Hot Springs in Iceland

Are there hot springs in Iceland?

Yes, all over the country. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and its geothermal water is so plentiful that it supplies about 90% of the energy used to heat homes, according to the National Energy Authority.

For visitors, that means three ways to soak. Geothermal lagoons, such as the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and Earth Lagoon at Mývatn, are polished, paid and usually booked ahead. Natural pools and hot rivers, like Reykjadalur and Hellulaug, are free or nearly free but basic. And most towns have a geothermally heated public swimming pool, the cheapest and most local way to soak.

Wherever you go, the same rule applies at pools and lagoons: shower without your swimsuit before you get in. In the wild, test the water first, because some springs are boiling.

Best hot springs in Iceland

The lagoons and natural pools visitors ask about most, from the Reykjanes Peninsula to the East.

• Lagoon

  Blue Lagoon

  Grindavík, Southern Peninsula

  A milky-blue lagoon in a lava field, about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport. It has closed several times since 2023 during nearby eruptions, so check before you go.

• Lagoon

  Sky Lagoon

  Kópavogur, Capital Region

  An infinity-edge lagoon on the ocean, minutes from central Reykjavík, with a seven-step bathing ritual.

• Pool

  Secret Lagoon

  Flúðir, South

  Iceland's oldest swimming pool, built in 1891 and fed by hot springs bubbling beside it.

• Natural

  Reykjadalur Thermal River

  Hveragerði, South

  A warm river you hike to, about 3 km up a steaming valley; free to bathe, with boardwalks and screens but no changing rooms.

• Natural

  Landmannalaugar Hot Spring

  Highlands, South

  A natural warm pool at the edge of a lava field, reachable only in summer on mountain F-roads.

• Spa

  Krauma Geothermal Baths

  Reykholt, West

  Hot tubs fed by Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring by flow, cooled with glacial water.

• Natural

  Hellulaug Hot Spring

  Flókalundur, Westfjords

  A small stone pool by the sea, free to use, with views over Vatnsfjörður.

• Lagoon

  Earth Lagoon Mývatn

  Lake Mývatn, Northeast

  Formerly Mývatn Nature Baths: a milky-blue lagoon at 36–40°C (97–104°F) in the lava fields, reopened in July 2026 after a full rebuild.

• Lagoon

  Forest Lagoon (Skógarböð)

  Akureyri, Northeast

  Infinity pools in the woods just outside Akureyri, looking across the fjord.

• Sea baths

  GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths

  Húsavík, Northeast

  Geothermally heated seawater pools on a cliff above Skjálfandi Bay, in a whale-watching town.

• Lagoon

  Vök Baths

  Egilsstaðir, East

  Floating pools in Lake Urriðavatn, a few minutes' drive from Egilsstaðir.

Hot springs in Iceland map

All 52 hot springs we list in Iceland, shaped by type. Open the larger map to zoom in.

Famous hot springs in Iceland

All 52 hot springs we list in Iceland, A to Z, from the lagoons around Reykjavík to the free pools of the Westfjords and the highlands.

• Town pool

  Álftaneslaug, Iceland

  Iceland's only wave pool, with slides, hot tubs and a sauna, near Bessastaðir.

• Town pool

  Birkimelur, Iceland

  A 20 m pool on the Barðaströnd coast with a natural hot pot by the shore. Paid.

• Spa

  Bjórböðin Beer Spa, Iceland

  Brewery spa where you soak in tubs of young beer, with hot tubs outside. Book ahead.

• Lagoon

  Blue Lagoon, Iceland

  Milky-blue lagoon in a lava field near Keflavík Airport. Booking required; closes during eruptions.

• Hot tubs

  Drangsnes Hot Pots, Iceland

  Three free hot tubs on the seafront in Drangsnes, on the Strandir coast.

• Lagoon

  Earth Lagoon Mývatn, Iceland

  The former Mývatn Nature Baths, rebuilt and reopened in July 2026, at 36–40°C (97–104°F).

• Lagoon

  Forest Lagoon (Skógarböð), Iceland

  Infinity pools in a forest just outside Akureyri, looking across Eyjafjörður.

• Sea baths

  GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths, Iceland

  Heated seawater pools on a cliff above Skjálfandi Bay in Húsavík.

