Best thermal pools in Iceland, Reykjavik

The island of Iceland, located around the Arctic Circle, has a unique landscape in the world. It is one of the regions with more volcanic activity on the planet and therefore is the right place for you to know geysers, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains and, especially, natural or artificial thermal pools, fed with spring water from deep in the earth.

If you wonder what to see and do in Reykjavik do not hesitate, take a dip in hot springs, surrounded by incredible scenery, overlooking the mountains or the sea, is a must if you visit Iceland. In some places you may also see whales and if your visit coincides with the best time to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, it will undoubtedly be one of your most memorable travel experiences.

The hot springs of the Blue Lagoon are one of the oldest and most famous in Iceland. A dip in its waters is all you need to get rid of stress and truly relax. In addition, the artificial lake is enriched with minerals and microalgae with very beneficial healing effects.

Blue Lagoon is located in a lava field in Grindavík, Reykjanes peninsula, and has a major tourist complex with hotels, restaurants and stores around the lagoon. It is about 40 minutes from Reykjavik and less than 30 minutes from Keflavik International Airport.

Its salty blue and turquoise waters are colored due to the presence of silicon in the water, a mineral released by the volcanic rocks surrounding the lake, which is very beneficial for the skin. Blue Lagoon also has a spa and a store where you can get masks based on volcanic lava and silicon.

Although the outside temperature is 5° C, the water always has a temperature of between 38 and 40° C. You will see a really beautiful landscape around you, while you immerse yourself in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. And if you prefer, you can order a drink at the bar, without having to leave the pool.

How to get to Blue Lagoon

The best way to get there is by hiring a tour to Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik, which is more convenient, as it also includes entrance to the resort. You can also opt for a combined tour that includes visits to the Golden Circle, for example.

The Blue Lagoon is a bit out of the way, and there is no public transportation there. The way to get there is by car or by hiring a bus or transfer from Reykjavik or from the airport.

These buses must be booked in advance and may or may not include hotel pick-up. The price is around 37 EUR for adults, 14 EUR for teenagers and free of charge for small children.

More information

• Entrance fee: Around 80 EUR.
• Days and Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. in high season and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in low season, every day of the week.
• Location: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík. 50 km from Reykjavik.

If you have little time on your trip to Iceland, you can not miss the Secret Lagoon, a lagoon of hot springs that come from the geyser Vaðmálahver, Básahver or Litli. It is highly recommended to take a bath in its waters, as they are considered curative.

Its waters originate in subway layers of the earth, so they have a higher temperature, which is between 36 ° and 41 ° C. It is considered the oldest thermal pool in Iceland, since it was founded in 1891. It is also less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, so it is ideal if you are looking for tranquility and comfort.

The Secret Lagoon pool is surrounded by a spring and spectacular scenery. You can see how the geysers give off jets of water every 10 minutes, one of the most admired tourist attractions in Iceland.

It is also one of the places where you can see aurora borealis from Reykjavik.

How to get to Secret Lagoon

The fastest way to get there is by car, which will take you about 1 hour and a half. You can also combine several buses from Reykjavik: the 3 to Mjódd, the 51 to Selfoss, the 73 to Flúðir and from there walk 1.2 km to the lagoon.

You also have the option of hiring a tour to the lagoons from Reykjavik that includes round trip transfer and entrance fee.

More information about the lagoons

• Entrance fee: Around 25 EUR.
• Days and hours: 10 am to 7 pm in winter and 10 am to 8 pm in summer, every day of the week.
• Location: Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland. 100 km from Reykjavik.

One of the best thermal baths you can enjoy in Iceland are those of Myvatn, which are shaped like a lagoon and are known for their milky blue color.

They are located near Lake Myvatn and the geothermal area of Hverir. There you can relax in hot springs rich in minerals very beneficial for your skin.

The Myvatn bath is located in the north of Iceland, in an area of high volcanic activity. For this reason, its waters reach a fairly high temperature of 41 degrees.

