Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included

Forest, fjord, and warm water: a fine mix. Forest Lagoon gives you a peaceful two-hour break in Vaðlaskógur forest, across the water from Akureyri, with geothermal pools, a Finnish-style sauna, a cold pool, towel, locker, and one included drink. I especially like the pine and birch setting and the wide views toward Eyjafjörður. The main drawback is the shared shower and changing setup, which may feel awkward if you want full privacy.

The $86.27 price is not cheap, but it covers the admission, towel, locker, and one drink at the swim-up bar. I also like that the experience feels calmer and less crowded than Iceland’s best-known lagoons, though cruise-ship mornings can bring a noticeable rush. The free shuttle from central Akureyri is a useful bonus, but make sure you know its schedule before setting off.

• Two warm pools: Both stay around 37°C, with a larger 530-square-meter pool and a quieter 330-square-meter pool.
• Fjord-facing sauna: The dry sauna reaches about 80°C and looks toward Eyjafjörður and the mountains.
• Cold-pool contrast: The water is about 11°C, making it a sharp but refreshing counterpoint to the warm lagoon.
• Included practical extras: Your entry includes a towel, locker, and one alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink.
• Easy Akureyri access: A free shuttle runs from the town area, and the facility is also reachable by car, taxi, or on foot.
• A useful timing tip: A 10 p.m. booking can end sooner than expected, since the pool and bar close at 11:30 p.m.

Arriving at Forest Lagoon from Akureyri

Forest Lagoon sits at Vaðlaskógur 605, just across Eyjafjörður from central Akureyri. The setting is part of the appeal: trees rise behind the facility, while the fjord and mountains open out in front. The view is not completely wide open because vegetation covers parts of it, but you still get a pleasing sense of water, slopes, and forest.

The free shuttle is the easiest choice for many people. It picks up near the central town area, including close to the HOF cultural center, and several visitors found it especially handy when arriving from a cruise ship. Check the operating times before you go, since the bus may run only once an hour during quieter periods.

You can also walk from central Akureyri. One person made the walk in about two hours total, though icy conditions made the route less pleasant. I would treat walking as a weather-dependent option rather than a sure thing, particularly in winter.

Parking is available, with a short walk uphill to the lagoon. Taxis can work too, but do not rely on an arranged return taxi without checking carefully. If you have a ship departure or a fixed transfer, the shuttle schedule deserves attention.

Checking In, Changing, and Getting Ready

The entry process is quick and organized. You receive a wristband that handles access, locker use, and purchases for extra drinks. Your included towel is a small but meaningful convenience, especially if you are fitting the visit into a day of sightseeing or a cruise stop.

The locker keeps your belongings secure, so you do not need to leave a phone, wallet, or outer clothing beside the pool. Facilities are kept clean, and several people praised the tidy changing areas and simple check-in and check-out process.

The bathing routine follows Icelandic pool custom. You are expected to shower without a swimsuit before entering the water and again after leaving it. There are private shower cubicles, but only a few, and changing privacy is limited. One private changing cubicle was specifically noted, so you may need patience if you prefer to do everything behind a closed door.

That is not a flaw unique to this facility. It is part of the normal Icelandic bathing culture, but it can surprise first-time visitors. If you know this in advance, the process feels much easier. Bring your swimsuit, but expect the pre-pool shower to be communal unless you wait for a private stall.

The facility is intended for people who plan to bathe or use the sauna. It is not a place for someone who simply wants to sit indoors while others use the pools.

The 37°C Warm Pools

Forest Lagoon has two geothermal pools, both kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F. This is pleasantly warm rather than fiercely hot, which makes it easier to spend a full two hours moving between the water, sauna, and resting areas.

The larger pool covers about 530 square meters and has three swim-up bars. It also has an indoor entrance, a welcome feature when the weather is cold or windy. You can enter the water without standing outside for long, then settle in with a drink while looking toward the fjord.

The smaller pool covers about 330 square meters and provides a quieter place to sit. If the larger pool becomes busy, this is where I would head first. The two pools give you some choice, though the overall feel depends on the time of day. Cruise-ship arrivals can make the morning busier, while off-season visits may feel remarkably calm.

The water is warm enough for slow conversation and quiet soaking, but do not expect the intense heat of some Icelandic hot pots. That moderate temperature is helpful if you want to stay in the pool for a while without feeling worn out.

At dusk, the combination of warm water, darkening sky, trees, and mountain views can be especially appealing. In November, the facility received praise for its calm atmosphere and low crowd levels. Still, no time slot guarantees an empty pool, and the maximum capacity is 200 people.

The Sauna and the 11°C Cold Pool

The Finnish-style dry sauna reaches about 80°C with low humidity. It looks out toward Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains, giving you a simple but memorable way to enjoy the setting without getting wet.

The sauna is not just an extra room. It gives your visit a rhythm: warm pool, dry heat, cool air, then back to the water. If you like sauna bathing, you can build your own slow routine without needing a full-day spa appointment.

Next comes the cold pool, cooled to about 11°C, or 51.8°F. It is bracing. Very bracing. Some people may want only a quick step in, while others will enjoy the sharp change after the warm pool or sauna.

You do not need to use the cold pool to get value from the ticket. It is an optional part of the experience, but it adds something that a basic hot soak lacks. If you are curious about contrast bathing, try a brief dip and warm up again in the lagoon. If cold water is not your idea of relaxation, simply admire the enthusiasm of people who charge in.

