The ultimate guide for hot-springs in Iceland
You can not visit Iceland without enjoying a hot spring. Be it a lagoon with all the facilities or a wild hot spring in the middle of nature you have to try it.
It is in Icelandic Viking tradition to have a bath in a hot spring and almost every Icelander has a hot tub near their house.
There are many hot springs in Iceland where you can relax and enjoy Icelandic nature. In this blog, there are some categories of hot springs to make your choice easier.
Check the map below to find all the locations mentioned in this blog.
Lagoons
The lagoons in Iceland are very popular, and despite the hot springs you will find in the middle of nature, the lagoons have many spa facilities you can enjoy.
The most popular one is Blue Lagoon.
The water in Blue Lagoon is salty as the geothermal water is mixed with a small amount of seawater underground before surfacing. This adds extra minerals to the water, making it even better for the skin.
Furthermore, the water is not blue. It is cloudy water containing silica and algae, and due to the refraction of sunlight, the water looks blue to the eye.
The Blue Lagoon has two entrance packages: Comfort Entrance and Premium Entrance.
Comfort entrance includes entrance to Blue Lagoon, towel, silica face mask, and one beverage of choice.
Premium entrance includes entrance to Blue Lagoon, towel, silica face mask, one beverage of choice, bathrobe, a second face mask, and sparkling wine at Lava Restaurant.
The main difference between the two is that for Premium entrance, you will get an extra bathrobe (rental), slippers, a second face mask (mineral or algae) and a complimentary sparkling wine if you are dining at the Lava restaurant. To pay €20 more for these, worth it or not, you can decide for yourself.
I always go for the Comfort entrance as the bathrobe and slippers are hardly used. Just from the changing room to the lagoon is like 100m. You can always pay extra for the second face mask at the mask booth if you want to use it.
From the car park of Blue Lagoon, you find the storage facility by the car park. This storage facility is for big luggage that cannot fit in lockers. There is a small storage fee. From here, you will follow a path through volcanic lava rocks to the reception building of Blue Lagoon.
You will find three queues for the entrance: comfort entrance, Premium entrance, and Groups. According to the ticket you purchased, you will join the queue accordingly.
At your turn, present your ticket (both electronic and paper tickets are accepted) in exchange for a wristband.
This wristband serves several functions.
-It is the pass for your entrance and exit to Blue Lagoon
-It is the key to your locker unit
-It contains the complimentary items (beverage and mask/s) with your entrance ticket.
-It keeps a tab of all your purchases in Blue Lagoon.
In a way, you use your wristband for almost everything within Blue Lagoon. I will explain each of them in detail.
After collecting your wristband, you will scan it on the turnstile to enter Blue Lagoon.
From here, you will follow the signs to the changing room where the lockers are. You can use any open locker. Change into your swimsuit. Put your things into the lock, close it, scan your wristband at the nearest scanner and hold it there until it beeps.
The locker number that you have chosen will appear on the screen. This means that your locker is locked and synced with your wristband. To unlock, scan your wristband to the nearest scanner to your locker.
You can close and open as many times as you like. There are instructions on the locker door as well.
It is recommended that you leave all your jewellery and watches in the locker, as the water might cause some damage to them.
After having fun with the locker, you must shower before entering the lagoon. It is compulsory to shower and wash with soap. It is also recommended that you leave some conditioner in your hair for protection, as the water in Blue Lagoon does not precisely agree with hair.
Alternatively, just be sure to keep your hair out of the water. Just so you know, the one time I kept my hair in the water at Blue Lagoon without conditioner, it turned into seaweed, and I needed to wash it with a lot of conditioners for three days before it became manageable again.
After you are done with the shower, you can now head to the lagoon. There are hooks to hang your towels/bathrobes, but since everyone looks the same, there is no way to tell one from the other.
Unless you can identify which towel/bathrobe belongs to you, you can always ask for a new one from the cafe. It is typical for someone else to take your towel/bathrobe slipper by mistake. There have been times when I did not even find my towel/bathrobe/slipper at all.
