12 Things You NEED to Know About the Forest Lagoon (Iceland)

Iceland is well-known for its geothermal exercise and lots of scorching springs, a lot so that folks have even made a pastime of it within the type of dipping and stress-free in pure geothermal scorching swimming pools. One wonderful scorching spot (no pun meant), is the Forest Lagoon, situated simply outdoors Iceland’s second-largest metropolis, Akureyri. Positioned within the northern a part of the nation, Akureyri is thought colloquially because the capital of the North of Iceland.

Guests get to get pleasure from one of many rarest sights in Iceland within the environment of the Forest Lagoon, an precise forest! The tranquil ambiance, stress-free scorching swimming pools, and majestic views of the Icelandic wilderness make for a very memorable expertise.

The handy location additionally makes Forest Lagoon simply accessible, from each Akureyri and the well-known Ring Street. You can also make a day journey to Forest Lagoon or come right here to calm down on the finish of a protracted day touring round Iceland. You can even simply spend a weekend or extra right here exploring the numerous sights situated close by.

As we speak, we’ll be telling you every thing it is advisable to know in regards to the Forest Lagoon earlier than visiting this magical place. This manner, you recognize what to anticipate and may take advantage of out of your journey because it’s ones of the perfect issues to do in Iceland. Iceland is named the land of Fireplace and Ice and on the Forest Lagoon, you’re going to get a glimpse of simply why that is.

All You Have to Know About The Forest Lagoon

Opened in 2022, Forest Lagoon, additionally beforehand generally known as Skógarböð Geothermal Spa, was the results of a cheerful accident and a few resourceful group considering. Throughout work on the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, a 7.5 km thoroughfare connecting Akureyri to Húsavík, one other northern city in Iceland, employees stumbled upon a geothermal water spot deep inside Vaðlaheiði mountain.

Whereas the invention halted all work, which inevitably value officers fairly a bit of cash, it was determined that the geothermal spot wouldn’t be compromised and, as a substitute, the recent spring water was redirected from the mountain into what’s now the Forest Lagoon.

The power can comfortably accommodate as much as 200 friends at a time and has spacious and handy altering rooms and showers. Along with the recent swimming pools, the constructing boasts an aesthetic leisure room, a sauna that provides magnificent views of Eyjafjörður Fjord and the encircling mountains, a chilly pool, and a comfortable restaurant the place diners can get pleasure from a big central fire whereas having fun with views of the pine tree forests.

Talking of forests, it is a uncommon sight in Iceland because the Vikings of their heyday made quick work of over 90% of Iceland’s forest lands constructing boats and weaponry. So, benefit from the idyllic setting of the constructing within the forest, which blends seamlessly into the environment because it additionally occurs to be manufactured from wooden, has meals furnishings, and, to additional spotlight the forest theme, has an open-roofed lightwell with a tree on the entrance.

Constructing the Forest Lagoon

A lot focus was put into the constructing mixing with the environment that the crew even managed to make use of rocks from the mountain itself to include into the again of the constructing. As guests stroll from the altering rooms to the swimming pools they get to stroll by way of this space and may recognize simply how a lot work was put into the design and structure of the ability. 

The fantastic thing about the ability mustn’t come as a shock because it was designed by Basalt Architects, a agency that has designed and constructed many well-known scorching swimming pools round Iceland, together with GeoSea and the Blue Lagoon. The crew wished to concentrate on rejuvenation and psychological restoration and the ambiance they managed to attain with the completed product does certainly ship!

How Do You Get to The Forest Lagoon?

Forest Lagoon is lower than 5km from Akureyri, which is a couple of 10-minute drive. If you happen to don’t have your individual conveyance, there’s a bus service that runs from Hof, Berjaya Akureyri Resort, and Resort KEA that can drop you on the website.

Upon arrival, you’ll first be handled to the gorgeous views of the encircling forest wilderness. To get to the lagoon it is advisable to stroll by way of the forest and up the mountain entrance. It’s only when you get shut that the principle constructing slowly reveals itself from the mountain face and surrounding foliage.

If you happen to plan on visiting from Reykjavik, it’ll be a protracted drive. The gap from Reykjavik is greater than 240 miles. A route that takes virtually 5 hours of steady driving, be it by way of the gorgeous wilderness of Iceland. Although there are many nearer scorching springs to Reykjavik, just like the Sky Lagoon and Hvammsvik.

From Egilstaðir, the journey is about 150 miles and takes three hours. Irrespective of, the place you intend on visiting from, you might be assured a scenic drive and on the finish of your journey a soothing spa expertise that can rejuvenate and revitalize your physique and thoughts.

