Akureyri: Admission to Forest Lagoon with Towel and Drink

A sauna with fjord views changes your mood. Forest Lagoon pairs geothermal comfort with a calm forest setting, with Eyjafjörður fjord and mountain views all around. I like the way it feels more local and quieter than the bigger, busier name-brand spas, yet still has modern facilities.

Two standout wins for me are the two warm geothermal pools at about 37°C, and the Finnish-style dry sauna with panoramic fjord views. The routine of warm water, hot sauna, then a cold plunge pool is simple and satisfying, and it fits a one-day stop in Akureyri.

One thing to think about before you go: it can get crowded when cruise or tour groups arrive, and you will want to plan your timing for the most peaceful experience. Also, you are not allowed to bring much into the bathing areas beyond essentials like your phone, so pack like you are checking in, not picnicking.

Key things to know before you soak

• 37°C geothermal pools plus swim-up bars, including an indoor entrance for easy access
• Finnish dry sauna around 80°C with low humidity and wide fjord and mountain views
• Cold plunge at about 11°C for that hot-and-cold contrast ritual
• Included towel, locker, and shower products so you arrive lighter
• Forest Bistro in a wood-clad space with fjord views and a cozy fireplace
• Rules are strict (no smoking, vaping, nudity, or unaccompanied minors)

Forest Lagoon in Akureyri: why this geothermal spa feels different

Akureyri sits in North Iceland, and Forest Lagoon takes advantage of what the region does best, nature plus views. The spa is in Vaðlaskógur forest, where birch and pine trees frame Eyjafjörður, one of the longer fjords you will see in the country. That matters, because it changes the mood. You are not just relaxing in water, you are relaxing in a place that looks and sounds like Iceland.

What I like about Forest Lagoon is that it does not try to be a theme park. It is built around a straightforward thermal circuit: warm pools, sauna, cold plunge, then repeat or switch it up. The pools are large enough to feel like a proper spa day, but the forest setting keeps it feeling grounded and calm.

Entering with your towel and drink: what happens first

Your ticket is designed to get you into the water fast. Admission includes entry to Forest Lagoon, use of a locker for valuables, and shower products like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer. You also get a towel, and you get one drink at the swim-up bar.

You will still want to arrive ready. Bring swimwear, because swimwear rental is not included. Bathrobes also are not included, so if you like the robe-and-slippers vibe, plan for a more DIY transition after you shower.

Also read the rules before you get there. You are not allowed to smoke or vape, nudity is not allowed, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. There is also a child rule: children under 12 must leave the lagoon by 20:00 (child tickets are available on-site). If you are traveling with kids, this is one of the few times you need to be strict with timing.

The thermal circuit that actually works: pools, swim-up bars, sauna, cold plunge

Forest Lagoon is built around temperatures and movement. You are meant to go in and out, rest, and then push your body a bit. The reward is the way you feel afterward, warm but not heavy, awake but not wired.

Two warm pools, both around 37°C

The lagoon has two geothermal pools. The larger one is about 530 m², kept at around 37°C (98.6°F). It has three swim-up bars, and it even has indoor access, which is handy in colder weather or if you want to step in and out without dealing with wind.

The second pool is about 330 m², and it is kept at the same comfortable 37°C. The value here is choice. You can use the bigger pool when you want the social energy of swim-up bars, or you can move to the smaller one when you want quieter corners to yourself.

If you like to control your pace, these two pools make it easy to shift intensity without leaving your day behind.

Finnish dry sauna around 80°C with fjord views

From the warm water, the sauna is your next gear. The Finnish-style dry sauna runs around 80°C, with low humidity. That dry heat feels intense in a good way, and the payoff is the views. You can watch Eyjafjörður and the mountains while you sit inside the warmth.

One smart strategy is to use the sauna when the light is doing something interesting. In winter, views under the stars can be stunning, and in shoulder season you may catch softer light across the fjord. Either way, the sauna is one of those experiences that feels tied to the location, not just the concept of a sauna.

Cold plunge around 11°C

Then comes the part you either love or you brace for, the cold pool. It is kept around 11°C (51.8°F). The contrast is the point. You go from warm geothermal water to cold shock, then reset.

If you are new to hot-and-cold bathing, start with shorter cold plunges. Your body adjusts quickly over a few cycles, and you do not need to prove anything to yourself. The whole system is built so you can repeat as many times as you want during your visit.

Swim-up bar rules and your included drink: easy joy without extra stress

The swim-up bar is not just decoration. It is part of the ritual. With your ticket, the first beverage you order at the swim-up bar is included. One drink at the swim-up bar is included, and the free drink counts as the first beverage charged to your bracelet.

