No Iceland trip package is complete without a long, steamy soak in a natural hot spring. It’s a tradition that dates back to Viking times, and it’s still one of the best ways to spend a dark winter’s day or recover after a tough hike. From the iconic Blue Lagoon to hidden pools deep in the island’s stark interior, here are 16 of the best hot springs in Iceland to add to your itinerary.
Not what you'd expect to find in the world's northernmost capital: a small white-sand beach, packed to capacity with locals on particularly sunny days.
Don't be fooled by their avid enthusiasm, though – the air temperature here rarely rises above 15ºC, though this is considered warm enough to strip off a shirt in Iceland. But two hot tubs steaming away at 38ºC, and a long, shallow pool full of geothermally heated seawater right on the sand, make Nauthólsvík pretty enjoyable whatever the season.
The beach was built in 2001 as part of a city project. They trucked in the sand and connected the lagoon to Reykjavík’s geothermal system, which warms the seawater enough for a swim—even when the ocean just beyond is freezing.
It’s about a 30-minute walk from downtown Reykjavík, and most of the way follows the waterfront. Buses stop nearby, or you can bike or drive. It’s just next to the domestic airport, so you’ll probably see planes taking off while you’re soaking.
Summer is the busiest time, especially on those rare sunny days when it feels like the whole city shows up. Winter visits are a different experience altogether—imagine soaking in warm water with snow falling around you. For fewer people, go on a weekday morning.
Iceland-view of golden-sanded geothermal beach at Nautholsvik in Reykjavík © Shutterstock
Deep in the highlands, Landmannalaugar sits where colorful mountains meet old lava fields. The hot water comes from a geothermal spring and mixes with a colder stream, so the further upstream you go, the warmer it gets. Most people wade in through the cool end and find a comfortable area to hang out.
This is also the start (or end) of the Laugavegur Trail, a multi-day hiking route through the highlands. The rhyolite mountains here are streaked with bright colors thanks to the volcanic rock. There’s still volcanic activity in the region—Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that disrupted air travel in 2010, isn’t far.
You’ll need a 4x4, since the roads into the highlands are rough and often cross shallow rivers. They’re usually only open in summer. Some people book super-jeep tours from Reykjavík, and there are also highland buses during peak season. Bring what you need—food, water, and layers—since there aren’t many facilities once you get there.
Late June through mid-September is usually the window when you can access the area. July and August tend to be the easiest for travel and weather. For a quieter soak, early mornings and evenings are your best bet—especially if you’re camping nearby.
Landmannalaugar is one of the best hot springs in Iceland © Gorodisskij/Shutterstock
This is Reykjavík’s biggest pool and a regular part of life for a lot of locals. People come here before work, after school, or just to catch up with friends. You’ll see people of all ages catching up in the hot tubs before work, after school, or just because it’s Tuesday.
There are indoor and outdoor pools, a bunch of hot tubs with different temperatures (around 100°F / 38°C to 108°F / 42°C), a steam room, and a few waterslides for kids. Most neighborhoods in Reykjavík have their own pool, but this one draws people from all over the city.
It’s in Laugardalur park, about a 25-minute walk from downtown. Several bus lines stop nearby, or you can hop in a taxi. The area also has a small zoo and a botanical garden, so it’s easy to make an afternoon of it.
The pool is open year-round with long hours. If you want to see it at its most local, go early on a weekday morning when people come in before work. Afternoons on weekends are more kid-focused, while late evenings tend to be quieter.
Iceland's early history is a mixture of Viking violence and cultured literary output. In no way is this better illustrated than through the life of Snorri Sturluson, a wily 13th-century politician believed to have authored the Eddas – works containing much of what is known about Nordic mythology – and several Icelandic sagas.
Snorri's scheming eventually led to his assassination; he was cut down in an underground tunnel here at Reykholt, northwest of Reykjavík, where you can still bathe in the hot pool he once used, temperatures allowing. It’s one of the oldest structures still standing in Iceland.
Reykholt is in West Iceland, about a 90-minute drive from Reykjavík via the Ring Road and Route 518. Guided tours often stop here. If you're driving, the roads are paved and easy to manage year-round.
