Akureyri: Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket

Skip the crowds, keep the view. The Forest Lagoon gives you a calm geothermal break just minutes from Akureyri, with hot water, birch and pine trees, and wide views across Eyjafjörður. I especially like the 37°C main pool with swim-up bars and the Finnish sauna, which is included rather than treated as an extra.

The setting feels quieter than Iceland’s best-known lagoon, and the water is warm enough for a long soak. The main catch is price: at $52 per person, towels, swimwear, robes, and drinks cost extra, so the visit is best value when you bring your own gear and stay for a couple of hours.

Key points to know before you go

• Two different soaking temperatures: The large pool sits at about 37°C, while the smaller pool reaches a hotter 40°C.
• A proper dry sauna is included: The Finnish sauna runs at about 80°C with roughly 20 percent humidity and a view over Eyjafjörður.
• The cold plunge is genuinely cold: At 11°C, it gives you a sharp contrast after the sauna or hot pools.
• The forest setting is the main attraction: Birch and pine trees surround the baths, while the fjord and mountains open up beyond them.
• Pack your own towel and swimwear: These are not included, and borrowing equipment can push up the total cost.
• Plan around children’s evening hours: Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 8 p.m.

Arriving at the Forest Lagoon near Akureyri

The Forest Lagoon sits in Vaðlaskógur, the wooded area across the fjord from Akureyri. Its location gives the spa a different feel from Iceland’s more exposed geothermal sites. You get trees close to the water, with Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains spreading out beyond them.

That view is a major part of the visit. The lagoon is not simply a warm swimming pool with a few scenic touches added later. The setting shapes the whole experience. From the water, you can look across the long fjord while the forest softens the edges of the property.

The short distance from Akureyri makes this a practical stop. You do not need to devote an entire day to it, although the ticket is valid for one day and there is no stated fixed end time once you are inside. I would allow at least two hours so you are not rushing between the pools, sauna, cold plunge, and changing area.

Keep transport costs in mind. The lagoon is close to town, but a short taxi ride can still be expensive in Iceland. If you are not driving, check the return fare before setting out. That extra cost can change how good the $52 entry price feels.

The 530-square-meter main pool

Start with the large pool, which covers 530 square meters and stays around 37°C, or 98.6°F. This is the pool where you will likely spend most of your time. The temperature is warm without being as intense as the smaller hot pool, so you can sit, float, and enjoy the view for longer.

An indoor entry makes getting into the water easier, especially in cold or windy weather. You do not need to make a dramatic dash from the changing area into the open air. Once you are in, the pool provides a comfortable base for the rest of the visit.

The two swim-up bars add a social touch. You can order a drink without leaving the water, then settle back into the pool. The drinks are not included, so set a spending limit if you are watching your budget. The bar can be part of the fun, but it also makes an already costly outing more expensive.

The pool is designed for relaxation rather than swimming lengths. You will not find a conventional lap-swimming experience here. The appeal is the combination of warm water, stillness, forest, and fjord views.

The 40°C pool for a hotter soak

The smaller pool measures 53 square meters and is kept at about 40°C, or 104°F. It offers a stronger hit of heat than the main pool and is useful when you want a short, very warm soak.

Because the pool is smaller, it may feel more intimate and less spacious than the main bathing area. I would use it in short spells, then return to the cooler main pool. That simple change keeps the experience comfortable and gives you two distinct temperatures rather than one long session in the same water.

The warm water has been widely praised for feeling clean and pleasant. Still, 40°C is hot, and you should pay attention to how your body feels. The point is comfort, not endurance.

The Finnish sauna with a fjord view

The dry sauna is one of the strongest features here. It runs at about 80°C with humidity around 20 percent, so it has the crisp, dry heat associated with a Finnish sauna rather than the damp air of a steam room.

You wear your swimsuit inside. That matters because Icelandic bathing customs vary from place to place, and this facility specifically requires swimwear. Nudity is not allowed.

The view gives the sauna a reason to pause. You can warm up while looking over Eyjafjörður and the mountains beyond it. The scene is especially valuable after time in the water, when the sauna becomes less about simply getting hot and more about sitting quietly with the view.

I also like that sauna access is included in the entrance ticket. Some thermal spas charge more for their premium facilities. Here, you can use the sauna without adding another fee, which improves the value of the basic admission.

The 11°C cold plunge

Next to the sauna is an 11°C cold pool, about 51.8°F. This is not cool water. It is a proper cold plunge, and the change from the 80°C sauna is immediate.

The usual pattern is simple: spend a short time in the dry heat, cool down in the plunge, then return to the warm pool. You do not need to stay in the cold water for long to feel the contrast. I would treat it as an optional challenge, not an obligation.

The cold plunge adds variety to the visit. Without it, the experience would be mainly a choice between two warm pools and a sauna. With it, you can create a clear hot, cold, warm rhythm that makes the visit feel more active.

If you do not enjoy cold water, skip it. The main pool, hot pool, and sauna provide plenty to do. You are not missing the central purpose of the Forest Lagoon by avoiding the plunge.

Why the forest setting matters

The name is not just marketing. Vaðlaskógur surrounds the spa with birch and pine trees, giving the bathing area a sheltered, wooded character. The combination of trees close by and a fjord in the distance creates a pleasing contrast.

