2. Hellulaug
Photo by Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir.
You can find Hellulaug in the Westfjords, just about 550 yards (500 meters) east of Hotel Flokalundur.
If you are crossing Breidafjordur Fjord with the Baldur ferry, perhaps making a stop at Flatey Island, this natural hot pool is only 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Brjanslaekur, where the ferry docks.
The pool is not seen from the road, but is right next to it, filled with naturally heated water at around 100°F (38°C). It’s about 24 inches (60 centimeters) deep, making it perfect for a relaxing soak while taking in the coastal scenery. If you get too warm, you can cool off in the nearby sea.
There are no changing rooms, showers, or bathrooms in the area, keeping the spot wonderfully wild and authentic and offering one of the best free hot spring experiences in Iceland.
1. Reykjadalur: An Icelandic Hot Spring Thermal River
Reykjadalur (which translates to “Steam Valley”) is one of the most accessible hot spring areas to reach from Reykjavik. It’s also one of the best free hot springs in Iceland, perfect for travelers who want a natural soak surrounded by untouched landscapes.
The nearby town of Hveragerd, located about 28 miles (45 kilometers) away, serves as the starting point for the scenic hike up to the warm river that flows through the Reykjadalur Valley.
The hike is not very demanding, although it’s mostly uphill. The path is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights since you’ll be hiking along the top of a deep gorge at one point.
If you are in good shape and don’t make many stops along the way, you should reach the thermal river after 45-60 minutes. However, the hike could take up to 90 minutes one way.
The duration depends on how fast you walk and how often you stop to take pictures of the waterfall in the gorge and all the pretty bubbling muddy hot springs on the way.
There are no facilities for changing your clothes when you get up there. Still, bathing in the open air under Iceland’s vast sky makes this one of the most authentic and best hot springs experiences in Iceland.
You can reach the river on this Reykjadalur hot spring hiking tour, a fantastic way to experience one of Iceland’s most scenic geothermal areas.
Top 5 Best Hot Tubs in Iceland
Photo by Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir
You’ve read about the thermal pools in Iceland, but there are also hundreds of scenic hot tubs in Iceland.
Each public swimming pool in Iceland boasts at least one hot tub. There can be up to six or seven hot tubs in some cases, and they’re also common in private residences and hotels.
If you’d like a private hot tub, then consider renting a remote summer cabin. A large percentage of Icelandic summer cabins come with a hot tub.
The following list contains the best human-made tubs to visit in Iceland. They’re in spectacular settings, often with views of impressive mountains or the enchanting sea.
5. Kvika Foot Bath
Found near the Grotta Lighthouse in the greater Reykjavik area, the Kvika footbath is one of the most unique and relaxing spots among the best hot tubs in Iceland…though this one is just for your feet!
Artist Olof Nordal designed this human-made hot spring, and it sports one of the best views in town, looking over Mountain Esja and the mighty Snaefellsjokull Glacier.
Olof carved a small bathing pool, about 30-35 inches (80-90 centimeters) wide and 10-12 inches (25-30 centimeters) deep, into a large rock.
The constant trickle of warm water comes from a nearby borehole and is cooled down to around 102 F (39 C).
Both Kvika and the Grotta Lighthouse are popular locations for locals to watch the sunset or the northern lights. Enjoying the view here is one of the top things to do in Reykjavik.
Keep in mind there are no changing facilities, as Kvika is only meant for foot soaking. Entry is free, and the experience is pure Reykjavík charm.
4. Hoffell Hot Tubs
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There aren’t many famous hot springs in East Iceland, but the Hoffell hot tubs are definitely among the best hot tubs in Iceland for those looking to unwind in a peaceful, natural setting.
There are four different hot tubs located right next to each other. Each tub is neatly set in a bed of rocks, with spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
There’s a small entry fee, but those staying at the nearby Glacier World accommodations can take a dip for free.
The Hoffell hot tubs are situated 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) west of the town of Hofn in East Iceland. To get there, turn from the Ring Road onto Road 984 towards Glacier World Guesthouse.
