Lagoons in Iceland are spectacular, adding to the drama of this rich and wild country that also features volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and fjords. From the most famous—think the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula and Mývatn Nature Baths in the north—to the more secluded, lesser-known baths, lagoons are a must-visit on your trip to Iceland.
They’re among the best in the world, with many of them heated by geothermal power. Pack your bathing suit to unwind after an active day of hiking, kayaking, and experiencing all that this wondrous country has to offer at any of Iceland’s best lagoons.
Reykjafjardarlaug Geothermal Pool
Reykjafjardarlaug Geothermal Pool
If you’re visiting the Westfjords, seek out the lesser-known Reykjafjardarlaug hot springs for its natural and artificial geothermal pools, chiseled into the rugged coastline on the Arnarfjörður fjord.
Located around a 90-minute drive south of Ísafjörður, this pared-back facility includes a 90-113°F pool, with gorgeous fjord views. Tag on a visit to the spectacular Dynjandi waterfall, which lies roughly midway between Ísafjörður and Reykjafjardarlaug.
With no other facilities here, if you’re looking for a remote bathing destination, this is the one for you. Pack a bathing suit, a towel, and water, and leave no trace that you were even here.
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
Around a 75-minute drive east of Reykjavik, Laugarvatn Fontana is one of the best Iceland lagoons, perfectly located on Iceland’s Golden Circle route, incorporating Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir geothermal area.
Once you’ve seen some of Iceland’s most beautiful places, head to Laugarvatn, facing Lake Laugarvatn. Built in 1929, Laugarvatn Fontana is home to three steam rooms heated to 104°F-122°F and a Finnish-style sauna heated to 176-194°F.
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
There are two connected, mineral-rich outdoor pools and a hot tub facing the lake, with each pool varying in depth and temperature. After soaking in the deliciously warm water, dine on homemade soup and rye bread that’s baked onsite at Laugarvatn Fontana’s Geothermal Bakery.
GeoSea
GeoSea
Perched on Skjálfandi Bay on the edge of Húsavík, next to the bright yellow Húsavíkurviti Lighthouse, GeoSea is among the best lagoons for its endless ocean views. Gaze out to sea and you might spot some of the local wildlife, including orcas and humpback whales, which are often seen in the bay.
GeoSea’s three seawater infinity pools are heated to 100-102°F, with a swim-up bar in the middle pool and a sauna by the water. As with most lagoons in Iceland, bathers are required to shower before entering the pool.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
Of all of Iceland’s lagoons, Blue Lagoon is the most famous. Lying among the moss-covered lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, this blissful lagoon features a large luminous, blue pool that’s heated to 98-104°F, with an in-water bar, a sauna, and a steam room.
The mineral-rich water contains healing and nourishing silica and algae, which visitors can lather onto their face and body from the Mask Bar in the lagoon. Facilities at Blue Lagoon are excellent, including The Retreat Spa for relaxing treatments, a café, and two restaurants.
It’s essential to pre-book tickets to visit the Blue Lagoon—the earlier the better as it is the most popular attraction in Iceland. There’s a shuttle from Reykjavik that takes around 50 minutes and can also be booked ahead of your visit.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Mývatn Nature Baths
The otherworldly Mývatn Nature Baths is an effortless drive east from Akureyri in the north of Iceland, close to some of the country’s most famous landmarks, including Dimmuborgir lava field and Lake Mývatn.
Mývatn Nature Baths is centered on a sprawling lagoon, heated to 97-104°F, with the mineral-rich water containing sulfur, which is considered good for respiratory and skin ailments. Two steam baths are heated to 122°F and there is a separate hot tub and a pool for young children.
Mývatn Nature Baths
A swim-up bar serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the lagoon-facing café serves delicious local cuisine, such as traditional geyser bread with smoked Arctic char.
Vök Baths
What makes Vök Baths on the bank of Lake Urriðavatn one of the best lagoons in Iceland? Its position, near Seyðisfjörður on the country’s east coast, is calming and remote, with the heated baths built into the landscape. Not only that, but the geothermal water used at Vök comes from boreholes located only a few hundred meters from the baths. It’s the only geothermal water certified for drinking in Iceland.
Facilities include two heated pools—one 102-104°F and the other 41-104°F—seemingly floating on the lake, and a third pool on the shore, heated to 98°F. A sauna, a cold mist tunnel, and an in-water bar serving beers, wine, ice slushies, and soft drinks are among Vök’s facilities.
Forest Lagoon
Forest Lagoon
This knockout Iceland lagoon is a few minutes’ drive from the capital of the north, Akureyri. Lying right on the Eyjafjordur fjord, the timber-clad building seamlessly blends into the forest that surrounds it.
There are three geothermal pools to relax in—heated to 99-102°F, 102-106°F, and a cooler 54°F pool—plus a dry sauna. Towels, robes, and swimwear are not included, but can be rented.
There are swim-up bars, a restaurant, and a handy free shuttle bus from Akureyri, which departs hourly, on the hour, from Hof, Akureyri’s cultural center, during summer.
