Goðafoss
The waterfall of the gods. Legend says Iceland’s law speaker threw the old idols into it in the year 1000. It lies right by the ring road: an hour’s stop, or half a day.
Pairs with Akureyri
Goðafoss in detail
Explore North Iceland
Stay in Reykjadalur, between Akureyri, Húsavík and Mývatn. Every stop on the Diamond Circle is a day trip from here, and you come home to the same room each night.
How many nights?
Each day is a drive out and back to the same room. Choose a number to see what it adds.
- 2nightsGoðafoss, 15 minutes west, and Lake Mývatn, half an hour east. Two easy days, with time left for the pool.
- 3nightsAdd Húsavík, 40 minutes north, and a whale watching tour from the harbour.
- 4nightsAdd Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi, 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 away: a full day out and back.
Around us, by car
Laugar sits on the Diamond Circle, the driving route linking Goðafoss, Mývatn, Húsavík, Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss. Do it in one long summer day, or spread it over several. Plan the Diamond Circle
Within half an hour
Lake Mývatn
Craters formed by steam explosions, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the steaming vents at Hverir, then the geothermal baths above the lake. Plan a full day. The lake is named for its midges, which gather on still days, so a head net helps.
A full day
Mývatn in detailUp to an hour
Húsavík
A harbour town on Skjálfandi bay and the departure point for whale watching tours. Above the harbour, the GeoSea sea baths look out over the bay.
Tours run through the summer
Húsavík in detail
Akureyri
Known as the capital of the north, through the Vaðlaheiði tunnel. Visit the botanical garden, climb the steps to the church or swim at the town pool. The airport serves domestic flights.
Stop at Goðafoss on the way
Akureyri in detailA full day out
Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi
Dettifoss, in Vatnajökull National Park, is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe canyon that legend calls the hoofprint of Odin’s horse, with woodland walks and a still pond under the cliffs.
Together, a full day. Road 862 to the west bank of Dettifoss is paved all the way.
Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi in detailThe village, on foot
Laugar sits beside the Reykjadalsá river in the valley of Reykjadalur. The pool, a round of golf and the river path are all a short walk from the hotel. The valley in detail
- The poolSundlaugin Laugum is a minute’s walk away: a 25 metre outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a children’s pool, a cold tub, a sauna and an outdoor shower. Open 10:00 to 21:00 in summer. Admission is paid at the pool, and the gym upstairs costs extra. Towels are free at hotel reception.
- GolfA golf course in Laugar, paid separately.
- WalksThe Reykjadalsá river is two minutes on foot from the hotel. Follow the path along the river from the village.
Book a day out
Whales, warm lagoons, the Askja caldera, horses and huskies, all within a drive of Laugar. Each tour opens on our TourDesk page in a new tab, where you choose the date and pay. Kip and Snow Dogs take bookings on their own sites.
Prices are per adult, from TourDesk on 10 November 2026; the price for your date, and for children, shows when you book.
01
Whale watching
Two bays to choose from. Húsavík, 40 minutes north on Skjálfandi bay, is called the capital of whale watching. Eyjafjörður, the long fjord at Akureyri and Dalvík, has humpbacks known for their breaches and tail slaps.
The original Húsavík whale watch
North Sailing
- Price
- From 14,036 ISK
- Time
- 3 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
The tour that made Húsavík known as the capital of whale watching in Iceland. A professional guide, live commentary on board and light refreshments.
Collect your boarding card at the Whale Watching Centre, Hafnarstétt 9, 30 minutes before you sail.
A Húsavík family at sea
Gentle Giants
- Price
- 12,490 to 22,990 ISK
- Time
- 3 to 4 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
A local family company with more than 160 years of history on Skjálfandi bay. Warm overalls and rain jackets are provided, and GG3 adds a countryside ride on Icelandic horses.
Whales from the heart of Akureyri
Elding
- Price
- 14,500 to 24,900 ISK
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Out into Eyjafjörður under the Súlur mountain and past the island of Hrísey, with a marine biologist naturalist on board. The Classic comes with warm overalls and a wildlife guarantee: no whales, and you go again for free.
