Forest Lagoon (Icelandic: Skógarböð) is a geothermal spa set within Vaðlaskógur forest on the eastern shore of Eyjafjörður fjord, approximately 3.6 kilometres from the centre of Akureyri in North Iceland. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, the free shuttle service, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the details and just book your tickets, head here.
Last updated: April 2026. Ticket prices on the official website were updated for the current season; the Warm admission tier is now 7,490 ISK and the Calm package (including a drink and towel) is 10,150 ISK. Some third-party booking sites list older pricing, so always confirm on the official website before purchasing.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Forest Lagoon (Skógarböð) |
| Address | Vaðlaskógur, 605 Akureyri, Iceland |
| Opening hours | Every day, 10:00–midnight (last entry to ensure exit by 23:30) |
| Admission — Warm | 7,490 ISK (lagoon access only) |
| Admission — Calm | 10,150 ISK (lagoon access + 1 drink + towel) |
| Admission — Delight | 11,210 ISK (lagoon access + 2 drinks + towel) |
| Children aged 6–15 | 3,790 ISK |
| Children aged 5 and under | Free |
| Towel rental | 1,400 ISK (if not included in ticket) |
| Distance from Akureyri | 3.6 km / approx. 5 minutes by car |
| Free shuttle available | Yes — from Akureyri harbour and city centre (seasonal schedules) |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
| Parking | Free on-site car park |
Forest Lagoon opening hours
Forest Lagoon is open every day of the year from 10:00 to midnight, with no seasonal variation in opening hours. The last entry time is not formally published, but all guests must be out of the lagoon by 23:30 and the facility closes at midnight. There are no separate winter or summer hours; the schedule is the same year-round.
The lagoon operates on a timed-entry booking system with a maximum capacity. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly in peak summer (June–August) and on days when cruise ships are docked in Akureyri.
Forest Lagoon ticket prices
Forest Lagoon offers three adult admission tiers priced in Icelandic króna (ISK). Towels are not included in the basic Warm admission and must be rented separately for 1,400 ISK. The Calm and Delight packages include a towel and one or two complimentary drinks respectively, which are applied automatically to the first beverage scanned at a swim-up bar.
| Ticket type | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | 7,490 ISK | Lagoon access |
| Calm | 10,150 ISK | Lagoon access + 1 drink + towel |
| Delight | 11,210 ISK | Lagoon access + 2 drinks + towel |
| Child (6–15) | 3,790 ISK | Lagoon access |
| Child (5 and under) | Free | Lagoon access |
Forest Lagoon accepts credit and debit cards at the reception. Only Icelandic currency (ISK) is accepted at the swim-up bars inside the lagoon. Swimwear can also be rented on-site if needed.
Forest Lagoon is not currently included in any city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass.
Ticket prices were verified on the official Forest Lagoon website and last updated in April 2026.
How to get to Forest Lagoon
Forest Lagoon is located 3.6 kilometres from Akureyri city centre, across the fjord in Eyjafjarðarsveit municipality. By car, follow Route 1 north from Akureyri, cross via the Vaðlaheiði Tunnel, and follow signs to Vaðlaskógur; journey time is under 10 minutes from the city centre.
Forest Lagoon operates a free shuttle bus for guests with a valid ticket. There are two separate seasonal schedules:
- High season (1 June–6 September): Hourly departures from Tangabryggja Harbour (10:00–17:00, plus 09:00 in June–August). Return trips run at 45 minutes past each hour. A separate evening departure leaves from Centrum Kitchen & Bar (Skipagata) at 17:30 and Urbanfarm (Hafnarstræti) at 17:35, with return buses at 20:00 or 21:00.
- Low season (7 September–31 May, with exceptions): A single daily shuttle departs from Centrum Kitchen & Bar (Skipagata) at 18:45, returning from the lagoon at 22:00. The shuttle does not run on 24–25 December, 31 December, or 1 January.
The shuttle runs on a first-come, first-served basis; guests with a valid Forest Lagoon ticket receive priority boarding. Children under six years old are required to travel in a child car seat; Forest Lagoon provides seats for ages one to five, but parents should notify the lagoon in advance if a seat for a child aged one to three is needed.
Parking at Forest Lagoon
Free on-site parking is available at Forest Lagoon, including dedicated spaces for visitors with disabilities. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available on site. Parking is generally sufficient outside of busy cruise ship days; if the main car park is full, additional overflow parking may be available nearby.
How long to spend at Forest Lagoon
Most visitors spend two to three hours at Forest Lagoon, which allows time for the pools, sauna, cold plunge, and a visit to Skógur Bistro. There is no time limit on how long guests may stay, provided they exit the lagoon by 23:30. Guests may leave the water, visit the bistro, and re-enter the pools during the same visit.
Accessibility at Forest Lagoon
Forest Lagoon offers facilities for guests with disabilities or special needs, including designated parking spaces close to the entrance. The reception team can provide support on arrival; contact [email protected] in advance to discuss specific requirements. Guardians or escorts accompanying a guest with a disability should confirm the entry policy for carers directly with the lagoon before booking.
Inside Forest Lagoon: what to see and do
Two geothermal pools. The main pool covers 530 m² and is kept at 37°C. It includes three swim-up bars and an indoor entry point. The smaller pool (330 m²) is maintained at the same temperature and is quieter in layout. Both pools face Eyjafjörður fjord and the mountains beyond Akureyri.
