Akureyri: Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket

Forest bathing with a hot-water twist. Just minutes from Akureyri, Forest Lagoon gives you warm geothermal water, a Finnish sauna, a cold plunge, and wide views across Eyjafjörður. I like the quiet setting among birch and pine trees, and I like that the sauna is included rather than treated as an extra. The main drawback is the price, especially since towels, swimwear, robes, and drinks cost extra.

This is a polished spa experience, not a wild Icelandic pool. The large pool is warm and spacious, the smaller pool runs hotter, and two swim-up bars make it easy to settle in for a long visit. Bring your own towel and swimsuit if you can. Otherwise, the final bill can climb quickly.

Key points to know before you go

• The large pool stays around 37°C: It has an indoor entry, two swim-up bars, and room to move around.
• The smaller pool reaches 40°C: This is the place for a hotter soak, though some people may prefer shorter visits.
• The Finnish sauna reaches about 80°C: Its humidity stays near 20%, and swimsuits are required.
• The cold plunge is 11°C: Pairing it with the sauna gives the visit a brisk Nordic rhythm.
• Eyjafjörður is part of the experience: The fjord and surrounding mountains provide the main visual reward.
• Bring your own towel: Towels, swimwear, robes, drinks, and food are not included in the $52 entry price.

Why Forest Lagoon feels different from a city spa

Forest Lagoon is only a short drive from Akureyri, yet its setting feels removed from town. The baths sit within Vaðlaskógur, a forest of birch and pine, with views across Eyjafjörður and toward the mountains.

That combination is the main reason to book. Many Icelandic bathing spots focus on the water itself. Here, the trees frame the pools, while the fjord opens out beyond them. You get a change of mood without needing a full-day trip from Akureyri.

I like that the setting does not rely on elaborate entertainment. The appeal is simple: warm water, cold air, trees, and a large fjord view. If you want slides, loud music, or a long list of treatments, this is not that kind of place. If you want a calm pause between sightseeing stops, it fits well.

The facility also feels purpose-built and tidy. The wood-cladded Forest Bistro, indoor fireplace, shower products, and well-arranged pools give the visit more polish than a basic public swimming pool. That polish helps explain the price, though you still need to budget for add-ons.

Arriving from Akureyri and planning your time

The lagoon is a few minutes from Akureyri, making it easy to add to a day in town or to schedule before an evening meal. The activity is sold as a one-day entry, with available starting times shown when you book. There is no fixed end time listed, so you can stay long enough to enjoy the pools without treating the visit like a rushed appointment.

That flexibility matters. A quick 60-minute stop would let you use the main pool, but two hours gives you time for the sauna, cold plunge, hot pool, and a drink. One recent visitor found the experience good value after staying about two hours, even while noting that the price felt slightly high.

Transport deserves attention. A taxi from Akureyri is a short ride, but one reported round trip cost £30. Prices can vary, so check your transport before booking if you are not driving. A low entry price can feel less attractive once you add a taxi, towel rental, robe rental, and bar drinks.

The lagoon is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more practical for a wider range of visitors. The supplied information does not explain the exact pool transfer arrangements, so anyone needing particular assistance should confirm those details directly before arrival.

The 37°C main pool and its swim-up bars

The large pool covers about 530 square metres and stays around 37°C, close to normal body temperature. That makes it the best place to settle in for a long soak. You can enter from indoors, which is especially useful when the air is cold.

The two swim-up bars are a real convenience. You do not need to leave the water every time you want a drink, and the bar gives the pool a social touch without turning the whole place into a party. Drinks cost extra, but one report described the prices as reasonable and the presentation as attractive.

The main pool is also where the view does its best work. From warm water, you can look toward Eyjafjörður and the mountains while the forest sits close around the building. The view is likely to change with weather and light, but that is part of Iceland’s appeal.

Crowding seems to be one of Forest Lagoon’s strengths. Several ratings describe it as clean and less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, with enough peace to enjoy the water. Still, no spa stays empty at every hour. If quiet matters most, choose a time that suits your schedule and be ready for busier periods.

The 40°C pool for a hotter soak

The smaller pool measures about 53 square metres and stays near 40°C. It is a useful contrast to the main pool, but the heat may feel intense if you stay too long.

I would treat this as a short stop rather than your base for the entire visit. Move between the two pools and pay attention to how you feel. The value comes from having different temperatures available, not from forcing yourself to remain in the hottest water.

This pool also gives the facility a more varied rhythm. You can start in the larger pool, try the hot pool, then cool down in the main water before heading to the sauna. That choice makes the visit feel less like sitting in one bath until your fingers wrinkle.

One point to keep in mind is that a small part of the facility was closed during one visit. The overall experience was still rated positively, but facilities can occasionally be unavailable. If a particular feature matters to you, it is sensible to ask at the entrance.

The dry Finnish sauna and 11°C cold plunge

The sauna uses dry heat rather than steam. Its temperature is about 80°C, with humidity around 20%. You must wear your swimsuit inside, so pack one you are comfortable wearing throughout the visit.

The sauna has a view over Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains. That turns a standard hot-room session into another way to appreciate the setting. You can sit, look out, and let the heat do its work without needing a separate treatment.

Next to the sauna is an 11°C cold pool. That is properly cold, not just mildly refreshing. The suggested pattern is sauna followed by cold plunge, then a return to warm water. You can take this gently, especially if you are not used to sudden temperature changes.

This is one of the strongest value points. The sauna is included in the standard entry, while some Icelandic spas charge more for access to upgraded areas. A visitor who had visited three lagoons considered Forest Lagoon the best overall experience, pointing to the atmosphere, views, staff, warm water, and included sauna.

