Pros & cons
PROS
- Engaging exhibits on Mývatn geology, flora, and fauna
- Perfect launch point for Skútustaðagígar pseudo‑crater walks
- Helpful rangers, maps, and a small shop with coffee and snacks
CONS
- Summer swarms of flies around the lake can be intense
- Midday gets busy and hours shorten outside summer
Overview
Gígur is the park’s Mývatn‑area visitor hub—small, bright, and surprisingly engaging. It’s the easiest place to make sense of the region’s “fire and ice” story before you head out: expect clear, hands‑on displays that explain how Lake Mývatn and its lava‑sculpted landscapes formed, plus what wildlife to watch for.
What You’ll Find
- Exhibitions that break down local geology and natural history in plain language, good for all ages.
- On‑the‑ground staff who can steer you to the right viewpoints, short walks, and current conditions.
- Practical comforts: restrooms, ample parking, a modest gift shop, and simple snacks/coffee.
Why Stop Here
If you’re planning to explore the pseudo‑craters right outside (Skútustaðagígar), this is the smartest first stop—trails begin next door, and a two‑minute stroll delivers a nice viewpoint. Spend 30–45 minutes inside and you’ll appreciate the surrounding landscape a lot more.
Nature & Wildlife
This corner of the park is famous for birdlife. In season, watch for busy nesting seabirds, and keep an eye on the lake shallows for waterfowl. A heads‑up: summer brings clouds of tiny flies that can make lingering outside unpleasant—pack a head net if you’re sensitive.
Seasonal Notes
The centre is open year‑round. Typical summer hours (roughly March–August) run into the early evening; outside those months, expect shorter daytime hours. Services and exhibits are consistent, but plan your restroom and snack stops around opening times.
Best Time to Visit
- Day of week/time: Swing by right at opening or late afternoon to miss the midday rush.
- Season: Shoulder months (spring and autumn) bring fewer crowds and gentler prices across Iceland, while summer offers the most stable weather but the most visitors.
- Photography: Morning and late‑day light is kinder for lake and crater views just outside.
Trip Planning Tips
Heading for the interior (like Askja or other Highlands routes) from the Mývatn side? Road access depends on seasonal F‑road openings—always check conditions first. For a fuller day, pair Gígur’s exhibits with an easy loop around the nearby pseudo‑craters and a few lakeside stops.
Where it is
65.5686, -17.0381Tips for Gígur Visitor Center
- 01Arrive at opening or after 3 pm to avoid the midday crowd.
- 02In summer, bring a head net—flies around the lake can be relentless.
- 03Ask rangers for the latest on local trail conditions and viewpoints.
- 04If heading toward Askja or interior routes, verify F‑road openings the day of travel.
- 05Expect shorter hours outside summer; plan restroom and snack stops accordingly.
Amenities
Near Gígur Visitor Center
All places →All trails →
24.5 mi awaySelfoss (waterfall)Wide, graceful falls a short walk upstream from DettifossTrailhead · Parking
25.2 mi awayDettifossEurope’s most powerful falls, an easy walk with epic sprayParking · Restroom
25.2 mi awayDettifoss West ViewpointEasiest access to Europe’s most powerful waterfallParking · Restroom
25.7 mi awayHafragilsfossThunderous canyon waterfall with big views and thin crowdsParking · Scenic Viewpoint
35.8 mi awayAskja Víti Crater TrailLunar walk to a warm crater beside Iceland’s deepest lakeEasy · 4 mi · 1.8 hr
96.7 mi awayHeinabergslón Lagoon TrailQuiet glacier-lagoon loop with big views and tricky river issuesModerate · 7.6 mi · 3 hr
98.7 mi awayHvannagil Canyon LoopRhyolite canyon loop with big glacier views and quiet, scrambly funModerate · 8.8 mi · 3.8 hr
99.5 mi awayHjallanes to Skálafellsjökull ViewpointQuiet loop to a real glacier view, with moraine and solitudeModerate · 5.2 mi · 3.5 hr