Spring and fall are quieter, making it easier to take in the site without a crowd. It’s open all year, but winter snow can complicate travel. This stop pairs well with other nearby sights like Hraunfossar and Deildartunguhver, especially if you're doing a loop through West Iceland
Snorralaug, Reykholt © RPBaiao/Shutterstock
Another circular lava-block hot spring in Iceland with Viking connections, this one was used by the outlaw Grettir to revive himself after he had swum the 4-mile-wide, ice-cold strait separating the mainland from the sheer cliffs of Drangey, his island of exile.
Today, there are actually two pools—the original Grettislaug and a nearby one called Jarl's Pool. Both are built from lava rock and sit just feet from the sea, kept at a steady 100–104°F (38–40°C) year-round.
You'll need to head off the Ring Road to Route 748, then follow a gravel road to the coast. It’s on the Skagi Peninsula in North Iceland. Some maps have trouble with the exact location, so follow the signs once you're nearby.
Summer and early fall are easiest, thanks to milder weather and better road conditions. Winter can be beautiful too, especially if the northern lights make an appearance—but the drive might be tricky. Midweek visits are your best bet if you want to soak without anyone else around.
Leirubakki is a working farm at the base of Hekla volcano—once thought to be the entrance to hell. The volcano has erupted over 20 times in recorded history, and it still looms large over the landscape. There’s a small, round pool here, built with lava stones and big enough for about four people at once. The water isn’t super hot, but the view of Hekla makes it memorable.
The farm also has a little museum about the volcano's eruption history and what it's been like living this close to it.
From Reykjavík, it's about a 2-hour drive. Take Route 1 (the Ring Road) east, then turn onto Route 26. The scenery gets more dramatic the closer you get. Some local tours include Leirubakki as part of a volcano-focused day trip.
Late spring through early fall is best for clear views of Hekla. The farm doesn’t operate year-round, so if you’re going in winter, double-check ahead of time. Weekdays tend to be quieter, especially compared to weekend visits from Reykjavík.
Hekla © LouieLea/Shutterstock
If you're heading north in winter and hoping to catch the northern lights, the baths near Lake Mývatn are a good place to take a break. They're out of the way—no big towns nearby—so it's usually dark enough for a decent aurora show, and the view over the lake from the pool is wide open.
The whole area is full of geothermal activity—there are bubbling mud pools, old lava fields, and even an underground bakery where locals still bake rye bread in the hot ground.
People sometimes call this place the “Blue Lagoon of the North,” but it’s a different experience. The water here is naturally alkaline with a pH of around 7.5 and no added seawater, which can be better for sensitive skin. It also tends to be quieter.
It’s just a few minutes’ drive east of Lake Mývatn, right off the Ring Road, so it’s easy to fit in if you’re driving around the country. In summer, there are buses from Akureyri that stop nearby, and many northern tours include it.
From September to March, you’ve got a chance to see the northern lights from the pool. In summer, you can stay in the water late into the night thanks to the midnight sun. The crowd size doesn’t really change much throughout the year, but showing up later in the afternoon usually means fewer tour groups.
Out in the countryside east of Lake Mývatn, Grjótagjá is a flooded subterranean volcanic fissure, which used to be a popular place for a swim until a nearby eruption in the 1970s heated the water up beyond tolerable levels.
But, lit only through the narrow entrance, claustrophobic and full of steam as it is, Grjótagjá is definitely worth a look – and, if you're around during the depths of winter, the water might just be cool enough for a brief soak.
You’ll find it near Route 860 by Lake Mývatn. There's a small parking area and a short walk across lava rock. The cave entrance looks like a crack in the ground, so wear sturdy shoes. It’s technically private land, but people still go to take a look.
Winter is the only time the water might be cool enough to even consider getting in, but swimming is discouraged. Early morning is best if you want the place to yourself and to catch the light coming through the entrance. It’s a tight space, so it gets crowded quickly.
Grjótagjá, Mývatn ©axz/Shutterstock
Iceland's uninhabited interior is accessible for just a few short weeks during the summer, and if there's one place that demonstrates just how inhospitable the country can be it's Askja, a broad, flooded caldera surrounded by the jagged wreckage of countless eruptions.
