Hot Springs in Iceland: Spas, Rivers & Natural Pools

What types of hot spring can you visit in Iceland?

Hot springs in Iceland fall into four broad groups: managed geothermal spas, historic pools, natural hot rivers and streams, and geothermal areas that are for viewing only. Krauma, a spa in West Iceland near the boiling Deildartunguhver spring, has six baths, five warm and one cold. Krauma (source checked 2026-11-03) Operators set hours and prices, while natural sites have no staff, so facilities vary widely.

Iceland.org also has separate guides to Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur, Forest Lagoon near Akureyri, Krauma in Reykholt and Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir.

Two of the historic pools have documented dates. Secret Lagoon, known locally as Gamla Laugin, describes itself as the oldest swimming pool in Iceland and says it was made in 1891 at Hverahólmi, a geothermal area near Flúðir. Secret Lagoon (source checked 2026-11-03) Seljavallalaug was built in 1923 and has been a protected structure since 2006, according to Minjastofnun Íslands (the Cultural Heritage Agency), whose record gives no admission or water-quality information. Minjastofnun Íslands (source checked 2026-09-10)

Are Iceland’s natural hot springs safe to bathe in?

Iceland’s natural hot springs are safe to bathe in only at designated bathing places; unmarked springs, mud pots and steam vents can be boiling, and the ground around them can be fragile. At Gunnuhver on the Reykjanes peninsula, Visit Reykjanes reports that temperatures of more than 300 °C have been recorded and tells visitors to stick to the marked paths. Visit Reykjanes (source checked 2026-11-03)

“Hydrogen sulfide has a strong smell and irritates the lungs, eyes, mouth and nose.”

• Use designated bathing places, and never touch an unknown spring to test its temperature.
• Stay on marked paths in geothermal areas such as Gunnuhver and Deildartunguhver.
• Keep children close and follow any access restriction or closure sign.
• If you feel dizzy or nauseous near a geothermal area, move to fresh air.
• Check Safetravel for alerts before you set out for a remote spring.

What are the shower and bathing rules at Icelandic pools and spas?

Icelandic swimming pools and staffed geothermal spas expect a full wash before you enter the water. The City of Reykjavík tells pool guests they are “required to shower naked and wash thoroughly with soap” and to put on swimwear afterwards. City of Reykjavík (source checked 2026-11-03) Natural sites may have no showers, so bathe there without soap and keep their water clean.

What does admission include at Iceland’s hot spring spas?

Admission at Iceland’s hot spring spas differs by operator in price, age rules and changing facilities. Hvammsvík on Hvalfjörður lists a price range of 5,900 to 15,100 ISK by package and admits guests 10 or older, while Secret Lagoon near Flúðir lists 4,500 ISK for adults aged 15 and older. Hvammsvík (source checked 2026-11-03) Secret Lagoon (source checked 2026-09-10) Package names and inclusions change, so confirm on the operator’s booking page.

A lower ticket price can mean a different changing arrangement or an extra towel charge. Hvammsvík separates open showers in its Natural package from private showers in Classic; its minimum age is ten. Earth Lagoon Mývatn includes private showers in Essential and adds a towel and drink in Signature.

For families, Secret Lagoon charges for children aged fourteen and under and limits accompanying children per adult. For a small natural pool, Hrunalaug uses a 90-minute visit and admission without reservations, according to its operator’s page as checked 10 September 2026. Hrunalaug (source checked 2026-09-10) Check these terms before choosing solely from photographs. GeoSea’s prices are in the GeoSea guide.

Current details are linked and dated in each guide. These comparisons use Hvammsvík, Earth Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Hrunalaug operator information checked 10 September 2026; the Hvammsvík and Earth Lagoon prices and hours were re-read on the operators’ pages on 3 November 2026, and the Hrunalaug terms have not been re-checked since September.

Where can you bathe in a hot river near Reykjavík?

Reykjadalur, a geothermal valley near Hveragerði in South Iceland, has a warm river you can bathe in after a walk. Hveragerði’s hiking leaflet says it is a 3.5 km hike to the hot river on a marked trail. Visit Hveragerði leaflet (source checked 2026-09-10) Visit South Iceland adds: “The trail by Reykjadalur can be closed, so it’s good to check the conditions before going.” Visit South Iceland (source checked 2026-11-03)

Visit South Iceland describes the river as warm enough for bathing along part of its length, so the temperature depends on where you sit, and it points visitors to Safetravel.is to check whether the valley is open. The Reykjadalur guide covers the walk in more detail.

Which Icelandic hot springs are open in winter?

Managed hot springs in Iceland such as Secret Lagoon and Earth Lagoon Mývatn list daily opening hours in winter, while highland springs depend on seasonal roads. Secret Lagoon lists winter hours of 10:00 to 19:00 from October 1 to May 31, Secret Lagoon (source checked 2026-09-10) and Earth Lagoon Mývatn lists 12:00 to 22:00 daily. Earth Lagoon (source checked 2026-11-03) At Landmannalaugar, Parka’s 2026 rule requiring booked parking for self-drive arrivals ran from June 20 to September 13. Parka (source checked 2026-09-10)

The routes to Landmannalaugar and to Víti at Askja are highland F-roads; check Vegagerðin (road.is) for road status and Safetravel for alerts before planning either trip. Do not assume bathing in Víti is permitted. Vatnajökull National Park says the descent into Víti is slippery and that rock and mud slides may occur. Vatnajökull National Park (source checked 2026-09-10)

What is Deildartunguhver, and can you bathe in it?

Deildartunguhver in West Iceland is a hot spring for viewing, not bathing, because its water comes out at boiling point. Krauma, the spa beside it, says Deildartunguhver has the highest flow rate of any hot spring in Europe, pumping 180 liters of 100 °C (212 °F) water per second. Krauma (source checked 2026-11-03) Visitors who want to bathe can use the warm baths at Krauma, near the spring.

Krauma is near Deildartunguhver at Reykholt on road 50, 97 km (60 miles) from Reykjavík, according to the operator. Krauma (source checked 2026-11-03) The Deildartunguhver guide and the Krauma guide cover both stops.