While there are more reasons to visit Iceland than you could count, the country’s collection of hot springs ranks high on that list. And luckily for travelers, there are many things to visit in all regions of the country. Each one, be it a remote hot spring valley in the mountains or a small hard-to-find spring next to a river, has its own dazzling view, making it quite impossible to tire of jumping hot pots during your trip.
Each hot spring may be a little different, but there are some hot spring etiquette rules that are very important to the local culture. Always bathe before entering the hot springs, don’t bring any glasses to the fountain (just plastic cups!), And if you visit a remote hot spring, take out everything you brought.
From Instagram-famous Seljavallalaug and Blue Lagoon to lesser-known Landmannalaugar and geothermal Lake Viti, here are 10 Icelandic hot springs to add to your bucket list and everything you need to know about each.
Gamla Laugin
Direction
Hvammsvegur , 845 Flúðir , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 555 3351
Web
Visit the website
Known as Gamla Laugin to the locals, the Secret Lagoon is one of the oldest in Iceland. His first role was to teach swimming lessons for local children; You can even see the original costumes from afar when you are in the pool. Located near the town of Fludir, it will cost you around $ 23 to enter the hot springs and you can also purchase drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks from the cafe. They also rent towels and bathing suits if you find yourself ill prepared. Be sure to walk the perimeter of the hot springs – there is a path on the boardwalk that will take you past some small geysers and some adorable elf houses.
Myvatn natural baths
Direction
Jarðbaðshólar, 660 Mývatn , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 464 4411
Web
Visit the website
If you’re looking to spend a day relaxing in the northern town of Myvatn, the local baths are a great option. With a restaurant, steam rooms, and an alkaline lagoon, Myvatn Nature Baths has plenty to keep you busy throughout the day. There are changing rooms and showers on-site, as well as lockers to store your items. The entrance fee will range from $ 35 to $ 40, depending on the month you visit.
blue Lagoon
Direction
Nordurljosavegur 9, 240 Grindavík , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 420 8800
Web
Visit the website
This is the hot spring that everyone should visit at least once. (Its blue waters have taken Instagram by storm for good reason.) The Blue Lagoon swimming area is huge, making it easy to find a quiet, secluded spot, despite the large crowds that visit every day. On that note: visit early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid most of the crowding.
There is a changing room, steam rooms, showers, lockers, and a public restaurant on-site. If you are looking to enhance your experience, you can book a massage in the water or a stay at one of the new Retreats, a super luxurious hotel where each suite has its own private lagoon. There are different tiers when it comes to the entrance fee, but the basic package starts at $ 55.
Fontana geothermal baths
Direction
Laugarbraut , Laugarvatn , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 486 1400
Web
Visit the website
Located on the edge of Laugarvatn, the baths at Fontana will give you a fantastic view of the local lake. This hot spring is an hour’s drive from Reykjavik; the perfect day trip if you are looking to enjoy the countryside. It is located within the Golden Circle, home to other sites like Silfra Fissure, Gulfoss, and Geysir to name a few, which means you can see some of Iceland’s most popular sights and end your day with a relaxing swim. The best part: If you find yourself in Fontana around 11:30 am or 2:30 pm, you can watch the staff retrieve the daily bread from the bakery. It is baked underground near the lake using geothermal energy from the area. Entrance to this hot spring will cost around $ 30. If you just want to experience the bread tour, you can do so for a tour fee of $ 12.
Back pain
Direction
Forests, Vik y Myrdalsjokull, IslandiaGet directions
You’ll find this picturesque hot spring nestled in a mountain range in southern Iceland, near the town of Seljavellir. Built in 1923, this is one of the oldest swimming pools in the country. But don’t let the term “hot springs” fool you: this pool is not as warm as the Blue Lagoon or any other hot spring. A nearby hot spring feeds warm water into the pool, but it still remains quite cold during the winter months.
There are no lifeguards on site, so nothing at your own risk, but there is also no entrance fee to this historic spring. Volunteers clean the pool once a year, so you can detect algae growth depending on when you visit. Be sure to factor a brisk walk into your itinerary; You can park relatively close, but you will have a walk of around 20 minutes ahead of you before seeing Seljavallalaug. It’s all worth it: the mountain views are unbeatable.
Reykjadalur
Direction
Reykjadalur , IcelandGet directions
If you are looking for a nice hike with a hot spring at the end, add this to your plans. A 40-minute walk from the parking lot near Hveragerði (about a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik) will take you up a small mountain and into the valley. Along the way, you’ll see geysers, incredible valley views, and bubbling springs (perfect for filling your water bottle). You won’t see the hot spring river until you’re almost over it – the geysers add a layer of steam that gives it a magical vibe. There is a boardwalk along the lazy river with several dividers that can be used as semi-private changing rooms. Note that the water towards the top of the river is warmer than the first areas you will be walking through.
Landmannalaugar
Direction
Landmannalaugar, IcelandGet directions
During the summer, the Icelandic Highlands are easier to access and with that comes Landmannalaugar, a stunning area with waterfalls, basalt rock formations and, you guessed it, a hot spring. After walking around the region, you can take a dip in the popular swimming pool, but you do so at your own risk. While most hot springs are alkaline enough to prohibit the growth of bacteria, this particular pool is known to give some people swimmers itch (similar to an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect various birds) to several bathers. That said, it doesn’t affect everyone and is still a very popular place to dive. You’ll find the hot springs on the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, where a handful of hot water and streams of cold water meet in a small warm river.
Geothermal Lake Viti
Direction
Viti Lake, IslandiaGet directions
Viti is a geothermal crater lake located in the Askja Caldera in the Vatnajökull National Park. Its surreal blue waters are completely safe to swim in for those adventurous enough to walk the crater walls. The wind can be quite harsh if you plan to hike along the edge and if you visit on a rainy day expect to scour some mud. Note that there are actually two lakes here and one of them is not warm enough for swimming. You will have to walk a bit to find Lake Viti, but you will know that you have found it when you see that it is bright blue water. (an indicator of more sulfur, which means warmer water).
Heydalur Geothermal Hot Pot
Direction
heydalur, 401 isafjordur , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 456 4824
Web
Visit the website
This region in the western fjords is full of places to explore, with small waterfalls and man-made fields to explore. You can stay at the Heydalur Hotel and enjoy its artificial geothermal pool, located in a barn and surrounded by cherry trees and rose bushes. (There are also some additional hot pots outside the barn.) You can also go find the most remote hot springs on the hillside, located on the other side of the river, in front of the hotel. The small hot spring is surrounded by a small rock wall, which is one of the only gifts. Located in a glacial valley, the pool is surrounded by flowers during spring.
Krauma
Direction
Deildartunguhver, 320 Reykholt , IcelandGet directions
Telephone
+354 555 6066
Web
Visit the website
You’ll find Krauma in Reykholt, a city an hour and a half drive east of Reykjavik. Open all year round, the geothermal water comes from Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Iceland’s smallest glacier, Ok, cools the 212 degree Fahrenheit waters of Deildartunguhver, finally making the perfect soaking water. In addition to the hot springs, Krauma also has steam rooms and a relaxation room on-site. Entrance to the hot springs will cost adults $ 30, and you can also rent towels and buy soft drinks from the cafeteria.