The panoramic view from the pools is out of this world, and it is even possible to see aurora borealis at sunset. Myvatn thermal baths also have a spa and restaurant.

How to get to Myvatn

Myvatn is a bit far from Reykjavik, about 500 km (6 hours by car), but it is ideal if you are looking for tranquility, as there are almost no populated settlements nearby. If your plan is to tour the island by car, Myvatn should not be missing in your itinerary.

Another way to get there if you don't have a car is to take a plane from Reykjavik to Husavik and then take a cab, transfer or hire a tour to Myvatn.

More information about Myvatn

• Entrance fee: Around 50 EUR.
• Days and hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Opening hours change on public holidays.
• Location: Villa Reykjahlíð, Reykjahlíð, 660, Iceland. 500 km from Reykjavik.
• Recommendations: In winter it can be difficult to reach due to weather conditions.

The interesting Hófsost pool is among the best thermal baths in Iceland. Here you can enjoy a hot bath with temperatures of 38 to 40 degrees and at the same time you will be fascinated by a spectacular view of the ocean, Skagfjordur Fjord and Drangey Island.

The swimming pool in Hófsos is often called "the infinity pool", because being so close to the sea, it gives you the impression that you are swimming in it.

Hófsos is a village in the north of Iceland, near Saudarkrokur, which has just 200 inhabitants and a lot to offer.

There you can hike or camp, while watching the great variety of birds that fly over it. It is a place with an impressive landscape that you can not miss.

How to get there

You can get there by car from Reykjavik in 4 hours, or by taking bus 57 to Sauðárkrókur and then a cab or transfer to the pools that are 27 km from that city.

More information about Sauðárkrókur

• Entrance fee: About 100 EUR. Free for children under 6 years. Discount for children and groups.
• Days and hours: Summer, from 9 am to 9 pm. Winter, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
• Location: Suðurbraut, 565 Hofsós, Iceland. 326 km from Reykjavick.

Iceland has a lot to offer its tourists, including free thermal baths. Pollurinn Hot Springs is a complex of three small pools with temperatures ranging from 36 to 40 degrees Celsius.

As the inhabitants of Tálknafjörður, the village where they are located, are known for their hospitality, you can enjoy them without having to pay anything.

The thermal pools are located on the route of the West Fjords, a little touristy but fascinating place.

The panoramic view of the thermal pools is not to be missed and, due to the shallow waters, you can enjoy them sitting down.

Pollurinn is a small and simple complex, cared for by the locals, who offer free parking and changing rooms with showers. The facilities are basic but sufficient. Tálknafjörður is one of the smallest villages in Iceland and has about 300 inhabitants.

How to get to Tálknafjörður

You can get there by car, taking road 61. If you don't have a car you can also get there by combining several bus lines from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður Edinborgarhús and from there walk 1.2 km or take a cab to the pools.

More information about the pools

• Admission fee: Free of charge.
• Location: Pollurinn is located in Tálknafjörður on road 617.

If you want to hike volcanic landscape trails and swim in natural hot springs, I recommend a visit to the Reykjadalur Thermal River, whose name means "valley of steam" in Icelandic. It is also known as "the hot river" because its temperature reaches 40° C.

The Reykjadalur River is located in the south of Iceland, just 45 km from Reykjavik.

The Reykjadalur valley is perfect to walk along with your family, so if you were wondering what to see and do with kids in Reykjavik you should know that they will love it. Both the hiking and swimming in the Reykjadalur river will be a memorable experience.

How to get to Reykjadalur

Reykjadalur can be reached by car on Highway 1 in 45 minutes. If you don't have a car, you can take bus 51 to Hveragerði and from there walk 3.5 km along a trail where you will see hot springs and mud pools.

There are no facilities on site, just some dividers so you can change before entering the river.

More information

• Entrance fee: Free.
• Days and Hours: Open 24 hours a day, every day. It is an open-air space.
• Location: Reykjadalur, 816.

This thermal pool is one of the oldest; it was built in 1929. It is also known as the Ghost Pool, since it is actually abandoned. And although it sounds a little strange, that is its attraction.

