Best thermal pools in Iceland, Reykjavik

The island of Iceland, located around the Arctic Circle, has a unique landscape. It is one of the most volcanically active regions on the planet, making it the ideal place to see geysers, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains and, in particular, natural or artificial thermal pools fed by spring water from deep in the earth.

If you're wondering what to see and do in Reykjavik, don't hesitate: a hot spring bath, surrounded by incredible landscapes, with a view of the mountains or the sea, is a must if you're visiting 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 Blue Lagoon hot springs are one of the oldest and most famous hot springs in Iceland. A dip in the hot springs is all you need to get rid of stress and truly relax. In addition, the man-made 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 shops around the lagoon. It is about 40 minutes from Reykjavik and less than 30 minutes from Keflavik International Airport.

The salty blue and turquoise waters are coloured 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 shop where you can get masks based on volcanic lava and silicon.

Although the outside temperature is 5°C, the water is always 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 to book a tour to Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík, 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 little out of the way and there is no public transport to it. The way to get there is by car or by hiring a bus or transfer from Reykjavik or 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 for small children.

Further information

• Ticket price: Around 80 EUR.
• Days and Hours: 8am-11pm in high season and 9am-9pm in low season, every day of the week.
• Location: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík. 50 km from Reykjavik.

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

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

The Secret Lagoon pool is surrounded by a spring and spectacular scenery. You can watch the ** geysers** spurt water every 10 minutes, one of Iceland's most admired tourist attractions.

It is also one of the places where you can see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

How to get to Secret Lagoon

The quickest way to get there is by car, which will take you about 1.5 hours. 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 booking a tour to the lagoons from Reykjavik which includes return transfer and entrance fee.

More information about the lagoons

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

One of the best hot springs you can enjoy in Iceland are the lagoon-shaped Myvatn Hot Springs, known for their milky blue colour.

They are located near Lake Myvatn and the geothermal area of Hverir. There you can relax in mineral-rich hot springs that are 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 very high temperature of 41 degrees Celsius.

The panoramic view from the pools is out of this world, and it is even possible to see northern lights at sunset. Myvatn Hot Springs also has a spa and restaurant.

How to get to Myvatn

Myvatn is a bit of a drive from Reykjavik, about 500km (6 hours by car), but it's ideal if you're looking for peace and quiet, as there are almost no populated settlements nearby. If you plan to drive around the island, Myvatn should be on your itinerary.

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

More info

• Entry fee: Around 50 EUR.
• Days and hours: 8am to 11pm 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 get there due to weather conditions.

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

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, with just 200 inhabitants and a lot to offer.

You can hike or camp here, while watching the wide variety of birds that fly overhead. It is a place of breathtaking scenery that is not to be missed.

How to get there

You can get there by car from Reykjavik in 4 hours, or take bus 57 to Sauðárkrókur and then a taxi or transfer to the pools 27 km from Reykjavik.

More information about the pools

• Admission fee: Around 100 EUR. Free for children under 6 years. Discounts for children and groups.
• Days and hours: Summer, 9 am to 9 pm. Winter, 7am-1pm and 5-8pm on weekdays and 11am-4pm 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 less touristy but fascinating place.

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

Pollurinn is a small and simple complex, run 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 combine several bus lines from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður Edinborgarhús and from there walk 1.2 km or take a taxi 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 Reykjavík.

The Reykjadalur Valley is perfect to explore 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 trail 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 a few dividers so you can change before entering the river.

Further information

• Entry fee: Free of charge.
• 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, built in 1929. It is also known as the Ghost Pool, as 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 any problems but if you go in winter you will need a 4x4, and a torch because it gets dark early. The temperature of the pool in winter is 20° Celsius.

As the walls are covered with green algae, you have to swim to avoid stepping on the slippery floor. 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 deter 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 taxi to Seljavallalaug.

You can also book excursions from Reykjavik to the south coast and take the opportunity to see other nearby sights, such as the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Note, however, that not all tours to the south coast from Reykjavik include a visit to the pools.

Read more about

• Entry fee: It is a private pool but admission is free.
• Days and Hours: Open all day.
• Location: H98V+F3G Vik and Myrdalsjokull, 861
• Recommendations: Not recommended with children.

The Krossnes hot springs are among the most visited hot springs in Iceland. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, between the mountains and the sea, you can relax in the 35°C waters in no time. 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 are touring the West Fjords. If you don't have a car, you can take a bus to Ísafjörður and book a tour from there, or book a multi-day tour from Reykjavik.

Useful information

• Entry fee: No reference.
• Days and Hours: 7am-11pm, 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 honour of the character in the Saga of "Grettir the Strong" and that the water in the pool got its warm temperature after Grettir swam 7.5 kilometres 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, which is larger than the Grettislaug pool, where you can dive in and enjoy 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 road 1 and 74 at Blönduósbær. You can also get there by bus, combining different lines from Reykjavik.

More information about Sauðkárkrókur

• Entry fee: Around 14 EUR.
• Days and Hours: 8am-10pm daily.
• Location: Reykir 551, 550 Sauðárkrókur. 4 hours from Reykjavik.

At the Hrunalaug hot spring you can take a relaxing natural bath for free, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. 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 away from the most touristic road in the south of Iceland, the Golden Circle. So don't miss it if you plan to tour the Golden Circle and the volcanic crater of Kerid. Please 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. Bear in mind that with 10 people it is already full. It has a small hut where you can change your clothes.

How to get to Hrunalaug

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

Useful information

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