• Warm pond

  Geothermal Goldfish Pond, Iceland

  Free warm pond near Húsavík where goldfish live in the wild. No facilities.

• Hot tub

  Gjörvidalslaug, Iceland

  Free hot tub in a small wooden shed off Route 61. Open when unlocked; easy to miss.

• Natural pool

  Grafarlaug, Iceland

  Free natural pools off Route 60 at two temperatures, with dressing rooms and roadside toilets.

• Natural pool

  Grettislaug Hot Springs, Iceland

  Stone pool on the shore at Reykir, named for the saga outlaw Grettir the Strong, facing Drangey.

• Beach pool

  Guðlaug Baths, Iceland

  Tiered pool on Langisandur beach in Akranes, looking straight out to sea.

• Natural pool

  Guðrúnarlaug, Iceland

  Free stone pool with a turf changing hut in Sælingsdalur, named for a Laxdæla Saga heroine.

• Natural pool

  Hellulaug Hot Spring, Iceland

  Free stone pool on the shore at Flókalundur, about 38°C (100°F), looking over Vatnsfjörður.

• Hotel pool

  Heydalur Hot Springs, Iceland

  Farm hotel with a pool in a greenhouse and a hot pot by the river. Day visits for a fee.

• Hot tubs

  Hoffell Hot Tubs, Iceland

  Family-run hot tubs near Höfn with views of the Hoffellsjökull glacier. Small fee.

• Town pool

  Hofsós Swimming Pool, Iceland

  Hillside pool in Hofsós that seems to spill into Skagafjörður, with views of Drangey.

• Natural pool

  Hrunalaug Hot Spring, Iceland

  Old stone pools and a turf hut on farmland near Flúðir. Small fee to the landowners.

• Spa

  Húsafell Canyon Baths, Iceland

  Stone pools in a canyon by a waterfall near Húsafell, open on guided tours only.

• Spa

  Hvammsvík Hot Springs, Iceland

  Eight hot pools on the Hvalfjörður shore, some filled and emptied by the tide. Book ahead.

• Natural pool

  Hveravellir Geothermal Pool, Iceland

  Natural pool in the Hveravellir geothermal field on the Kjölur route. Small fee; summer only.

• Natural pool

  Jarlslaug, Iceland

  Smaller stone pool beside Grettislaug at Reykir farm, named for the "Earl of Drangey".

• Natural pool

  Kerlingarfjöll Hot Pool (Ásgarðsá), Iceland

  Riverside pool in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains, off the Kjölur road. Free; summer only.

• Spa

  Krauma Geothermal Baths, Iceland

  Six pools and saunas beside Deildartunguhver, Europe's highest-flow hot spring.

• Natural pool

  Krosslaug, Iceland

  Small pool with a changing hut on the Barðaströnd coast, at about 37°C (99°F).

• Town pool

  Krossnes Swimming Pool, Iceland

  Pool from 1954 on a pebble beach at the end of the Strandir road. Paid; summer only.

• Footbath

  Kvika Footbath, Iceland

  Free footbath carved into a rock on the Seltjarnarnes shore, open day and night.

• Natural pool

  Landbrotalaug, Iceland

  Tiny natural pool on Snæfellsnes for two or three people, about 38°C (100°F). Free.

• Natural pool

  Landmannalaugar Hot Spring, Iceland

  Warm stream at the edge of a lava field in the highlands. Free; F-road access from late June.

• Town pool

  Laugardalslaug, Iceland

  Reykjavík's largest pool complex, with outdoor pools, a row of hot tubs, a steam bath and slides.

• Natural pool

  Laugarfell Hot Springs, Iceland

  Two natural pools at a highland hostel near Snæfell, about 38°C and 43°C. Paid for day visitors.

• Town pool

  Laugarskarð, Iceland

  Historic 50 m pool in Hveragerði, filled with untreated flowing water, with a natural steam bath.

• Spa

  Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths, Iceland

  Lakeside pools and steam rooms over natural vents at Laugarvatn, on the Golden Circle.

• Hot river

  Laugavallalaug, Iceland

  Free highland pool below a warm waterfall, reached by 4x4 track in summer.