There are two ways to go into the lagoon. One is by the main entry that is outdoors. You go through the main doors and down the slopes into the lagoon. This way is beautiful and suitable for pictures, but it can also be freezing, especially during the winter or windy.
The second way into the lagoon is by the left side. You enter the water inside the building, and a doorway leads outside to the central lagoon. This is the less exciting way of entering the lagoon, but it is certainly more comfortable.
Once in the lagoon, with the main building at your back, the in-water bar is at the top right (one o’clock position). The in-water mask is on the left (nine o’clock position).
The in-water massage is at the top left (eleven o’clock position), and the waterfall, sauna, and steam room are at the bottom left (seven o’clock position).
You can explore every lagoon corner except the in-water massage area unless you have a booking. The water temperature varies in different regions of the lagoon. Some areas are much warmer than others.
You can, of course, choose which temperature you prefer. The central area of the lagoon is the deepest, almost 1.5m. If you cannot swim and are not tall enough, you can always ask the service staff for a pool noodle. Arm floats are also available for children.
Let’s get to the facilities. The in-water bar serves all kinds of beverages. They have juice, slurries, smoothies, wine, beer, and more. You can choose anything for the complimentary beverage that comes with the entrance.
Scanning your wristband to collect it at the bar would be best. If you want more, you must pay for it, and the tab is kept in your wristband.
You can collect the silica face mask and apply it to your face, neck, and shoulders at the in-water mask bar. Leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes, take as many pictures as you need, and then rinse off in the lagoon water.
If you want to try a second face mask, there is an algae mask, mineral mask, and lava scrub. Algae mask is suitable for wrinkles, anti-ageing and whitening.
The mineral mask is suitable for moisturizing. A lava scrub mask is good for cleansing and strengthening the skin. If you have gotten the premium entrance, the second mask is complimentary.
Otherwise, the lava scrub and mineral masks will cost 900 ISK each, and the algae mask will cost 1200 ISK. You must also scan your wristband to collect the complimentary mask(s) and keep tabs on your purchased extra masks.
Prices are informative and may differ.
How to get there: Blue Lagoon is on your way if you are coming to Iceland or leaving from Iceland. Blue Lagoon is just 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavik.
Sky Lagoon was opened in 2021 and it became already the direct competitor of Blue Lagoon. Located just a few minutes away from downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon offers a stunning view over the ocean as the concept was to create a pool that will give the illusion of an infinity pool.
The concept behind the Sky Lagoon was to recreate a truly Viking bathing experience.
The water in Sky Lagoon is natural geothermal water that contains minerals that can detoxify and help remedy skin ailments.
The concept of Sky Lagoon came out with a 7 step ritual for the skin. The ritual starts with your way from the changing room to the infinity pool outside. All you need to do is to step into the warm water of the lagoon and relax.
The second step is typically Icelandic: deep into the cold water. This step is a traditional Viking way to stimulate the immune system, decrease the blood flow into the body, and tighten the skin. This step is not mandatory but if you are brave enough you can do it (don’t stay more than 10 seconds).
The third step includes a visit to the sauna. Sky Lagoon has a nice sauna with a glass wall that will let you enjoy the scenery while you allow the heat to open your pores, remove toxins and cleanse your skin.
The fourth step is about refreshing your senses by stepping into the fog mist area.
For the next step, you will use Sky Lagoon’s signature Sky Body Scrub. The scrub is made of sea salt, with a spring-like scent that will gently exfoliate your skin.
After spoiling yourself with the Sky Body Scrub, the sixth step is a visit to the steam room. The steam will help your skin absorb the benefits of the scrub.
The final step is going back to the pool to relax and enjoy the whole journey. After you shower, you can let the geothermal water take care of your skin and body.
At Sky Lagoon the age limit is 12 years.
How to get there: Driving from central Reykjavík: From Hlemmur Square take Kringlumýrabraut (route 40). Continue to Kársnesbraut and head to Vesturvör.