One Included Drink at the Swim-Up Bar

Your ticket includes one drink, which may be alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The selection includes cocktails and smoothies, and the included beverage adds a bit of fun to the pool time rather than making the visit feel like a plain public bath.

The three swim-up bars in the larger pool make ordering easy. Additional drinks were described as costing roughly £4 to £10, though prices can change. That range is reasonable by Icelandic standards, but extra orders will push the final cost higher.

Remember that the included drink is one per admission, not unlimited service. If you book a late slot, check the closing time carefully. A 10 p.m. booking may sound like a long evening visit, but the pool and bar close at 11:30 p.m.

The Forest Bistro adds another option before or after bathing. It is a wood-clad space with fjord views and an indoor fireplace. The available information does not promise a meal as part of this ticket, so think of the bistro as a separate place to eat or warm up, not part of the admission package.

Clean Facilities and Small Helpful Extras

Cleanliness is one of Forest Lagoon’s strongest points. The pools, sauna, lockers, and changing areas are well maintained, and staff are helpful at arrival. The orderly wristband system also keeps the practical side of the visit simple.

A swimsuit dryer is available and takes about 10 seconds. That is a small detail, but it matters if you are heading back onto a bus, walking around town, or returning to a ship with wet clothing.

Towels are provided with this ticket, which saves you from packing one or paying a separate rental fee. Towels can occasionally get mixed up on the racks, so keep an eye on yours. If one disappears, staff can provide a replacement.

The forest setting also helps separate Forest Lagoon from a standard urban pool. You hear and see more natural surroundings, while the fjord view gives the soak a strong sense of place. The view is somewhat filtered by trees, so do not expect a completely open panorama from every part of the water.

Is $86.27 Good Value?

At $86.27 per person, Forest Lagoon is a mid-to-high priced activity, but the ticket includes several useful extras: admission, towel, locker, and one drink. You are also paying for a polished facility, two pools, sauna, cold pool, swim-up bar, and a memorable location.

The value improves if you use the full two hours. A quick 30-minute stop makes the price harder to justify, while a relaxed circuit through the large pool, smaller pool, sauna, cold pool, and drink bar gives you more for your money.

Compared with Iceland’s more famous lagoons, Forest Lagoon can feel like the better-value choice, especially if you are already staying in Akureyri. Its setting is beautiful without requiring a long transfer, and the atmosphere can be quieter than at larger, more heavily promoted bathing sites.

The price is less attractive if you do not plan to bathe, skip the sauna, or dislike shared changing areas. It is also worth remembering that the included drink does not cover all food or later purchases at the bistro or bar.

Who Will Enjoy This Best?

I would recommend Forest Lagoon to you if you want a calm break from sightseeing, especially after a day outdoors. It suits couples, solo visitors, cruise passengers with enough time in port, and anyone curious about Icelandic bathing customs.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy contrast between hot and cold water. The cold pool is optional, but the sauna and warm pools give you plenty to do even if you never step into it.

Families can use the facility, though children 11 and younger may remain in the lagoon only until 8 p.m. Children’s tickets are available on-site. If you are visiting late, confirm that the timing works for everyone in your group.

I would think twice if full changing privacy is essential, if you dislike communal showers, or if your schedule is too tight for the return trip. The experience itself lasts about two hours, but transport and changing add time.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation Advice

This experience is often booked about 43 days ahead, so popular times may fill early. That matters most if you are visiting during a cruise stop or have only one day in Akureyri.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is sent when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Allow extra time for the shuttle, check-in, shower, and return journey. If you have a ship departure, do not choose a slot that leaves you racing from the pool to the port.

Should You Book Forest Lagoon?

Book it if you want a clean, scenic, well-run soak with a towel, locker, sauna, cold pool, and drink included. The quiet forest setting, fjord views, and helpful shuttle make it one of the easiest ways to add a proper Icelandic bath to an Akureyri visit.

Skip it if you want complete privacy in the changing area, a very hot pool, or a cheap activity. For most people with two spare hours, though, the price is fair for the package, and the calm setting makes Forest Lagoon a strong choice.

FAQ

Where is Forest Lagoon located?

Forest Lagoon is at Vaðlaskógur 605 in Akureyri, Iceland. It overlooks Eyjafjörður and sits among birch and pine trees.

How long does the Forest Lagoon visit last?

The admission is for approximately two hours.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes admission to the geothermal pools, sauna, cold pool, one towel, one locker, and one alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink.

How warm are the main pools?

Both geothermal pools are kept at about 37°C, or 98.6°F.

How cold is the cold pool?

The cold pool is cooled to about 11°C, or 51.8°F.

Is there a sauna at Forest Lagoon?

Yes. The Finnish-style dry sauna reaches about 80°C with low humidity and has views toward Eyjafjörður and the mountains.

Is a towel provided?

Yes. This ticket includes a towel, so you do not need to bring one or rent one separately.

Is transportation provided?

A free shuttle runs from the Akureyri town area. The facility can also be reached by walking, taxi, or car.

Are private showers available?

A few private shower cubicles are available, but the normal bathing routine uses shared shower areas. Changing privacy is limited.

Can children visit Forest Lagoon?

Yes. Children’s tickets are available on-site. Children 11 and younger may stay in the lagoon only until 8 p.m.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.