Iceland is an amazing place rich in natural hot springs and thermal pools. Although the air temperature usually encourages you to wear a jacket, in many places you can enjoy bathing in outdoor pools.
When traveling around this beautiful volcanic island, be sure to take a dip at least a few times!
We have divided our list of the top 10 hot springs and pools into two groups:
- SPA complexes: often quite expensive but comfortable – perfect for deep relaxation;
- Wild springs: places with minimal or no facilities, but (basically) free and right in nature;
At the end of the article, you will find a convenient map marking over 100 places where you can bathe in hot water. Save the map for your trip!
Top Large Pools and SPAs
In Iceland, building a complex of hot water pools is relatively inexpensive. The most expensive element of such a center—hot water—is often available right on the surface…
No wonder that both larger and smaller swimming pool and spa complexes have been built here. You can choose from large and intimate places, simple and elegant and designer ones. Massages, face masks, special treatments, and spa rituals are often available.
Even in large outdoor pools in these complexes, the bottom is completely safe, and comfortable steps lead to the pools. It is definitely worth visiting a few of these places to get to know their unique features.
Blue Lagoon
Restaurant
Although Blue Lagoon can sometimes be crowded and admissions is rather expensive, a visit here makes for a fun experience and is worth the price. Its milky-blue waters are rich in healthful minerals and are great for your skin (although not so much for your hair).
You may want to book your visit in advance and plan it for late evening. Relaxing in delightful warm water after hours of sightseeing is a perfect way to end your day.
Additionally, in the winter months you have a chance to see the stunning northern lights while soaking in a hot pool! You can also plan the visit here as the first or the last thing to do in Iceland (or both, of course). There’s transfers to/from Reykjavik and Husavik available all day.
Read more about the Blue Lagoon here: Blue Lagoon – the #1 Geothermal SPA in Iceland. And book your entrance (and transfers) here: Blue Lagoon: Comfort Admission & Transfer.
With its blue water and silica masks, the Blue Lagoon is essentially one of a kind, but the two places most similar to it (at least in terms of size) are:
Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Natural Pools in Hvammsvik
The complex is one of the newest in Iceland. It lies right on the black beach of the picturesque Hvalfjörður Bay. It offers relaxation in eight hot geothermal pools and a steam bath.
Book your admission to Hvammsvik Hot Springs here:
Another “wild, but civilized” place is the Kerlingarfjoll swimming pools, opened in 2024. Kerlingarfjoll is located in the Icelandic interior, almost in the very center of the island, and can only be reached in the summer. However, it is definitely worth visiting.
Laugaras Lagoon
Laugaras Lagoon
Laugaras Lagoon consists of two lagoons connected by a small, beautifully arranged waterfall. In the lower lagoon, you will also find a “quiet corner,” and next to it: sauna, steam batch and a “forest pond” – a small hot pool nestled in the forest surrounding the resort.
A big advantage of Laugaras Lagoon is its location on the Golden Circle. You can easily stop here for a break during sightseeing or at the end of an eventful day.
However, it is not a place for families with kids, as children under 8 are not allowed in the pools. If you have children with you, you will have to go to the Secret Lagoon, Laugarvatn Fontana or Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik.
Like other centers of this “class” – Vok Baths (Egilsstadir), Forest Lagoon (Akureyri) or the nearby Laugarvatn Fontana – Laugaras Lagoon does not have any unusual distinguishing features, but it is a very nicely balanced offer. Top value-for-money, if you will. The center is new and well-maintained, the pools are varied and comfortably arranged, the views are beautiful and the price is not overly high. Overall, a very attractive place to visit.
The basic admission ticket (Birki – birch) costs ISK 6,900 (approx. $55) and can be purchased here: Birki – Standard entry.
Krauma Baths & Spa
Krauma Baths & Spa is a natural geothermal spa, opened in 2017. Compared to many of the places described earlier, Krauma is much smaller, more intimate, perhaps more exclusive, but also less expensive.
Here, you are guaranteed intimate atmosphere and peace, away from the crowds of tourists. Only weekends tend to be a little busier, as that’s when Icelanders themselves like to come here often. If you are looking for peace, quiet, rest, and relaxation, this is probably the best place for you.
At Krauma, you can relax in one of five thermal pools, which are supplied with hot water from the nearby geothermal source Deildartunguhver (the most powerful hot spring in Europe). Guests also have access to saunas and a beautiful relaxation room, as well as a small pool with ice-cold water, which is always found next to saunas.
You can find a full description of this place here: Krauma – Natural Geothermal SPA, and you can book your admission ticket here: admission to Krauma SPA.
A place similar to Krauma is GeoSea, located on the other end of the island, in country’s whaling capital – Husavik.
Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is the largest complex of outdoor and indoor geothermal pools in Reykjavik. When visiting this place, you can spend time in larger or smaller pools, where temperatures reach up to 44°C (112 F)!
Unlike the previously presented pools, Laugardalslaug is a public pool. Admission is therefore cheap, there are dryers (centrifuges) for swimsuits in the changing rooms, photography is not allowed anywhere in the pool area, and the nearest eatery is a hot dog stand about 100 meters outside. So this is definitely not a typical Icelandic SPA.
However, among other things, it is a great place for children to play. There’s a large and shallow hot pool with slides, toys etc.
Due to its long history and convenient location (right next to the Dalur hostel and the main campsite in Reykjavik), it is also quite popular. Especially on weekends, be prepared for a large number of other people during your visit.