Right on the lakeshore is Viti, a much smaller but even scarier crater created in a single colossal explosion in 1875 which blew debris as far away as Denmark. The pale blue water at the bottom is fine for a quick swim, but keep an eye on the smoking, sulphurous vents around the shore - if you're into hot springs in Iceland with a hint of a challenge.
You’ll need a proper 4x4 vehicle to get here. The F-roads are rough and include unbridged river crossings. Most people go with a guided super-jeep tour from Akureyri or Mývatn. Once you're in the area, it’s a short hike from the parking area to the crater.
The roads into Askja usually open from late June through August, depending on snow. Even in summer, conditions can change fast, so it's worth checking ahead. Mornings tend to have calmer winds and better light for photos. Outside of those summer months, the whole area is closed off.
Despite being very much on the beaten track, we couldn't finish off this list without including the Blue Lagoon. Just off the highway linking Reykjavík to the International Airport at Keflavík, the glorious Blue Lagoon - one of the best hot springs in Iceland.
Its vividly coloured water, the outflow from a nearby geothermal power station, pools amongst a desolate mass of rough, black lava rubble. The lagoon's fine white silt is considered a cure for all manner of skin conditions.
There are grottoes, steam rooms and an on-site restaurant, so it's easy to spend a whole half a day soaking . You can buy your entrance fee upfront online, including a towel and a drink to spend your time in style.
It’s in between Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport, so it’s ideal for your first or last day. Shuttle buses run regularly from both locations. If you’re driving, some rental companies let you return the car at the lagoon. Booking ahead is a must—entry times fill up fast.
Try to go early in the morning or later in the evening for a quieter visit. Winter adds a nice contrast with the steam and snow, and in summer, the long daylight hours make for a memorable soak. Midday and weekends are usually the busiest.
Blue Lagoon is popular for good reason © Shutterstock
Sky Lagoon is Reykjavík’s newer geothermal pool, located in Kópavogur just outside the city center. It’s designed to look more traditional, with turf-roof buildings and a natural stone layout, but it still feels high-end. The pool faces the sea, and there’s an infinity edge that makes it feel like you’re floating out into the Atlantic.
The main draw is the seven-step ritual, which includes cold plunges, steam, and a sauna inside a turf house heated to about 158°F (70°C). The view from the pool stretches all the way to the presidential residence on clear days. There’s also a bar built into the pool and a waterfall you can stand under.
It’s about a 10-minute drive from central Reykjavík. City buses go there, and many hotels run shuttles. You can walk along the coastal path, but it’ll take around 45 minutes.
Sunset is a great time to go—the lighting adds a lot to the experience. Winter evenings might come with a chance of northern lights. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, especially if you want to take your time with the full ritual.
The Secret Lagoon isn’t really a secret anymore, but it still feels more low-key than Iceland’s bigger pools. It’s just outside the small town of Flúðir. Built in 1891, it was Iceland’s first swimming pool and was originally used for school swimming lessons. It later fell into disuse, but in recent years the old greenhouses were converted into changing rooms. One crumbling structure still stands by the pool, which adds a moody feel when it’s shrouded in steam.
The water stays between 100–104°F (38–40°C) and renews itself every 24 hours, so there’s no need for chemical treatments. Several bubbling springs surround the pool, and a small geyser—Litli Geysir—erupts every few minutes.
It’s just off Route 30, near the Golden Circle route, so it's easy to include on a day trip from Reykjavík. If you’re driving, follow the signs once you reach Flúðir. Many tour companies also stop here as an alternative to busier hot pools.
Late afternoons or evenings work well, especially in winter when the snow around the pool creates a nice contrast with the steam. Weekday mornings are usually the quietest if you’re looking to avoid crowds.
Fludir Secret Lagoon © Shutterstock
Hvammsvík opened to the public in 2022 and is about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. The setup includes eight pools, all at different temperatures, with some as low as 43°F (6°C) and others reaching around 108°F (42°C). Some of them change temperature depending on the tides, since they’re built right where the sea meets geothermal springs.
The pools are spread out across a scenic bay surrounded by mountains. It feels remote, even though it’s not far from the city, so it’s easy to fit in as a quick getaway or as part of a longer trip. Because the pools mix seawater with geothermal water, the mineral content is a bit different from the freshwater ones elsewhere—more like thalassotherapy, if you’ve tried that.