Walking/biking from central Reykjavík: From Hlemmur Square take Rauðarárstígur for 5.9km. Then take Suðurhlíð and head to Vesturvör. Total of 6km /1h15min.
Bus from central Reykjavík: From Hlemmur square, take bus 4 to Hamraborg (15min). From there take nr. 35 to Kópavogsbraut (4min). Walk for a few minutes and follow the Wayfinder (signs). You will be at Sky Lagoon before you know it. Visit straeto.is for more information.
The water at the Secret Lagoon is geothermal, very good for your skin and for relaxing after a day of exploring Icelandic nature. Secret Lagoon is a less crowded geothermal bath located in the Golden Circle area.
The water is at a temperature between 38 and 40 degrees Celcius which makes it perfect for warming up your body.
The Secret Lagoon is man-made and fed with natural geothermal water. It is the oldest pool in the country and the most popular between the locals and tourists. Icelanders are calling it “the old pool” or ‘gamla laugin’.
In 1909 the Secret Lagoon, took place for the first swimming lesson for the locals so the place is full of history that you can discover by visiting it.
The lagoon is surrounded by lava and moss fields and the fact that lies in a geothermal area you will see steam coming up from the ground. This is giving the Secret Lagoon a misty atmosphere and hides it in the steam.
How to get there: You will find Secret Lagoon on the Golden Circle route or if you start from Reykjavik you have to drive south on Route 1 until you get to the town of Selfoss, then turn left to Road 30 to Flúðir.
Another lagoon in the Golden Circle area is Laugarvatn Fontana, a naturally heated spa. At Laugarvatn Fontana, you will find two pools and a hot tub with naturally heated water full of minerals that are good for your body.
The lagoon also has geothermal activity on the pool bed so that you will feel tongues of warm water around your feet. Do not worry; it is safe.
Other facilities will make your experience at Laugarvatn Fontana very relaxing. You will find a sauna, steam rooms, and restaurants there, and if you forgot your swimsuit, you can rent one right from the spa.
How to get there: Situated just a 50-minute drive from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Spa is located in the village of Laugarvatn.
It is also in the middle of the Golden Circle route, which makes an ideal break between Thingvellir National Park, the natural wonders of Geysir, and the majestic waterfall Gullfoss.
Located only 45 minutes from Reykjavik, Hvammsvik Hot Springs is the perfect place where you can soak into a hot spring that mixes the natural geothermal water with the cold water of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are eight pools situated neatly to the shoreline which permits the waves of the Atlantic to mix with the warm water.
If you want to experience something different and enjoy a place that is not so crowded then Hvammsvik Hot Springs is the perfect place. You have there also changing facilities as well as a restaurant where you can try delicious Icelandic food.
To have access to the Hvammsvik Hot Springs you have to pre-book a ticket.
How to get there: Hvammsvik Hot Springs is located in the middle of Hvalfjörður on Route 47, only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík city centre.
Krauma Geothermal Baths and Spa
Experience nature from its core by bathing in the geothermal baths at Krauma. The hot water originates in Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, at a temperature of 100°C (212°F).
To achieve the perfect bathing temperature, the hot water is mixed with cold water from Rauðsgil, which originates in Glacier Ok, the most miniature glacier in Iceland.
At Krauma, you must choose between five relaxing natural geothermal baths, a cold tub, two calming saunas, and a relaxation room. There are showers and lockers to put your things on. Also, you can enjoy Icelandic food at Krauma restaurant.
How to get there: To get to the Krauma geothermal baths from Reykjavik, you must drive about one hour and 40 minutes from Route 1 to Borganes. Before crossing the main road to Borganes, turn right towards Húsafell on Road 50. The total driving distance from Reykjavik to Krauma is about 130km.
People say that Mývatn Nature Baths is the Blue Lagoon of the North. As the name suggests, Mývatn Nature Baths are located on Lake Mývatn, Iceland’s largest geothermal area.
The water is at about 36 to 40 degrees Celsius (97 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and contains many minerals that are good for the skin and people with respiratory problems.
