If you go on a short (or long) trip to Iceland, you won’t be able to miss one of the country’s traditions, and this for hundreds of years: swimming! However, at first sight, it is not the heat of the Icelandic climate that would push you to bathe, but it should be remembered that the many volcanoes of the country offer to this island a boiling ground and thus hot springs in abundance!
You will find on this page all you need to know about this main activity of Iceland with some explanations about Icelandic hot baths, but especially the most beautiful spots to bathe in this country, whether in pools or natural springs!
Hot springs and Iceland, a true tradition
For centuries now, almost since the beginning of the colonization, Icelanders have been able to take advantage of one of the great benefits of volcanism that reigns supreme on the island, the hot springs!
Water from glaciers, snow and rain seeps into the ground and at a depth of a few dozen meters meets the heat released by the magma (at a depth of 1 km, the temperature generally reaches 250°C). It will then heat up, sometimes to almost 100°C (as in Deildartunguhver) and rise to the surface in springs to flow into rivers, but also sometimes pools that will make perfect swimming pools.
Very quickly, Icelanders took advantage of this gift of nature, building dozens of swimming pools to take advantage of this natural heat. Besides, one sees in the country of many localities which took the name “Laugar” (hot bath as in Landmannalaugar) and “Hver” (hot spring as in Deildartunguhver).
Over the years, swimming pools and hot tubs – whether natural or artificial – have become a real tradition and an essential place of socialization for the inhabitants of this island. In fact, in summer and winter, they take advantage of the warm water to meet their neighbors and friends and chat, but also to relax or take care of their body. Today, children are required by law to learn to swim, and in order to graduate from college, you may have to prove your swimming skills.
Baths and pools by the thousands!
Important for the Icelanders, the swimming pools are counted by hundreds in the country. Although the island has only 300,000 inhabitants, there are no less than 120 municipal swimming pools (sometimes even in small villages), most of which are heated by nature. Some hotels, guesthouses or farms also have their own swimming pools, often in the form of hot spots (or hot springs).
In addition to these establishments, there are also dozens of natural baths, rivers and geothermal springs that are less well known and much more confidential. Each of them will have a particular character and they are sometimes located in breathtaking landscapes!
In Icelandic public baths, we also find this type of typical Icelandic jacuzzi, which is called hot spot or hot spring. It is a small circular pool with very hot water (between 37° and 42°C) and is surrounded by steam. Bathing in it when it’s only a few degrees outside, or even snowing, is truly a unique experience.
The particularity of the Icelandic hot baths is that each of them will have a water that will bring you different benefits thanks to the richness of the mineralized water by the volcanic basement. Some waters will be rich in natural salts, others in silica, sulfur, etc.
Last but not least, the water in these pools is constantly renewed and therefore it is not necessary to use chemical products for hygiene reasons. However, before sinking into this pleasant water, it is mandatory to go through a complete shower in Adam or Eve clothes! So be careful if you are modest!
Small tips
If you bathe in an Icelandic hot tub, or even if you take advantage of the naturally heated water showers, be careful with your silver jewelry! Water is indeed rich in silica, which will result in tarnishing or blackening your silver jewelry. To repair the damage, there are a few solutions, like boiling water with aluminum foil and baking soda.
The most beautiful places to swim in Iceland
As we said above, there are hundreds of places in Iceland where you can bathe and enjoy the benefits of hot water. At the bend of a track when you drive inland, you may find hot springs, but do not venture there, as the water can be hot, but also dangerous because it is too acidic!
So, to orient you, you will find which are the most atypical and beautiful places of this country. By the way, don’t hesitate to share in comments other natural pools you have discovered in this country.
Blue Lagoon
Without doubt the most famous place of Iceland, this hot water pool which seems natural is in fact artificial, because it is in fact the rejection of water of a geothermal plant. However, the result is really superb with a large pool with milky waters, because rich in silica, and a complex with a hotel, a spa and a restaurant. Located between Reykjavik and Keflavik airport, it is also very accessible.
There are on the other hand weak points, with the entry to the Blue Lagoon which is really very expensive (nearly 50 euros or 5400 ISK the entry!) and the frequentation, which is too important.
Grettislaug
Located in the north of the country, Grettislaug is a place where you can enjoy two Icelandic hot baths. There are the Grettislaug and Earl’s pools, which offer a temperature of 39°C that varies according to the weather. Small particularity, you can also swim in the sea, but be careful the temperature is much, much, lower! There is also a cabin for changing, but it is not free.
