Soaking your body in warm thermal waters will be one of the best plans to enjoy in Iceland . Word from those who love to immerse themselves for hours in warm waters. The good thing is that in the land of ice and fire there are hundreds of thermal baths, both natural and free as well as in very cool and well-equipped enclosures.
The bad thing is that with so much on offer it will be difficult to choose... But here we are, to tell you which are the best thermal baths in Iceland .
Geothermal spas are a fundamental part of Icelandic culture and certainly one of the most enticing attractions for tourists. Throughout the country you will find pools and hot springs that Icelanders enjoy all year round as a way to relax and connect with nature . And we foreigners are happy to join in, of course!
Are you interested in this plan? Well, in this post we are going to tell you about 8 thermal baths in Iceland , some very famous and popular and others more hidden, but all perfect for relaxing after a day of walking. Keep in mind that the prices to enjoy these facilities are not at all cheap, but they are not prohibitive either and a day is a day!
Best hot springs in Iceland
Thermal baths in Iceland are a religion, and there are everything from free thermal baths that are usually quite spartan, municipal baths with pools and jacuzzis in basic facilities and at reasonable prices, to authentic luxury geothermal resorts that, obviously, cost a lot more (between €40 and €80 and even more).
Whether you prefer mountains to beaches, or dry land to irrigated land, our advice is to visit at least a couple of hot springs in Iceland, to experience for yourself one of the greatest Nordic pleasures there is . The ideal is to take advantage of the last hours of the day (preferably at sunset) to revitalize your body after an intense day on the road.
Recommendations
Using these facilities is quite simple and intuitive, but to make things easier for you, we'll explain a little bit about how they work. First, you can buy your ticket online or directly at the counter . Sometimes websites like Tiqets or Get your Guide have better prices than the official ones, so we'll leave you the links to each of them.
Once you get inside, you will have to go to the locker room that corresponds to you, separated by sex. It is time to put on your swimsuit (it is not necessary to wear flip-flops or a cap) and take a shower. You will find free lockers with different functions (with a physical key, code, magnetic bracelet) to leave all your belongings.
From the changing rooms you have direct access to the spa area , which usually consists of several pools at different temperatures, an indoor/outdoor bar with paid drinks and free water, and some also offer sauna and Turkish bath rooms. Best of all, there is no time limit , and the hours are usually super long.
Remember to bring your swimsuit and towel , as in the vast majority of places they are NOT given out for free, but you will have to rent them. Flip-flops are not necessary , in fact they are not a good idea, because a gust of wind can blow them away.
Also, keep in mind that the waters contain minerals that can damage rings, necklaces, etc. , so it is best to remove everything that is not gold. Finally, avoid diving in pools and getting your hair wet … unless you don't want to end up with red eyes and a messy hair.
Now, let's see which are the best hot springs in Iceland (at the end of the post we will leave you a small section with the free hot springs).
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1. Blue Lagoon, Iceland's most popular hot springs
It's the most famous thermal bath in the country , so much so that even those who have never set foot in Iceland will have seen it hundreds of times on social media. Its immense pool of blue waters in a spectacular setting, sometimes surrounded by fumaroles from active volcanoes, is so popular on Instagram that it needs no introduction. Its popularity comes at a price: these are the most expensive thermal baths in Iceland.
The water temperature ranges between 37-39º and soaking in them is a real pleasure. However, keep in mind that as they are the most touristic and visited hot springs in the country, you will most likely have to share them with dozens and dozens of people .
The Blue Lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula , about 50 km from Reykjavik , and Keflavik International Airport is just a stone's throw away, which is why it is often one of the first and/or last stops for tourists. If you plan to visit them, it is important to get your ticket in advance (free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before). As for the price, we already warned you that these are the most expensive thermal baths in the country, the entrance costs about €80-€100 (depending on the time of day) and includes access to the hot springs, towel, face mask and drink.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth the trip? The answer is not simple. If you have a high budget, you want to treat yourself and these are the thermal baths that are logistically best for you due to the layout of your route, we think they are worth it. But if you are on a tight budget, we would perhaps opt for other thermal baths (even a couple or more for the same price).
