Sundlaugin á Hofsósi (literally, swimming pool at Hofsos) is a beautifully located modern hot pool. Built on a hillside above the sea, it provides a breathtaking view of the Skagafjord and Drangey Island. If you’re lucky, you can even spot whales from it.
The Hofsos swimming pools facility was construted in 2008-2009, so it’s fairly new, but certainly not one of the newest in country (currently that’s Laugaras Lagoon, built in 2025).
Hofsós Pools
There are two outside pools at Hofsos or as some might describe it – a swimming pool and a hot tub.
Hofsos swimming pools
Please remember the swimming pool is only warm, not really hot. Water temperature in it is kept at around 30 ℃ (86 ℉), but very often it feels more like 27-28 ℃ (80-82 ℉). So it’s pleasantly warm, but if you just want to sit in it, you’ll probably get a little cold.
If you’re not here for swimming or water basketball, you’ll go to the hot tub. It is rather small – about 6 x 2.5 m (20′ x 8′) and actually split into two even smaller, shallow dipping pools. One of them is intended for small kids to have fun (it’s no deeper than 1 ft) and the other one is more of a ‘conversation pool’.
Water temperature in these small pools is about 38-39 ℃ (100-102 ℉), so you can comfortably sit there for as long as you like.
Basalt columns in Hofsos
Literally just around the corner from the swimming pool, there’s beautiful Staðarbjörg basalt columns. To see them you just need to walk down the staircase form the parking lot.
Staðarbjörg basalt columns
The basalt columns in Hofsos are perhaps not as famous as the other ones, but certainly no less beautiful. They are definitely worth seeing.
Hofsós Sundlaug – tickets and practical information
Hofsos Swimming Pool is a typical Icelandic municipal facility. The entry price is low and you’ll find swimsuit dryers in the changing rooms, but there’s only a small snack bar on site and no massage or SPA services.
Ticket prices (2025)
- Adults / regular ticket – 1,300 ISK (about $10).
- Children under 6 years of age – free of charge.
- Children and teenagers from 6 to 18 years and seniors (67+) – 415 ISK ($3).
Opening hours
- Summer season (June 2nd to August 24th):
weekdays: 07:00 – 20:00;
weekends: 10:00 – 20:00. - Winter season (September 22nd – May 31st):
weekdays: 07:00 – 13:00 & 17:00 – 20:00;
weekends: 11:00 – 16:00.
Rentals
The facility offers basic swimming gear for rent:
- swimsuit: 830 ISK ($6.50),
- towel: 830 ISK ($6.50),
- swim diaper: 250 ISK ($2)
How to get to Sundlaugin á Hofsósi
Sundlaugin á Hofsósi, true to its name, is located in Hofsos. It is a town about 50 km (30 mi) north of Varmahlíð, and about 140 km (90 mi) west of Akureyri.
Map: How to get to Hofsos swimming pool
