Looking for the best hot springs in Iceland? You have come to the right place and we have got you covered! Visiting one of the hot springs in Iceland is a totally memorable and magical experience that you won’t forget. Iceland is home to a variety of hot springs, from hot pools found on the middle of the road to famous spas built around stunningly blue hot water.
When visiting hot springs in Iceland, you need to be sure you are visiting safe bodies of water, especially when stopping along the side of the road. Some hot pools in Iceland are so hot you will be scalded instantly, which is why having a handy list of the best hot springs in Iceland will help you to safely enjoy your dip! No matter if you are taking an Iceland road trip, driving the whole Ring Road, or only spending a few days in Iceland, there will be a hot spring that is nearby and readily accessible for you to explore!
There are three different types of hot springs in Iceland. The first is man-made where people built a pool or hot tub around the hot area. The second type of hot spring in Iceland are the natural hot springs such as hot rivers that you can swim in.
The third type of hot spring in Iceland are the kind that you cannot swim in because they are so hot such as the Geyser found on the Golden Circle. This last type will not be recommended in this article as you will not be able to swim in them, but the first two types are hot springs in Iceland you must visit!
If you are driving in Iceland, you are going to want to make some of these amazing hot springs one of your stops around the Ring Road!
Map Of Hot Springs In Iceland
To make life easier for you, we created this handy map of hot springs in Iceland! This will allow you to simply open the map and have the exact GPS locations on Google maps.
We have also provided each Google Maps location under the individual hot spring so that you can easily find them that way as well! This hot springs Iceland map will give you a visual overview of where they are located around the country. Feel free to save this link and refer back to it when planning which hot springs in Iceland you want to visit!
Link To Hot Springs In Iceland Map
How To Respect Hot Springs In Iceland
We are sad to announce that many hot springs in Iceland are closing down and it is because of disrespectful tourists, plain and simple.
Icelandic hot springs see toilet paper, actual human feces, rotting wet clothes, trash and more scattered around. Many hot springs are located on private land so instead of dealing with tourists, independent landowners decide to simply close down the bathing pool for good.
This takes away an Icelandic hot spring from locals who have been going for decades.
When visiting these geothermal pools, always remember to leave no trace. This means that you don’t leave a single thing behind. You pack out what you take in and you never leave anything, even feces.
If you must go to the bathroom, now is the time to leave one of the hot springs in Iceland in search of a bathroom.
If you “go” outdoors, make a 1-foot deep hole and then cover up your poop and bury it. TAKE YOUR TOILET PAPER WITH YOU in a plastic baggie. These are basic tips for camping and pooping outdoors and since so many people do it disrespectfully near hot springs in Iceland, we thought it begged to be mentioned.
Finally, if the hot spring is on private property, make sure to ask the landowner if you can visit it before you trespass. If we all come together to be kind and respectful to the local hot springs in Iceland, they will be open for years to come!
10 Best Geothermal Hot Springs In Iceland
#1. The Blue Lagoon Is The Most Famous Hot Springs In Iceland
If you have heard about Iceland, chances are you have heard about the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is the most well-known and popular of all of the hot springs in Iceland and it is easy to see why. We originally did not go to the Blue Lagoon on our first trip to Iceland because we were told that it was touristy and that we should skip it in lieu of visiting other hot springs in Iceland.
When we finally went to the Blue Lagoon on future trips to Iceland, we learned what all the hype was about and 100% recommend that you budget some money to visit the famous Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is located less than 20 minutes away from the Keflavik Airport making it a popular stop for people who are coming in or leaving Iceland. The water is a milky white and the pool was formed as the result of a nearby chemical plant.
Make sure to check out our itineraries for 3 days in Iceland, 4 days in Iceland, and 5 days in Iceland as well as our suggestions on Where To Stay In Iceland!
Price: The price for visiting the Blue Lagoon varies based on which package you choose. We have gone on the cheapest package and have had no issues. Just make sure to read the fine print and make a reservation!
