T
hough the original Icelandic name – Gamla laugin – simply means ‘old pool’, the place currently uses a more marketing English name – Secret lagoon.
The Secret Lagoon (Isl. Gamla laugin (literal: old lagoon)) is Iceland’s oldest man-made pool fed by naturally occurring hot springs. It is located in the town of Fludir and has been in operation since 1891.
History of the Fludir swimming pool
In 1908, the first swimming lessons in Iceland began here. Thirty-two men completed the course in the first year, but by 1911 lessons had begun for girls as well. In later years, hundreds of children underwent swimming courses here, but since 1945 the lessons have been moved to a newly built swimming pool at a nearby school.
A path on a wooden platform leads around the pool, from which we can take a close look at several of the nearest hot springs. Warmed up by a dip in the pool, we are sure to get around this path without any trouble.
Near the pool, boiling water rises to the surface on its own, but for industrial purposes it is drawn from as deep as 900 meters in this area. Due to the pressure at such a depth and the specific chemical composition of the water, in such underground intakes the water temperature often exceeds 100 ºC (212 ºF), and the hottest spring in the area – at the Reykjabol farm approx. 4 km to the north – provides water at temperatures as high as 140 ºC (285 ºF!!!).
T
hough the original Icelandic name – Gamla laugin – simply means ‘old pool’, the place currently uses a more marketing English name – Secret lagoon.
Fludir Secret Lagoon – practical information
- You can use the pool in Fludir in winter and summer. The water temperature is 38-40 °C (100-104 ºF) all year round. In summer, as a precaution, buy your ticket ($24) in advance online – Secret Lagoon admission ticket – as sometimes the pool is overcrowded and won’t let more guests in.
- Fludir Secret Lagoon is a good place to stop in the middle of the day while visiting the attractions of the so-called Golden Circle (Golden Circle). That’s why it often enters the program of guided 1-day excursions from Reykjavik – such as this one: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Tour from Reykjavík (9h, $116 pp);
- The pool area is picturesquely beautiful – the geothermal (but green!) landscape provides a soothing visual experience;
- Magical atmosphere is added by the steam floating in the air and the hot springs and fumaroles bubbling around. A path by the pool allows you to take a comfortable and safe look at them up close.
- The facility has locker rooms, showers, a bar and a restaurant. It offers the possibility to buy snacks and drinks.
Tickets to Secret Lagoon
You can buy tickets to Secret Lagoon at the facility or online. Prices for 2023 are as follows:
- adults – 3300 ISK ($24) – get yours here);
- children and teenagers up to the age of 14 (accompanied by adults only) – free of charge;
- Seniors (over 67 years old) and people with disabilities – 2300 ISK ($16.50) – available at the link above;
- Towel rental: 900 ISK ($6.50);
- Swimsuit rental: also 900 ISK ($6.50);
Hrunalaug in winter
If
you prefer to bathe in small, wild, intimate and romantic hot springs, you’ll find Hrunalaug a piece further away – only about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) to the east. A tiny and charming pond of hot Icelandic water. You just have to go there at an unusual time, because it is certainly most impressive when you are there alone. (The owners do ask for a small donation to be left by visiting guests)
How to get to Secret Lagoon
Secret Lagoon is located slightly above the town of Fludir, in its eastern part.
From the main road 30, turn just past the bridge over the Litla Laxi River onto the Hvammsvegur access road. The exit is well marked, and at the end of the road you will also find parking in front of the pool entrance without any trouble.
The drive from Reykjavik is about 100 km and probably a 1.5h drive.
