Visiting Iceland’s Forest Lagoon? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Are you planning on visiting the Forest Lagoon in Iceland? We loved our time in this incredible thermal spa and here’s everything you need to know!

Iceland is known for its geothermal pools and its spas have become iconic destinations for people travelling to the country.

While the ever-famous Blue Lagoon in the south has long been a favourite, there are plenty of other options up and down the country, including several in Northern Iceland. One such pool is the Forest Lagoon.

Located just outside the city of Akureyri, this is the perfect place to relax, grab a drink from the bar, and soak in the geothermal waters surrounded by lush greenery (or, in our case, snow!) and fjord views.

So, if you plan on visiting the Forest Lagoon, here’s everything you need to know.

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❤️ You need to visit this thermal spa in Iceland – it’s fantastic!

What is the Forest Lagoon?

The Forest Lagoon, or “Skógarbðin” in Icelandic, is a relatively new addition to Iceland’s geothermal spa scene.

Located just outside Akureyri, Iceland’s “Capital of the North,” this geothermal spa is in Vaðlaheiði, tucked into a hillside forest overlooking the breathtaking Eyjafjörður fjord, the longest fjord in Iceland (and a great place to spot whales!).

We recently spent 3 days in Akureyri and loved our trip to the lagoon.

Hot tub with snow-covered trees in the background during winter in Iceland. — *Views over the Lagoon from inside the lobby*

Most of the thermal spas in Iceland have a defining feature.

For the Blue Lagoon and Myvatn Nature Baths, this is their milky blue waters. For the Secret Lagoon, it’s the oldest swimming pool in Iceland; and for the Sky Lagoon, it’s their stunning ocean views.

When it comes to the Forest Lagoon, its defining feature is its connection to nature. The lagoon’s design blends effortlessly with the surrounding woodland, and it feels worlds away from city life.

Snow-covered outdoor hot tubs and wooden buildings in a winter landscape with tall trees and a clear sky.

The waters are naturally heated from a nearby hot spring (if you’ve ever been whale watching in Akureyri, you might be familiar with the hot waterfall nearby), meaning the waters are mineral-rich and good for the skin.

How to get to the Forest Lagoon?

If you are driving around Iceland, the Forest Lagoon is fairly easy to get to.

We stayed in the gorgeous Viking Apartments just outside Akureyri, so our drive was around 5-10 minutes. This is pretty much the same distance as if you’re staying in the centre of the city.

Snow-covered trees and a river in a winter landscape with a stone wall and pathway. — *The path up to the entrance to the lagoon*

There’s free parking on-site and a few food trucks in the car park too, perfect if you need a little snack before you enter the water.

If you don’t have a rental car, you can still easily access the Forest Lagoon from Akureyri. They offer a free shuttle bus from outside the Hof Cultural Center every hour between 10am – 6pm except in June, July, and August when there is also one at 9am.

❤️ This thermal spa in Iceland was one of our favourite parts of our trip!

Why Visit the Forest Lagoon?

If you love unique geothermal experiences in Iceland, you’ll love it here.

The lagoon is easy to access, especially if you’re staying in Akureyri, and is just a 10-minute drive from the centre of town.

It’s less popular than spas like the Blue Lagoon which means you’ll be able to contend with fewer crowds and a more relaxing atmosphere while you’re there.

People relaxing in the outdoor thermal pool at Forest Lagoon with snow-covered trees in the background.

It’s also more affordable at 6,900 ISK (around £40 or $50 per person), compared to the 11,490 (£66 or $82) or above that you’ll need to pay to enter the Blue Lagoon.

TOP TIP: The price of the Forest Lagoon doesn’t include a towel, so you’ll have to either rent that separately or bring your own.

Facilities and Features

Another reason I loved the Forest Lagoon was because it has more than one pool. You also have access to a Finnish sauna and a cold plunge pool which are both wonderful additions to the spa.

It’s not quite as in-depth an experience as the 7-steps of the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, but it still provides more to do than the Blue Lagoon, which is just a single pool.

Interior of a cosy restaurant with wooden walls, black chairs, and tables set with flowers and glasses. — *The lagoon also had an on-site bistro where you could buy drinks and snacks*

Outside of the spa itself, they also have a bistro on site which serves a delicious selection of lunch, snacks, and drinks options.

What to Expect When You Visit

When you arrive at the Forest Lagoon, you’ll be given a wristband to wear in the pool. This wristband also activates the lockers, so you’ll need to keep it on at all times.

What are the changing facilities like?

Many people are unsure about the changing facilities when it comes to thermal spas in Iceland. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about this as well, especially as the staff told us that we needed to shower naked before entering the pool.

There are two sets of changing rooms – male and female – as well as disabled facilities. As you enter the changing room, you’ll first find a place to leave your shoes before entering the main changing area.

