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Iceland Hot Springs and Lagoons: A Practical Guide
Last updated October 11, 2026 · 2 min read
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Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and almost the whole country is warmed from below. Geothermal water heats most Icelandic homes, and bathing in it is part of daily life. Every town has a public swimming pool, and the island has dozens of lagoons and natural springs for visitors.
The big lagoons
Blue Lagoon near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula is the most famous. Its milky blue water is geothermal seawater from the neighboring Svartsengi power plant, rich in silica. Volcanic eruptions on the peninsula since late 2023 have repeatedly closed the lagoon and nearby roads, so check its status before you book.
Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 at Kársnes in Kópavogur, a short drive from central Reykjavík. It has an infinity edge over the ocean and a seven-step bathing ritual with a cold plunge and sauna.
Earth Lagoon Mývatn in the north is the classic stop on a Ring Road trip around Lake Mývatn.
Krauma in west Iceland uses water from Deildartunguhver, often described as Europe’s highest-flowing hot spring, mixed with glacial water.
GeoSea in Húsavík has geothermal seawater pools on a cliff above Skjálfandi Bay, where whales are often seen.
Hvammsvík on Hvalfjörður opened in 2022, with pools on the shoreline that change with the tide.
The Secret Lagoon and older pools
Gamla Laugin, the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is a natural pool in use since the late 1800s, with a small geyser bubbling beside it. It is simpler and less expensive than the big lagoons and an easy stop on the Golden Circle.
Seljavallalaug, built in 1923 under Eyjafjallajökull, is one of the oldest pools in Iceland. The water is warm rather than hot, and facilities are basic.
Natural hot springs
Reykjadalur means “steam valley”. A walk of roughly 2 miles each way from Hveragerði leads to a warm river with boardwalks for changing. Stay on the path: the ground beside the hot springs can be thin and scalding.
Hveravellir is a geothermal area on the Kjölur route through the central highlands, with a natural pool beside a mountain hut. Landmannalaugar, on the edge of the colorful rhyolite mountains, has a natural warm stream at the campsite. Highland roads usually open only from late June to September and many require a 4x4.
Etiquette and rules
- Shower naked before you swim, washing hair and body with soap. This is the law of the land at Icelandic pools.
- Leave shoes outside the changing rooms.
- Do not enter natural hot springs that are not clearly used for bathing. Many are boiling.
- Book ahead for the big lagoons, especially in summer and around holidays.
- Stay on paths in geothermal areas.
When to go
Lagoons are open year round, and a winter soak under the northern lights is a classic Icelandic experience. Natural springs in the highlands are summer only. Winter roads can close quickly in storms, so check road.is and safetravel.is before you drive.
For more options, see hot springs near Reykjavík and the full Iceland map.
Springs in this guide
- Sky Lagoon104°F
- Gamla Laugin212°F
- Earth Lagoon Mývatn104°F
- Krauma212°F
- ReykjadalurNot recorded
- SeljavallalaugNot recorded
- Hveravellir122°F
- Hvammsvík Hot Springs50°F
- Geosea102°F
Listed Iceland hot springs
See all 49 Iceland springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hvammsvík Hot Springs | 50°F | Developed | Mosfellsbær (15 mi) |
| Earth Lagoon Mývatn | 104°F | Developed | Laugar (16 mi) |
| Gamla Laugin | 212°F | Developed | Selfoss (25 mi) |
| Krauma | 212°F | Developed | Borgarnes (17 mi) |
| Sky Lagoon | 104°F | Developed | Kópavogur (1 mi) |
| Geosea | 102°F | Developed | Húsavík (1 mi) |
| Hveravellir | 122°F | Developed | Sauðárkrókur (61 mi) |
| Skógarböðin | 99°F | Developed | Akureyri (2 mi) |
| Laugarás Lagoon | Not recorded | Developed | Selfoss (19 mi) |
| Reykjadalur Free | Not recorded | Developed | Hveragerði (4 mi) |
| Seljavallalaug Free | Not recorded | Developed | Vestmannaeyjar (22 mi) |
| Guðlaug | Not recorded | Developed | Akranes |
| Krossneslaug | Not recorded | Developed | Ísafjörður (46 mi) |
| Laugarvallalaug Free | 102°F | Developed | Egilsstaðir (44 mi) |
| Sundlaug Suðureyrar | 106°F | Developed | Ísafjörður (12 mi) |
| Einireykir | 212°F | Developed | Stykkishólmur (30 mi) |
| Fosslaug Free | Not recorded | Developed | Sauðárkrókur (19 mi) |
| Guðrúnarlaug Free | Not recorded | Developed | Stykkishólmur (29 mi) |
| Hellulaug Free | Not recorded | Natural | Ísafjörður (34 mi) |
| Víti | 108°F | Developed | Reykjavík (3 mi) |
| Bláa Lónið | Not recorded | Developed | Grindavík (3 mi) |
| Dynjandislaug | 86°F | Developed | Ísafjörður (24 mi) |
| Goldfish Pond | 86°F | Natural | Húsavík (2 mi) |
| Grettislaug | Not recorded | Developed | Sauðárkrókur (10 mi) |
| Gvendarlaug hin forna | Not recorded | Developed | Ísafjörður (50 mi) |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blue Lagoon a natural hot spring?
Not exactly. The Blue Lagoon is filled with geothermal seawater that has passed through the Svartsengi power plant. It is geothermal, but it is a man-made lagoon rather than a natural spring.
Do you have to shower naked before swimming in Iceland?
Yes. At pools and lagoons in Iceland you must shower without a swimsuit, washing thoroughly with soap, before getting in. Staff enforce this because the pools use little or no chlorine.
What is the best hot spring near Reykjavik?
Sky Lagoon is the closest lagoon to the city center. Reykjadalur, about 45 minutes away near Hveragerði, has a warm river you can bathe in after a hike, and Hvammsvík is about an hour away on Hvalfjörður.