Directions: From the main highway that connects Keflavík and Reykjavík,
turn at the sign marked “Blue Lagoon” and drive approx. 10 km/6,5 miles. It takes 20 min from Keflavík Airport to Blue Lagoon and 50 min from Reykjavík to Blue Lagoon. You can easily type “The Blue Lagoon” in your GPS to get driving directions. See Google Maps Location Here!
#2. Geosea Sea Baths
When we visited Goesea Sea Baths, it had been open for less than two weeks! This is one of the best hot springs in Iceland if you are looking for something a bit fancier with an epic view!
Geosea Hot Springs is located in Husavik in North Iceland and is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. In case you didn’t know, Husavik is a very popular place in Iceland for whale watching, and we even saw whales while relaxing in the Geosea pools! So keep your eye out during your swim and you may spot a whale swimming below.
Geosea Seabaths also offer light food and a bar you can access from inside the hot spring! These hot springs in Iceland are laid out with multiple infinity pools and raised pools overlooking the ocean. They even have a small shallow pool for babies and young children. It is truly one of the best things to do in North Iceland!
This Icelandic hot spring looked like a bunker from the outside, but when you arrived inside, it is a modern architectural wonder! The changing rooms are pristine and very fancy and the view of the fjords, mountains, and possibly whales really can’t be beaten!
Geosea makes the list of the best hot springs in Iceland because it is very new, offers incredible views, is clean and stunning, and provides something different and unique to the Iceland hot springs scene!
Price: The price of entry into these hot springs in Iceland is 4700 ISK which translates to about $37 per person for adults visiting the geothermal baths.
Location: Vitaslóð 1 640 Húsavík Iceland is the exact address to visit Geosea hot springs in Iceland. The Icelandic hot springs is located right outside of the town of Husavik in North Iceland and is very easy to find. See Google Maps Location Here!
#3. Seljavallalaug Hot Springs
Seljavallalaug Hot Springs is one of the more dreamy hot springs in Iceland due to its location. Seljavallalaug Hot Springs is tucked away in the mountains of south Iceland and you must hike there to visit! Don’t worry, the Seljavallalaug Hot Springs hike makes our list for the best easy hikes in Iceland so it is nothing strenuous. This pool is also the oldest man-made swimming pool in Iceland and but tourists have since trashed a beautiful location.
This hot pool in Iceland were not at all what we expected when we visited. Other than the incredible views, the water was warm at best [and we were chilly!], there are gobs of gross algae and gunk floating around, and the changing rooms are worse than you can imagine. That being said, this is still one of the best hot springs in Iceland if you know what to expect. Understand that the water is not hot by any means so it is more of a heated swimming pool than a hot tub.
From the parking lot, the walk to this mountain swimming pool is 20 minutes long across flat but rocky ground. The hike is easy but understands you will have to cross a few small rivers so take that into account when choosing what shoes you should wear to visit this Icelandic hot springs.
Make sure to bring your own towel and a bathing suit as this is literally a hole in the ground with a small [crappy] changing facility and not a fancy swimming pool with staff to attend to you. Seljavallalaug Hot Springs is open all year round and the hot spring is accessible during the winter but very chilly as the water temperature cools down.
Price: Free! All you have to do is drive to the parking lot and walk for 15-20 minutes!
Directions: This hot springs in Iceland is a little under 2 hours away from Reykjavik on the Ring Road heading south. Put “Þjóðvegur, Iceland” or in your GPS or Google Maps and “Seljavallalaug” in Apple maps to get you going in the right direction. If you make it to Skogafoss Waterfall, you have gone too far and need to turn back or ask a local the right directions. See Google Maps Location Here
#4. Reykjadalur Hot Springs
If you are looking to get into some real Icelandic nature, Reykjadalur Hot Springs is the perfect hot springs in Iceland for you!
Unlike other hot springs or hot pools in Iceland that look like, well, a pool, Reykjadalur Hot Springs are literally just little rivers in the ground!
Reykjadalur Hot Springs, also known as the Reykjadalur Steam Valley, is a magical slice of Iceland because you can literally jump into a river off the side of the road and relax in the hot stream! There is also a 30-60 minute hike to get to this hot river in Iceland, so make sure to budget that time in your schedule when visiting!
