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Travel advice for Iceland
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 15.12.2020
An outdoor soak is an essential part of the Icelandic experience – a surreal way to spend a dark winter's day or to unkink those muscles after a long day's hiking. In fact, the Icelandic tradition of bathing outdoors in volcanically heated pools dates right back to Viking times. From the Blue Lagoon to those in its stark interior, here are 14 of the best natural hot springs in Iceland.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Iceland, your essential guide for visiting Iceland.
Iceland: A Game of Thrones Road Trip
This themed road trip will take you around Iceland, home to many filming locations of the hit TV series, Game of Thrones. Travel around the country's coastline, past the many dramatic glaciers and cliffs, relax in geothermal spas, and spot whales in the rough seas. Warning: Spoiler alert!
customize ⤍Iceland's Wild West
Welcome to the road trip of a lifetime, which will bring you to some of western Iceland’s wildest and most remote spots. On this adventure, you will pay unforgettable visits to Hraunfossar Waterfalls, as well as the Barnafoss and Deildartunguhver hot springs, and much more!
customize ⤍Iceland's Highlights from East to West
Take a flight to the East where you get to enjoy the enchanting Eastfjords before you drive south. If you are looking to focus on a few regions with a mix of the most popular sights and something off the beaten path; and to avoid backtracking with a one-way domestic flight, this is the perfect trip.
customize ⤍Discover North Iceland and Snaefellses
Discover the best of North Iceland and Snaefellsnes! The area around the volcanic Lake Myvatn is surrounded by impressive geological sights, stunning waterfalls and mighty canyons! The Snaefellsnes peninsula is known as “miniature Iceland” for the diversity of landscape it offers.
customize ⤍Best of the West
Take the road less travelled around the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes peninsulas. Visit places unspoiled by humans and see the wonders and creativity of nature at their very best! The wild Westfjords feature a stunning landscape of towering mountains, deep blue fjords, and thundering waterfalls.
customize ⤍East to West with the Westmand Islands
Drive around the Lake Lagarfljot and visit Hengifoss waterfall and the Hallormsstadur forest. Continue to the South Coast with its beautiful waterfalls, glacier lagoons and black sand beaches. Take a detour to spend a day in the stunning Westman Islands and end your trip with the Golden Circle.
customize ⤍All of Iceland in 13 days
In just under 2 weeks, explore the highlights Iceland has to offer. From the popular Golden Circle, follow the Ring Road and explore waterfalls and lagoons on your way around the island. This itinerary leads you all the way to the North and the Westfjords of Iceland.
customize ⤍Incredible Iceland in 12 days
This driving trip trip will take you to some of Iceland’s most incredible sights and natural wonders. Drive through glacial valleys and across towering mountains as you gaze over stark landscapes of shining silver steaks and marble lava fields patched with emerald green moss...
customize ⤍West & Arctic Coast Way Highlights
The area around the volcanic Lake Myvatn is surrounded by impressive geological sights, stunning waterfalls and mighty canyons. Visit the 'capital of the North' Akureyri before continuing to the Snaefellsnes peninsula, known as “miniature Iceland” for the diversity of landscape it offers.
customize ⤍Exploring the South Coast and Snaefellsnes
Glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, lagoons - Iceland offers stunning landscapes to explore. This itinerary allows you to discover the south in your own rental car. Drive the famous Golden Circle and discover waterfalls along the way.
customize ⤍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.
Make sure to spare some time to explore the capital on a walking tour.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Reykjavík.
Edge into the cold water, walk upstream to where the two flows mix, find a spot where the temperature is perfect and settle back to admire the dramatic scenery.
You can visit Landmannalaugar as a day trip from Reykjavik or spend a night in the area.
This, the country's largest and best-equipped swimming complex, makes a great place to join in, with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas and water slides for children.
Planning a summer trip? You won't want to miss our guide to the best places to visit in Iceland in the summer.
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.
Explore Iceland's Highlights from East to West on our tailor-made trip. Fly to the East for a captivating experience in the enchanting Eastfjords, then journey south to discover popular sights and hidden gems, all without backtracking thanks to a one-way domestic flight. Join us for the perfect adventure!
The pool is splendidly set on a remote stretch of Iceland's north coast, where you can ponder Grettir's achievements without, fortunately, having to replicate his swim.
Embark on our tailor-made Arctic Coast Way Fly & Drive to explore the captivating region of North Iceland. Discover a wealth of famous and lesser-known sights, from majestic waterfalls and geothermal wonders to stunning lava formations and breathtaking canyons.
Leirubakki's circular, sunken pool is small – fitting about four people at once – and lined with cut lava blocks; views of Hekla rising up in the background more than compensate for the tepid water.
An added bonus is the tectonically unstable surroundings – boiling mud pits, volcanic cones, steaming lava from a 1988 eruption and even an underground bakery, heated by natural jets of steam.
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.
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.
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 in this otherworldly location. You can buy your entrance fee upfront online, including a towel and a drink to spend your time in style.
The whole setting, carved into craggy rocks, is spectacular, although the approach sees you pass through a rather uninspiring industrial estate. Many tourists will still choose to visit the Blue Lagoon, but this is better value and just as memorable. Visiting during the gorgeous low light of sunrise or sunset is unforgettable.
The Gamla Laugin (Old Hot Pool) at Hverahólmi, is just north of town. Here thermal springs in a grassy field have been diverted into a no-frills, open-air pool the size of a village duck pond; it’s a secret no longer and is incorporated into several tours.
Constructed in 1891 but later abandoned, recent renovations have converted the old hothouses to changing rooms, retaining a crumbling building which adds an atmospheric air, particularly when wreathed in steam.
The hot springs are located in a picturesque area and surrounded by mountains. It's the perfect place for a short escape from the bustle of the city, or for a longer stay, during which you can rejuvenate in the springs admiring the stunning views.
Enhance your journey with our tailor-made trip to All of Iceland. Experience the awe-inspiring Dettifoss waterfall on the diamond circle route and venture into the remote and captivating Strandir region, one of Iceland's hidden gems. This itinerary is perfect for those seeking to explore Iceland at a relaxed and leisurely pace.
For an easy four-hour circuit, follow Breiðamörk north out of town for about forty minutes to a bridged stream at the base of the fells, from where a pegged trail heads uphill. Crossing the muddy top, you descend green boggy slopes into Reykjadalur (Steam Valley), named after the hot stream that runs through the middle.
Ready for a trip to Iceland? For inspiration, use the Iceland itineraries from the Rough Guide to Iceland and our local travel experts.
Inspired by our list of things to do in Iceland? If you're thinking of planning a trip, we can help! Try our tailor-made travel service and enjoy a fully personalized trip planned by a local expert.
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Header image: Myvatn Nature baths © Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock.
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 15.12.2020
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