Read more about Laugardalslaug and other Reykjavik pools here: Laugardalslaug Pool.
Wild hot springs in Iceland
As comfortable as it is to be able to use the bathroom, showers and a changing room, dipping in a hot pool in the middle of nowhere is absolutely unforgettable. You simply MUST experience at least one such a place on your trip. This is something that can’t easily be done in other parts of the world.
Askja
Askja – lake Viti
Bathing in a naturally warm lake in an actual volcanic crater in one of the most incredible experiences that await you in Iceland. It is something you’ll remember for a very long time. So if you are going to be in the vicinity of Askja, do not forget your towel and swimsuit!
Lake Viti sits in the main caldera and has delightful milky-blue-turquoise water. The volcano makes sure it is nice and warm, between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. Read more about this totally unbelievable place: Askja – a Volcano With a Swimming Pool.
Reykjadalur
Reykjadalur
This unique place is available for everyone and completely free. Reykjadalur is quite popular with tourists but there is a good reason for that. On you trip to Iceland make sure that you find a day or just an evening to visit here. Get your picnic gear ready, too! For more details and a map go here: Reykjadalur – Hot Bath in a Mountain Stream.
Landmannalaugar
Hot spring in Landmannalaugar
Immersing in delightfully warm water between your hikes is an unusual experience. What makes it even more amazing is the view of the nearby lava field and otherworldly colorful mountains. It is like a cherry on top of the cake when you come to this place, so remember to take your swimming gear with you. I promise, you won’t regret it!
If you want to know everything there is to know about Landmannalaugar, it’s trails, campsite, access, shop and the hot pool – you’ll find it here: Landmannalaugar – Fairytale Rainbow Mountains.
And if you are travelling in the interior, remember that there are also hot springs in such amazing places like Thorsmork (Volcano Huts) and Kerlingarfjoll.
Hveravellir
Hveravellir hot springs
A dip in a natural hot pool with a view of otherworldly landscapes is an absolute must while you are in Iceland. See how to find it and what to expect: Hveravellir – a Refuge Among Hot Springs.
Tiny pools and springs
Owning to its volcanic structure and history, Iceland is full of hot springs big and small. They are countless and scattered across the entire island.
Sometimes you find them surrounded by spectacular landscapes, views of beautiful mountains, lava fields or the endless Atlantic Ocean. Other times, however, they are hidden in modest and unlikely places, off the beaten track and away from crowds. You can see them next to cabins or campsites, too. Often hot water is used to fill jacuzzis but it can also flow in a small cave, form a tiny lake or look like a hole in the ground. You name it… and be sure to enjoy it.
Such places, despite their modest profile and lack of amenities, definitely have their charm. They tend to be private and secluded, so you can have them all to yourself as there is no one around. So it really makes sense to look out for hidden gems like this. They contribute to the surreal vibe of this incredible island.
Here are some of the best examples of top small hot springs. You’ll find them ALL on the map further down:
- Drangsnes and Hellulaug in Westfjords
- Storagja and Grjotagja near Myvatn
- Hrunalaug near Fludir
- Laugafell in the interior, off F752 (it may be the perfect geometrical center of Iceland)
- Laugarfell in the east on road 910
- Nautholsvik in southern Reykjavik
- and many many other places!
Pick your favorite and take advantage of all the best things that this incredible island has to offer!
Map: ALL pools, spas and hot springs in Iceland
The map below contains all hot springs and pools in Iceland divided into three categories.
For clarity and convenience, each category is placed on a separate layer / in a separate group on the map. You can hide the layers quite easily and show them back again using the menu on the sidebar on the left. Expand the sidebar by clicking the icon with an arrow in the top left corner of the map. Urban pools in particular are so numerous that it’s not a bad idea to turn this layer off and only turn it on when you’re looking for such a pool in your vicinity….
Save the map for later by clicking the small star to the right of its title.
Map: All hot pools and springs in Iceland
In the map above, we have divided all springs and pools into three categories described below. “Borderline” pools – those that are difficult to classify into one of these groups, we qualified according to their typical use.
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City and recreational pools
This is quite a diverse category and perhaps the most difficult to define. These are places for people seeking relaxation in the water, but also encouraging swimming or family fun. This group includes larger complexes with multiple pools, slides and children’s play parks (like Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik), as well as smaller ones, even with just a single pool, but too civilized to be considered wild springs, yet too “pooly” to qualify as a SPA (e.g. Hofsós Sundlaug).
Most of these places are surrounded by a fence, but sometimes you can still observe the surroundings from the inside.
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Spa complexes
This is the category for places that are all about relaxation and comfort. Saunas, baths, massages, skin treatments, restaurants, drinks served to the pool – all this distinguishes places in this category. As a rule, this is the most expensive group on the list, but it’s definitely worth seeing at least one place from this list (better yet – three?).Also here are a few places that don’t offer those extra services, but their primary purpose can still be described as “having a nice time sitting in the water.” So these are places where it will be difficult to swim or play with children.
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Wild springs
Wild springs are all the places where you can bathe in the hot water, but where there are no real changing rooms and showers. Or where they are far away from the spring or pool itself.
Hrunalaug
These range from completely wild, natural hot ‘deeps’ to feral or small pools devoid of working infrastructure. In some of these places – despite the lack of infrastructure and the typical entrance fee, the owners ask (sometimes even require) you to leave some kind of donation. These sites allow you to observe the area – they are not separated by a fence.
Places where there is hot water, but only enough to dip one’s feet in, have not been put on the map.
