10 Must-Visit Swimming Pools in Iceland
Large or small, rich or poor, every community in Iceland has its own public swimming pool. Here, neighbors catch up, children misbehave, and the local mayor is confronted about his latest decision. Moreover, with naturally heated water and stunning settings across the country, it’s easy to see why a trip to the sundlaug is a delightful experience for visitors to soak up Iceland.
Hike Between the Mountains to Seljavallalaug
Iceland’s earliest pools were located where geothermal water naturally emerged from the ground and mixed with rainwater. Seljavallalaug, the country’s oldest still-standing swimming pool, owes its breathtaking location between a steep mountain and a river to practicality: it is warmed by runoff from a small hot spring. The pool is a short 10-minute walk from the parking lot, and facilities are basic; the lockers can be less than spotless, and there’s no shower available.
Today, almost a century after Seljavallalaug was built, Iceland boasts one pool for every 2,000 people. Most sprung up after swimming lessons became mandatory in 1940, typically within walking distance of schools. Consequently, the technology to drill for geothermal water and construct pipelines facilitated the establishment of pools in towns and villages.
Follow the Pool-Signs on Route 1
Klébergslaug in the village of Kjalarnes serves as a miniature example of what nearly every pool in the country has to offer. In addition to a swimming pool, just 17 meters long, it features multilevel hot tubs for relaxation and a small waterslide for adventurous visitors.
As you travel clockwise around Iceland, Kjalarnes is the first village on Route 1, the Ring Road, after leaving Reykjavík. Like everywhere else, a road sign directs you to the local pool, illustrated with a blue frame around a head sticking out of the water—note that the image is not urging any kind of swimming!
The counter-clockwise drive, starting in southern Iceland, arguably leads to an even more impressive first pool. Sundlaugin Laugaskarði by Hveragerði resembles an old villa and, until 1966, featured Iceland’s longest pool. The adjoining steam bath is also highly recommended.
Take the Road Less Traveled to Krossneslaug
Venture along the deserted and wild Strandir Coast in the Westfjords, past abandoned herring factories and black beaches littered with Siberian driftwood, to discover Krossneslaug. This remarkable pool may be illuminated at night by the midnight sun or the Northern Lights. Unlike most other pools in Iceland, it operates without day-to-day staff; admission is simply collected in a donation box on the wall, allowing it to remain always open for adventurous travelers.
Find East Iceland’s Hottest Spot in Selárdalslaug
Selárdalslaug, located near Vopnafjörður in East Iceland, is another beautiful pool in a remote setting. This area stands out particularly for its geothermal heating, especially as the less seismically active east and west of Iceland feature fewer geothermal pools overall—only 31 of Iceland’s 169 pools are heated. Consequently, facilities in these regions are often smaller and more likely to be indoor to reduce electricity expenses.
Due to local municipality subsidies, admission prices across the country remain fairly consistent, ranging from Kr750 to 950 for adults and Kr150 to 350 for children.
Hang Out with the Locals in Höfn
Höfn, a coastal town of 2,000 residents, features a modern pool with traditional charm. Icelanders refer to the multi-level ‘hot pots,’ which maintain temperatures between 36-44°C (97-110°F), as ideal for cozy conversations. Engaging with a stranger in this famous fishing harbor is quite normal; perhaps you might ask, ‘So, where is the best lobster in town these days?’
One way to offend fellow hot-potters (and among the few ways to upset an Icelander) is by arriving with dry hair—signifying a failure to shower before entering the pool area. Most pools, indeed, issue reminders in five languages to ensure guests shower thoroughly before entering. Fortunately, for those uncomfortable with locker-room nudity, larger pools provide private dressing rooms and curtained showers.
Slide into Sundlaug Akureyrar
Located in the center of North Iceland’s capital, Akureyri, Sundlaug Akureyrar is a massive facility designed for children and their guardians. It boasts two exhilarating new water slides that rise from the kids’ pool. In the spirit of providing first-hand research, your correspondent can confirm these slides are worth the trek upstairs! The pool area also includes a popular playground open during the summer.
Get the Best View at Hofsós
Sundlaugin á Hofsósi, one of Iceland’s newest pools, showcases striking modern Icelandic architecture. Overlooking Skaga fjord in North Iceland, it offers a spectacular view where the fjord almost appears to extend from the 25m swimming pool. Expect crowds on warm, sunny days, or consider visiting during winter when it returns to its function as a local hub in Hofsós, home to 190 residents.
Experience the Alternative at Gamla Laugin
Gamla Laugin, also known as the Secret Lagoon, represents a modern renovation of a 19th-century swimming pool in Flúðir, Southwest Iceland. Surrounded by hot springs that flow into the pool at eight different points, it serves more as a large leisure lagoon, maintaining a pleasant temperature of 38°C (100°F). Unlike public pools, the local Flúðir pool lies along Túngata street, so admission here is pricier at Kr2800.
Steam Off in Laugarvatn Fontana
A half-hour’s drive from Flúðir brings you to Laugarvatn Fontana, situated along the route of the famed Golden Circle. This upscale lakeside spa (admission Kr3800) will truly test your willpower: try to leave the soothing steam baths, which are sustained by a naturally occurring vent, to plunge into the icy lake—this contrast supposedly benefits both body and mind. However, caution is advised in winter; at frigid temperatures, each degree above freezing equates to the number of minutes until the average person reaches hypothermia.
Explore the Selection in Reykjavík
Back in Reykjavík, each neighborhood features its own pool. Local favorites include Laugardalslaug and Vesturbæjarlaug, the largest and most popular. If traveling with kids, consider Árbæjarlaug or Sundlaug Seltjarnarness for family-friendly options. For a peaceful escape away from the bustling crowds, we recommend Grafarvogslaug and Breiðholtslaug.
For further information on swimming pools throughout Iceland, visit sundlaugar.is, which provides comprehensive details on locations, opening hours, and prices for nearly every pool in the nation.
