Hot Springs in Iceland You Can Bathe In
Iceland has dozens of hot springs and geothermal baths warm enough to bathe in, in every region of the country. They range from free wild pools you hike to, to ticketed lagoons with showers and cafés. This guide lists the bathable springs and baths region by region — around thirty in all — with their type, cost and key tips. Five have full factsheets linked below, and every figure is checked against official sources and dated.
Featured Factsheets
We maintain detailed, frequently-updated factsheets for these springs: Reykjadalur, Hrunalaug, Seljavallalaug, Hvammsvík, Landbrotalaug. Each covers directions, current costs, water temperature, facilities and FAQs. The full regional directory below places these alongside every other bathable spring and geothermal bath in Iceland, so you can pick by location, budget and the kind of experience you want.
Natural Springs vs Developed Baths
Bathing spots in Iceland fall into two broad types. Natural hot springs are geothermal pools in wild or lightly-built settings, usually free or donation-based, with few or no facilities. Developed baths and lagoons are ticketed sites with changing rooms, showers and managed temperatures, from the famous Blue Lagoon to small regional spas. The directory marks each entry so you know what to expect before you go.
Hot Springs By Region
Reykjavík & Reykjanes (Southwest)
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lagoon | Developed | Paid (from ~9,990 ISK) | Famous milky-blue silica lagoon on the Reykjanes peninsula; pre-booking essential. |
| Sky Lagoon | Developed | Paid (from ~13,990 ISK) | Oceanfront infinity lagoon with a seven-step ritual, minutes from central Reykjavík. |
| Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach | Developed | Free / small winter fee | Man-made geothermal beach lagoon within Reykjavík. |
South & Golden Circle
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjadalur | Natural | Free | Hike-in hot river above Hveragerði; ≈36–40 °C. |
| Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) | Developed (historic) | Paid (~4,500 ISK) | One of Iceland's oldest pools, in Flúðir; water 38–40 °C. |
| Hrunalaug | Natural (managed) | Paid (~3,000 ISK) | Small stone pools near Flúðir; now ticketed. |
| Laugarás Lagoon | Developed | Paid (from ~6,900 ISK, Birki admission) | Iceland's newest Golden Circle spa (opened 2025); two-storey pools linked by a cascading waterfall, between Geysir and Gullfoss. |
| Laugarvatn Fontana | Developed | Paid (~7,490 ISK) | Lakeside baths with a geothermal bakery; expanded reopening June 2026. |
| Seljavallalaug | Natural (historic pool) | Free | 1923 mountain pool near Skógar; warm, not hot. |
West & Snæfellsnes
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hvammsvík Hot Springs | Developed (seaside) | Paid (from ~14,999 ISK) | Eight tidal pools by the sea in Hvalfjörður. |
| Krauma | Developed | Paid (~4,900 ISK) | Fed by Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, near Reykholt. |
| Landbrotalaug | Natural | Free | Tiny natural hot pot on eastern Snæfellsnes. |
| Guðrúnarlaug | Natural (rebuilt) | Free / donation | Saga-era pool in the Dalir valleys of West Iceland. |
| Lýsuhólslaug | Developed (mineral) | Paid (small) | Rare greenish mineral pool on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. |
Westfjords
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollurinn | Natural | Free / donation | Three mineral-rich pools above Tálknafjörður. |
| Hellulaug | Natural | Free | Roadside ≈38 °C pool by Vatnsfjörður near Flókalundur. |
| Reykjafjarðarlaug | Natural + pool | Free | A built pool plus a natural hot pot in Arnarfjörður. |
| Birkimelur | Pool + hot pot | Small fee | Geothermal pool and hot pot on Barðaströnd. |
| Drangsnes Hot Pots | Natural | Free / donation | Three seaside tubs in the Strandir region. |
| Krossneslaug | Pool (remote) | Paid (~1,000 ISK) | Pool beside the Arctic shore at the end of the Strandir road. |
| Hörgshlíðarlaug | Natural | Free | Tiny natural pool in Mjóifjörður, near Ísafjörður. |
North
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mývatn Nature Baths (Earth Lagoon / Jarðböðin) | Developed | Paid (from ~7,900 ISK) | Mývatn's blue lagoon; reopening summer 2026 after renovation. |
| GeoSea | Developed | Paid (~7,490 ISK) | Cliffside warm-seawater baths at Húsavík. |
| Forest Lagoon | Developed | Paid | Wooded lagoon across the fjord from Akureyri. |
| Grettislaug & Fosslaug | Natural | Free / small fee | Seaside stone pools at Reykir, Skagafjörður. |
| Bjórböðin Beer Baths | Developed (novelty) | Paid | Beer-themed spa at Árskógssandur near Akureyri. |
East
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vök Baths | Developed | Paid (~7,690 ISK) | Floating pools on Lake Urriðavatn near Egilsstaðir; water clean enough to drink. |
| Laugarfell | Natural (managed) | Small fee | Two warm pools in the eastern highlands near Snæfell. |
Highlands (summer only, 4WD)
| Spring / bath | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landmannalaugar | Natural | Free | Iconic warm stream in the Fjallabak reserve; ≈36–40 °C, summer-only. |
| Hveravellir | Natural | Free | Hot pool amid fumaroles on the Kjölur highland route. |
| Strútslaug | Natural | Free | Remote pool near Mælifell; long drive plus a ≈1.5-hour hike. |
Prices are indicative 2026 figures and change often, especially at commercial lagoons, so confirm current rates on each site's official page before visiting. Free wild springs may still charge for parking or request a donation for upkeep. We update the directory as sites open, close, renovate or change pricing, so check the date at the foot of this page.