Mývatn Nature Baths is a traditional and tastefully designed complex offering a completely natural experience you can enjoy with your day admission ticket. The two steam baths are built on top of a geothermal area, and the sulfur steam rises through holes in the floor.
The water of the Mývatn Nature Baths is drawn from a borehole that goes 2,500 meters into the ground. The water has a high concentration of minerals, is essential, and is well suited for bathing.
You have changing facilities and a restaurant where you can enjoy tasty Icelandic food.
How to get there: You can get to Mývatn Nature Baths on your way to North Iceland on Ringroad or Route 1. The closest town to Mývatn Nature Baths is Reykjahlid, and if you don’t have a car, you can take the bus number 56 from Egilsstaðir or nearby Mývatn Nature Baths.
Bjórböðin SPA is located in Árskógssandur in the north of Iceland. There, you will soak away the stress of modern life by relaxing in a bath of warm beer. Beer yeast is used in various ways; the most common is a tablet form, where the effects of the yeast are very beneficial.
A beer bath, where you bathe in both young beer and live beer yeast without showering it off until some hours later, has a potent effect on the body and skin. This treatment is cleansing for the skin and has a very positive impact on health.
At Bjórböðin SPA, you can find accommodation, eat and have a drink at the restaurant and bar, and some beer products may interest you if you want to recreate a spa at your home. You can also enjoy a hot tub outside the spa.
How to get there: Bjórböðin SPA is located in North Iceland. If you are in Reykjavik, you can drive north on Ring Road to Akureyri, but before arriving in Akureyri, you have to turn left to Road 82 to Dalvik.
Before arriving at Dalvik, you turn right to a minor road found on Maps as Road 808. From there, you will find the Bjórböðin SPA near the coast. Then, all you have to do is to enjoy the beer bath.
Located on the Húsavíkurhöfði cape in North Iceland, GeoSea offers more than a geothermal bath where you can relax your mind and body but also breathtaking views over the Skjálfandaflói Bay and the North-Atlantic.
The pool has the illusion of an infinity pool, and if you are lucky, you can also spot whales along the boats that will travel the bay. Many birds flying over the bay will delight your eyes while relaxing at GeoSea.
The views from GeoSea over the bay are the best part of visiting the geothermal baths. Seeing the Icelandic fauna from the bay or enjoying the arctic sunset right from the spa is an experience that you will never forget.
GeoSea may be similar to Sky Lagoon but with the advantage of seeing whales and birds and being closer to the Arctic Circle.
You have changing facilities at GeoSea and a restaurant where you can eat delicious food made with local Icelandic products.
How to get there: GeoSea is located in Húsavik, on the town’s northern edge at the base of Húsavíkurviti lighthouse.
The largest spa in East Iceland, Vök Baths, is located on the edge of Lake Urriðavatn and has two pools at the lake’s level. The water inside the pool is naturally heated.
Vök Baths also has a sauna, a bar in one of the pools and a Tea Bar where you can drink tea made with Icelandic herbs and spring water.
If you forgot your swimsuit, you can rent one from the reception and change it in the indoor private changing facilities.
After soaking in the pool, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant Soups & Bistro, which uses local ingredients to delight your taste buds.
How to get there: Vök Baths are located near the largest town in East Iceland, Egilsstaðir, which can be reached by car or plane. If you are in Egilsstaðir, you can get Vök Baths by driving north on Route 1 across Lake Lagarfljót and then turning right onto Route 925.
Forest Lagoon-Skógarböð
The Forest Lagoon is a new lagoon open in Akureyri, Iceland. There are two infinity pools fed with water from the mountain located right behind the lagoon, called Vaðlaheiði, a cold tub and a sauna.
The lagoon is 1.300 square meters wide and can accommodate up to 200 visitors simultaneously. There is also a cafe where you can enjoy a delicious meal before or after you relax in the pool.
How to get there: Akureyri is reachable by car or a 45-minute flight from Reykjavik. The Forest Lagoon is located 3km from the city centre of Akureyri.
