The 15 Best Hot Springs To Visit in Iceland
Iceland has hot springs everywhere. That's what happens when you build a country on top of two tectonic plates. But they range from full luxury spas to muddy pools on private farmland, so "hot spring in Iceland" doesn't mean much on its own.
This guide covers 15 of the best across the country, from polished lagoons near Reykjavík to free hike-in spots in the Highlands.
Key Takeaways
- Hvammsvík, Sky Lagoon, and Laugarás Lagoon are currently Iceland’s strongest luxury geothermal experiences, combining upscale facilities with dramatic scenery near Reykjavík and the Golden Circle.
- Blue Lagoon remains Iceland’s most iconic spa, but it’s crowded and occasionally affected by volcanic activity, so travelers should monitor Reykjanes seismic updates before booking.
- The best natural hot spring experiences require more effort but feel far more authentic, especially Reykjadalur (free hiking hot river), Landmannalaugar (Highlands soak), and Hrunalaug (tiny countryside pools).
- North and East Iceland have some of the country’s best scenery-to-crowd ratios, with GeoSea, Forest Lagoon, Vök Baths, and Earth Lagoon Mývatn offering quieter alternatives to Reykjavík-area lagoons.
- Golden Circle travelers have multiple geothermal stops that fit naturally into day routes, including Laugarás Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Laugarvatn Fontana with its geothermal rye bread experience.
- Booking ahead is essential for Iceland’s major lagoons, especially June–August, while Highland hot springs require checking weather and road conditions at road.is and vedur.is before departure.
1. Hvammsvík Hot Springs — Best New-ish Overall
Hvammsvík is probably the best pick right now if you want something that feels wild but still has proper facilities. It opened in 2022 on a 1,200-acre estate in Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), about 45–60 minutes north of Reykjavík.
What to Expect
Eight rock-rimmed pools by the sea, fed by a mix of geothermal water and seawater. Because they're tidal, the depth and temperature shift depending on when you visit. That changes the feel of the place more than you'd expect. Temperatures generally run between 35–40°C (95–104°F).
On-site: a Finnish-style sauna, a beach area, a swim-up bar, Stormur Bistro with locally sourced food, and solid changing rooms. Seals show up near the pools occasionally. Visitors rate it around 9.4/10, which is better than most of the competition.
Practical Info
- Where: Hvalfjörður, about 56 km (34.8 miles) from Reykjavík and 98 km (61 miles) from Keflavík Airport
- Hours: 10:30–20:30, last entry 19:00, with extended summer hours June 1–August 20 (10.00-22.00)
- Price: From $85 USD per adult — check the official site before booking, since this changes
- Book ahead: Yes, timed entry required
- Best for: Couples, photographers, day trips from Reykjavík
If you're trying to choose between Hvammsvík, the Blue Lagoon, and Sky Lagoon, I'd pick Hvammsvík if the scenery matters more to you than the spa experience. It's the most natural of the three by a lot.
The Hvalfjörður drive is good on its own. There are spots along the fjord tied to both Viking-era history and World War II, including where Allied forces ran a naval base.
2. Laugarás Lagoon — Best New Luxury Lagoon {#laugaras}
Laugarás Lagoon opened in October 2025. It's in Laugarás village in South Iceland, on the Golden Circle route near the Hvítá River, about 80–90 minutes from Reykjavík.
What to Expect
It's the first 2-level tiered lagoon in Iceland. The upper and lower pools are connected by a waterfall. There's also a grotto, a forest pool, swim-up bars, saunas, and a cold plunge with glacier water. The Ylja restaurant is run by chef Gísli Matt, with a seasonal menu using local fisheries and ingredients from geothermal greenhouses.
Water temperatures are around 37–40°C. Birch trees and farmland all around it, which keeps the atmosphere calmer than some of the bigger commercial lagoons.