2. Myvatn Nature Baths
A perfect alternative to the Blue Lagoon is the Myvatn Nature Baths, which not only costs almost half the price , but is also known as the Blue Lagoon of the North. And indeed, they are quite similar, thanks in particular to the blue waters that come from underground springs heated by the volcanic activity of the region, which give them similar therapeutic properties , beneficial for the skin and relaxation. You better put up with the smell of sulphur!
One advantage is that they are much less touristy than the Blue Lagoon and the area where they are located offers many things to do for tourists, so Myvatn seems to us to be a perfect place to base yourself in the north of Iceland (and end the day with a warm dip!). In addition, there is a restaurant on the premises that offers a cheap lunch menu with soup and other dishes . For us, it was a great success and half the price of the “original”!
The price is around €50 , and in this case it is better to buy the ticket at Get Your Guide or Tiqets than on the official website , at least for now.
3. Vök Baths, one of the best hot springs in Iceland
In the east of the country , in the town of Egilsstaðir, on the shores of Lake Urriðavatn, we find the Vök Baths, another of the best thermal baths in Iceland, and our first experience. What distinguishes Vök Baths is its modern and minimalist design , which blends perfectly with the natural environment that surrounds it.
The bravest among you, after soaking in the hot pools, can even take a dip in the cold waters of Lake Urriðavatn , which can be accessed from the spa. In our case, we went in April and the lake was still frozen, so the change in temperature was radical, but we were able to take on the challenge. Would you dare?
To finish off your session, once you have showered and changed, there is nothing better than drinking tea with geothermal water from underground (it's free). Apparently, this is the only place in Iceland where you can drink geothermal water directly without any purification treatments.
The standard one costs around €50, although you will benefit from a discount if you buy it online through Get Your Guide . We did it this way and when we arrived the only thing they asked us for was the name of the reservation.
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4. Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths
When we announced on Instagram that our next destination would be Iceland, several people recommended this spa to us and after doing some research, we marked it on the map. Located in Húsavik , in the north of Iceland, this is a unique thermal complex as it offers panoramic views of the Arctic Ocean and, in fact, its waters come directly from the sea.
Beyond the views and that peculiarity, you should know that it is a beautiful spa , with pools of different sizes, shapes and temperatures, well-kept facilities, saunas and areas where you can relax. We think it is an ideal option if you are going to visit Húsavik, which, as you know, is the best place to take a whale watching tour (between April and October).
The entrance fee on their official website is around €45 , but if you buy it through Get Your Guide it will cost you a little less, that's it!
5. Secret Lagoon
The name may have had its reason for being years ago, but today it is no longer as “secret” as it once was, and it is located none other than in the middle of the Golden Circle , one of the most spectacular routes in Iceland. Known locally as Gamla Laugin (Old Pool), it is in fact one of the oldest thermal baths in the country and, good news for budget travelers, it is also one of the cheapest thermal baths in Iceland .
It's true that they are much simpler and less glamorous than the previous ones, but if the goal is to relax in a pool of hot thermal waters, you don't need anything else! In addition, it is in a very active geothermal area and you will be surrounded by fumaroles, something that does not happen every day, of course.
Access to these hot springs will cost you just €25 and you can get your ticket on the Civitatis website .
6. Hrunalaug, hot springs with a Viking touch
These are one of the thermal baths in Iceland that are gaining popularity exponentially, and not only because they are affordable but because they offer a different experience in a unique natural environment . It is a set of small outdoor pools accessible after a 5-minute walk. The most striking thing about the place is undoubtedly the changing room, which looks like a mini Viking hut .
Note that, unlike the previous ones, this is a much more natural place , which takes advantage of a small fountain with waters at a temperature of about 37-38º, to create these little pools, surrounded by a purely Icelandic landscape. That is its true luxury.
It is usually recommended to go early or at the last minute , since it is small in size, if you coincide with another group of people you will not be able to enter. The price is about €17-€20 , take a look at their official website to find out more details about this curious hot spring in Iceland.