During construction, Viking remains were found on the land, so some areas were preserved as part of Iceland’s archaeological heritage.
Drive north from Reykjavík on Route 1, then take the coastal road toward the bay. It’s about 45 minutes in total, with the last stretch winding past farms and mountain views. Public transit doesn’t go all the way out here, so you’ll need a car or to book a tour.
Weekdays tend to be quieter, especially outside peak hours. During high tide, some of the pools blend into the ocean, which is a nice touch. Winter evenings are great if you’re hoping to catch the northern lights while soaking, and spring brings birds to the surrounding wetlands. The hot springs are open year-round, though hours shift with the seasons.
Just above Hveragerði, Reykjadalur is a valley filled with geothermal activity, hiking trails, and a hot river you can bathe in. The name means “Steam Valley,” and once you’re up there, it makes sense—the whole place steams. The farther upstream you go, the hotter the water gets, so you’ll want to test a few sections until you find one that feels right.
The trail to the river takes you past bubbling mud, colorful mineral patches, and plenty of steam vents. It’s a popular hike. Boardwalks were added in 2018 to help protect the fragile landscape and make getting in and out of the water easier.
From Reykjavík, drive about 45 minutes east on Route 1 to the town of Hveragerði. There’s a marked parking area at the trailhead just outside town. The hike to the river takes around 60–90 minutes each way and climbs steadily uphill, so decent shoes are a must—especially if it’s been raining.
Summer and early fall are best for hiking, but winter can be surprisingly beautiful too, with steam rising through the snow. Early mornings or midweek visits are your best bet if you want to avoid crowds. Just keep an eye on the forecast—it can change fast in the highlands.
Reykjadalur Steam Valley © Shutterstock
Krauma is built around Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring by volume. It pumps out about 47 gallons (180 liters) of boiling water per second. To make it safe for bathing, they mix it with glacial meltwater from Ok, Iceland’s first glacier to lose its status due to climate change.
There are five pools here, all with slightly different temperatures and mineral levels. You’ll also find steam rooms and a cold plunge. It’s a quieter, more polished experience compared to the more rugged hot springs. The design is modern but blends well with the surrounding landscape. There’s also a small restaurant that sources ingredients locally.
It’s in West Iceland, near the village of Reykholt—about a 90-minute drive from Reykjavík if you follow Routes 1 and 50. It’s a good addition to a west Iceland itinerary, especially if you’re visiting Hraunfossar or nearby sights. Plenty of tours include Krauma as a stop, or you can drive yourself and park on-site.
It’s open all year, and the experience changes with the seasons. Winter brings that classic contrast of icy air and warm water, while summer makes it easier to explore the nearby landscape. Mornings tend to be quieter, and the low sun in the evening creates some nice light across the pools and surrounding hills.
Laugarás Lagoon is part of Iceland’s growing trend of smaller, more intimate geothermal pools. It’s a semi-private setup with a few connected pools carved into natural rock, each kept at a different temperature. You can move between them depending on how hot you’re feeling, and the mineral-rich water—especially high in iron and magnesium—is said to be good for your skin and circulation.
The atmosphere here is quiet and laid-back. They keep numbers low so it doesn’t get crowded. There are also little meditation nooks built into the lava rock and a streamside café nearby that serves snacks and drinks made with local ingredients.
This area is known as Iceland’s “greenhouse belt,” where geothermal energy has powered farming since the 1930s. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and other produce are still grown here year-round.
It’s about a 75-minute drive from Reykjavík. You’ll head out on Route 1, then take local roads the rest of the way. The signs are clear, but the lagoon itself is a bit out of the way, which adds to the quiet feel. Most people drive, though some wellness-focused tours include it. The last stretch of road passes through farmland and steam vents from nearby geothermal areas.
Spring and fall tend to be quieter, and the weather’s still manageable. The water holds heat well, so it’s warm even in the middle of winter. Early mornings can be especially peaceful, with steam rising as the sun comes up. In summer, you’ll want to book ahead—things fill up quickly—but it’s easier to get a reservation during the shoulder seasons.
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 24.07.2025
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