Hrunalaug Hot Spring: Iceland's Fairytale Thermal Pool
Looking for an authentic Icelandic hot spring experience without the crowds of the Blue Lagoon? Hrunalaug Hot Spring might be just what you need. This small geothermal pool sits on private farmland near Flúðir in southern Iceland, offering a simple and personal bathing experience that shows the real side of Icelandic bathing culture.
Key takeaways
- Hrunalaug is a small, historic natural hot spring about 100 km from Reykjavík, near the Golden Circle
- Entry costs 3,000 ISK for adults (about $22 USD), with a 1.5-hour time limit
- Three pools with temperatures between 32-40°C (90-104°F)
- Basic changing huts and restrooms, no showers
- Less crowded in early mornings or off-season
- Open year-round: 9:00-23:00 in summer, 10:00-20:00 in winter
What's Hrunalaug Hot Spring?
Hrunalaug is a natural geothermal spring in the rolling countryside of southern Iceland. Unlike the big, resort-style Blue Lagoon, Hrunalaug is small and genuine. The site has three stone pools of different temperatures set among grassy hills, with a small turf-and-stone hut that makes it look like something from a storybook.
The pools are small - the main one fits about 6-8 people, while the smaller ones hold 3-4 people. Water temperatures range from 32°C to 40°C (90-104°F), making them perfect for soaking while looking at the farmland and mountains around you.
Formation & History
Hrunalaug has been around since the late 19th century. The first pool was built around 1890 by farmer Stefán Jónsson of Ás farm for washing clothes and family bathing. In 1935, his son Steindór Eiríksson added a second pool for bathing sheep to prevent disease, a practice that continued until the 1980s.
The same family has owned this land for generations. As more tourists started coming, the current owners built a third pool in 2017 just for visitors. In summer 2023, they fixed up the main tourist pool, adding basalt stone around the edges to make it bigger and deeper while keeping its natural look.
The name "Hrunalaug" tells its story: Hruni is the farm/area name, and laug means "pool" in Icelandic. It simply means "the pool of Hruni."
Location & How to Get There
Hrunalaug is near the village of Flúðir in southern Iceland, about 100 km east of Reykjavík. It's close to the Golden Circle route, making it easy to visit along with other sights like Gullfoss waterfall (32 km away) and the Geysir geothermal area (30 km away).
From Reykjavík, the drive takes about 1.5 hours:
- Take Ring Road (Route 1) east toward Selfoss
- In Selfoss, turn left onto Route 30 and follow it toward Flúðir
- After passing through Flúðir, turn onto Route 344
- Follow the gravel road to the small parking area
From the parking area, it's a 5-minute walk along a path to reach the pools.
A regular car works fine for this trip most of the year, but you need to be careful during winter, as the roads may get icy. If you're not driving, there's no public transportation directly to Hrunalaug, so you'd need to join a tour or take a taxi from Flúðir.
Key Information for Visitors
Understanding the practical details will help you plan a smooth visit to Hrunalaug. From entry fees to facilities, here's what you need to know before you go.
Prices
As of 2024, entrance fees are:
- Adults: 3,000 ISK (about $22 USD)
- Youth (11-15 years): 2,000 ISK
- Children 10 and under: Free
You can pay by card or cash when you arrive. There's no booking system - it's first-come, first-served. If the pools are full (which happens often during busy hours), you'll need to wait until someone leaves.
For private sessions, you can book:
- One hour outside regular hours: 60,000 ISK
- During opening hours before 14:00: 120,000 ISK
- During opening hours after 14:00: 180,000 ISK
- Additional 30 minutes: 30,000 ISK
Facilities & Features
The facilities at Hrunalaug are basic to keep its natural character:
- Three geothermal pools of different sizes and temperatures
- Two small wooden changing huts near the pools (no lockers)
- A service building with restrooms by the parking area
- No showers available
- Towels for rent
- Some refreshments (coffee, sodas, snacks) for purchase
Opening hours change with the seasons:
- Summer (May 1 - August 31): 9:00 - 23:00
- Fall/Spring (September 1 - October 31 and March 15 - April 30): 9:00 - 21:00
- Winter (November 1 - March 14): 10:00 - 20:00
Each visit has a 1-hour and 30-minute limit to let more people enjoy the pools, as they can only hold about 15 people total.
What's Provided vs What to Bring
Knowing what's available and what to pack helps prepare for a comfortable visit to this basic hot spring.