7. Sky Lagoon
Although it is one of the newest thermal baths in Iceland , it has already earned a key place on travel itineraries around the country. And not only because it is located right next to the center of Reykjavik , but because its facilities are modern, high-quality and have a beautiful infinity pool that stands out above the rest. It also has saunas, cold pools for temperature therapy and other more premium treatments.
Their motto is “where the sea meets the sky” and it is totally true. The views of the ocean are incredible and you will feel like you are really inside a lagoon , surrounded by rock walls and caves. Then you see the bar and the rest of the tourists in the distance and the dream is interrupted…
different entrances, which differ basically in the type of locker room, but all give access to the same spa facilities
There are several tickets, with different prices and experiences: the basic one is around €75 , the pure one is around €85 and the sky one is €115 (includes a face mask, cold pool and access to the glass-enclosed sauna with a panoramic view of the sea). More information on their official website .
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8. Forest Lagoon
These thermal baths have the particularity of being surrounded by the beautiful pine and birch forest of Vaðlaskógur , something unusual since if you have traveled around the country, you will have noticed that the trees are not exactly very abundant. Although due to lack of time we did not go, several people recommended it to us and it will undoubtedly be included in our plans for our next trip.
Located in the Akureyri area , the second largest city in the country, the Forest Lagoon is a modern spa resort with beautiful wooden décor , floating bars, 2 hot and 1 cold pool, a Finnish dry sauna and great views of a fjord .
The price is about €45 , and when you finish your session you can stay for a bite to eat at the Forest Lagoon restaurant (if you have any money left , of course hehe).
Other paid thermal baths in Iceland
As we told you, there are hundreds and hundreds of hot springs spread throughout the country, so we are going to name other thermal baths and thermal pools in Iceland in case they are on your way:
- Hauganes hot tubes , 3 jacuzzis next to a beach. Costs about 12€.
- Laugarvatn Fontana , a good alternative to the Secret Lagoon in the Golden Circle, beyond the beautiful facilities you can see how they cook bread underground with the geothermal heat hehe. Entrance: €37.
- Hoffel Hot Tubes , a set of 3 hot tubs with views of the surrounding mountains (best to go in winter when they are snowy). Entrance costs around €12.
Free hot springs in Iceland
As promised, here is a brief list of some free thermal pools in Iceland:
- Seljavallalaug hot spring , located in the south of the country. It is a rather spartan place but it meets your expectations: free bath (be careful, we read some reviews where it says the water is warm, not very hot), small changing room and parking.
- Reykjadalur is more of a thermal river than a hot spring, and you won't have any problems with the cold here: the water is around 40 degrees! If you go, calculate your time well: you have to travel about 4 km to get there.
- Drangsnes hot pots are 3 small, free jacuzzis with different temperatures, located in front of a beach in the western fjords area.
- Nautholsvik Beach Thermal Pool , a small but elongated pool (more of a puddle, actually) with 38º water and views of that beach in Reykjavik.
Public swimming pools in Iceland, a cheap alternative to hot springs
One great thing is that almost every town has a public swimming pool with showers, common areas and, of course, at least one hot spring pool or jacuzzi. Of course, they are not as aesthetically appealing as the thermal spas, but the price is incredibly lower (usually less than 10€). Here are 3 options that we found very interesting:
- Vik public swimming pool .
- Hofsós Infinity Pool .
- Sundlaug Seltjarnarness Aquatic Center in Reykjavík.
- Lýsulaugar Lýsuhólslaug Pools on the Snaefellsness Peninsula .
- Public swimming pool in Selfoss .
On the website https://sundlaugar.is/ you can see a list of these types of facilities by area.
Map of Iceland's hot springs
To finish, we leave you a map with the location of all these hot springs, paid, free and public, spread throughout Iceland:
You must have felt very comfortable after all that thermal water! Well, you'll feel even more comfortable after having soaked in one or more Icelandic hot springs , you'll see how addictive it is to treat your body after a day of trekking and walking 🙂 Did we forget about any thermal baths or hot springs in Iceland that you loved? Help us complete the post!
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