Quick FactsOverview
About Skógarböð
Skógarböð, Iceland is a geothermal spa complex set within the birch and pine trees of Vaðlaskógur forest, 3.6 kilometres southeast of Akureyri in North Iceland, overlooking the Eyjafjörður fjord. It opened in 2022 under the name Forest Lagoon, which is the name used in English-language marketing, while Skógarböð or Skógarböðin is the Icelandic name, meaning forest baths. The spa was designed by Basalt Architects, the firm also responsible for the Blue Lagoon and GeoSea in Húsavík, and uses geothermal water discovered in 2015 when construction crews drilling the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel struck a hot spring beneath Vaðlaheiði mountain. The water is channelled from the mountain to the pools without chemical treatment, making it one of the few major spas in Iceland operating on entirely chemical-free geothermal pool water.
The complex covers 1,300 square metres of bathing area across two outdoor infinity pools. The larger pool at 530 square metres is maintained at 37 degrees Celsius and includes indoor access and two swim-up bars. The smaller pool at 330 square metres is kept at the same temperature and is designed for quieter soaking with more open views of the fjord and the mountains beyond. A Finnish dry sauna, a cold plunge pool at around 11 degrees Celsius, full changing facilities with private showers, and the Forest Bistro are also part of the complex. The facility can accommodate up to 200 visitors at a time.
Skógarböð sits on the Diamond Circle scenic route, a loop of major natural attractions in North Iceland, and Akureyri is the primary base for exploring this part of the country. For those looking for hot springs near Akureyri with a full spa experience, the combination of the forest setting, the fjord views, and the proximity to the city centre makes it a practical and distinctive option in a region where developed geothermal spas are less common than in the southwest.
Location & Access
Getting to Skógarböð
Skógarböð is located at Vaðlaskógur, 605 Akureyri, approximately 3.6 kilometres southeast of Akureyri city centre. By car the journey from the centre takes around five minutes, crossing the Eyjafjörður bridge and turning onto the Vaðlaskógur forest road on the far side. Signage for Skógarböðin is visible after crossing the bridge, and a dedicated car park is available on site. The road to the spa is paved and accessible by any standard vehicle year-round.
For visitors without a car, a free shuttle bus departs from Hof, the cultural and conference centre in central Akureyri. The shuttle runs at regular intervals and is included in the entry price, making it straightforward to visit from any accommodation in the city. From Reykjavík, Akureyri is a five-hour drive north on Route 1, or around 45 minutes by domestic flight from Reykjavík's domestic airport. Akureyri airport is served by regular flights from Reykjavik.
Pre-booking is strongly recommended at Skógarböð, particularly in summer and on weekends, as visitor numbers are capped at 200 at any one time. Tickets are available through the official website at forestlagoon.is. Standard adult entry at time of research was approximately 6,900 ISK, with a reduced rate for children aged 6 to 15 and free entry for children under 5. Towels are not included in the standard ticket and can be rented on site. The spa is open daily from 10:00 to midnight, and children under 12 are not permitted after 20:00.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Skógarböð
Skógarböð is suitable for most visitors, from solo travellers and couples to families with children, and it is one of the more accessible hot springs in Iceland for visitors with mobility requirements. The facility has designated accessible parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible changing rooms with private showers, and accessible entry points to the pools. Ramps are present throughout the complex, though the forest setting involves some changes in ground level that visitors with significant mobility limitations should assess on arrival or by contacting the spa in advance.
For families, children of all ages are welcome during daytime and early evening hours, with a dedicated reduced entry rate for children aged 6 to 15 and free entry for those under 5. The pools are shallow enough at the edges for supervised bathing with younger children, and the spa environment is calm rather than activity-focused, so it suits those seeking relaxation as much as families looking for a varied facility. Children under 12 must leave by 20:00, after which the spa transitions to an adults-preferred atmosphere.
The spa setting in a forest above a fjord is genuinely different from the lava-field or coastal locations that characterise most Icelandic geothermal spas. For visitors who have already experienced the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon and want a different atmosphere, Skógarböð offers a smaller, quieter, and more forested experience that many visitors find less overwhelming and more personal. The swim-up bars and Forest Bistro allow for extended visits, and there is no time limit on individual tickets, meaning guests can stay as long as they wish within operating hours.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Skógarböð
Skógarböð is generally safe to visit, as a fully staffed commercial spa operating to Icelandic safety and hygiene standards, with changing rooms, lifeguard oversight, and a capped visitor capacity that prevents overcrowding. Pool water is entirely geothermal and is not treated with chlorine or other chemicals, which is a feature of the facility's design. This means water quality depends on the natural flow and temperature of the geothermal source, which has been consistent since the spa opened in 2022.
Both pools are maintained at 37 degrees Celsius, which is a moderate soaking temperature suitable for most adults and older children for extended periods. The cold plunge pool at around 11 degrees Celsius is an optional complement to hot soaking, and alternating between the two is a common practice at Icelandic spas. First-time users of cold plunge pools should enter gradually and leave immediately if they feel faint, short of breath, or uncomfortable. The Finnish dry sauna operates at around 80 degrees Celsius and low humidity; short sessions followed by cooling are the standard approach.
The pool surrounds and walkways are wet and can be slippery. Traction sandals are advisable, particularly on the wooden deck areas and any transition points between the indoor entrance and the outdoor pools. The forest and fjord setting means the spa can be exposed to wind, particularly in shoulder seasons, so the contrast between the warm water and the cool outdoor air is stronger than at more sheltered urban pools.
Shower before entering the pools. This is a standard requirement at all Icelandic spas and pools. At Skógarböð, changing facilities include private shower cubicles, making the pre-entry shower more convenient than at many outdoor wild pools. Swimwear is required throughout the spa. The two-alcoholic-drink limit at the swim-up bars is a posted house rule, and the billing system handles poolside drinks separately from the entry fee. Photography in the changing rooms is not permitted. The spa's capacity is capped, so arriving without a booking in peak season may result in a wait or entry refusal if the daily allocation is full; booking online in advance is the standard approach.