Finnish dry sauna. The on-site sauna operates at around 80°C with approximately 20% humidity. A window in the sauna faces directly over the fjord. Swimwear is required inside the sauna.
Cold pool. Adjacent to the sauna is a cold plunge pool maintained at 11°C, designed for use in combination with the sauna.
Skógur Bistro. The wood-clad bistro restaurant is located within the lagoon complex and serves light meals and drinks. It has both an indoor area with an open fireplace and an outdoor dining terrace with views over the fjord and Akureyri. The bistro is open to lagoon guests during their visit.
Geothermal water source. The pools are fed by natural geothermal water drawn from Vaðlaheiði mountain, discovered during a road tunnel project. No chemicals are used to treat the water.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book in advance | The lagoon operates a timed-entry system with a fixed capacity. Without a booking, entry cannot be guaranteed, particularly on cruise ship days or summer weekends. |
| Use the shuttle from the harbour if arriving by cruise ship | During high season, hourly buses run from Tangabryggja Harbour directly to the lagoon. Guests with a valid ticket board first. |
| Bring Icelandic cash for the swim-up bars | Credit cards are accepted at reception, but the lagoon’s swim-up bars accept Icelandic króna only. Drinks packages (included in Calm and Delight tickets) are applied via a wristband, with no cash required for included beverages. |
| Shower before entering the pools | Showering is mandatory before entering the lagoon. Changing rooms with showers are provided; toiletries are not supplied, so bring your own or purchase on site. |
| Arrive for the opening if visiting in summer | The lagoon opens at 10:00 daily. Arriving early in high season avoids peak afternoon crowds, which typically build from midday onwards when cruise passengers and tour groups arrive. |
Frequently asked questions about Forest Lagoon
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Forest Lagoon suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged six to fifteen pay a reduced admission of 3,790 ISK; children five and under enter free. Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or over at all times. No children under 12 are permitted in the lagoon after 20:00, and those under 18 must be with a parent or equivalent guardian after 22:00. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Forest Lagoon? | Advance booking is strongly recommended. The lagoon has a maximum capacity and cannot guarantee entry to walk-in visitors, particularly during summer and cruise ship days. Tickets can be booked at booking.forestlagoon.is. |
| Is Forest Lagoon open on public holidays? | Yes, Forest Lagoon is open every day of the year. The free shuttle does not operate on 24–25 December, 31 December, or 1 January, but the lagoon itself remains open. |
| What is the cancellation policy for Forest Lagoon? | Bookings for up to 10 guests can be changed to another date or refunded as a gift card if cancelled more than 24 hours in advance. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. Groups of more than 10 guests require 72 hours’ notice. |
| Can you bring your own food and drink to Forest Lagoon? | No. Outside food, drink, and personal water bottles are not permitted on site. Drinks and light meals are available from Skógur Bistro and the swim-up bars within the lagoon. |
Things to do near Forest Lagoon
Akureyri Botanical Garden (10 minutes by car). One of the world’s most northerly botanical gardens, open in summer with a collection of Arctic and sub-Arctic plant species and free to enter.
Hlíðarfjall Ski Area (15 minutes by car). North Iceland’s main alpine ski area, operating in winter and early spring with lifts and slopes directly above Akureyri.
Akureyrarkirkja (10 minutes by car). Akureyri’s distinctive Lutheran church, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, sitting prominently above the town centre with views over the fjord.
Akureyri Swimming Pool (Sundlaug Akureyrar) (10 minutes by car). The town’s large public geothermal swimming pool, with outdoor pools, hot pots, waterslides, and a steam room — a lower-cost alternative for families with young children.
Nonnahús (10 minutes by car). The childhood home of Jón Sveinsson, the Icelandic author of the popular Nonni children’s books, preserved as a small museum in central Akureyri.
What to visit tomorrow: geothermal baths and spas within two hours
Earth Lagoon Mývatn (formerly Mývatn Nature Baths) (approximately 65 minutes by car). A large geothermal lagoon drawing water from depths of 2,500 metres, with steam baths and views over Lake Mývatn’s lava fields. Open daily in summer 10:00–23:00, winter 12:00–22:00.
GeoSea, Húsavík (approximately 60 minutes by car). An infinity pool geothermal spa on the cliffs above Skjálfandi Bay, fed by mineral-rich seawater heated by underground boreholes, with views towards the Arctic Circle.
Beer Spa (Bjórböðin), near Árskógssandur (approximately 30 minutes by car). A small spa offering bathing in baths containing beer ingredients — hops, yeast, and barley — alongside conventional hot tubs and a sauna.
Fjöruböðin Hauganes (approximately 30 minutes by car). Outdoor hot tubs and a steam bath on a black sand beach in the village of Hauganes, including a Viking ship-shaped tub, with ocean and mountain views.
Vök Baths, Egilsstaðir (approximately 2 hours by car). A floating geothermal pool experience on Lake Urriðavatn in East Iceland, with a bar, steam room, cold tunnel, and café in a contemporary glass-fronted building.
More Iceland travel
Other Iceland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Husavik Whale Museum.
- Why the Secret Lagoon is an alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
- What to expect at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik.
- What to expect when exploring Viðgelmir lava cave in Iceland.
- Visitor guide to Skógafoss waterfall opening hours and parking.