Unlike other Icelandic hot springs, Reykjadalur Steam Valley is composed of little streams to sit in instead of pools. This adds to its allure and makes it a magical addition to your Iceland itinerary.
This is also one of the coolest hot springs in Iceland for photography, especially if you are visiting Iceland in winter! The hot streams surrounded by snow is such a cool thing to see! There is even a nearby geyser that erupts every 10 minutes so be sure to check it out when visiting this unique hot river in Iceland!
Price: Free! All you have to do is drive and walk to these magical hot springs in Iceland.
Directions: Head south from Reykjavik towards the town of Vik on the Ring Road/Highway 1. Continue to drive until you reach the town of Hveragerði and follow the signs to “Reykjadalur”. Drive through the town and continue up through the hills to the parking lot. See Google Maps Directions Here
#5. Krossneslaug Hot Springs
Krossneslaug is one of the hot springs in Iceland that is located in the far-flung Westfjords. Not many people visit the Westfjords as they are quite a drive from Reykjavik and off-the-beaten-path.
If you decide to visit the Westfjords, you are in for a real treat and memorable views and wonderful Icelandic hot springs. The Westfjords is home to a variety of hot springs and swimming pools so you have options depending on where you are going and what time of year you are visiting.
The Krossneslaug Hot Springs are located on the north-eastern side of the Westfjords and are home to a hot swimming pool and a nearby even hotter tub.
Krossneslaug is one of the man-made hot springs but that doesn’t make the experience any less enjoyable or relaxing. Krossneslaug Hot Springs also offers stunning views of the eastern Westfjords and nearby mountains and is a wonderful place to watch a sunset! This Icelandic hot spring is a hot swimming pool with a million dollar view and you won’t want to miss it!
Price: The price to enter is $5 USD [500ISK] and is on the honor system. Pay by placing money in the bucket at the entrance. The money helps with the upkeep of the shower and changing facilities.
Directions: Krossneslaug Hot Springs is located at the end of road number 643 in the Westfjords on the north-east coast. You can easily plug the name into your GPS or smartphone to get taken straight to this location. See Google Maps Location Here
#6. Landbrotalaug
Landbrotalaug is one of the hot springs in Iceland that does not have any Google Maps directions in order to get to it! You either have to follow local directions or something you found on the web, or put in the location coordinates, which we will provide for you below! Landbrotalaug Hot Springs is a hot pool located on the side of the road in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
This Icelandic hot springs is a small hole in the ground and only fits four people! There is a water pump and another larger pool nearby, but the smaller hot pot is a unique and hidden gem on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The Landbrotalaug hot pot is located on an abandoned farm which makes it even more unique and alluring! If you can make time to visit, this far-flung geothermal pool in Iceland will not disappoint!
Price: Free!
Directions: The GPS coordinates to get to this secret hot spring in Iceland are as follows N64°49.933 W22°19.110. Also, check out this blog post written by another traveler to Iceland which lays out how to get to Landbrotalaug Hot Pot in great detail and includes lots of photographic tips. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is located about 2 hours drive west from Reykjavik.
#7. Mývatn Nature Baths
Quick! We have gone 6 hot springs in Iceland without recommending a blue one! Did you know that Iceland has not one but two blue lagoon hot springs?
Mývatn Nature Baths are located in north Iceland and are home to water just as blue and milky as the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik! Mývatn Nature Baths are less expensive and less crowded making them a more magical option for photographers.
The reason that Mývatn Nature Baths are one of the less popular Iceland hot springs when compared to the Blue Lagoon is simply due to their location. Mývatn Nature Baths are located in the high north of Iceland which means they are much less accessible than a hot spring that is just 15 minutes away from the international airport.
This does not mean that Mývatn Nature Baths are any less of a unique experience than the Blue Lagoon! We highly recommend paying a visit.
Price: Entry price to the Mývatn Nature Baths is about $35 USD or 3500ISK. Although this is a bit more expensive than the natural Iceland hot springs, it is much more affordable than the Blue Lagoon!