3. Nautholsvik
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Helgi Halldórsson. No edits were made.
Besides the numerous swimming pools and hot tubs you can find within the capital region, there’s also the city’s geothermal-heated beach, Nautholsvik.
Visiting Nautholsvik is another fantastic budget activity to check off in Reykjavik. Here, you’ll find both a hot tub at the edge of the seawater, as well as a broader but shallower warm pool by the changing facilities.
Next to the changing facilities are bathrooms, showers, a sauna, and a small cafe.
The water in the hot tub by the sea varies in temperature, from 86 F to 102 F (30 C to 39 C), but the shallower pool is a constant 100 F (38 C).
Even the sea right by the beach is heated during the summer months and is about 59 F to 66 F (15 C to 19 C) within the rock fence.
Entry is free throughout the summer months. In winter, the opening times are shorter, and a small fee applies to the changing facilities.
2. Gudrunarlaug
Gudrunarlaug is one of the best hot tubs in Iceland for travelers interested in history and legend. Named after Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir, one of the most remarkable women from the Icelandic Sagas, this reconstructed historical pool offers a glimpse into how people bathed during the settlement era.
These thermal baths in Iceland have existed for over a thousand years, but were blocked by a landslide for 140 years. The pool was reconstructed and built as a replica of the original pool and was opened in 2009.
Gudrunarlaug is in West Iceland, on the way to the Westfjords. Nearby to the pool is Hotel Laugar Saelingsdal and the Laugar campsite. You can also visit the Church of the Elves, which is located close to the pool, and have yourself a full day of Icelandic history and folklore in the West!
To reach it, you have to rent a car as no scheduled buses or tours go there. Head north from Reykjavik on the Ring Road, turn onto Road 60 towards the Westfjords, and go left onto Road 589 until you reach the hot spring.
Entry is free, and there’s a small changing room on site. To preserve this piece of Icelandic history, please tidy up after yourself and treat the area with respect.
1. Drangsnes Hot Tubs
Photo by Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir
In the center of the small town of Drangsnes in the Westfjords, you’ll find three hot tubs right by the seaside. These tubs have free entry, and you can go there at any time of the day or night.
The temperature varies from one hot tub to the next, but they’re between 100 F to 107 F (38 C to 42 C). Across the road, there’s a small changing facility, and it’s common to meet some friendly locals once you get into the tubs.
If you’re feeling brave, take a quick dip in the icy sea nearby before returning to the warmth. It’s an invigorating Icelandic experience and one reason Drangsnes is often listed among the top geothermal hot tubs in Iceland.
Top 5 ‘No Bathing’ Hot Springs & Pools in Iceland
If you are unfamiliar with hot springs in Iceland, it may be hard to tell the difference between those that are safe to enter and those that are not if there are no warning signs.
There are plenty of hot springs, pools, hot tubs, and geysers in Iceland, both natural and human-made, that you should not attempt to bathe in.
Most of the time, this is because it’s simply too dangerous, either because the water is too hot, too unstable, or too cold. It should go without saying that any hot spring with large boiling bubbles is too hot to enter.
These hot springs are fenced off in the most famous geothermal areas and will have a warning sign telling you to be careful. However, that may not be the case with all hot springs in Iceland.
5. Brimketill
Brimketill is a natural feature that looks ideal for bathing, and some daredevils have entered its waters, as seen in the video above. This clip was shot years ago (on a very calm and sunny day) before a ban on bathing was enacted due to this natural pool’s hazardous surroundings.
Brimketill is not a hot spring, and its waters are far from being on the warm side. The Atlantic Sea is all you’ll get here, which is cold enough to give people hypothermia if they stay in for too long.
Its name means ‘Whitewater Cauldron,’ due to the constant white rolling of the waves breaking on the surrounding rocks. The sight is impressive to see from a safe distance.