A few practical notes:

• Bottled wine is not included.
• Additional drinks are charged, so if you want to keep your budget steady, treat the included drink as your anchor and order slowly after that.
• Tap water at the swim-up bar is available, so you can stay hydrated without buying a bottle.

Also plan for what you can carry poolside. The rules around items in the bathing areas can be strict. In practice, expect that you will mostly keep your valuables in the locker and take only essentials, often just your phone. If you want photos, keep your phone in a waterproof bag so you are not thinking about it every minute.

Forest Bistro breaks up the soak with real food and fjord views

After your pool time, you will probably want something that feels like a proper meal, not just a snack. Forest Bistro is wood-clad, cozy, and designed for lingering. It has fjord views and an indoor fireplace, so it is a natural place to cool down without rushing.

This is also a good moment to think about pacing. If you have been rotating hot, cold, hot, cold, food helps you settle. The bistro is where you can take a longer break, eat something satisfying, and reset before you decide whether to go back for one more cycle.

Crowds, timing, and how to get the calm feeling you came for

Forest Lagoon can feel wonderfully quiet, especially outside peak arrival windows. Timing matters because cruise schedules and tour groups can bring in more people.

A few timing patterns make sense:

• Early entry tends to feel calmer. One schedule note that came up in planning by visitors is arriving around 11:30, which can be very peaceful.
• Late morning on a weekend or a busy day can be busier until groups thin out.
• Night sessions can be special under the stars, especially if you want the sauna and pools to feel more like a night ritual.

If you want the best value in your mental health department, plan your visit when Akureyri is less busy and you have time to relax without feeling rushed.

Price and value: is $82 per person fair in Iceland terms?

At $82 per person for a one-day entry, Forest Lagoon is not the cheapest thing in Iceland. But value is about what you get, not just the sticker price.

Here is what helps justify the cost:

• Your towel is included.
• Shower products are included, which saves you from buying extras.
• You get a locker, so you are not scrambling with gear.
• You get one drink at the swim-up bar, which is a real upgrade because it is hard to keep budget tight once you are already on-site.
• You get full use of the thermal experience: warm pools, Finnish dry sauna, and cold plunge, all in a modern facility in the forest with fjord views.

Also, multiple people compare this favorably to the more famous Blue Lagoon, often because Forest Lagoon tends to be less crowded. If your goal is to relax in Iceland nature without fighting for space, that crowd difference is worth real money. Even a small reduction in stress can turn a costly day into a “worth it” day.

Who should book Forest Lagoon (and who should think twice)

Book Forest Lagoon if you want:

• A geothermal spa day that feels more intimate than the biggest celebrity spas
• A straightforward thermal circuit with temperatures you can feel (37°C pools, 80°C sauna, 11°C cold plunge)
• Views of Eyjafjörður from a sauna and from your bathing breaks
• A cozy place to eat afterward at Forest Bistro

Think twice if:

• You hate crowds and you are traveling during known peak arrival times
• You prefer everything included (bathrobes and swimwear rental are not included)
• You are not comfortable following spa rules about what you can bring into bathing areas

Should you book Forest Lagoon with towel and drink?

I think this is a strong Akureyri choice when you want a high-comfort geothermal day without the circus. The included towel and drink help your budget land better, and the combination of warm pools, dry sauna, and cold plunge feels like a complete experience rather than a quick photo stop.

If you have one day in Akureyri, this is the kind of activity that turns your time into recovery. After hikes or city wandering, your body will love the simple rhythm. If you can time it for a quieter window, you will get the best of what makes Forest Lagoon special, forest calm plus fjord views.

FAQ

What does the Forest Lagoon admission with towel and drink include?

Your ticket includes entry to Forest Lagoon, shower products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer), use of a locker, a towel, and one drink at the swim-up bar.

Do I need to bring a towel and swimwear?

Swimwear is required. A towel is included with this package, though you can still bring your own if you prefer.

Are bathrobes included?

No, bathrobes are not included.

Is swimwear rental included?

No, swimwear rental is not included.

What temperature are the pools and the sauna?

The geothermal pools are kept at about 37°C. The Finnish dry sauna is around 80°C with low humidity, and the cold pool is cooled to about 11°C.

Does the ticket include access to the sauna?

The experience includes access to the sauna as part of using the Forest Lagoon facility.

Can I bring bottled wine, or is it included with the drink?

The included drink is one beverage at the swim-up bar, and bottled wine is not included.

Is Forest Lagoon wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the facility is wheelchair accessible.

What are the rules about children?

Children under 12 must leave the lagoon by 20:00. Child tickets are available on-site.