Its waters are renewed by rain and snow, and reach a temperature of 35°C in summer.

Seljavallalaug pool is located on the south coast of Iceland. In summer you can get there without problems but if you go in winter you will need a 4x4, and a flashlight because it gets dark early. The temperature of the pool in winter is 20° C.

As the walls are covered with green algae, you must swim to avoid stepping on the floor which is very slippery. Also, you should know that no one controls the healthiness of its waters, and that it has no security, as it was abandoned after the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which covered it with ashes in 2010. However, this does not dissuade visitors, on the contrary.

How to get to Seljavallalaug

Seljavallalaug can be reached by car in two hours from Reykjavik, or by taking a bus to Skógar and then taking a cab to Seljavallalaug.

You can also hire excursions from Reykjavik to the south coast and take the opportunity to visit other nearby places, such as the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Please note that not all tours to the south coast from Reykjavik include a visit to the pools.

Read more about

• Admission fee: It is a private pool but you can enter for free.
• Days and Hours: Open all day.
• Location: H98V+F3G Vik and Myrdalsjokull, 861
• Recommendations: It is not recommended to go with children.

The hot springs of Krossnes are among the most visited in Iceland. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, between the mountains and the sea, you can immediately relax in its waters at 35° C. Some people even reported seeing whales while they were in the pool. Some people have even reported seeing whales while in the pool. Can you imagine?

The geothermal pool is located in Strandir, north of the Norðurfjörður fjord and close to the Arctic Circle.

It is located in a quiet and almost desert-like area, 5 hours from Reykjavik. You can visit these pools if you take a tour of the West Fjords. If you don't have a car, you can go by bus to Ísafjörður and hire a tour from there, or hire a multi-day tour from Reykjavik.

Useful information

• Entrance fee: No reference.
• Days and Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., every day of the week.
• Location: 524 Árneshreppur. 330 km from Reykjavik.
• Recommendations: Always travel with caution, as there may be fog.

If you're interested in history, don't miss the Grettislaug and Jarlslaug hot springs in Sauðárkrókur.

It is said that they were created in honor of the character in the Saga of "Grettir the Strong" and that the water in the pool acquired its warm temperature after Grettir swam 7.5 kilometers from Drangey Island.

The Grettislaug pool was destroyed in 1934, but farmer Juan Eiriksson rebuilt it in 1992. He also built the Jarlslaug warm pool, larger than the Grettislaug, where you can dive in while observing the beauty of the fjords. This pool is known as "the Count's pool".

How to get to Sauðárkrókurur

Sauðárkrókur can be reached by car in 3 hours via highway 1 and 74 at Blönduósbær. You can also get there by bus, combining different lines from Reykjavik.

More information about Sauðkárkrókur

• Admission fee: Around 14 EUR.
• Days and hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Location: Reykir 551, 550 Sauðárkrókur. 4 hours from Reykjavik.

In the thermal spring of Hrunalaug you can take a relaxing natural bath totally free and surrounded by an amazing landscape. Today many people come to swim in its waters, although for a long time it was a secret thermal pool.

It is located 5 minutes from the most touristic road in the south of Iceland, the Golden Circle. So you can't miss it if you plan to tour Golden Circle and the volcanic crater of Kerid. Note that not all tours include a visit to Hrunalaug.

The only drawback is that being so small and famous, it tends to fill up very quickly. That's why I recommend you to visit the place early in the morning to take advantage of its magical surroundings. Keep in mind that with 10 people it is already full. It has a small cabin where you can change clothes.

How to get to Hrunalaug

Hrunalaug can be reached by car in 1 hour and a half by taking road 1 and 30. You can also take combined buses to Selfoss, Flúðir and Hrunalaug.

Useful information

• Admission fee: Free, and donations are welcome.
• Days and Hours: 8 am to 9 pm.
• Location: Kaldbaksvegur, Hrunamannahreppur, 845, Fludir, Sundurland, Iceland. 1.5 hours from Reykjavik.