Hreppslaug pool
Hreppslaug pool is less touristy but very popular among the locals. It has been preserved as a cultural heritage site and is now run by a non-profit organisation, Islendingur. It is located in West Iceland, and the pool water is heated naturally.
You can find the Hreppslaug pool near Borganes if this arouses your curiosity.
Hreppslaug Pool is a place to relax your body and mind while admiring the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
You can bathe in the Hreppslaug pool all year round, but the opening hours may vary depending on the season. The social media pages of the pool can provide you with up-to-date information about the opening hours.
Hreppslaug is the perfect gateway from the crowded city of Reykjavik.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is something unique in Iceland. It is an artificial lagoon with water at about 15-19 degrees Celsius during summer, where people can enjoy the Nordic summer sun near Reykjavik.
The beach has golden sand, which is a rarity to see in Iceland, but the fact is that the sand was imported, and the beach was built to recreate an Ibiza-like beach in the north.
There are also changing facilities, showers, hot tubs and steam baths. On their website, you can find all the prices for the facilities, the ticket entrance, and the opening hours.
Hoffell Hot Tubs
Hoffell Hot Tubs are located near the town of Hofn, in Hoffell. The locations of the hot tubs are simply stunning, surrounded by mountains and glaciers.
There are also changing facilities and showers, and if you are travelling east on the Ring Road, then Hoffell Hot Tubs can be an excellent spot to relax your body.
The lagoons in Iceland are very popular and comfortable, but many other hot springs will turn your adventurous spirit on. There are many hot springs in the middle of the wild Icelandic nature that you can enjoy without all the changing facilities or restaurants.
It’s just you and Icelandic nature.
If you are searching for a quiet place just for yourself, then you might be interested in those wild hot springs hidden in the rough Icelandic relief.
Wild and hidden hot springs
You will find many hot springs in the Westfjords in western Iceland, with breathtaking views over the fjords. Not many people know about those hot springs as they are pretty hidden from the tourist’s eye and are located in remote areas.
But that doesn’t mean you cannot go there and relax your mind and body in a quiet place.
Seljavallalaug, the oldest artificial swimming pool in Iceland
Although it is viral on Instagram, the paradox is that Seljavallalaug is one of the secret places on the South Coast of Iceland. And I am saying this because of its hidden position in the mountains, on a geothermal valley.
Seljavallalaug is not only an oasis of relaxation hidden in the mountains but also the oldest artificial swimming pool in Iceland.
It was built in 1923 for Icelandic kids to learn to swim. The pool has a width of 10 meters and is 25 meters long.
The swimming pool lay at the feet of Eyjafjallajökull glacier and suffered some changes when the volcano under the glacier erupted in 2010. The swimming pool was covered in volcanic ash and unavailable until the following summer.
Seljavallalaug is a “wild” swimming pool, meaning there is no entrance fee or other facilities except a small changing room. Remember that you enter the pool at your own risk; no one will assist you if something happens.
You have to be careful because the algae on the bottom of the pool can be slippery. The pool is cleaned once yearly, so if you have severe allergies to different bacteria, do not enter the pool.
How to get there: Although it is not far from Road 1, the Seljavallalaug pool is not easy to find; you must hike a bit north of the car park. While driving on Road 1, a few kilometres from the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, you should turn left on Route 242 to the parking lot.
A little trail starts at the geothermal area, where you will find the Seljavallalaug pool.
Laugarvellir geothermal pool
It is not a surprise that you will find a hot spring in East Iceland, too; there are hot springs all over Iceland. But even so, each hot spring is unique and offers a different experience.
Laugarvellir geothermal pool is located in the Highland area east of Iceland and is one of the most impressive.
It is not an ordinary hot spring because it has a tiny waterfall with hot water and a natural basin where people can enjoy a relaxing bath in nature. But for your safety, you should always check the water temperature before entering a hot spring.
The hot spring is located in the Highlands of Iceland. The landscape around it is full of sand and volcanic ash from the past eruptions that happened nearby.
