Hot Springs!
They looked so good in the images that I was scared they wouldn’t be as good in person and would disappoint me. The contrary, however, was true. Those abundant ponds and rivers, whether man-made or natural, far exceeded my wildest dreams.
I’ve never had a better feeling in Iceland than when you climb into the warm water in the open air someplace in the middle of lonesome nature during a dreadful winter and your legs bite gently since they were in the snow not long before. I believe it will retain its allure in the summer, as well, because the summer in Iceland is not without its charms, but it would be a shame not to introduce you to it.
Before I tell you which hot springs are worth, I will briefly answer a few questions you are writing to me:
1. How warm are they? Most are around 35-40 ° C, so they are wonderfully warm.
2. How does it work with changing clothes? Especially when it’s minus ten outside, snow and wind? Well, before you enter, you have to undress quickly and think that you will be inside in a moment and that you will be fine. Inside, warm up enough to keep the warmth inside even when dressing. When climbing out of the pool, when it freezes outside, I have a tip – I stand in the pool and first dry and put on the top, including the sweater, then I climb out, step on my jacket (: D) and quickly dry the bottom. You won’t be cold for even a minus ten!
3. When is the best time to swim? Of course it’s a great evening at sunset. But the least people will be there in the morning or morning. If you are going to Iceland in the summer, I would definitely go to the hot springs sometime at night when there is light.
4. Is it safe? Well, there are cases where tourists got burned in some springs because the water was too boiling. But Icelanders are careful and in places where the water is not controlled, they will alert you with large signs to places where it is not appropriate to swim. In this article you will find only those that I recommend for swimming.
Strútslaug
Strútslaug is a bit of a pearl, because you can’t get here by a normal car. You will have to drive part of the track from Reykjavík through the wilderness, without a terrain you should definitely not come here.
But you will have an absolutely wonderful experience, you just won’t come across tourists here. You can find this geothermal river with hot sweat here.
Hrunalaug
Hrunalaug big enough to fit in several “groups.” It is divided into two parts – one is smaller (max for 5 people, if you really like each other), connected to a small house and gives you a beautiful view of nature, the other is a little hidden among the stones and is large enough for 10 people. Some other natural pools are a bit impractical in that they are only needed for two people, and if you are happy to stay in them and you find two frozen tourists who have been looking for it for some time and want to swim, you are uncomfortable and do not want them. keep waiting. Or you can be on the other side of the barricade and come frozen to the pool you and find it occupied.
Right next to the spring is the house that serves as a cloakroom. You will appreciate it especially in winter, when it snows or blows and there are minus ten outside. Hot water flows through the house, so it’s quite warm there. By that I mean zero.
There is a fourth bonus for the greatest gourmets. Very close to Hrunalaug is the Vinbudin store, where, for example, we bought a bottle of Prosecco and drank in the pool.
How to get to it? Enter the above-mentioned location in the navigation and drive to a smaller car park to such a hill. From that parking to the pool it is about a minute or two. You have to cross a small river and climb another hill until you see that little closet.
It will always be a good sign if the car park is empty. The good thing about the winter is that there are snow tracks, so we found it quite well. In the summer, I would recommend following the most zoomed-in Google Maps, because you will see the river on which you can orient yourself.
Landbrotalaug
This little beautiful kid is my next fave. Landbrotalaug is lovely since it is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and surrounded by wildlife. It is very convenient to Reykjavik and the major road.
How do you get there?
You can find its exact location on the map here. Just don’t be fooled. On the way to Landbrotalaugu you will come across a larger lake, where a part of the stones will be separated and boiling water will flow into it. It’s not him! This one is too boiling and quite dirty. You have to go a little further.
Its disadvantage is that it is quite small. We bathed in it comfortably in four, but there would be no more. And that’s where our famous video comes from!
Laugar
This one completely got me. It is very easily accessible from the road because it is not close to the Edda Laugar Saelingsdal. God’s thing about him is that he is almost never written about and is not that far from Reykjavik.
Hörgshlíðarlaug
Pearl of the north
You will find this beautiful pool right next to the previous one, ie also in the West Fjords. But there is a small snag in this, which is that you must first ask the owners of the farm to swim. They will tell you that, of course, but be careful that it is hot enough. But judge for yourself.
Secret Lagoon
For those who prefer it, Secret Lagoon is a little more relaxing. The Secret Lagoon is exclusively open to those who pay a fee to enter. It provides a welcoming environment in the form of standard heated locker rooms with showers, as well as the option to rent towels on site.
The precise location on the map can be seen here. After you tap the image, the map will show. Make a point of stopping here if you’re visiting the Golden Circle.
It wasn’t bad, but it lacked the romance of a natural hot pot found in the middle of nowhere. Secret Lagoon, on the other hand, is a good alternative for individuals who do not want to spend the money on Blue Lagoon or who have children.
Heydalur
In the winter, you might even see the aurora borealis if you’re lucky. Heydalur is a stunning addition to northwest Iceland’s natural splendor. The first hot pot is located adjacent to the Heydalur Hotel, while the second is over the river. Horses graze all around you, and you’ll feel as if you’ve arrived at the end of the earth.
Nautholsvik
Nautholfsvik is located in the heart of Reykjavik. At the only light-sandy beach on the island. Please bring the sand over here. In the summer, it resembles a coastal resort, with visitors flocking to the sauna, hot tubs, and swimming in the ocean. This, however, is only for the brave.
However, we have a hidden tip: when you get further into the sea, it becomes considerably warmer since it simply emits hot springs into the ocean.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Is it similar to Blue Lagoon? Yeah! From Reykjavik, this one has gotten a touch out of hand. If you’re around Akureyri in the north of the island, however, be sure to jump there!
With GPS, you can get there quickly, and there is usually a parking lot and a covered changing room. Mývatn is located here on the map.
Reykjadalur River
At the very least in the winter! To get to this river, you’ll have to climb. And it will take at least half an hour from the farthest point accessible by car. It’s a difficult hike in the winter since the river slides a lot, and you have to find a warm spot in the river.
This lovely area of Iceland will undoubtedly be friendlier in the summer.
Seljavallalaug
This pool is probably the most beautiful on the whole island. In winter, however, it is not very practical in that the water is not so warm and does not get too hot in it. But it’s not icy, so it can be great in summer!
It’s also not the cleanest, but we can’t want all that.
How do you get to it?
In winter, it’s not funny at all, because it’s still about a 15-minute walk from the parking lot, and you have to cross a few streams, which sometimes didn’t work out on a total glacier. Anyway, it will be completely cool in the summer and the road there between the mountains is beautiful!
Krosslaug
Another friendly little pool – Krosslaug. Its advantage is that it is a lot tucked away from the main road and you rarely find anyone in it. He is not well-known at all and no one writes much about him.
Right next door you will find Englandshverir, much larger but less cozy.
You can reach them on Route 52 (not a good idea in a blizzard in the winter) and they are here.
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is very stunning, and you’ll be in Reykjavik in no time. However, it has lost its allure as a tourist destination. I would recommend traveling to the Secret Lagoon or some natural setting for the money.
If you’re still thinking about going, keep in mind that it’s usually sold out a few weeks ahead of time. Keep an eye on your tickets well in advance!
