Hot springs and geothermal pools in Iceland
Everything you need to know about geothermal pools and hot springs in Iceland.
Words of wisdom from a poetic Icelander: "Iceland's sunshine doesn’t come from the sky, it comes from the water."
For centuries, the mineral-rich geothermal water found in abundance on this volcanic island has done much to make winters not just bearable, but pleasurable. In fact, soaking in pools of hot water has been known to Icelanders since Viking times.
This side of Icelandic life hasn't been lost on visitors, who are more than happy to join the locals in the subculture of soaking and swimming. They relax and unwind in warm water all over the country. Soak spots are found in fantastically varied places, from small natural hot springs in remote fields to large, well-maintained swimming pools in Reykjavík and in virtually every town and village in Iceland. New to the scene are a growing number of deluxe lagoons and spa experiences, tapping into local nature to offer tourists a bathing experience to remember (amid lava fields, by a lakeshore or fjord-edge, atop a cliff with a sea view, etc).
Scroll down to find out more about pools and natural lagoons in Iceland, including a map of the best hot springs to visit.
On this page:
- What are hot springs and how are they formed?
- Why does Iceland have natural hot springs?
- The best hot springs and geothermal pools in Iceland
- Why are geothermal pools so popular in Icelandic culture?
- Geothermal pools are an Icelandic tradition
- More than swimming
- The social benefits of Iceland's hot pools
- Geothermal pools are synonymous with Icelandic culture
- Hear stories from local swimmers
- The geothermal tourist trail
- What to expect at geothermal pools in Iceland
- Swimming pool rules in Iceland
- FAQs about Iceland's geothermal pools