In the area where Laugarvellir can be found, there was a farm in the past. At the beginning of the 20th Century, a farmer built a house near the Highlands and wanted to live there.
The harsh soil conditions made it harder to grow plants or animals, and the conditions there were very tough to live in. His try to develop a farm there failed, and because of the desperate conditions of living, the farmer took his life a few years after he moved there.
The poor farmer and his wife were the only ones who tried to live at Laugarvellir. Since then, the area has been wild, and the only people going there are those who came to take a bath there.
How to get there: If you want to take a bath at Laugarvellir, you will need a 4×4 car since the hot spring is deep in the Highlands, and you must drive off-road.
From Egilsstaðir town, you must drive south on Road 1; after about 7 kilometres, you must turn on Road 931 to pass the bridge and then turn again on Road 933. From there, you have another 7 kilometres until you find Laugarvellir.
Hellulaug
If you want to enjoy the beauty of Icelandic nature from a nice and cosy spot, then Hellalaug Hot Springs is the perfect place. This gem is hidden from people’s eyes, but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy your time in the hot geothermal water.
There is no entrance fee for the Hellulaug hot spring, but at the parking spot, there is a canister where you can put a symbolic fee that will be used for maintaining the hot spring. The water is changed regularly, and the hot spring is cleaned to meet hot pool requirements and quality standards.
There are no changing facilities, so you must change in the car. Even if you probably have heard that Vikings used to bathe naked, wear your swimsuit whether there are other people in the hot spring.
The hot spring is all-natural, 60 cm deep and 3 to 4 meters wide. The water is constantly at 38°C (100°F), so it is the perfect temperature for relaxing and enjoying the view over the beach, ocean, and the mountains from Vatnsfjörður fjord.
You can soak in the Hellulaug hot spring all year round without restrictions. Be careful and take warm clothes and towels with you no matter the season; Iceland is colder than a temperate country.
The Hellulaug is close to the Vatnsfjörður beach, and to get there from Reykjavik, you have to take the Ring Road northbound. When you pass Bifröst, you must turn left on Road 60, which will get you straight to the Hellulaug hot spring.
You have to be careful when driving on this road because it is a gravel road. Ultimately, the view and the relaxation you will get in the hot spring will be worth the drive. Follow the GPS coordinates to get there more easily: 65.57715, -23.15948.
Reykjafjarðarlaug
If you’re not as mainstream as others and prefer an intimate place to relax, add some hot springs from Westfjords to your bucket list. Reykjafjarðarlaug is one of those hot springs that will embrace you with its warm water and breathtaking views.
At Reykjafjarðarlaug, you will find three connected small hot springs, one of which is an artificial concrete pool built 45 years ago. The natural hot springs have water temperatures of 50°C and 45°C, while the concrete pool has a temperature of 32°C.
You can switch between pools and create an actual Icelandic ritual. The artificial hot spring is 6 meters long, so you can enjoy a relaxing bath with your family or friends. The views over the Arnarfjorjörður fjord complete the whole experience at the Reykjafjarðarlaug.
The hot spring at Reykjafjarðarlaug is also free, but you can leave some money in the box. All the money will go to maintaining the pool and keeping the facilities clean. The place is open all year round so that you can enjoy it either in the summer light or you can enjoy it with the sky full of northern lights during the winter.
No guided tours will take you to the Reykjafjarðarlaug, so a self-drive tour is a perfect way to get there.
The Reykjafjarðarlaug hot spring is located in Reykjafjörður, which is a little fjord in the Arnarfjörður. If you are coming from Flókalundur on Road 60, turn left on Road 63 until you get to the little Reykjafjörður, where you will find the pool on the left side. If you come from Bíldudalur on Road 63, you will find the hot spring on the right side.
The road between Bíldudalur and Þingeyri is open during summer, so if you want to relax in those natural hot springs, you must notice this. Follow the GPS coordinates to get to Reykjafjarðarlaug: 65.62320877605379, -23.46914278813489.