• Mineral pool

  Lýsuhólslaug (Lýsulaugar), Iceland

  Summer pool on Snæfellsnes with mineral-rich water that algae turn green. Paid.

• Beach

  Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach, Iceland

  Man-made beach where geothermal water warms a sea lagoon, with a hot tub. Free in summer.

• Hot pots

  Pollurinn, Iceland

  Free concrete hot pots above Tálknafjörður, with a changing cabin and fjord views.

• Hot river

  Reykjadalur Thermal River, Iceland

  Warm river in a steaming valley, a 3 km hike from Hveragerði. Free, with boardwalks and screens.

• Natural pool

  Reykjafjarðarlaug Hot Pool, Iceland

  Free volunteer-built pool next to a natural hot pot in Arnarfjörður. Donations welcome.

• Hot tubs

  Sæberg Hot Tubs, Iceland

  Two hot tubs on the Hrútafjörður shore at a hostel. Free for guests; a fee for others.

• Town pool

  Salalaug, Iceland

  Family pool in Kópavogur with a children's area and three hot tubs.

• Historic pool

  Secret Lagoon, Iceland

  Iceland's oldest swimming pool, from 1891, beside hot springs and a tiny geyser.

• Town pool

  Selárdalslaug, Iceland

  Pool by the Selá salmon river near Vopnafjörður, with a hot tub and a picnic area.

• Historic pool

  Seljavallalaug, Iceland

  A 1923 pool set into the hillside below Eyjafjallajökull, a short walk in. Free; no staff.

• Town pool

  Seltjarnarneslaug, Iceland

  Town pool filled with geothermal seawater, with four hot tubs and a slide.

• Lagoon

  Sky Lagoon, Iceland

  Oceanside infinity lagoon on Kársnes with a seven-step bathing ritual. Timed tickets.

• Natural pool

  Strútslaug, Iceland

  Remote highland pool near Mýrdalsjökull: an F-road, then a hike of about 5 km. Free.

• Natural pool

  Sturlungalaug, Iceland

  Two free natural pools in a grassy field on eastern Snæfellsnes, reached by a rough farm track.

• Town pool

  Sundhöll Reykjavíkur (Sundhöllin), Iceland

  The city's oldest public pool, opened in 1937, with outdoor hot tubs added in 2017.

• Town pool

  Vesturbæjarlaug, Iceland

  A west Reykjavík neighbourhood pool, open since 1961, with five hot tubs.

• Lagoon

  Vök Baths, Iceland

  Floating pools in Lake Urriðavatn, a few minutes from Egilsstaðir.

Visiting hot springs in Iceland

Timing your trip

All year. Winter brings short days and the chance to soak under the northern lights; summer brings the midnight sun and opens the highland roads to pools like Landmannalaugar. Weather changes fast, so check road conditions on umferdin.is and alerts on SafeTravel before you drive.

What you will pay

Town swimming pools are the cheapest way to soak. Lagoons cost much more, and most sell timed tickets, so book ahead in summer. Natural pools like Reykjadalur and Hellulaug are free, though some sites charge for parking.

Reaching the springs

Most lagoons are on or near the Ring Road and easy to reach by car or tour bus. Highland pools need a 4x4 on F-roads, which open only in summer, and the Reykjanes Peninsula's roads can close during eruptions.

Hot springs in Iceland FAQ

Before you soak in Iceland

Iceland's pool rules are strict and enforced, and the wild springs need a little caution.

• Shower without your swimsuit firstPools and lagoons require a full wash, without your swimsuit, before you get in; attendants check.
• Respect closures and private landMany natural pools are on farmland, and eruption zones close at short notice.
• Test natural pools before getting inSome springs are scalding, and temperatures change with the weather.
• Leave no soap or trashNatural pools have no filters; take everything home with you.
• Wear a swimsuit in the waterSwimwear is required in pools and lagoons.
• Stay on paths in geothermal areasThe ground can be thin over boiling water and mud.

Pictures of hot springs in Iceland

Photos of Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, Reykjadalur Thermal River, Landmannalaugar Hot Spring and Earth Lagoon Mývatn, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

More hot springs in Europe

Other countries in Europe where we list hot springs.

• Italy
• Greece
• Hungary
• Czechia
• Austria
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• United Kingdom

See every country with hot springs