In case your funds permits, you possibly can additionally fly from Reykjavik to Akureyri to discover the north for Iceland. Akureyri Airport is a world airport with many guests flying in immediately from locations like the UK, Denmark, and Spain.

How Are the Swimming pools At The Forest Lagoon?

There are two major scorching swimming pools at Forest Lagoon. 

The big pool is greater than 5500 sq. toes in space, with a temperature that’s saved round 98°F (37°C). The big pool has two swim-up bars and an indoor entry proper from the altering rooms making it extra snug for guests by not having to be uncovered to the encircling cool climate. 

The second pool is way smaller, measuring about 570 sq. toes, and the temperature is saved round 104°F (40°C), but it surely has essentially the most gorgeous views, notably round sundown.

We frolicked in each swimming pools, first lounging within the giant pool and having fun with a number of drinks, earlier than transferring to the smaller pool and simply soaking within the heat and calmness. All in all, we spent greater than 2.5 hours within the Forest Lagoon services, and it was extremely stress-free.

What’s The Altering Room State of affairs At The Forest Lagoon?

The Forest Lagoon has a spacious communal altering space separated by intercourse. In contrast to the older established public scorching swimming pools, there are additionally non-public altering rooms and showers in case you might be shy. Showers have shampoo and conditioner. There are restricted stalls for these in search of privateness, so be sure you bathe and alter as quick as attainable throughout busy durations.

Is There Alcohol on the Forest Lagoon?

There are two swim up bars within the swimming pools on the Forest Lagoon. The bars swim all forms of drinks ranging between 1500 ISK and 2500 ISK per drink. You’ll be given a bracelet upon coming into the swimming pools, and these bracelets are how you’ll pay for any drinks within the pool. That approach you don’t have to fret about money or bank cards within the scorching springs!

What Else Is There to Do on the Forest Lagoon?

For these desirous to benefit from the warmth in a different way, head over to the Finnish Dry Sauna. After our time within the pool, we relaxed and loved the dry warmth whereas taking within the views of Eyjafjörður and the encircling mountains.

The temperature of the Sauna is round 176°F (80°C) with a humidity of 20%. Additionally, not like most saunas the place guests simply wrap a towel round their waist, on the Forest Lagoon guests are required to put on their swimsuits.

There’s additionally a chilly pool, the place most of the guests would take a plunge within the ice chilly water after dipping within the scorching pool, as combining the 2 has many well being advantages. We love taking chilly plunges and spent virtually 10 minutes making an attempt to endure the chilly earlier than hopping again over to the recent swimming pools.

If you happen to’re visiting Forest Lagoon be sure you check out Forest Bistro, the on-site restaurant, after your pool go to. Throughout our go to, we tried the lamb soup, the Skógur sandwich, and the quinoa and black bean salad. The meals was scrumptious, and the service was wonderful, however the ambiance stood out essentially the most.

Your entire space is clad in wooden, and the indoor fire, views of Eyjafjörður, and pine tree environment make for an unimaginable eating expertise.

What Does The Forest Lagoon Price?

Ticket costs are 6590 ISK or round 50 USD for adults, and 3290 ISK or 25 USD for younger ones aged six years to fifteen years. Youngsters beneath 5 years of age are allowed free entry, however they’ll have to share a locker with their father or mother/guardian.

Though you may get tickets while you arrive, it might be a good suggestion to e-book upfront particularly throughout the summer season in Iceland. We booked tickets utilizing the Forest Lagoon web site and upon reaching we realized simply how good an thought spending a number of hours soaking within the swimming pools could be.

The Forest Lagoon is a well-liked spot with many guests each day so you may anticipate a wait time in the event you present up with out reserving tickets upfront, and we noticed various individuals ready till the place cleared out a bit.

What Ought to You Carry with You to The Forest Lagoon?

The naked minimal you need to deliver to any scorching pool is a swimsuit and your individual towel, be sure to place each of this stuff in your Iceland packing record. Scorching swimming pools just like the Forest Lagoon normally do provide this stuff on a rental foundation, although we discover it’s much more hygienic simply to deliver your individual.

The environment are simply too good to not {photograph} so that you’re sure to have your cellphone with you. We introduced ours round for images and movies and would suggest investing in a water-proof case or sealable bag to verify your cellphone doesn’t get moist. The sealable bag will even turn out to be useful to pack your moist swimsuit after you’re achieved along with your go to as they aren’t supplied on the Forest Lagoon.

To be on the protected facet, deliver a number of swimsuits with you to Iceland because you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a drying machine within the Forest Lagoon, or another scorching pool in Iceland for that matter. The climate isn’t favorable both for drying garments and if you end up desirous to go to a different scorching pool or wanting to go to Forest Lagoon a second time, you’ll be ready a few days earlier than your swimsuit is dry.