Iceland is famous for open volcanic ground, black beaches, glaciers, and dramatic coastlines. A forest setting offers something different. The trees make the place feel quieter and more enclosed, while the view across Eyjafjörður prevents it from feeling boxed in.

Weather will change the mood. On a clear day, the fjord and mountains become the main show. In gray weather, the forest may feel more important than the distant view. Either way, the setting gives you something to look at while you sit in the water.

The peace is a big reason to choose this spa over a busier, more famous alternative. It is not guaranteed to be empty, but the experience generally feels less crowded. That matters when you want a quiet soak instead of a large-scale pool scene.

Forest Bistro and the swim-up bars

Forest Bistro is the on-site place to extend the visit beyond bathing. Its wood-clad interior includes a fireplace and views toward Eyjafjörður, giving you a warm indoor setting after time outside.

Food is not included in the $52 ticket. I would treat the bistro as an optional add-on, not part of the basic price. If you enjoy lingering over a meal in an unusual setting, it can help turn the lagoon into a longer outing. If you only want a soak, you can keep your visit focused on the pools and sauna.

The swim-up bars are convenient, especially when you do not want to leave the water to get a drink. They also contribute to the spa atmosphere, but drinks can quickly affect your budget. The practical choice is to decide in advance if the bar is part of your plan.

The available feedback about the drinks has been positive, including comments about their presentation and reasonable pricing compared with other Icelandic costs. Still, reasonable is a relative word in Iceland. Bring your own expectations, not your own drink, since outside food and drink rules are not provided here.

What is included, and what you need to bring

The entrance ticket includes access to the lagoon and the signature Forest Lagoon shower products. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer are supplied, so you can freshen up without packing a full set of toiletries.

You need to bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel

Towels, swimwear, bathrobes, and drinks are not included. You can borrow some of these items, but the total price can rise quickly. A waterproof bag is also a sensible addition if you want to protect a phone or camera near the pools.

The shower products are a small but useful touch. They reduce what you need to carry and make it easier to clean up before continuing your day in Akureyri.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. Nudity is also not allowed, and minors cannot enter without an accompanying adult. Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 8 p.m., so families should plan an earlier visit.

Is $52 good value?

At $52, the Forest Lagoon is not a cheap swim. Icelandic spa visits often stretch a travel budget, and the extra cost of towels, robes, swimwear, drinks, and transport deserves attention.

The ticket becomes better value when you use the full facility. You are paying for two pools, an included sauna, a cold plunge, the wooded setting, and fjord views. If you arrive, stay for only 45 minutes, and buy several extras, the price may feel high.

I think the strongest value comes from bringing your own towel and swimwear, skipping the robe rental, and allowing two or three hours. That gives you time to move between the 37°C main pool, 40°C hot pool, sauna, and cold plunge without paying more for the core experience.

The lack of a fixed end time is also useful. You can settle into the pools rather than watching the clock. The exact entry time depends on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit provides some useful flexibility. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans depend on weather or changing transport.

Accessibility and practical comfort

The Forest Lagoon is wheelchair accessible. The indoor pool entry is another practical feature, particularly when the weather is cold.

That said, accessibility needs can be personal. If you require specific assistance or equipment, confirm the details before booking. The supplied information confirms wheelchair access but does not list every facility detail.

The site is designed for comfort, with changing and shower facilities and Forest Lagoon products available. You still need to plan for the Icelandic weather between the building and the outdoor water, especially if the air is cold.

Who will enjoy the Forest Lagoon most?

I would choose this experience if you want a restful break near Akureyri and care about atmosphere as much as the water itself. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who would rather spend time in a quieter setting than at a huge bathing complex.

It is also a good fit for sauna fans. The dry heat, cold plunge, and hot water create a full thermal circuit without an extra sauna charge.

Families need to pay attention to the evening rule for children under 12. Children must leave before 8 p.m., so a daytime or early evening booking is the safer choice.

You may want to pass if your only goal is the lowest-cost swim, if you dislike hot water, or if you expect towels and robes to be included. The Forest Lagoon is about the complete setting and facilities, not simply access to a pool.

Should you book the Forest Lagoon?

I would book it if you are staying in Akureyri and want a polished geothermal experience with fewer crowds, a warm main pool, and an excellent forest and fjord setting. The included sauna and cold plunge give the $52 ticket more substance than a basic soak.

Bring your own towel and swimwear, budget for transport, and plan to stay long enough to use all four main elements: the large pool, hot pool, sauna, and cold plunge. For that kind of visit, the Forest Lagoon feels like a worthwhile splurge.

If your budget is tight, skip the drinks and bistro, and compare the taxi cost before booking. The water and setting are the main reasons to go, and you do not need every extra to enjoy them.

FAQ

How much does the Forest Lagoon entrance ticket cost?

The entrance ticket costs $52 per person.

How long is the Forest Lagoon ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. Starting times depend on availability.

What temperature is the main Forest Lagoon pool?

The large pool is kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F.

Is there a hotter pool at the Forest Lagoon?

Yes. The smaller pool is kept at about 40°C, or 104°F.

Is the sauna included in the ticket?

Yes. The dry Finnish sauna is included with admission.

How cold is the cold plunge?

The cold pool is kept at about 11°C, or 51.8°F.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so you should bring one. You also need to bring swimwear.

Can children use the Forest Lagoon in the evening?

Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 8 p.m. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.