Hlíð Ferðaþjónusta

Rumour has it the minimal light pollution around Lake Mývatn makes it a great spot to catch the Northern Lights, so keep your eyes peeled. The area’s volcanic landscape also opens up a bunch of enticing activities and interesting sights. Take a dip in the Mývatn Nature Baths (five-minute drive), a set of geothermally heated pools and steam baths, or explore the bubbling pools of mud and steaming fumaroles at Hverir (10 minutes). There’s also a thermal spring inside Grjótagjá (10 minutes), a small lava cave that fans of Game of Thrones might recognise. Continue explores with a visit to the Skútustaðagígar craters (15 minutes), a particularly good area for birdwatching, or admire the Selfoss waterfall (an hour). For some educational times, you’ll have your pick of museums nearby. Choose from Sigurgeir's Bird Museum (10 minutes), The Exploration Museum, which is dedicated to the history of human exploration (40 minutes), Ystafell Transportation Museum (45 minutes), Icelandic Aviation Museum (an hour) and Into The Arctic (an hour). If it’s gardens you’re after, try the Botanical Garden Akureyri, or the park and garden at Kjarnaskógur (both around one hour). For animal encounters, head to Petting Zoo Daladýrð (an hour).