Practical Info
- Where: Laugarás village, Route 30, between Geysir and Kerið
- Hours: Winter 10:00–21:00, summer up to 22:00–23:00 (Friday-Saturday), last entry 1.5 hrs before closing
- Price: From around 7,900 ISK (~$65) for the basic Birki package; meal packages from 16,900 ISK ($137)
- Age limit: No children under 8
- Book ahead: Yes, especially while it's still new and busy
Personally, I'd add Laugarás to a Golden Circle day. It fits between Geysir and Gullfoss without much detour, and it's the one thing the Golden Circle route was always missing: an upscale place to stop and sit in hot water.
Other nearby stops worth adding: Þingvellir, Friðheimar, Skálholt, and the Secret Lagoon, which is a few entries below.
3. Sky Lagoon — Best Near Reykjavík {#sky-lagoon}
Sky Lagoon is in Kópavogur, about 10–15 minutes from central Reykjavík. No rental car needed: bus, taxi, and transfers all get you there. It's the easiest upscale lagoon option if you're based in the city.
What to Expect
An infinity-edge lagoon facing the Atlantic Ocean, and a seven-step Skjól ritual: hot lagoon, cold plunge, sauna, mist, body scrub, steam, shower. The ritual is the main reason to come here. If you book Sky Lagoon and skip it, you're missing the point.
Evening slots are worth considering. In winter, northern lights over the ocean are possible from the water.
Practical Info
- Where: Kópavogur, just outside Reykjavík
- Hours: Opening hours vary by season (winter 10.00-21.00; spring 10.00-22.00; summer 8:00-23.00; autumn 10.00-22.00)
- Price: Ritual packages range from 13,990–16,990 ISK ($113-$137)
- Book ahead: Yes, especially for evenings and peak periods
- Best for: Short stays in Reykjavík, couples, and anyone without a car
The Sér ticket adds a private changing room with better amenities. Some people think it's worth it; others (like me) are fine with the standard option.
4. Blue Lagoon — Iceland's Most Iconic Spa {#blue-lagoon}
The Blue Lagoon is the one most people picture when they think about Iceland's hot springs. It's on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavík and Keflavík Airport, about 50 minutes from Reykjavík.
What to Expect
The water is milky blue because of silica particles in the geothermal seawater. That same silica is what makes the white mud masks; you scoop them from dispensers in the water and put them on your face while you float around. It feels a bit ridiculous and is genuinely fun. There's also an in-water bar, restaurants, saunas, and the Retreat Spa for people who want a more premium setup.
It's crowded, and it's commercial. The visual of pale blue water surrounded by black lava is real, though, and for a first Iceland trip, it delivers.
I don’t think any Icelanders would recommend this compared to more authentic places. If anything, I would recommend you go at night.
A Note on Volcanic Activity
The Reykjanes Peninsula is seismically active. The Blue Lagoon has closed several times in recent years because of volcanic activity near Svartsengi and Grindavík. Check the official Blue Lagoon volcanic and seismic update page before you go, especially if your trip dates are fixed.
Book the Blue Lagoon weeks or months in advance, as it sells out. Also bring conditioner for your hair. The silica strips it out fast, so apply conditioner before getting in and leave it on while you're there.
Practical Info
- Where: Reykjanes Peninsula, near Grindavík, about 20 min from Keflavík Airport
- Hours: 22 June - 20 August, 07:00-23:00. 21 August - 21 June, 08:00-22:00
- Price: Comfort entry from around 9,990 ISK ($80); Premium and Signature packages higher
- Best for: First-time visitors to Iceland, airport-day itineraries, anyone who wants the famous one
5. Earth Lagoon Myvatn — Best Blue Lagoon Alternative
If you're doing the Ring Road through North Iceland, the Earth Lagoon Mývatn (formerly Mývatn Nature Baths) is the obvious bathing stop up north. The facility is being renovated right now as it’s set to reopen in early summer 2026.
