The dos and don'ts of Icelandic saunas and spas

A Rough Guides trip to Iceland isn’t just about glaciers and geysers; it’s also about getting into hot water, in the best way possible. Soaking in a geothermal spa here can feel almost surreal. Picture yourself floating in bright blue water, surrounded by bare hills and black lava fields that look more like Mars than Earth. 

From Reykjavík to remote Reyðarfjörður in the far east, Iceland hides hundreds of wild, naturally heated pools and hot tubs, each one more otherworldly than the last. These are some of the best places to visit in Iceland.  But it first pays to know the rules. Because in Iceland, the right spa etiquette is taken deadly seriously. Here are some dos and don’ts of Iceland saunas to bear in mind. 

Don’t forget to wash yourself

It may sound obvious, but unlike the rest of Europe, where most bathers make do with a quick shower-room rinse, Icelanders have a set, strict routine when going for a dip that must be followed to the letter.

First, read the rules. They’re pinned to every changing room wall and notice board, as well as being published in English, French, German, and Danish, so you really have no excuse not to follow them.

Second, get washing. Scrub your head, armpits, feet, and groin with soap beforehand, and—most importantly—do it in your birthday suit, not a bathing suit. A quick rinse just won’t do, especially because most geothermal pools use freshwater and far lower levels of chlorine, even at the Blue Lagoon at Reykjanes. See our list of the best Icelandic geothermal pools if you're not sure where to head yet.

Do wear a bathing suit

When it comes to actually dipping into pools or relaxing in public or co-ed saunas, you do in fact wear your bathing suits. You’re expected to shower and then put your bathing suit on.

There's actually some debate in Iceland about sauna nudity. In some places like Ísafjörður, there was a controversy where a sign was posted requiring "swimsuit or towel" in the sauna itself, which led to heated community debate between nudity advocates and those preferring coverage.

Don’t bring any shoes into the saunas or steam rooms (outdoor shoes, sneakers, or even flip-flops).  See more of our Iceland travel health tips for more recommendations.

For the sauna, you’ll want to sit on a towel as well, making sure that your feet are also on the towel instead of the wood of the sauna.  

Do get chatting to the locals

Approaching a complete stranger in a bikini may at first seem like a coquettish, brazen thing to do, but it’s OK in Iceland.

In Reykjavík, hot tubs and pools are more like social clubs where people catch up on news and discuss politics, and they’ve done so since the twelfth century, when poet, scholar, and politician Snorri Sturluson built the first stone hot tub outside Reykholt.

To get the best of the conversations, go to a local’s pool such as Vesturbæjarlaug, a short walk from Reykjavík city center, or Nauthólsvík, a geothermal saltwater pool by a golden beach (one of the best beaches in Iceland). 

… But also do respect personal space

If you enter a busy sauna, try to be courteous when it comes to allowing people to have enough space. See our other Iceland travel tips for things you'll want to know before you go.

Do move from hot to cold

In general, start with a hot sauna, then go to a cold pool. Some sources mention a "cold-hot-cold" method where you can start with a cold plunge first if seeking an immediate energy boost, but this is less common and typically for more experienced practitioners. 

Interestingly, Iceland's Sky Lagoon follows this exact sequence in their famous 7-step ritual: Step 1 is the warm lagoon, Step 2 is the cold plunge, Step 3 is the sauna, and Step 4 is the cold mist—alternating hot and cold throughout the experience. 

Start hot, go cold, and always end with cold for maximum benefits and safety. The weather in Iceland can vary depending on the time of year, be sure to see our guide to the best time to visit Iceland.

Don’t talk too loudly (or on your phone)

Icelanders don’t like tourists who make too much noise: period. The reason? Many spas and indoor pools were built in the 1960s, and loud noises echo down the corridors of the indoor pools and steam rooms.

“Our bathhouses tend to venerate tradition above anything else,” says spa aficionado Birgir Þorsteinn Jóakimsson, who visits Reykjavik’s Vesturbæjarlaug every day. “Talking loudly is a nasty habit, especially at an Icelandic spa—so you won’t be popular with the locals. It’s not a circus.”

It also pays to be alert, as hawkish pool attendants may ambush you, showing you the door. They’ve been known to throw tourists out for less. 

Don’t jump straight in or push yourself

Those milky-blue waters are ridiculously tempting (and a must for any Iceland itinerary) but also feverishly hot. Draw the cool air into your lungs and take your time by testing the water temperature first to check your skin’s sensitivity to the geothermal heat.

In Reykjavík at Laugardalur Park, also known as the Valley of the Pools, the water used to hover at a white-hot 45 degrees Celsius, punishing unsuspecting dive-bombers. Such waters have since been cooled due to health and safety regulations, but with most still nudging upwards of 37 degrees, it’s an odd juxtaposition between bathing in hell while feeling like you’re in heaven.

The same goes for saunas: there is no golden medal for those who sit in the heat the longest. If you think you might be getting too hot, take a break. See our guide to how to plan a trip to Iceland to make sure you have enough days at geothermal pools during your trip.

Don’t wear jewelry

Jewelry isn’t a good idea in Icelandic spas. In saunas, you’ll find some metals have a habit of heating up fast and feeling very uncomfortable. In pools, sulfur can mess up other metals. In general, it’s best to keep them at your Iceland accommodation so you don’t have to think about losing them.

Do take a local’s advice

The most sacred pools are only known by the locals—and with good reason. Places like the old pool at Gamla Laugin at Fludir on the Golden Circle—supposedly the oldest in Iceland—or Seljavallalaug, a snooker-chalk blue outdoor pool secreted up a valley near Skogar, are so sybaritic you wouldn’t want to share them with anyone else either.

“Everyone has their favorite they want to keep,” says Guðrún Bjarnadottir, a spa professional working at the Blue Lagoon. “If you talk to locals—and they like you—you may get lucky. My personal favorite is somewhere in the hills north of Hveragerdi. It’s in a mystical place known as the Smoky Valley, but the exact location and directions—well—that would be telling.”

Ready to plan your trip? Don't miss our guide to the best things to do in Iceland.