One To Look At, Not Bathe In
Not every famous geothermal feature is for bathing. Grjótagjá, the lava cave near Mývatn, is a striking blue pool but is on private land, has unpredictable temperatures and is not open for swimming. Many other springs across Iceland are scalding hot or fragile, so only enter water at recognised bathing spots like those listed above, and never test an unmarked spring with your body.
Best Time Of Year To Visit
Lowland and developed baths are open year-round, while most highland springs are reachable only from late June to September. Summer brings long daylight and snow-free trails to wild pools; winter offers the magic of bathing among snow with a chance of northern lights, but icy paths and short days demand care. In deep winter, choose managed sites near the coast for the safest, simplest access.
Hot Spring Safety And Etiquette
Wild springs are unregulated, so test the water before entering and never bathe above a marked bathing area, where temperatures can scald. Stay on solid paths, as geothermal ground can collapse, and take care on slippery edges. Check the forecast at en.vedur.is and conditions at safetravel.is, and never bathe alone in remote spots in poor weather.
Respect local etiquette. At developed baths and public pools you must shower without a swimsuit before entering, for hygiene, since the water uses little chlorine. Keep noise down, leave phones away in changing areas, and remove jewellery, as sulphur can tarnish metal. At wild springs use no soaps or products in the water, keep groups small, and carry out everything you bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Hot Springs Can You Bathe In Across Iceland?
Iceland has dozens of bathable hot springs and geothermal baths spread across every region, from a handful of large commercial lagoons to many small wild pools. This guide lists around thirty of the most visited and accessible, organised by region. Countless smaller, unmarked pools also exist, but those below are the ones most travellers can realistically find and enjoy.
What Is The Difference Between A Hot Spring And A Geothermal Lagoon?
A natural hot spring is geothermal water rising from the ground into a wild or lightly-built pool, usually free and basic. A geothermal lagoon or bath is a developed, ticketed site with changing rooms, showers and managed temperatures, sometimes using natural water and sometimes water from boreholes. Both let you bathe; they differ in comfort, cost and how natural the setting feels.
Are Iceland’s Hot Springs Free?
Many wild springs are free or ask only for a donation, including most Westfjords and highland pools. Developed lagoons and managed natural sites charge admission, from around 3,000 ISK at small pools to over 14,000 ISK at premium lagoons. As visitor numbers rise, more once-free springs are introducing fees, so check before assuming any site is free.
Which Hot Springs Are Closest To Reykjavík?
The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are both within about 20–30 minutes of the capital, and Nauthólsvík geothermal beach is in the city itself. Reykjadalur lies about 45 minutes east and Hvammsvík roughly 45 minutes north in Hvalfjörður. These are the easiest options if you have limited time or are not driving far.
Can You Bathe In Highland Hot Springs Year-Round?
No. Highland springs such as Landmannalaugar, Hveravellir and Strútslaug are reachable mainly from late June to September, when the F-roads open, and require a 4WD vehicle and river crossings. Outside summer the routes close. Lowland and developed baths around the coast stay open year-round, making them the reliable choice for autumn, winter and spring visits.
Do You Have To Shower Before Entering?
At every developed lagoon and public pool you must shower without a swimsuit before entering, for hygiene, because the water uses little or no chlorine. Swimwear is then required in the water. Wild springs rarely have showers, but you should still arrive clean and use no soaps or products in natural pools to protect them.
Related Guides
Our linked factsheets give full detail on Reykjadalur, Hrunalaug, Seljavallalaug, Hvammsvík and Landbrotalaug, and we are steadily adding more from this directory. For how we research, verify and date every figure on this site, see our editorial & fact-checking policy. Always check the date on a page before you travel, as access and prices change.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against official and primary sources, including SafeTravel Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office, regional tourism boards, and the official sites of the developed baths. Prices and opening details change frequently; confirm current information on each site's official page before visiting.
Last updated: 2026-06-23 · Reviewed against official sources.