What to Expect
Milky mineral water in a volcanic setting near Lake Mývatn, about 4 km from Reykjahlíð. It's always been quieter than the Blue Lagoon, and the landscape around it — lava formations, steam vents, volcanic terrain — is part of the experience in a way that feels less staged.
Practical Info
- Where: Near Lake Mývatn, North Iceland, Ring Road
- Hours: Monday - Sunday 12:00-22:00 (hours may vary by season)
- Prices: Normal prices range from 7,900 ISK ($64) to 9,900 ($80. There’s an exclusive pack that costs 52,000 ISK ($421)
- Best for: Ring Road travelers, Diamond Circle itineraries, aurora season trips
- Combine with: Dettifoss, Húsavík, Námaskarð, Dimmuborgir, Hverir
I'd plan at least two full days around Mývatn rather than just passing through. There's a lot around the lake that most people skip because they're rushing the Ring Road.
6. GeoSea, Húsavík — Best Ocean Views
GeoSea is in Húsavík, North Iceland, on a cliff looking out over Skjálfandi Bay. It's different from most lagoons because it uses geothermally heated seawater rather than freshwater.
What to expect
Pools at around 38–39°C with a long view over the bay. On clear days, especially winter evenings, the views here beat most other hot springs in Iceland. Whales are sometimes visible from the water. In winter, it's also decent for northern lights.
The best setup: whale watching in the morning in Húsavík (Iceland's main whale watching town), then GeoSea in the afternoon. The two together make for a solid full day.
Practical Info
- Where: Cliff above Húsavík, North Iceland, walkable from town
- Hours: October 1st - March 31st, 12:00-22:00; April 1st - May 31st, 10:00-22:00; June 1st - August 31st, 10:00-00:00; September 1st - September 30th, 10:00 - 22:00
- Price: 7,490 ISK ($61) for adults; lower for children and seniors
- Best for: Whale watchers, photographers, and North Iceland visitors in winter
The cliff gets very windy. Bring a warm hat even in summer.
7. Forest Lagoon, Akureyri — Best Forest Spa
Forest Lagoon is in the Vaðlaskógur forest, about a 5-minute drive from Akureyri. It opened in 2022 and has become the main reason to build spa time into a stop in the north.
What to Expect
Two infinity pools looking out over Eyjafjörður fjord from inside a birch and pine forest. There's also a sauna, cold plunge, swim-up bars, and a restaurant. Most Icelandic lagoons are set against lava or the ocean. Trees are unusual here, and that actually matters, as it makes the atmosphere is genuinely different.
Practical Info
- Where: Vaðlaskógur forest, about a 5-minute drive from Akureyri
- Hours: Daily 10:00–midnight, lagoon cleared by 23:30]
- Price: Adults pay 6,900 ISK ($50). Children pay half
- Best for: Akureyri visitors, winter trips, North Iceland road-trippers
- Combine with: Goðafoss waterfall, winter skiing near Akureyri
8. Secret Lagoon, Flúðir — Best Rustic Experience
The Secret Lagoon is also known as Gamla Laugin. It was built in 1891 near Hverahólmi, in the geothermal area around Flúðir, and is marketed as Iceland's oldest swimming pool.
What to Expect
One pool at around 38–40°C, basic changing rooms, and natural steam vents nearby. Nothing designed, nothing fancy. It costs around 4,500 ISK ($36.6) for adults, which is significantly cheaper than the premium lagoons. It's the most low-key Golden Circle bathing option, and that's exactly why some people prefer it.
If you're on the Golden Circle and only want one hot spring stop, the Secret Lagoon is a solid pick. It's close to Geysir and Gullfoss, it's affordable, and it doesn't feel like a tourist product.