Whales from Dalvík
Arctic Sea Tours
- Price
- 10,990 to 19,783 ISK
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Eyjafjörður under the mountains of Tröllaskagi. Whales or dolphins on 98 percent of their tours, they say, and on the rare day without, you are offered the trip again. Warm overalls from 66°North and a hot drink on the Classic.
02
Hot lagoons
Warm water at the end of a day out. Earth Lagoon is half an hour away at Mývatn, Forest Lagoon is on the road home from Akureyri. Pick the ticket: towels and drinks come with the higher ones.
Earth Lagoon, Mývatn
Earth Lagoon Mývatn
- Price
- 7,900 to 52,000 ISK
- Time
- 1 h 30 to 4 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Mineral water drawn from 2,500 metres below ground, and two steam baths where the sulphur steam rises through holes in the floor. A bistro for a light meal before or after.
Forest Lagoon, above the fjord
Forest Lagoon
- Price
- 7,490 to 11,210 ISK
- Time
- 2 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Two pools at 37°C among the birch and pine of Vaðlaskógur, looking over Eyjafjörður, with three swim-up bars and a Finnish dry sauna at around 80°C.
03
Askja and the highlands
The caldera lake, the Víti crater and Herðubreið, deep in the highlands. The mountain roads usually open at the end of June, and every tour is a long day that starts early from Mývatn or Laugar.
Askja by highland bus
Mývatn Tours
- Price
- From 34,900 ISK
- Time
- 12 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Running since 1980: a 4x4 highland bus through the oasis at Herðubreiðarlindir, about two hours at Askja for the walk to the lake and the Víti crater, then Drekagil canyon. No cafés on the way, so bring your lunch.
Leaves Arnarnes at 7:45, be there by 7:30. Back around 19:00 to 20:00.
Askja and Holuhraun by super jeep
Saga Travel
- Price
- From 59,900 ISK
- Time
- 12 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
Two long stops: the Holuhraun lava field and the Askja caldera, with an easy to moderate 2.5 km walk to the Víti crater, 35 to 45 minutes. For a minimum of two adults.
Leaves at 8:00 from the car park of the Berjaya hotel in Reykjahlíð.
Askja with a local guide
Kip
- Price
- Price on kip.is
- Time
- 11 to 12 hours
- Getting there
- Pickup on request
A private day with Kristinn Ingi Pétursson, who runs Kip from Laugar: river fords, the Herðubreiðarlindir oasis and the Víti crater, where the warm water is most often fine for a swim.
04
Horses and huskies
Icelandic horses by the sea at Húsavík or along the rivers of Skagafjörður, and Siberian huskies 13 km from the hotel.
Whales, then horses by the bay
Gentle Giants
- Price
- From 22,990 ISK
- Time
- 4 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
The GG1 whale watch, then a ride over Skjálfandi bay from Saltvík farm, four minutes by car from the harbour. For beginners and experienced riders alike.
Huskies at Vallholt
Snow Dogs Iceland
- Price
- Price on snowdogsiceland.is
- Time
- 1 to 1 h 30
- Getting there
- No pickup
Summer dog sledding with friendly Siberian huskies and their musher, or a visit to the kennel to meet the dogs. The farm is on road 847, about 5 km off the ring road.
Riding in Skagafjörður
Hestasport
- Price
- 15,000 to 31,000 ISK
- Time
- 1 h 30 to 3 hours
- Getting there
- No pickup
The Viking Ride follows the Svartá river to the Reykjafoss waterfall, with soft paths to try the tölt. Give me 5 is for experienced riders: a riding teacher, two or three horses and all five gaits.
A long way west, so it fits best on the day you drive on or arrive.
For riding closer to Laugar, ask at reception. All tours on our TourDesk page (opens in a new tab)
Before you head out
Check the weather, road conditions and SafeTravel alerts each morning before you set off. Weather can change the day, so keep your plans flexible.
Nights darken again in late August, and the northern lights can appear on clear nights. A sighting is never guaranteed.
Unpack once. Stay a little longer.
Slow mornings, a day out, then the village pool, dinner and the long summer light. Book two to four nights direct.
Book direct
You finish on the hotel’s own booking page.