Flip flops are additionally a good suggestion as they’ll preserve your toes clear int the locker rooms. For these rocking lengthy hair, deliver some clips as nicely to maintain your hair beneath management. I additionally introduced all my toiletries to the Forest Lagoon in order that after I may head proper to our campsite in Iceland and settle in for the evening.

Guidelines and Etiquette At The Forest Lagoon

Although there are some non-public stalls within the altering and bathe space, be aware of others who’re ready after you for his or her flip. And everybody must bathe earlier than coming into the swimming pools in Iceland, which is considered one of our high Iceland journey ideas. Bathe and alter as quick as you may to make sure the ready line stays quick for everybody. 

Keep away from sporting any jewellery close to the swimming pools. You may retailer any valuables within the locker that shall be assigned to you and hooked up to the waterproof bracelet you may be given. 

This isn’t simply because it’s unsafe for everybody in case you break your jewellery and it falls on the ground or within the swimming pools, but in addition as a result of the mineral content material within the water can harm your good jewellery. We don’t suggest bringing in any costly objects into the precise swimming pools.

How Does The Forest Lagoon Evaluate to Different Scorching Swimming pools?

Whereas there’s little question that different extra well-known scorching swimming pools like Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon provide swimming pools near Reykjavik, which implies extra facilities and comfort (Blue Lagoon has a 5-star lodge proper subsequent to it), what Forest Lagoon affords is the distinctive tranquil setting within the forest.

As we talked about, there aren’t many forests in Iceland, and having a scorching pool proper in the course of one makes for a singular expertise. It’s additionally way more quiet in comparison with different scorching swimming pools in Iceland, although it’s removed from the quietest we visited (that honor would go to Krauma!) Forest Lagoon has extra aggressive costs compared to Sky Lagoon and (particularly) the Blue Lagoon.

What Are the Close by Points of interest?

Since Forest Lagoon is situated near each Akureyri and off the well-known Ring Street, entry to the opposite wonderful sights of Iceland is made a lot simpler.

Akureyri has a lot to do when it comes to tradition, artwork, and pure magnificence. The Akureyri Museum boasts a powerful assortment of artifacts the place you may be taught all in regards to the native tradition and historical past, from early settlement to the current day. There’s additionally the Motorbike Museum of Iceland, the place you may be taught in regards to the nation’s wealthy motorbike tradition within the 5,500-square-foot purpose-built facility. 

By way of pure magnificence, wildlife lovers can go to the Akureyri Botanical Backyard, with its giant assortment of floral species.

The encompassing space additionally has many stunning waterfalls. Simply 20 miles east is Godafoss Waterfall, thought-about to be Iceland’s most stunning waterfall. A number of miles additional, you may see one other attractive waterfall at Geitafoss. Dettifoss Waterfall is one other stunning location that’s price visiting, but it surely’s a barely longer drive, taking virtually two hours from Akureyri.

There are extra pure sights like Lake Myvatn, situated 50 miles east of Akureyri. Myvatn has a wealthy chook life, attracting chook watchers from in every single place. It’s additionally a website of volcanic exercise and that added to the serene environment, makes for a lovely and memorable expertise.

Is The Forest Lagoon Price It?

Merely put, YES! Out of greater than 10 scorching springs we visited in Iceland, Forest Lagoon ranks up there as considered one of our favorites.

Forest Lagoon’s distinctive forest setting, accessible location, unimaginable facilities, and pristine magnificence simply provide an expertise that shouldn’t be missed. Many can argue that there are scorching swimming pools with higher facilities and luxurious, however there are few that may match the pure great thing about Forest Lagoon, together with the entry that it supplies to all of the fantastic close by sights within the space.

You must undoubtedly add this place to your itinerary in the event you’re visiting Iceland!

Different Scorching Springs in Iceland

You merely can’t go to Iceland with out indulging in a few of the best scorching springs the nation has to supply. Scorching springs are an integral a part of the Icelandic expertise, and even the locals frequent them – and there are PLENTY of scorching springs in Iceland. A number of of our favorites are the Vok Baths and Hvammsvik, however you may see all of our favorites right here!

Useful Iceland Journey Ideas

Icelanders communicate Icelandic, however each single particular person I got here throughout spoke English.

The native forex is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATM’s are discovered all through the nation

Have I discussed Iceland is pricey? Effectively, it’s! Get monetary savings by consuming in and cooking for your self. Try our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the ideas!

Iceland is likely one of the most secure nations on this planet; nonetheless, it’s all the time necessary to make use of frequent sense when strolling alone at evening.

Tipping will not be customary in Iceland.

Iceland has robust web infrastructure and you need to have the ability to simply keep linked.