Practical Info
- Where: Flúðir, South Iceland, on the Golden Circle route
- Hours: 1st of October to 31st of May, daily 10:00-19:00 (see hours for Christmas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve); 1st of June to 30th of September, daily 10:00-20:00
- Price: 4,500 ISK adults; discounts for children and seniors; towel rental extra
- Book ahead: Good idea for weekends and peak season, as tour buses fill it up
9. Laugarvatn Fontana — Best Cultural Experience
Laugarvatn Fontana is on the shore of Laugarvatn Lake in the Golden Circle area. It has geothermal steam baths, but what makes it different is the rye bread experience: hverabrauð, baked overnight in a pot buried in the ground using natural geothermal heat.
What to Expect
Steam rooms that sit directly over bubbling springs, mineral pools, a Finnish sauna, and the option to swim out into the cold lake. The geothermal bread tour is worth doing even if food isn't normally your thing. The bread bakes slowly overnight underground, and it comes out dense, slightly sweet, and nothing like bread from an oven.
2026 update: The baths are closed for maintenance until June 15th, 2026. The geothermal bread tours are still running.
Practical Info
- Where: Laugarvatn village, Golden Circle area, around 1h and 20 minutes from Reykavik.
- Price: Geothermal bread tours around 3,500 ISK ($30); spa around 7,800 ISK ($63) when open
- Best for: Golden Circle visitors, families, anyone who's curious about Icelandic food culture
10. Reykjadalur Hot River — Best Natural Hike and Soak
Reykjadalur is the best free option near Reykjavík. You hike to it, there's no infrastructure to speak of, and the water is just a warm river running through a geothermal valley.
What to Expect
The trailhead starts near Hveragerði, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. The round trip is around 7-8 (4.3- km with about 300 meters of elevation gain. Plan for 3–4 hours in total including time in the water. The trail goes through a valley with steam vents and mud pots before reaching the river.
At the river, there are basic wooden changing dividers and that's it. Water temperature varies along the river, so test it before jumping in somewhere.
Put your swimsuit on under your clothes before you start hiking. And go early. The trail gets muddier as the day goes on, and by midday the river is busy.
Stick to marked paths. The ground in a geothermal valley looks solid but can be very hot just underneath. Don't go in bad weather, ice, or strong wind.
Practical Info
- Where: Near Hveragerði, South Iceland, about 45 min from Reykjavík
- Price: Free, with a small parking fee that can add up to $5-$6.
- Best for: Hikers, budget travelers, anyone who wants a natural experience without paying lagoon prices
11. Hrunalaug — Best Hidden Gem
Hrunalaug is a small hot spring on private farmland near Flúðir. Three pools, temperatures around 32–40°C, and the oldest part of the site dates to about 1890, when people used it for laundry and bathing.
What to Expect
Three small pools, basic changing arrangements, and an Icelandic countryside setting with nothing around it. Capacity is about 15 people. It's tiny and easy to ruin if people treat it like a normal tourist attraction. New changing facilities were added in 2026.
Since it's private land, the usual rules apply more strictly here. Keep it short, pay the fee, be quiet, and don't photograph other people. Best visited early morning or late afternoon.
Practical Info
- Where: Near Flúðir, South Iceland, close to the Secret Lagoon
- Hours: Summer season, May 1st - August 31st, 9:00 - 22:00; Fall and spring season, September 1st - October 31st and March 15th - April 30th, 9:00 - 21:00; Winter season, November 1st - March 14th, 10:00 - 20:00
- Price: 3,000 ISK ($24) per adult before 14:00 and 3.500 ISK ($28) after; visits are limited to about 90 minutes
- Best for: Couples, photographers, and anyone who wants a quiet stop on a road trip
12. Landmannalaugar Hot Spring — Best Highlands Soak
Landmannalaugar requires actual planning, but it's one of the best geothermal spots in the country when you get there. It's in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Highlands, surrounded by rhyolite mountains that shift between green, orange, and purple depending on the light and minerals.
What to Expect
A natural hot river and pool near the mountain campsite, around 38–40°C, shallow and variable. Basic toilets and seasonal services nearby. The hiking trails, including Brennisteinsalda and Bláhnúkur, leave right from the campsite. Most people come here to hike those mountains first and use the hot spring after, which is the right order.