Use common sense with the cold pool. You do not need to stay in it for long to get the contrast. If the temperature feels too severe, step out and return to the warm pool instead.

Showers, products, and what you need to pack

The entry includes Forest Lagoon signature shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer. That is a small but useful touch, especially if you are moving on to another activity afterward.

Towels are not included. Swimwear and bath robes are also excluded, and you need to bring a towel and swimsuit. You may be able to borrow or rent some items, but one detailed report warned that doing so can make the cost rise quickly.

I would pack:

• A swimsuit
• A towel
• A waterproof bag for your phone or camera
• Dry clothes for afterward

The waterproof bag is especially practical. You will be around pools, wet walkways, and a swim-up bar, so keeping your phone protected is easier than trying to find a dry pocket.

Nudity is not allowed, and smoking and vaping are prohibited. Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 20:00. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, so families should check the rules carefully before setting a time.

Forest Bistro adds a proper pause

Forest Bistro is more than a place to grab a quick snack. Its wood-cladded interior, indoor fireplace, and view over Eyjafjörður make it part of the overall visit.

The supplied details do not provide a menu or meal price, so I would see the bistro as an optional extra rather than build a precise food budget around it. If you like combining a spa visit with a meal or drink in a distinctive setting, it can round out the stop.

The bistro also gives you a place to warm up and dry off mentally after the cold plunge. You are not forced to rush from the water straight back into your sightseeing clothes.

What $52 gets you, and what it does not

The listed entry price is $52 per person. That covers access to the lagoon, pools, sauna, and the provided shower products.

It does not cover towels, swimwear, robes, drinks, or food. The price can therefore feel fair if you bring your own supplies and stay for a couple of hours. It feels less attractive if you need to rent several items, buy drinks, pay for a taxi, and eat at the bistro.

Compared with larger and more famous Icelandic lagoons, the appeal here is not simply getting into geothermal water. You are paying for the forest setting, the fjord views, the clean facilities, the hot and cool pool choices, the included sauna, and the convenience of being near Akureyri.

The feedback is strongly positive, with an overall rating of 4.8 from 176 ratings. The most praised features are consistent: clean facilities, warm water, helpful staff, low crowd levels, the peaceful setting, the sauna, and the views. The main criticism is value, not quality. That distinction matters. People generally like what they receive, but some find the base price high.

Who will enjoy Forest Lagoon most

I would recommend Forest Lagoon to you if you want a comfortable, scenic spa stop without spending a full day traveling from Akureyri. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who follow the age rules.

It is especially good for:

• A relaxing afternoon or evening near Akureyri
• Anyone who values a quieter setting
• Visitors who want a sauna and cold plunge included
• People who prefer warm water to colder outdoor bathing
• Anyone looking for a polished alternative to a larger, busier lagoon

You may want to skip it if your budget is tight, you already have several paid lagoons planned, or you expect a long list of included extras. The $52 ticket is only part of the cost if you need equipment, transport, drinks, and food.

The experience also may not suit you if you dislike communal pools, hot temperatures, or strict swimwear rules. The hot pool reaches 40°C, the sauna reaches 80°C, and the cold plunge sits at 11°C. You have choices, but each choice is built around strong temperatures.

Booking flexibility and useful timing notes

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Iceland schedule depends on weather or changing road plans.

The ticket is valid for one day, but you need to check availability for starting times. Since the visit has no stated fixed end time, you can plan it as a flexible stop rather than a tightly timed attraction.

For the smoothest visit, I would arrive with your swimsuit and towel already packed, keep a waterproof pouch handy, and allow enough time for more than one pool. Rushing in, taking one quick soak, and leaving would miss much of what makes the place worthwhile.

Should you book Forest Lagoon?

Book it if you want a calm, well-kept geothermal spa with strong views, a forest setting, and a sauna included in the basic ticket. The combination of the 37°C main pool, 40°C hot pool, 80°C dry sauna, and 11°C cold plunge gives you plenty to do without making the experience complicated.

I would be less quick to book if you must rent every item or pay a high taxi fare. Bring your own towel and swimwear, compare transport costs, and plan to stay at least two hours so the $52 entry has a fair chance to feel worthwhile.

For many people visiting northeastern Iceland, this is an easy choice: close to Akureyri, peaceful, clean, and more relaxed than a packed bathing complex. The forest and fjord do most of the decorating. The warm water and sauna do the rest.

FAQ

Where is Forest Lagoon located?

Forest Lagoon is located a few minutes from Akureyri in northeastern Iceland. It sits in Vaðlaskógur forest, with views over Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains.

How much does entry to Forest Lagoon cost?

The listed price is $52 per person. The ticket includes lagoon entry and shower products, but not towels, swimwear, bath robes, drinks, or food.

How long is the Forest Lagoon ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. You need to check availability for the available starting times.

What temperature is the main pool?

The large main pool is kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F. It includes an indoor entry and two swim-up bars.

Is there a hotter pool at Forest Lagoon?

Yes. The smaller pool measures about 53 square metres and is kept at around 40°C, or 104°F.

Is the sauna included in the entrance ticket?

Yes. The dry Finnish sauna is included with entry. It reaches about 80°C, has humidity near 20%, and requires you to wear a swimsuit.

How cold is the cold plunge?

The cold pool is kept at about 11°C, or 51.8°F. It is located next to the sauna.

What should I bring to Forest Lagoon?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want a waterproof bag for your phone or camera. Shower products are provided, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer.