The lagoon – like any swimming pool in Iceland – insists that you shower thoroughly and without a bathing suit on, before entering the pools.
Iceland’s newest hot pool complex, Laugaras Lagoon, opened on October 15, 2025. See what it looks like, what it offers and whether it’s worth a visit.
Laugaras Lagoon, is a medium-sized, modern pool complex in the heart of Iceland’s Golden Circle. The complex is located – as the name suggests – in the small town of Laugaras, about 9 km (as the crow flies) west of Fludir and about 8 km south of Reykholt.
The main building of the complex refers to traditional Icelandic architecture – turf houses. However, this traditional concept, which fits beautifully into the landscape, is cut by modern arches – illuminating the interior, but also giving the whole complex a much lighter, modern feel.
While in the pools, we enjoy a beautiful view of the Hvítá River valley, the suspension bridge over it on Route 31, and the Vörðufell hill further south, in the top of which there’s the Úlfsvatn crater (invisible from the pools).
View from the Laugaras Lagoon pools
The pools at Laugaras Lagoon
Laugaras Lagoon is a double lagoon, as you will find just two large pools – lagoons – here. One on the higher level, which you enter from the locker room, and the other one below it. We will can get to it by the usual stairs next to the upper bar or by quite unusual ones – leading through an artificial waterfall between the pools.
The water temperature in both lagoons is at comfortable 36-38 ℃, and in very many places special underwater benches and stools are prepared, as well as small tables on which we can comfortably place a tumbler or a glass. Any small group will easily find their own corner and their own part of the lagoon.
From the lower lagoon we can continue to the sauna building and to the small “forest tub”, which is somewhat hidden on the sidelines. Here the water is a bit hotter – approx. 40 ℃.
Behind the waterfall, or below it, there is also a small grotto, but the roar of the waterfall there is too strong to comfortably spend more time there.
In the sauna building there is a dry sauna and – again a little lower – a steam bath. And right next to it – how else – a cold plunge pool, with water only a tad above freezing.
Locker rooms at Laugaras Lagoon
The locker rooms at Laugaras Lagoon are, of course, very modern and elegant, decorated in a natural Scandinavian style. Light wood panels dominate the finish, and relaxing music is constantly coming from the speakers.
Similarly most of the showers are in a single area (separately for women and men, of course), but if you don’t want to bathe in front of other guests, you’ll also find a couple of enclosed shower cubicles for extra privacy.
The lagoon – like any swimming pool in Iceland – insists that you shower thoroughly and without a bathing suit on, before entering the pools.
Hair dryers are available, but – as always at commercial pools in Iceland – there are no bathing suit dryers (their noise would ruin the relaxing atmosphere of the locker room). Instead, we can use free plastic bags to safely pack our swimming suits and any other wet things.
Those who decide to buy a Lerki (larch) ticket receive a nice and soft, medium-sized towel included in the package. Of course, the towel is only borrowed for the duration of your stay in the lagoon – it must be returned when leaving the locker room.
All guests use the same locker rooms and showers, divided, of course, into the women’s and men’s areas.
What to eat at Laugaras Lagoon
Both lagoons – upper and lower – have pool bars available, where you can order your drinks directly from the water. Purchases are registered on a special bracelet, which we receive at the entrance and will be paid for conveniently at the exit gates when handing back the bracelet.
In the main building, outside the pool area, you will also find the tastefully decorated Ylja (oak) restaurant. The restaurant offers dishes that Iceland is famous for (salmon, lamb, fish soup), in an excellent interpretation by Chef Gísli Matt.
Prices at the restaurant are unfortunately quite high, even by Icelandic standards. Soups cost 3,990 ISK (about 120 PLN), main courses cost 5,000 to 6,000 ISK (150-180 PLN), and desserts cost 2,000 – 2,500 ISK (60 – 75 PLN). The price of a meal is slightly lower if you buy a 2 or 3-course package up front, or if you buy the Ösp (poplar) ticket, which includes a 2-course dinner.
After 5 pm, the restaurant changes to its evening card, with several appetizers instead of soups, and in place of a 2- or 3-course meal, you’ll find two offers (meat and vegetarian) for a 5-course dinner. Priced at ISK 13,900 (about PLN 420) and ISK 10,900 (about PLN 330) respectively.
Admission and ticket prices to Laugaras Lagoon
Due to its location, Laugaras Lagoon is a natural fit for many bus tours of the Golden Circle. If you want to take such a tour, you can book it here: Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Birki Admission.
And if you are exploring Iceland on your own (see our self-drive itineraries), Laugaras Lagoon offers you 3 types of tickets, named after three species of trees: Birki (birch), Lerki (larch) and Ösp (poplar). Each ticket offers the same access to the changing rooms and all water facilities, and they differ only in the extras.
- Birki (birch); cost: 6,900 ISK (about $210).
+ Unlimited access to all pools and wellness areas,
+ Access to locker rooms with personal lockers and shared toilets,
+ Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel in the showers,
> Buy your Birki entry here: Birki – Standard entry; - Lerki (larch); cost: 9,400 ISK (approx. 280 PLN)
+ Everything included in the Birki package,
+ towel rental,
+ one drink at the pool bar,
> buy Lerki entry here: Lerki – Premium entry; - Ösp (poplar); cost: 15,900 ISK (approx. 480 PLN)
+ everything included in the Lerki package,
+ a 2-course meal (soup or appetizer and main course) at Ylja restaurant,
> buy your Ösp package here: Ösp – Dedicated wellness experience
Children aged 8-15 have a 50% discount on above prices, but children under the age of 8 are not admitted in the pools.
Laugaras Lagoon is open daily (including Sundays and holidays) from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (last entry: 8:30 pm).
The restaurant receives the last guests at 9:00 p.m.
For more detailed information, see the lagoon’s FAQ (in Icelandic and English).
Is it worth visiting Laugaras Lagoon
Laugaras Lagoon is a very good choice for those looking to spice up their Golden Circle tour or end the day in a hot pool and possibly an attractive restaurant.
Laugaras Lagoon is definitely a place worth visiting
If you don’t want to take advantage of the Ylja restaurant, then a few kilometers north of here is the rather famous and quite remarkable Fridheimar restaurant.
And while it may not offer any unique and spectacular attractions like the Blue Lagoon or the Hvammsvik Hotsprings, it’s just a very well-balanced offering. Admission is relatively inexpensive, the location is excellent, the pools are very nice and varied, and one hopes that, not just in the off-season, it will stay relatively quiet and peaceful here (not least because children are not allowed in).
If you liked Vok Baths (Egilsstadir) or Forest Lagoon (Akureyri), then Laugaras Lagoon is sure to appeal to you as well.
Other hot pools in the Golden Circle
Other hot pools in the Golden Circle include Secret Lagoon, Hruni and Laugarvatn Fontana. Each of these places certainly has its advantages, but in our opinion it is Laugaras Lagoon that is (currently) the most interesting, because it best combines the advantages of each of these places (for adults).
There is also a completely free hot spring, or rather, a wild hot stream, in close proximity: Reykjadalur. It’s definitely very much worth a visit, as long as you don’t dread the approximately one-hour hike, and the complete lack of bathrooms, changing rooms and bars.
See also our broader review of Icelandic hot pools here: ALL the Hot Pools of Iceland [Complete Guide with a Top 10 List].
