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Growing up in the volcanic country of New Zealand, I fell in love with hot springs from an early age. They occur in countries with active volcanoes such as Japan (have you seen the hilarious photos of the Macaque monkeys enjoying the onsens?), the USA, and Peru. If you are not familiar with natural hot springs, then basically they are produced by geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the Earth’s crust. You need to be very careful using hot springs because the temperatures can vary greatly. They can be body temperature all the way up to boiling hot which can actually kill you. When we used an unofficial hot spring in Yellowstone National Park in the USA, we had to be careful because the river was icy cold, but the water coming into it was at hot enough to seriously burn you, so had to cautiously move around until we found the ‘sweet’ spot.
Hot springs contain sulphur which cause them to have a rather unpleasant smell of rotten eggs. However, hot springs are often touted for their healing powers because they contain minerals. People claim they improve everything from circulation and respiratory illnesses, to reducing stress and improving skin problems. I find it softens my skin, eases my back pain, and (temporarily) helps me to feel relaxed and less stressed.
Living in the UK, it had been some time since I had had the chance to enjoy a hot spring. Taking a bath at home just pales in comparison, even a spa pool for that matter. So, when I was planning my visit to Iceland, I was super excited that I would be getting the opportunity to enjoy some hot spring time and in such an amazing location. There are plenty of natural springs in Iceland, as well as created ones that are naturally heated using the geothermal energy. Even the local swimming pools are heated this way.
I recommend putting aside at least two hours for your hot spring visit. If you haven’t visited a hot spring before, there is protocol that you must follow, so keep reading and I will explain all the essentials so you’re fully prepared. I’ve also put together a list of the top rated natural hot springs, as well as the created ones that are heated using geothermal energy.
You might notice that there are no photos of me at any of these hot springs, and that was by personal choice. Hot springs for me are a chance to unwind and relax. Some things are best left private.
What to Take with You to the Hot Spring
Don’t forget to pack your swimwear and a travel towel that packs up nice and small in your bag and dries quickly. If you have forgotten to pack either or both, then don’t panic. At the hot spring resorts, they hire both swimwear and towels. Some even hire robes.
They will also provide soap and shampoo, but if you prefer to use your own, then pack what you need.
What to Do Before Entering the Hot Spring
- You need to ensure that you are well hydrated before entering the pool and continue to hydrate yourself throughout your visit. The hot water really dehydrates you, and this will be made worse if you decide to drink alcohol.
- Remove all your sterling silver jewellery, as the hot spring water will tarnish it.
- OK everybody, what I’m about to tell you may freak some of you out. You need to get naked….butt naked… and shower yourself before entering the pool. Although the changing rooms are segregated by gender, the showers are usually communal. Before entering the pool, you need to thoroughly wash your whole body, particularly your underarms, privates, and feet. Your body needs to be super clean before entering the hot spring. At the main sites, shower gel dispensers will be available to use in the showers. Check out this hilarious video which demonstrates what will happen to you if you don’t wash thoroughly before jumping in the hot spring.
- If you are planning on getting you hair wet, then you need to give it a good shampoo too. Although the water does tend to dry your hair out, so I recommend tying it in a high bun to keep it out of the water.
The Best Hot Spring Locations in Iceland
At the major locations, you will find lockers to place your personal items in.
Luxury Hot Springs in Iceland with Entry Fees
Blue Lagoon
Nordurljosavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
Ok, lets start with the most popular and well known hot spring in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon. Located a short drive from Reykjavík, this place is so popular all year round (over 3000 visitors each day), you must book in advance. Expect a queue at the entry, so arrive early. If you don’t have a car, then you can take one of the regular bus transfers to and from both Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport. The area surrounding the pool is completely natural, however, the water is actually heated from the geothermal plant next door to ensure constantly hot temperatures.
When booking your tickets, you will need to choose a package that ranges from basic, all the way through to a luxury spa experience. When you arrive, you will be given an electronic wrist band which is used as both your locker key and as a cash card, enabling you to buy drinks at the bar. This place features a mud mask station, steam room, sauna, mini waterfall, restaurant, café, bar, and even hair dryers in the bathroom. It has it all!
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
101 Reykjavik, Nautholsvík, Reykjavik, Iceland
This place is popular with the locals and features a long hot tub on the beach and only charges a small entry fee. You can walk out to the beach for a cold dip before diving back into the hot tub. There is a locker room for showering and changing and even a sauna.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Jarðbaðshólar, 660 Mývatn, Iceland
Open all year round, the Mývatn Nature Baths are located in northern Iceland and are much cheaper than the Blue Lagoon, so a good option if you are on a budget. This area is located on the ring road which encircles the island. Read about my self drive tour around the Ring Road. Although generally less busy that the Blue Lagoon, Mývatn Nature Baths can still get busy during summer days when the tourist buses arrive. If you want a quieter visit, aim for early morning or in the evening.
Mývatn Nature Baths have onsite lockers for your personal items, a sauna, and hair dryers. There are outdoor showers that you can use to cool yourself down in between dips in the hot spring. There is also an on site restaurant that serves their famous hot spring bread with smoked arctic char, which is baked using geothermic heat.