Pollurin
Geothermal energy can be considered a natural wonder, and Iceland is the perfect example. It is used for heating the Icelanders’ homes, producing power, for thermal pools, and even for fish farms.
In the Westfjords, there are many hot springs, and local people have designed pools to enjoy the benefits of thermal water. This happened at Pollurin, where people created a space that everyone could use to relax in the warm water.
There are three concrete pools at Pollurin, a parking spot, a shower, and changing facilities, all for free. In exchange for using the pools, we kindly recommend you take care of the place and clean it after you use it, take all the litter and put it in the bins.
The size of each pool is 2 x 2 meters wide and 1 meter deep; 1, 35 x 2 meters wide and 50 cm deep, and the other one is 2 x 2, 8 meters wide and 40 cm deep.
You can enjoy the pools all year round, and the views will complete your relaxation experience. During the summer, you can enjoy the polar day with its endless light and colourful sunsets while you sit in the pool and let the warm water calm your mind and body.
In the winter, you can warm yourself in the pool while you enjoy the dancing northern lights. The water in the pools is mainly around 40- 45 °C.
Pollurin is located near the village of Tálknafjörður, which is in the fjord with the same name. If you are coming from the north of the Westfjords on Route 60, you will see a second road on the right side. That is Road 63 that you have to follow until you see a sign on the right side for getting to the village of Tálknafjörður.
Pollurin is a few kilometres from the village. The road to the town and the hot spring is a gravel road but is easily accessible. The views over the fjord will be worth the entire journey to Pollurin. You can also follow the GPS coordinates: 65.64908 and -23.89486.
Heydalur
Many places in Iceland have a history or some legends related to them, and the Heydalur hot spring is no exception. Three pools are located in the Mjóifjörður, just a few minutes walk from the Heydalur Hotel.
It is believed that one of the pools was blessed by Bishop Guðmundur in the 12th century. Also, locals say that the hot pools at Heydalur have some energy-boosting powers, but you have to convince yourself by stopping and relaxing in the pool.
One of the pools is artificial, and the views in the background will relax your mind, while the hot water inside the pool will relax your body. Another pool is located inside a Greenhouse and is a traditional swimming pool.
The other one looks more natural because it looks like a hole in the ground but is large enough, so there is enough space for about eight people.
There are no changing facilities near the pools, so you better stop at Heydalur Hotel while you visit the Westfjords and enjoy the hot spring with the views over the fjord and a delicious hot meal at the restaurant. There used to be changing facilities, but they were destroyed by nature.
To get to the Heydalur, if you are coming from Hólmavik, you must follow Road 61 until you see a second road on the left side, Road 633. From there, an unmarked road will take you to the Heydalur.
If you are driving east from Súðavík, follow the same Road 61 until you turn right on Road 633. Follow the GPS coordinates to get there more accessible: 65°50’37.9″N 22°40’50.3″W.
Krosslaug
Krosslaug is another hot spring with an exciting story from Icelandic culture. Located in the eastern coastal region of Westfjords, Krosslaug is a well-hidden hot spring fed with water from the Krossneshverar geothermal area. There are two hot springs, one artificial and one natural.
Krosslaug is well protected and maintained. It is one of the best-maintained hot pools in Westfjords. The artificial pool was built in 1948 by a youth association and served as a pool for swimming lessons for local people. The swimming pool is 4 x 13 meters wide and 1-2 meters deep. The water temperature is around 37°C.
Near the artificial hot spring is another hot spring, a thousand years old and known as the Hot Pool of the Cross. The name of the hot pool is linked to the period when Vikings were converted to Christianity around 1000 AD.
It is said that the Vikings were baptized there, and the locals believe the water in the hot pool has healing power.
Translated in English, Krosslaug means “The Hot Pool of the Cross”. The natural hot spring is on the shore, closer to the Atlantic waters.
You must pay an insignificant fee (about 500 isk) to use the hot springs. There are no changing facilities at the pool.