On a beautiful, sunny day, the water may look appealing, but this area has strong winds, with towering waves crashing on the rocks most of the time. The seawater also continually sprays the slippery rocks, making Brimketill a dangerous place to stand or risk a fall.
You can reach Brimketill by driving along the Reykjanes Peninsula or joining Reykjanes tours that include stops at this dramatic seaside lava pool.
4. Blahver
Blahver may look like the perfect spring for a soak, with its mesmerizing blue water and calm surface showing little sign of geothermal activity. You might be tempted to imagine yourself relaxing in its azure waters, but this hot spring hides deadly dangers.
The water in Blahver is scalding hot, and entering it would cause severe burns. Even getting too close is risky, as the edges are thin and fragile and could collapse underfoot, making escape nearly impossible.
Thankfully, Blahver and several nearby springs in the Hveravellir Geothermal Area near Lake Myvatn are fenced off for safety. You can still admire their surreal colors (and distinctive sulfur scent) from a safe distance.
If you’re looking to enjoy a real soak, there’s a small man-made pool nearby filled with naturally heated water from the same geothermal source, safely cooled to the perfect temperature for bathing.
3. Snorralaug
Reykholt Village in West Iceland is one of the most important historical locations in the country. It’s here where the great medieval historian, poet, and lawmaker, Snorri Sturluson, lived.
Snorri is best known for having written the Prose Edda, one of the greatest works of European literature and an invaluable source for our knowledge of Norse mythology.
Just outside of his turf house, he had constructed his very own geothermal pool. The pool is one of Iceland’s oldest structures, and since this is a historical location, bathing in the pool is forbidden. The water temperature varies, becoming extremely hot at times, so bathing there could also be dangerous.
Snorralaug Pool is small, only around 13 feet (4 meters) in diameter and 2.2-3 feet (0.7-1 meters) deep. Therefore, it would not handle the swarms of bathers and would quickly become dirty and unappealing for visitors.
However, people don’t come here to bathe. They visit the nearby Snorrastofa Museum and learn about history, Norse mythology, and the man who lent his name to the pool, Snorri Sturluson.
2. Grjotagja
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Chmee2. No edits were made.
Made famous worldwide in a steamy scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte from Game of Thrones, Grjotagja may look like the ideal place to take a warm bath. However, that’s not the case.
The water temperature in Grjotagja can fluctuate drastically. It became too hot for swimming in the late 1970s (around 122 F or 50 C) and, while it has cooled somewhat since, it can still be dangerously hot depending on recent geothermal activity or earthquakes.
Because of the water’s varying heat, loose rocks in the cave, and the extremely slow water flow, bathing here is now strictly forbidden.
Even without a swim, Grjotagja is worth the visit for its incredible natural beauty. The cave’s shimmering blue water against dark lava rock makes it one of the most photogenic spots in North Iceland.
And if you still want a proper soak, head just around the corner to Earth Lagoon Myvatn (formerly Myvatn Nature Baths) for a relaxing dip in safe, geothermal waters.
Grjotagja is easy to reach if you’re staying in Akureyri or exploring the Lake Myvatn area. From the village of Reykjahlid on the Ring Road, drive east for a few kilometers, then turn right just before the road leading to Earth Lagoon Myvatn.
1. Geysir
Although it has remained dormant for a few years, Geysir still contains boiling water far too extreme to enter. The Geysir Geothermal Area has smaller geysers, including the famous Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes.
Several steaming pools and springs look incredibly alluring on a cold winter’s day. As Geysir is one of the most frequently visited areas in Iceland, being part of the popular Golden Circle, these hot springs are all fenced off.
When visiting there, you’ll find warning signs detailing that they’re up to 212 F (100 C) hot.
In the year 2000, Geysir erupted unexpectedly. A large gathering of people that had been standing nearby had to run for their lives, and the water burned several people’s feet and legs.
The land surrounding the geysers can also be extremely hot, so you’ll be asked to keep to the designated path so your feet do not sink into the burning mud. It’s always wise to be careful in any geothermal area you may visit in Iceland.