Provided at the site:
- Access to thermal pools
- Basic changing facilities
- Restrooms near the parking area
- Towels for rent
- Some refreshments for purchase
What to bring:
- Swimsuit (required)
- Towel (if you don't want to rent one)
- Water bottle
- Flip-flops or water shoes (for rocky/cold ground)
- Plastic bag for wet swimwear
- Cash (cards also accepted)
- Camera
- Warm clothes for after your soak, especially in cold months
Not allowed:
- Glass containers
- Drones
- Soaps or shampoos in the pools
Private Visits
For a more exclusive experience, Hrunalaug offers private sessions. These let you and your group enjoy the hot spring without other visitors. This is great for special occasions, photos, or just a more personal experience.
You need to arrange private bookings in advance by contacting info@hrunalaug.is. The minimum session is one hour, and prices change depending on timing:
- Outside regular hours: 60,000 ISK per hour
- During operating hours before 14:00: 120,000 ISK per hour
- During operating hours after 14:00: 180,000 ISK per hour
During your private session, the staff make sure no other guests enter the area, letting you fully enjoy the natural surroundings and warm waters in private.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Hrunalaug is open all year, with different experiences in each season:
- Summer (June-August): The busiest season, with long daylight hours letting you soak late into the evening under the Midnight Sun. The weather is mild, but more people visit. Come early in the morning (when it opens) or late evening (9-11 PM) for fewer people.
- Winter (November-March): Shorter days and colder air, but the hot spring stays warm. The mix of hot water and cold air creates a nice steam effect. Possible bonus: a winter evening soak might include views of the Northern Lights if the conditions are right. Fewer tourists visit in winter, giving you more chances for quiet.
- Spring & Fall: These in-between seasons offer a good balance - milder weather than winter but fewer crowds than summer. Spring has wildflowers, while fall has beautiful autumn colors in the surrounding area.
No matter the season, timing your visit matters:
- Early mornings (right when it opens) usually have the fewest visitors
- Late afternoons (17:00-19:00) tend to be busiest as day-trippers from the Golden Circle stop by
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Weather-wise, Hrunalaug works in most conditions. Clear days give great views, while misty or light rain creates a magical atmosphere as steam rises from the water. Heavy rain or strong wind might make it less comfortable, as there's little shelter. In rare cases of extreme drought, the pools can dry up; check the official website for updates before visiting.
Things to do & Places to visit Nearby
While Hrunalaug itself is worth the trip, the surrounding area has plenty of other attractions to fill a day or multi-day itinerary. Here are some nearby places that complement your visit to the hot spring.
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
Just minutes from Hrunalaug in Flúðir, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, built in 1891. Unlike Hrunalaug's basic setup, it has more facilities, including proper changing rooms, showers, and a café. The large, naturally heated pool stays around 38-40°C. Entrance costs about 3,500 ISK, making it a good alternative if Hrunalaug is too crowded.
Golden Circle Attractions
Hrunalaug's location makes it perfect for combining with the classic Golden Circle route:
- Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, just 32 km from Hrunalaug. This powerful two-tiered waterfall drops into a rugged canyon.
- Geysir Geothermal Area: About 30 km away, this geothermal field has Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting water up to 30 meters high.
- Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's also where the world's first parliament met.
Flúðir Village
The nearby village of Flúðir has several attractions:
- Minilik Ethiopian Restaurant: An unexpected find in rural Iceland, serving authentic Ethiopian food.
- Farmers Bistro: Located at a mushroom farm, specializing in dishes with locally grown mushrooms.
- Flúðir Swimming Pool: A public pool with hot tubs and water slides if you want more swimming options.
Friðheimar Greenhouse
About 15 km from Hrunalaug, in this tomato farm and restaurant, you can eat among tomato plants in a greenhouse. Their famous tomato soup lunch is a unique experience, served year-round regardless of Iceland's outside weather.
Kerið Crater
A striking volcanic crater lake with bright blue water surrounded by red volcanic rock. Located about 30 km southwest of Hrunalaug, it's worth stopping for photos and a short walk around the rim.
Hvammsvík Hot Springs
For those wanting to try another natural hot spring experience, Hvammsvík has seaside hot pools where you can soak with views of the ocean. It's more developed than Hrunalaug but still has a natural setting.
The Hrunalaug Experience: Worth the Visit?
Hrunalaug offers something that's becoming harder to find in Iceland: a genuine, low-key thermal bathing experience away from commercial development. The small, stone-lined pools with their different temperatures provide a good place to relax and connect with Iceland's geothermal heritage.