Akureyri
Forest Lagoon
Skógarböðin
Photo: Forest Lagoon
Infinity pools in a birch forest, with Akureyri across the fjord
Tucked into Vaðlaskógur forest on the eastern shore of Eyjafjörður, Forest Lagoon is fed by hot water that burst into a road tunnel during construction. Now it’s the north’s most elegant soak.
- Water
- 37–41°C
- From Reykjavík
- 4 h · 391 km
- Opened
- 2022
- Entry from
- 7,490 ISK
- Best for
- ViewsAuroraDesign
When engineers were boring the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel under the mountain east of Akureyri, they hit a hot-water vein so powerful it flooded the works and slowed the project for months. The water was eventually piped out of the tunnel, and a few years later it found a better use: filling Forest Lagoon.
The lagoon sits among birch and spruce in Vaðlaskógur, one of the few real forests in Iceland, on the slope across the fjord from Akureyri. Two infinity pools look out over Eyjafjörður and the town, and the timber buildings almost disappear into the trees.
“When engineers were boring the tunnel, they hit a hot-water vein so powerful it flooded the works.”
There’s a freestanding Finnish sauna with a panoramic window over the fjord, a cold pool for the brave, swim-up bars and the Forest Bistro with its open fire. Come in winter and you might watch the northern lights from the water; come in summer and you can bathe under the midnight sun.
Photography: Forest Lagoon.
What to look forward to
- 01
Two infinity pools
Hot water at the edge of the forest, with the whole fjord laid out below.
- 02
Swim-up bar
Drinks served at the water’s edge, so you never have to get out.
- 03
Sauna & cold pool
A Finnish sauna with a fjord view, then an 11°C cold pool to reset.
- 04
Forest Bistro
Soups, salads and Icelandic small plates after your swim.
Insider tips
- A free Forest Lagoon bus runs from Akureyri, five minutes away.
- Evening slots in winter give you the best chance of aurora.
- Combine it with Goðafoss waterfall, about 30 minutes east.
Quick answers
Prices and details last checked October 2026.
Where is Forest Lagoon?
Forest Lagoon is in Akureyri, in North Iceland. It’s about 4 h (391 km) by car from Reykjavík.
How hot is the water at Forest Lagoon?
Usually 37–41°C. A hot-water vein struck while drilling the Vaðlaheiðargöng road tunnel, piped about 3 km to the baths with no chemicals added.
How much does Forest Lagoon cost?
Adult entry starts from 7,490 ISK. Prices change with the day, time slot and package, so check the latest when you book.
Can you book Forest Lagoon in advance?
Yes. You can check live availability and book Forest Lagoon through Lagoon Land. Popular times, like summer sunsets and winter evenings, sell out first, so it’s worth booking ahead.
What is Forest Lagoon best for?
It’s a good pick for views, aurora and design. Highlights: two infinity pools, swim-up bar, sauna & cold pool and Forest Bistro.
When did Forest Lagoon open?
It opened in 2022.
Which lagoons are near Forest Lagoon?
The closest are GeoSea (53 km), Earth Lagoon Mývatn (55 km) and Highland Baths (124 km), as the raven flies.
Also nearby
See the map →
Húsavík
GeoSea
Geothermal seawater on a clifftop above whale country
53 km away as the raven flies
Reopened 2026Mývatn
Earth Lagoon Mývatn
The north’s great lagoon, reborn with a steam cave in the lava
55 km away as the raven flies
Guided onlyHúsafell
Húsafell Canyon Baths
Stone pools hidden in a canyon, reached on foot
170 km away as the raven flies
Forest Lagoon
From 7,490 ISK