Helluglaug
It is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular Icelandic baths because of its location. Indeed, the natural pool of Helluglaug is located a few meters from the sea and offers an exceptional panorama on one of the fjords of the Vestfirðir version. Of completely natural origin, the water is of a fairly constant temperature of 38°C for a dimension of 4 m on 3 and a depth of 70 cm.
Hveravellir
This magnificent geothermal place offers, in addition, a sublime hot bath, which is fed by the hot river. The setting is quite heavenly and a little break in this pool will do you a lot of good, especially since the water is often close to 40°C.
Krossholtslaug
Along the road along the southern coast of the western fjords, Krossholtslaug is a nice hot water pool with a few meters below a hot pot with boiling water. From this pool you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea.
Krossneslaug
Located at the end of the road north of the Western Fjords, along the Strandir coast, Krossnes Spring is situated between the mountains and the ocean, in one of the most isolated places in the country. There is a small pool with hot water at 32°C, as well as a hot pot at 38°C. The view is magnificent overlooking a beach littered with driftwood.
Landmannalaugar
In one of the most beautiful landscapes of Iceland, there is a hot spring in which you will have the possibility of bathing in a water of 40°C. The campsite is close by, so you can easily change and enjoy this natural, but somewhat landscaped, warm river.
Laugafellslaug
To swim in Laugafellslaug, you have to go to the heart of Iceland, in the Highlands. Located at the crossroads of the F821 and F752 tracks, in the middle of a wild nature, we discover a small basin dug in the ground of a few meters for a depth between 50 cm and 1,5 meters. Advantage of this place, you will be able to take advantage of the swimming pool with water between 33 and 37°C.
Laugarvatn Fontana
The geothermal baths of Laugarvatn Fontana are in fact a real tourist complex combining hotel, spa and sauna where you can enjoy the benefits of natural hot water. This place is very appreciated by Icelanders and frequented by many tourists, because it is located not far from Reykjavik, in the heart of the Golden Circle. There are several pools with different temperatures and it is similar in shape to the Blue Lagoon.
Myvatn Nature Bath
It is a little the miniature version of the Blue Lagoon, but this time it is found in the north of the country, just near Myvatn. It was built in 1996 and has a large pool (smaller than the Blue Lagoon) with a milky blue color. The complex also includes spa and treatment services, as well as a restaurant. The prices vary according to the season between 3800 ISK and 4300 ISK.
Nauteyrarlaug
It is located, again, in the northwestern fjords, near the huge fjord Isafjörður on the road 635, right next to the small church of Nauteyrarkirkja. Then you have to walk along a small track to reach a small shallow pool with a diameter of 4 m, and whose water is at 40°C. Entirely natural, this pool is completed with a small wooden hut where you can change easily.
Reykjadalur
Accessible in only 35 minutes by car from Reykjavik (on route 1), the warm river from Reykjadalur to Hveragerði is a truly amazing place where you can take a dip in a river. But be careful, to reach it, you have to make a short hike of one hour quite easy. Unfortunately, the site is well known and therefore you will not be there alone.
Reykjanes
On a peninsula on the banks of the Isafjörður River, the Reykjanes hot spring belongs to a hotel built in an old school. 50 meters long (!), it is the longest in Iceland and it is surrounded by a good panorama unfortunately obstructed by a wall on the north side. It is ideal for a break during a stay in the Westfjords.
Secret Lagoon
Located right in the Golden Circle, in Fluðir, the Secret Lagoon, also called Gamla Laugin in Icelandic, is one of the first natural pools built by men. The water is between 38° and 40°C and you can enjoy less tourist traffic than in other places.
Seljavallalaug
Close to Eyjafjallajökull and Skógafoss is the beautiful hot pool of Seljavallalaug located in a small valley south of the famous volcano. The pool is nearly 28 meters long and 10 meters wide, which makes for a good swim, especially since the water is slightly above 30°C. To change your clothes, you will have access to a small dilapidated cabin…
Viti d’Askja
To reach this hot bath, you have to drive on tracks for hours, then walk for several kilometers. You will arrive in the middle of a volcanic caldera often covered with snow, on a small crater of a magnificent blue. While the outside temperature rarely exceeds 10°C, the water in Askja often reaches 25°C. A unique experience to do!