Access and Safety
Access is seasonal, usually late June to mid-September, via F-roads that need a 4x4 vehicle. Don't try F-roads in a regular rental car. Most rental insurance won't cover the damage, plus it’s illegal. Super jeep tours and scheduled highland buses run from Reykjavík in summer if you don't have a 4x4.
Check road.is before leaving. The weather in the Highlands can change fast and roads close without much notice.
Practical Info
- Where: Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Icelandic Highlands
- Access: 4x4 only via F-roads, late June–mid-September; buses and super jeep tours available
- Price: Free, small facility fee for showers and changing
- Best for: Hikers, photographers, Laugavegur Trail trekkers, highlands road trips
13. Vök Baths — Best in East Iceland
Vök Baths is on Lake Urriðavatn, about 7 minutes from Egilsstaðir in East Iceland. It's the best geothermal stop on the eastern section of the Ring Road.
What to Expect
The main feature is floating infinity pools that sit directly on the lake. There are also onshore hot pools, a sauna, a cold spray tunnel, a cold plunge, an in-water bar, a tea bar, and Vök Bistro. East Iceland is generally quieter, and that shows here. Crowds are a fraction of what you get near Reykjavík.
This is, hands down, my favorite man-made geothermal spring in Iceland. The surroundings are unreal, you can swim in the lake, it’s not usually crowded, and the facilities are top notch despite being much cheaper than the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon.
Practical Info
- Where: Lake Urriðavatn, about 5 min from Egilsstaðir
- Hours: June 15th – September 15th, every day from 10:00 – 23:00; September 16th – June 14th, every day from 12:00-22:00*
- Price: Ranges from 7,690–9,890 ISK ($62-$80) depending on package
- Best for: Ring Road travelers, couples, shoulder-season trips
- Note: A good break point on the long eastern stretch of the Ring Road
14. Krauma — Best Modern Wellness Retreat
Krauma is near Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland. The water comes from Deildartunguhver, one of Europe's most powerful geothermal spring areas, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Reykjavík.
What to Expect
Five hot pools, one cold tub, two saunas, an infrared room, a steam bath, a relaxation room, and a restaurant. Water from Deildartunguhver comes out at near-boiling, then is mixed with cold glacier water to reach bathing temperature. It's clean and fast-flowing in a way you notice. The design is minimal, and the place is built for sitting quietly, not for activities.
Practical Info
- Where: Reykholt area, Borgarfjörður, West Iceland, about 1 hour from Reykjavík
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 - 21:00 (check time for Christmas)
- Price: 7900 ISK ($64)
- Best for: West Iceland road trips, couples, Snæfellsnes visitors
- Combine with: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt historical sites
15. Guðrúnarlaug — Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Pool
Guðrúnarlaug is a small circular pool in the Sælingsdalur Valley, West Iceland. It's linked to the Laxdæla Saga and the saga character Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir. About 173 km (107.5 miles) from Reykjavík (2.5 hours), near Búðardalur.
What to Expect
A small pool at around 36–40°C, a basic changing hut, and a short walk from the parking area near the farm. No staff, no booking, no services. Free or a small donation. It's quiet, it has real historical background, and it's the kind of stop that works well on a slow road trip rather than a rushed itinerary.
It makes a good detour between Borgarnes and Búðardalur on a West Iceland or Westfjords trip.
