Akureyri: Forest Lagoon Entrance Ticket

Forest Lagoon pairs warm geothermal water with a forest setting, just a few minutes from Akureyri. The pools look across Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, while birch and pine trees soften the view around you.

I like the large pool’s comfortable 37°C water and the easy indoor entry. I also like that the Finnish sauna and cold plunge are included, rather than treated as costly extras. The main catch is practical: towels, swimwear, robes, and drinks cost extra, and a taxi from Akureyri can add more than you expect.

Key points at a glance

• Two pools, two temperatures: Use the 37°C main pool or the smaller 40°C pool.
• Fjord-facing Finnish sauna: The dry sauna reaches about 80°C and has a view toward Eyjafjörður.
• Cold plunge included: The plunge pool is kept at 11°C, a sharp contrast after the sauna.
• Swim-up drinks: The large pool has two swim-up bars, handy for a long, relaxed visit.
• Forest setting near Akureyri: Birch and pine trees give the spa a quieter feel than a large resort.
• Bring your own gear: Towels and swimwear are not included, so packing them saves money.

A forest spa with a fjord view

Forest Lagoon is close to Akureyri, but the setting feels removed from town. The spa sits among Vaðlaskógur, a forest of birch and pine, with open views toward Eyjafjörður and the mountains beyond it.

That setting shapes the whole visit. You are not simply sitting in hot water beside a building. You are looking through trees, watching the fjord, and hearing less of the town around you. The forest does not create a wild, remote bathing experience, since this is a polished spa, but it gives the place a calm and distinctly northern Iceland feel.

The entrance ticket is priced at $52 per person. That is not a small spend, especially once you add transportation, drinks, or rented towels. Still, the price includes access to both pools, the sauna, cold plunge, changing facilities, and shower products. For a two-hour stop, the cost may feel high. If you stay longer and use the full circuit of hot water, sauna, and cold plunge, the value improves.

One useful detail is that the ticket is valid for one day, with starting times shown when you check availability. The supplied details do not give a fixed time limit inside the spa, and one recent visit described no set end time. That makes it easier to treat Forest Lagoon as a proper afternoon or evening stop rather than a rushed dip.

The 37°C main pool and 40°C small pool

Start with the large pool, which covers about 530 square meters. Its water is kept around 37°C, close to body temperature, so you can settle in without the heavy heat that sometimes makes hot pools tiring.

The main pool has two swim-up bars and an indoor entry. The indoor access matters in Iceland, where cold air and wind can make getting in and out unpleasant. You can move between the changing area and the water without making a long outdoor crossing.

The pool is large enough for people to spread out, though the mood will depend on the time of day. The strongest praise for Forest Lagoon centers on its clean facilities, warm water, and lighter crowd levels. It is not guaranteed to be empty, but booking an available time and avoiding the busiest periods should give you a better chance of enjoying the quiet setting.

The two swim-up bars are a fun touch, but drinks are not included. Prices in Iceland can add up quickly, so decide in advance how much you want to spend at the bar. You can make the visit feel more affordable by bringing your own towel and limiting paid extras.

The smaller pool covers about 53 square meters and is kept at approximately 40°C. It feels hotter and more concentrated than the main pool. I would use it for a short warm-up or a few minutes of deeper heat, then return to the cooler main pool before the temperature becomes too much.

The difference between 37°C and 40°C is noticeable. If you are sensitive to heat, the main pool is the better base. If you like hot baths, the small pool gives you a stronger dose without needing to leave the spa.

The Finnish sauna and 11°C cold plunge

The Finnish sauna is one of Forest Lagoon’s best inclusions. It uses dry heat, with humidity around 20 percent and a temperature near 80°C. That is quite different from a steam room, where moisture fills the air.

You wear your swimsuit in the sauna. From inside, you get a view over Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains, which gives the usual sauna routine a strong Icelandic setting. The sauna is not an add-on, so you can use it without paying another fee.

Next to it is an 11°C cold pool. That water is cold enough to make the contrast immediate after the sauna. If you like hot and cold bathing, the setup lets you repeat the cycle without much effort: sauna, cold plunge, then warm water to settle down.

You do not need to stay in the cold pool for long. A brief plunge is enough to create the contrast. If you do not enjoy cold water, you can simply skip it and return to the warm pools. The ticket gives you the option, not an obligation.

This hot-cold circuit is also where Forest Lagoon feels more complete than a basic geothermal pool. You can spend the visit moving between three very different temperatures, with the fjord view tying the experience together.

What to bring, and what costs extra

Pack your swimwear and towel. The ticket includes signature shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer, but not towels, swimwear, bath robes, or drinks.

You can borrow some items, but the total price rises quickly when you rent several pieces. A waterproof bag for a phone or camera is also useful if you want to keep it nearby, though you should take care around the water.

The shower products are a small but welcome detail. They mean you can wash and freshen up without packing every bathroom item for the day. The moisturizer is particularly useful in Iceland’s dry, cold air.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. Nudity is not allowed, and children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 20:00. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted, so this is not a drop-off activity for children.

The site is wheelchair accessible. The available information does not describe every access feature, so if you need a particular type of assistance, confirm the details before booking.

