beautiful scenery, the complete volcanic geographical landscape is preserved here, including geothermal heat, geysers, craters, etc. Due to the rich landscape, the Icelandic government planned it as a special reserve in 1974. A small aquatic creature gathers in the lake, and the trout that feed on this creature thrives in the lake. There are many strange-shaped islands in the lake, inhabited by various water birds, only one type of wild duck, there are more than 10 kinds, the number of which is more than 100,000. At Skutustadargigar, you will see countless fake craters that were formed during a volcanic eruption more than 2,000 years ago. Under the hillside in the east of the lake, there is a cluster of dark and rugged rocks. Some of these rocks are shaped like spires and some are like castles. They are clustered around a long and narrow valley. From a distance, the crater looks like a majestic black The old castle, this is one of the wonders of Lake Myvatn, Dimmuborgir. Near Lake Myvatn stands a conical volcanic crater. The large and small lava in this area is the result of the eruption of this crater. Continue to the east, the left side of the mountain road is a series of low hills with a wide rock crevice on it. Going forward through the rock crevice, it is dark at first, and gradually, your eyes are suddenly bright, and suddenly, there will be an open bay. This is another scenic spot of Lake Myvatn - underground hot springs. The water in the underground hot springs is kept at about 27°C all year round and can be used for bathing all year round. Going further east, you will find many gaps on both sides of the road, the big ones are 1 to 2 meters wide, and the small ones are one or two feet wide. You can see the water vapor rushing out of the hole, making the area filled with yellow smoke. In the lower part, the mud is rolling and the steam is steaming. This is the third wonder of the Miwadden Lake area - the Krafla hot gas field.
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TOP 2
Dark Castles
Dark Castles
4.5/5 · 15 review
Highlights:
The Lava Labyrinth, also known as the "Black Castle", is a large area of black rock that cooled after a volcanic eruption. There are several hiking routes inside, and the most popular one is the one that passes through a "church", which is a naturally formed cave that makes people sigh at the magic of nature. As one of the filming locations of "Game of Thrones", the lava maze has also allowed many fans to see its peculiarity.
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TOP 3
Askja
Askja
4.4/5 · 7 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 150 review
Highlights:
Askia Volcano is a beautiful volcano in the eyes of Icelanders. You can go deep into the volcano by bumping along the dotted F88, feel the craters formed by the eruption of the volcano in 1961, and then walk to Viti and The erupting crater of Lake Askja was formed in 1875.
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TOP 4
Krafla
Krafla
4.5/5 · 16 review
Highlights:
Krafla is a volcano in northern Iceland that has erupted 29 times. Krafla is a caldera formed by a super-giant volcano, formed when the top of the volcanic cone lost the support of the underground lava and collapsed. The area visited is actually the interior of a broken crater, the entire area is smoky and barren, with some sulphurous landforms along the way that smells like rotten eggs. The whole scene gives the impression of the tragic situation of the earth after the end of the world.
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TOP 5
Namafjall
Namafjall
4.7/5 · 28 review
Highlights:
The Namafjall geothermal area is located at the foot of the Namafjall Mountain to the east of Lake Myvatn. This area is full of water vapor emerging from the ground to form several white smoke columns, and there are many gray geothermal pits scattered with mud next to it, with temperatures as high as 80-100 degrees Celsius. In such a "high-risk area", tourists can only walk on roads with simple guardrails as required. If they are too close to the air outlet, their skin may be burned at any time. be careful. Because of the natural hot springs underground in the Namafigar geotropical zone, various minerals in the ground spew out with the geothermal heat, and the air is filled with the strong smell of rotten eggs of sulfur, which is very ecstasy.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Myvatn 1 Day Itinerary