This is a communal changing room and many people were simply changing out in the open. But, there was also a changing cubicle for those who are a little more conservative.

Woman taking a selfie in a modern bathroom with grey lockers and a stone sink. — *The changing rooms at the Forest Lagoon*

Sign on wooden wall with instructions for changing clothes at a spa or pool facility. — *The changing cubicle*

I changed into my swimwear in the cubicle, then placed all my belongings except my towel, into a locker, which you lock with the wristband.

You have to shower before you enter the pool. Once again, there were communal showers which many were using, and shower cubicles which I used.

You have to shower naked, so I had to take my costume off and put it back on again. But I was more comfortable doing this than stripping in front of strangers.

This is another reason I rated the Forest Lagoon as some thermal spas in Iceland do not have private shower cubicles.

Entering the pool

Once you’ve showered, leave your towel on the towel rack – there are numbered sections so you’ll know which one is yours – and head out to the spa.

To enter the Forest Lagoon, you can walk down some steps directly into the water. The water is kept at a toasty 39-41°C and is absolutely lovely.

Indoor pool with a person relaxing in the water, view through large window showing an outdoor landscape. — *The entrance to the Forest Lagoon*

All around the pool, there are various seating areas where you can sit and relax. There is also a swim-up bar where you can order a variety of soft drinks, beer, and cocktails.

I ordered a frozen strawberry margarita and Andrew chose the Forest Lagoon Special mocktail because he was the designated driver! There are also several tables around the water’s edge where you can put your drink.

Two hands holding colourful drinks in hot spring with snowy trees in background.

Once we’d relaxed in the main pool for a bit, we decided to try the sauna and plunge pool. In the sauna, small towels are provided to sit on before you enter. From inside, you had views over the Forest Lagoon and the fjord.

After the sauna, we also had to try the cold plunge. It’s kept at 12°C but felt utterly freezing in the nippy January air. I could only stay in it for about 15 seconds before I had to get back in the warm water again!

Woman in red swimsuit entering a hot spring pool surrounded by snow and icy landscape in Iceland. — *Getting out of the cold pool – it was pretty brutal!*

Overall, we stayed in the spa for about 2 hours and left feeling incredibly relaxed.

❤️ This is one of the best thermal spas you can visit in Iceland.

When to visit the Forest Lagoon

You can visit the Forest Lagon all year round. The summer months are the busiest time to visit Iceland, so you’ll likely experience more crowds. But you’ll also be able to see the midnight sun from the lagoon which would be a magical experience.

In contrast, the winter months when we visited are less crowded and equally stunning. The scenery is a true winter wonderland with snowy trees and the icy fjord.

It was actually snowing while we were in the lagoon and the contrast of icy air with the warm water was wonderful.

Woman in a red swimsuit enjoying a thermal pool with snow-covered trees in the background.

You could also visit during the spring or autumn. We’ve visited Iceland in March before and it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to weather, but will still be less crowded than summer.

When it comes to the time of day, we found the early afternoon to be quite quiet. We visited the lagoon at around 3pm and many people were just leaving.

It was fairly quiet in the waters until about 5pm when lots of people started arriving just as we were getting out.

Outdoor pool with snow-covered trees and buildings in the background during winter evening.

However, if you visit in the winter at night time, you may even see the northern lights from the pool if the sky is clear – certainly a reason to visit at night!

Tips for Visiting

Based on our experience, here are a few things to bear in mind before visiting the lagoon.

Book in advance, especially during the peak summer season. To avoid the lagoon becoming too crowded, they limit tickets. If you’re not quick, they might sell out.

Snow-covered rocks and a hot tub with a metal handrail in a snowy landscape in Iceland.

Remember to stay hydrated in the water. Hot water can make you very dehydrated, so they offer free water at the bar and also have a water fountain in the pool.

There are changing cubicles available, so you won’t have to change in front of everyone. There will almost certainly be other people changing in front of you, though.

Bring your own towel with you as well as swimwear. Both of these are available to rent, but it’s much easier and cheaper to bring your own.

❤️ You’ll need to book this spa in advance if you want to guarantee a ticket!

Is the Forest Lagoon Worth It?

Yes, the Forest Lagoon is 100% worth it. We absolutely loved our time in the thermal spa and, in my opinion, it was even more magical surrounded by snow.

The spa itself was beautiful and felt so secluded and the sauna and cold plunge were wonderful additions to the experience. Plus, you cannot beat a strawberry margarita – that was delicious!

The lagoon is still a bit of a hidden gem as not as many people visit North Iceland compared to the ever-popular south coast, however, it’s growing in popularity and it’s easy to see why.

You’ll definitely not regret adding the Forest Lagoon to your Iceland bucket list!

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