Mývatn, Iceland

Mývatn at a Glance

One of Iceland’s top natural gems. Mývatn is more than just a lake. Here you can spend a couple of days hiking, fishing, touring and sightseeing and not get bored. The region boasts spectacular natural phenomena – an active volcano, lava flows, hot springs and interesting craters and rock formations.

The 23-square mile (37 sq. km) lake averages a depth of only 8.2 feet (2.5 m). It is rich in algae and provides a breeding ground for the midge and blackfly larvae, which in turn attract many species of birds. Mývatn lies in the rain shadow of the Vatnajökull icecap making it the driest spot in Iceland. Regional tours are available. From Akureyri, it’s about a 45-minute drive. There’s also a small landing field for charter flights.