Forest Bistro and the swim-up bar

Forest Bistro gives you a way to extend the visit beyond the pools. It is wood-clad and has a view toward Eyjafjörður, with an indoor fireplace adding warmth when you are ready to dry off.

Food is not included in the entrance ticket. Still, the bistro can make sense if you are treating Forest Lagoon as a relaxed half-day stop rather than a quick swim. You can move from the water to a meal without arranging another venue in Akureyri.

The swim-up bars offer a similar convenience. You can order a drink without leaving the pool, which works well if you want to stay warm and keep the visit simple. The drinks are an optional extra, and their cost should be part of your budget.

I would not build the entire decision around food or drinks, since the main reason to come is the water, sauna, and setting. Think of the bistro and bars as ways to make a longer visit more comfortable.

Getting there from Akureyri

Forest Lagoon is only a few minutes from Akureyri, but transport still needs planning. A taxi is convenient, yet a short ride can be surprisingly expensive in Iceland. One reported visit put a six-minute round trip at £30, so check the fare before you rely on a taxi.

The short distance makes Forest Lagoon easy to pair with time in Akureyri. You can visit before or after exploring town, though allow enough time to change, use the pools, and dry off without rushing to your next stop.

The booking page shows available starting times. Since the ticket is valid for one day, you have some flexibility around the exact length of your visit, but you should still choose a time that works with your transport plans.

The area around Akureyri can have changeable weather. You are spending most of the visit in warm water or indoors, but you still need suitable clothing for the trip there and back. Keep your towel and dry clothes easy to reach when you leave.

How long should you stay?

A short visit of about two hours is enough to try both pools, use the sauna, and sample the cold plunge. If that is all you have, focus on the main pool, a short stay in the hotter pool, and one hot-cold cycle.

With more time, slow down. Spend longer in the 37°C pool, take breaks in the bistro, and repeat the sauna and cold plunge at your own pace. The setting rewards a relaxed schedule more than a checklist.

There is no need to force every feature into one quick circuit. The main pool is comfortable enough for a long soak, and the view changes with the light and weather. If you arrive with time to spare, Forest Lagoon works well as an unhurried pause during a busy Iceland itinerary.

Children under 12 must leave before 20:00, so families with younger children need to plan an earlier visit. The rules also make the late evening period more suitable for adults and older children.

Is $52 good value?

At $52, Forest Lagoon is a premium bathing stop, but the price compares reasonably with the amount included. You get two geothermal pools, a Finnish sauna, a cold plunge, indoor pool entry, shower products, and access to the forest and fjord setting.

The value is strongest if you bring your own towel and swimwear and stay long enough to use the full facility. It is weaker if you arrive for a brief soak, rent several items, buy multiple drinks, and pay a high taxi fare.

The water temperature is another part of the value. The main pool stays at a comfortable 37°C, while the smaller pool reaches 40°C. Some Icelandic bathing spots can feel too cool for people expecting a hot soak, but Forest Lagoon’s temperatures suit a longer stay.

Clean facilities and a calm atmosphere are also important here. The setting and upkeep help justify the price, though budget-conscious visitors may still find it expensive. If you have already paid for several Icelandic attractions, consider whether you want another premium spa stop or would rather spend the money elsewhere.

Who will enjoy Forest Lagoon most?

I would recommend Forest Lagoon to you if you want a polished spa visit with strong scenery and enough time to relax. It suits couples, solo visitors, and families who can meet the age and supervision rules.

It is especially good for:

• A quiet break near Akureyri: The forest and fjord view give you a calm pause without a long journey.
• People who like hot-cold bathing: The sauna and 11°C plunge are included.
• Visitors comparing Icelandic lagoons: The water is warm, the facility is clean, and the setting feels less crowded than some larger bathing sites.
• Anyone planning a longer stop: The bistro, swim-up bars, and flexible visit length make it more than a quick dip.

It may not suit you if you want the lowest-cost activity, need every item included, or dislike public bathing rules. The ticket does not cover a towel, swimwear, robe, or drinks, and no nudity is allowed.

Should you book Forest Lagoon?

Book it if you value warm water, forest quiet, and a fjord view more than saving every dollar. The best plan is to bring your own towel and swimsuit, allow at least two hours, and use the sauna and cold plunge as well as the pools.

I would be less quick to book if your schedule is tight or your budget is already stretched. Transportation and extras can push the real cost well above the ticket price.

For a comfortable spa stop near Akureyri, though, Forest Lagoon makes a strong case. It gives you warm water, clear views, a good sauna, and a proper cold plunge in one well-planned visit.

FAQ

How much does Forest Lagoon 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 is included in the entrance ticket?

The ticket includes entrance to Forest Lagoon and access to the shower products, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer.

Are towels included?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own towel or arrange a rental.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Yes. Swimwear is required, and swimwear is not included with the ticket.

What are the pool temperatures?

The large pool is kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F. The smaller pool is about 40°C, or 104°F.

Is the sauna included?

Yes. The Finnish dry sauna is included with admission. It is kept at about 80°C with humidity around 20 percent.

Can children visit Forest Lagoon?

Children can visit, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Children under 12 must leave the lagoon before 20:00.