Tourists don’t know the place so it will be empty and you can enjoy your time there. We kindly recommend cleaning the spot after you use the pools; don’t let litter around there. You can access the Krosslaug by car.
If you are driving from Reykjavik, you must follow the Ring Road and take Road 60 to Westfjords. From there, you must turn on Road 62, leading to Krosslaug. You can also follow the GPS coordinates: 65.51961 and -23.40533.
Nauteyrarlaug
Like the rest of the hot springs in Westfjords, Nauteyrarlaug is also a hidden hot spring you will have all by yourself. The water at Nauteyrarlaug is between 40 and 42°C and usually is very clean.
The hot spring is made of rock and stones and suffered some modifications some years ago. The water used to feed the sot spring comes directly from a borehole near the pool.
Because a fish company redirected the water to their fish hatchery, the hot spring is now fed through a pipe. A small cabin near the hot spring can be used as a changing room.
Nauteyrarlaug is unknown to tourists, so if you want to connect with Icelandic nature and enjoy the place, you should add Nauteyrarlaug to your bucket list.
The hot spring can be found close to the Arngerðareyri airport. To get there, you have to take Road 635 from Road 61. Follow the GPS coordinates to find it: 65.91711, -22.34193.
Hörgshlíðarlaug
This pool is located in the Mjóifjörður, and it is the perfect place to stop to recharge your batteries for your next Icelandic adventures. Surrounded by the mesmerizing view of the fjords, Hörgshlíðarlaug is an artificial, well-maintained pool so people can relax to connect with nature.
Hörgshlíðarlaug is on private land, and it has a changing room that you can use; bring your swimsuit and towel, as there are no such facilities. The pool is 6 meters long and 80 cm deep, and the water has a temperature of around 40°C that will warm you up and refresh your senses.
The water from the pool came from three sources: two of them with hot water and one of them with cold water, which provides the best temperature for bathing.
You don’t have to pay for using the pool, but being on private land, you have to ask permission from the owner. Don’t be shy about asking for permission. Icelanders are very friendly and love it when tourists are interested in their culture.
In exchange, we recommend you leave the pool as you find it, take the litter with you, and put it in a bin. Respect Mother Nature as it gives us such amazing things as hot springs, beautiful views over the fjords, and many other natural wonders.
Hörgshlíðarlaug is located close to Heydalur Hot Springs, and even if you come from the east or the west on Route 61, you have to turn on Route 633, a gravel road.
Follow the GPS coordinates to find it easier: 65.845228, -22.61212.
Drangsnes
In the Westfjords, you will find a little town with about 67-70 inhabitants. The city is approximately 30 km from Hólmavik, another excellent stop you can take. The Drangsnes pools are the local attraction, and they consist of three tubs filled with natural hot water from a nearby borehole.
Locals discovered the hot spring in 1997 and immediately set up the pools for people to enjoy the rejuvenating warm water and the view over the Atlantic and fjords.
The hot tubs at Drangsnes are aligned side by side, and a changing facility is nearby. People also put a garbage bin to clean the place after using it.
The place is in a remote area, far away from crowds and well-maintained by the locals. Drangsnes is open all year round, and it is free of charge. Local people like to go there and relax so you may find them there.
Drangsnes village is located near a curvy cliff, and the views from there are indescribable. If lucky, you can spot some whales in the fjord while rejuvenating in the hot spring.
If you are wondering about the area, you can also visit Hólmavik. If you drive on Road 61, north to Hólmavik, you will see a sign pointing to a secondary gravel road to get to the Drangsnes village and pools.
You have to follow Road 643 until you find another road, Road 645, that you have to follow to get to the Pools. Follow the GPS coordinates to find the mesmerizing spot: 65.6882, -21.44825.
No matter which part of Iceland you visit and during what season you are there, bathing in a hot spring is always a good idea. Soaking in a hot spring is a Viking tradition you can not miss in Iceland.
If you want to visit some lagoons and hot springs, check our website or email us to include some relaxation spots in your itinerary.