Practical Info
- Where: Sælingsdalur Valley, West Iceland
- Price: Free or small donation
- Hours: Open year-round, weather permitting
- Bring: Towel, swimsuit, bag for wet clothes; leave no trace
Recap
| Hot spring | Best for | Region | Type | Price range | Distance from Reykjavík | Main highlight |
| Hvammsvík Hot Springs | Best overall | West Iceland | Luxury lagoon | $$$ | 45-60 min | Oceanfront tidal pools in a fjord |
| Laugarás Lagoon | Best new luxury lagoon | South Iceland / Golden Circle | Luxury lagoon | $$$ | 80-90 min | Two-level lagoon with waterfall connection |
| Sky Lagoon | Best near Reykjavík | Capital Region | Luxury lagoon | $$$ | 10-15 min | Ocean infinity pool and Skjól ritual |
| Blue Lagoon | Most iconic spa | Reykjanes Peninsula | Luxury lagoon | $$$ | 50 min | Famous milky-blue geothermal water |
| Earth Lagoon Mývatn | Best Blue Lagoon alternative | North Iceland | Lagoon | $$ | Ring Road stop | Volcanic scenery near Lake Mývatn |
| GeoSea | Best ocean views | North Iceland | Seawater baths | $$ | Ring Road stop | Clifftop pools overlooking whale-watching bay |
| Forest Lagoon | Best forest spa | North Iceland | Lagoon | $$ | Ring Road stop | Infinity pools surrounded by forest |
| Secret Lagoon | Best rustic experience | Golden Circle | Historic pool | $ | 1h 40m | Oldest swimming pool in Iceland |
| Laugarvatn Fontana | Best cultural experience | Golden Circle | Geothermal spa | $$ | 1h 20m | Geothermal rye bread experience |
| Reykjadalur Hot River | Best free natural hot spring | South Iceland | Natural river | Free | 45 min | Hot river reached by hike |
| Hrunalaug | Best hidden gem | South Iceland | Rustic hot spring | $ | 1h 40m | Tiny countryside pools on private land |
| Landmannalaugar | Best Highlands soak | Highlands | Natural hot spring | Free | Seasonal access | Hot spring surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains |
| Vök Baths | Best in East Iceland | East Iceland | Modern lagoon | $$ | Ring Road stop | Floating pools on a lake |
| Krauma | Best wellness retreat | West Iceland | Wellness spa | $$ | 1h 30m | Pools fed by Deildartunguhver hot spring |
| Guðrúnarlaug | Best off-the-beaten-path pool | West Iceland | Historic pool | Free | 2h 30m | Tiny saga-linked geothermal pool |
Why Iceland is Famous for Geothermal Bathing
Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates meet. The heat that comes out of the ground feeds hundreds of natural hot springs all over the country. Icelanders have been using them for centuries, and it's still a normal part of daily life, not something that exists just for visitors.
The main thing to understand before you pick a spot is the gap between luxury lagoons and natural hot springs. Lagoons like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or the new Laugarás are built from scratch: changing rooms, bars, controlled water temperatures, spa packages. Natural hot springs like Reykjadalur, Hrunalaug, or Landmannalaugar are just hot water coming out of the ground with maybe a changing shed nearby, if that. Both are good, but for completely different reasons and completely different types of trips.
Options are spread across the whole country: near Reykjavík, along the Golden Circle, across the Ring Road, and out in more remote areas like the Highlands and the Westfjords.
Conclusion
There's a hot spring in Iceland for basically every type of trip. Luxury lagoons, free river hikes, rustic farmland pools, remote Highland soaks, they're all here. The right one depends on where you're going, how much you want to spend, and what kind of experience you're after.
- Luxury: Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, Laugarás Lagoon, Hvammsvík
- Nature and hiking: Reykjadalur, Landmannalaugar
- Quiet and rustic: Hrunalaug, Guðrúnarlaug
- Best views: GeoSea (Húsavík), Hvammsvík, Vök Baths
- Ring Road stops: Vök Baths, GeoSea, Forest Lagoon, Earth Lagoon Mývatn
- Golden Circle: Laugarás Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Laugarvatn Fontana
Book the big lagoons well ahead, especially June through August. Check road.is and vedur.is before going anywhere near the Highlands. And be careful with the geothermal ground, it looks ordinary but often isn't.