Laugarvatn Fontana
Hverabraut 1, Laugarbraut, 840 Laugarvatn, Iceland
Open all year round, Laugarvatn Fontana is located on Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, by Lake Laugarvatn, and was actually beside our accommodation when we visited the area during our self drive holiday around the Golden Circle. This place is even cheaper than the Blue Lagoon and Mývatn, and is still a lovely hot spring. There are three interconnected pools and each offer different depths and temperatures, and also steam rooms and sauna. This place feels less ‘natural’ than the other hot spring options and more like a nice swimming pool complex, however, it is unique in that you can take a cold dip in the lake beside it, then run back to warm yourself in the hot springs.
Their onsite restaurant offers traditional rye bread baked in the geothermic hot sand by the lake. They also serve trout from the lake that has been smoked locally.
Secret Lagoon
Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland
We visited the Secret Lagoon during our visit to the Golden Circle. Flúðir is where they grow vegetables in large greenhouses powered by geothermal energy, and you can see them from the hot spring. The Secret Lagoon gets very busy during the day with tourist groups, so it is recommended to book in advance online. To avoid the tourists, the best time to visit is either first thing in the morning, or late in the evening as we did. We managed to get in without an advance booking. There are lockers and an onsite café where you can also buy alcoholic drinks. The hot spring are lovely and get extremely hot in some areas. But the real highlight for me is the onsite geyser that goes off about every 10 minutes.
The Secret Lagoon is the cheapest of these hot springs and is also my personal favourite, as I think it represent real value for money. Although not as glamorous as some of the others, I think it is just as special.
Public Baths and Pools in Iceland with an Affordable Entry Fee
Most of the towns in Iceland have a decent public pool that’s heated by geothermal energy. If you enjoy swimming, then they are an enjoyable and cheap way to enjoy the naturally heated water. Here are some of them.
Sundhollin Public Baths
Baronsstigur 45a, Reykjavik 101, Iceland
Includes lane pools, hot tubs, sauna, steam room, cold tub and even a children’s pool.
Arbaejarlaug Swimming Pool
Fylkisvegur, 110 Reykjavík, Reykjavik, Iceland
Features pools, hot tub and sauna. This is a good one for the kids as it also features a water slide.
Thermal Bath Hofsos
Rte 781, Hofsos 565, Iceland
Offering great views of the fjord from the pool, this place offers a large pool and hot tub.
Sundlaug Akureyrar
Thingvallastraeti 21, Akureyri 600, Iceland
Includes two pools, one with lanes, one without, hot tubs, sauna, and steam room.
Blonduos Sports Centre
Melabraut 2, Blonduos 540, Iceland
Includes three pools, hot tub and sauna. This is a good one for the kids as it also features a water slide.
Natural Hot Springs in Iceland with No Entry Fees
On a budget? Then visit these absolutely free natural hot springs around Iceland. Sadly, with so many tourists visiting Iceland each year, these hot springs are no longer a secret and can get very busy with tourists. To avoid disappointment, be aware that natural springs vary in temperature and are sometimes only mildly warm. The hot springs that charge entry fees have constant temperatures because they pump hot water into them.
Seljavallalaug
Foot of the Eyjafjoll Mountains, Seljavellir, Skogar IS 861, Iceland. Coordinates: 63.5656° N, 19.6076°
Mostly frequented by tourists, Seljavallalaug has been around since 1923. To get there, look out for signs for Seljavellir which lead you to road 242 marked by Raufarfell. The road takes you all the way to the car park. The trail isn’t far from the car park. A few minutes into your walk you will start to see the changing rooms.
There are no facilities here except a changing room, which can get quite filthy as it relies on tourists cleaning up after themselves, which they generally don’t. To get to it, you’ll need to drive on a gravel road for about a mile, then walk 10-15 minutes to the pool. But it is well worth it as the hot spring offers views of the canyon, mountains, waterfalls and river. The pool is big, but there are only two inlets of hot water, so the water temperature is not as hot as other pools in the Iceland.
Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Road no 1 to Hveragoi, Hveragerdi, Iceland. Coordinates: 64.032083, -21.215594
Reykjadalur means ‘steamy valley’, and this is exactly what this location is. As you walk upstream, the water gets hotter and you can soak in the numerous pools people have created with small rock dams. Be very careful, as some pools are too hot to safely swim in. These hot springs get very busy during the summer tourist season as guided hikes and horse treks come here.
From Reykjavik, take route 1 to Hverager∂i and follow the Brei∂amörk road until the car park at the end. From here, follow the obvious path for about an hour/hour and a half uphill hike to get to Reykjadalur. Wear appropriate hiking footwear. Take caution when visiting these springs during winter.
Hellulaug
About 500m from Hótel Flókalundur at Vatnsfirði, 451 Patreksfjörður, Iceland. Coordinates: 65.57256, -23.17208
This natural hot tub is hidden among the rocks on the foreshore about 500m from Hótel Flókalundur. At high tide you can cool off by jumping into the sea. To the west of Hellulaug, below the ruined farm of Hella, is another pool built from turf that has been recently restored. The water temperature is around 38°C.
Grettislaug
Coordinates 65.52.934 -19.44.171
This spring fits about 15 to 20 people at the same time and is quite warm at 42-43 °C. There are no changing facilities around the spring. To get here, the hot spring is about 40 km from main road no. 1 Varmahlíð. There is accessibility for cars but the road is not very good north of Sauðárkrókur, therefore it can take some time to reach the destination.
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