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Lagoons in Iceland don’t get much better than the ethereal waters of Sky Lagoon. Close to downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon features a jaw-dropping infinity-edge pool heated to 100-104°F with a dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Embark on Sky Lagoon’s Skjól Ritual, which sees guests follow a seven-step routine. First, bathe in the soothing lagoon, followed by the 41°F cold plunge pool, then into the ocean-view sauna. The fourth step involves the cooling mist of the Súld, which translates as drizzle, followed by exfoliating with Sky Lagoon’s almond and sesame seed oil body scrub, before stepping into the steam room. The final step is to sip on crowberry juice, a foraged fruit grown among Iceland’s lava fields.
There’s a café, two bars, and changing facilities. Sky Lagoon’s Saman package includes shower cubicles and a shared changing area, and the Sér package offers private showers and private changing areas, with towels provided for all guests.
Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Roughly a one-hour drive north of Reykjavik will lead you to Hvammsvik Hot Springs. Cradled on the Hvalfjordur, on Iceland’s west coast, Hvammsvík Hot Springs is home to eight natural hot springs, each varying in size and temperature.
Bathe in the geothermally heated water, which is fused with seawater, flowing from around 4,600 feet underground. Hiking within the 1200-acre Hvammsvik estate, paddleboarding, and sea swimming are also popular activities.
After soaking, swimming, and exploring this glorious swathe of southwest Iceland, treat yourself to lunch at Hvammsvik’s Stormur Bistro, where warming seafood soup is served with delicious sourdough bread.
Laugarás Lagoon
Iceland’s newest lagoon is Laugarás, located a short drive from the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir Geothermal Area, on the country’s Golden Circle route, on the banks of the Hvíta River.
Laugarás takes the crown of the best lagoon in Iceland for its fairytale-like setting and excellent facilities, including its two-story lagoon, a cascading waterfall, two secluded saunas, and a cold plunge pool.
Enjoy a drink from one of the two swim-up bars as you relax in the balmy lagoon, heated to 100-104°F. There are three admission tickets available for purchase. A Standard ticket includes unlimited access to the wellness area, a personal locker, and changing facilities.
The Premium package also includes a towel, and one drink at the swim-up bar, while the Deluxe package also includes a two-course meal at Laugarás’s stylish restaurant, Ylja.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is an easy-to-reach lagoon on a golden, sandy beach, right beside Reykjavík’s domestic airport. Warm water is pumped into a hot tub, heated to around 101°F, with a separate long, narrow wading pool heated to 100°F.
The marine lagoon is cooler, heated to around 59-66°F during summer, when you can also swim in the sheltered cove before enjoying the warmth of the geothermal water. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, and a steam room, with ice cream and soft drinks available to purchase.
Swimwear, towels, and robes can be rented during your visit to the Icelandic beach and there’s a seaview bistro serving light dishes and sandwiches.
Tips for Visiting Iceland’s Lagoons
Blue Lagoon
It’s worth pre-booking a visit to lagoons in Iceland. Particularly during busier periods, such as summertime, for example, Iceland’s lagoons can get very busy.
Items to pack when visiting include a bathing suit, a towel, and a hairband or swimming cap for longer hair. Some lagoons provide towels, but double-check this ahead of your visit.
The more developed lagoons, such as Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon have shops where you can buy swimwear and skincare products.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Remove jewelry before entering lagoons in Iceland—especially those high in minerals, such as silica, which can damage silver.
If you plan to take your camera or phone into the water, carry a water-resistant case to store it in. Remember to wear water-resistant sunscreen while in the water, too.
Read: Iceland Travel Tips
FAQs
How many blue lagoons are there in Iceland?
Mývatn Nature Baths
There is only one Blue Lagoon in Iceland. In recent years, however, many more geothermal spas and pools have sprung up across Iceland.
Because of Iceland’s volcanic makeup, with geothermal power harnessed to heat water, there are hundreds of hot springs in Iceland. Some are more rustic and undeveloped hot springs, perched on the edge of lakes and fjords and surrounded by nature.
Around 120 have been developed into public geothermal swimming pools, with most major towns having one. Others, such as Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, have been developed into geothermal spas, with relaxing pools, a spa, and wellness facilities.
Why should you not dip your hair in the Blue Lagoon?
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon’s water is rich in silica, the mineral that gives the water its milk-blue glow and, while it’s great for skin, it clings to hair and leaves it feeling straw-like, which can last for several days—even after washing. It’s best to keep your hair out of the water by tying it up, keeping your head above the water, or wearing a swimming cap.
Can you go underwater in the Blue Lagoon?
Blue Lagoon
Technically, yes, but Blue Lagoon is not really designed for swimming and you will want to keep your head above the water to keep your hair out of it. The water can also irritate your eyes and for this reason, you should also keep your head above the water as much as possible.
Which is nicer, Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon?
Blue Lagoon
This all depends on personal preferences. Pick the Blue Lagoon if you’d like to experience the more iconic setting, with the pool carved into rugged lava fields. Choose Sky Lagoon if you’d prefer the oceanfront setting.
Choose Blue Lagoon if you’re traveling with children, with the Blue Lagoon allowing children aged two and older. Pick Sky Lagoon if you prefer a more child-free environment—though Sky Lagoon allows children aged 12 and older. Sky Lagoon is typically less crowded than Blue Lagoon, too, though they are both popular.
Iceland
Iceland is a truly remarkable destination with wonderful museums, restaurants, and outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and bathing in serene lagoons. Search Celebrity’s cruises to Iceland and book your next unforgettable vacation today.