Directions: Mývatn Nature Baths are located 6 hours away from Reykjavik in the North of Iceland. They are quite easy to find by simply putting the name in your GPS. There are no hikes or anything special to get to these hot springs in Iceland. See Google Maps Directions Here
#8. Hrunalaug Hot Springs
Hrunalaug Hot Springs is such a unique spot that you need to visit when planning your trip to see hot springs in Iceland! Hrunalaug Hot Springs is tucked away in the mountains of south Iceland and offers a small and intimate atmosphere. This geothermal pool is home to a small changing hut and a bathing pool that looks like a bathtub perched on the edge of a cliff.
Hrunalaug Hot Springs can hold up to 15 people and is not as popular as other Iceland hot springs. You may have the whole place to yourself and if you don’t, you just have to wait a little while for other bathers to finish and move on.
These hot springs in Iceland are more popular with locals than tourists and locals will visit during the weekend to have a soak and take in the beautiful Icelandic views. It is located near the Golden Circle and is one of the best hot springs near Reykjavik!
Price: There is a donations/honor bucket where you pay at the entrance to help support this little hot spring in Iceland.
Directions: Head toward the town of Flúðir, take Hrunavegur and then turn right on Kaldbaksvegur. Turn right on Sólheimar and drive until you reach the parking lot for the Hrunalaug Hot Springs. See Google Maps Directions Here
#9. The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is officially known as the oldest pool in Iceland. It is located near the Golden Circle drive so it is a great hot spring in Iceland to visit while completing this circuit. People started to visit these secret hot springs in Iceland in 1891 and then it was lost for over 60 years! The pool was forgotten about until 2006 when it was rediscovered which is why it is now called Iceland’s Secret Lagoon.
Nearby the Secret Lagoon is a Geyser that erupts every few minutes and stunning views. This swimming pool in Iceland is located near Hrunalaug Hot Springs listed above so you can easily visit both with one stop! Make sure to have the appropriate hot spring plugged into your GPS so you don’t get lost when finding either of these hot springs as they are nearby. The Secret Lagoon has wonderful changing facilities that are clean and well-kept.
Like Hrunalaug, this is one of the best hot springs near Reykjavik that are beautiful to visit but not the famous Blue Lagoon!
Price: The Secret Lagoon costs $25 or 2800ISK which, in our opinion, is quite costly for what is offered but may people love visiting these Icelandic hot springs.
Directions: Head to the town of Flúðir and plug “The Secret Lagoon Hot Spring” in your GPS. It is very easy to find this hot spring and facilities are easily accessible. See Google Maps Location Here
#10. Grettislaug
Located along a fjord in the far reaches of north Iceland, this hot springs in Iceland has impressive views and rejuvenating waters.
Grettislaug Hot Springs and the nearby Jarlslaug Hot Springs are located across from one another with majestic views of the mountains, ocean, and nearby islands. Although they are located quite far, they are worth the drive if you are completing the Ring Road or visiting North Iceland.
Grettislaug is a hot pool in Iceland surrounded by rocks making it into a natural hot tub. There is a nearby changing facility and an outdoor shower for those who want to wash off before and after exploring these beautiful remote hot springs in northern Iceland. Note that these Icelandic hot springs are located on private property so treat the property with kindness and respect as you are guests.
Price: There is a small entrance fee to help the landowners sustain these lovely geothermal pools in Iceland.
Directions: Grettislaug Hot Springs is located in the far north-west of Iceland and can easily be found by plugging the name into your GPS. See Google Maps Location Here
Best Time Of Year To Visit Hot Springs In Iceland
The best time of year for visiting hot springs in Iceland really depends on what you want to do! If you want to bathe under the midnight sun, then summer is the time for you! Looking to see the Northern Lights and hop in under the snow? Winter is perfect!
We think that summer or the early off-season is the best time to visit Iceland for hot springs so you can choose any hot spring you want and you won’t be cold.
Many are simply “warm” and not “hot.” Even when we went during the warmer months, we were a bit chilly in the water and have been told the water gets even colder during the winter as it can’t keep up with the temperatures outside. That being said, there are some very warm geothermal springs and these are perfect to visit during the winter months. If you plan on visiting Icelandic hot springs in the winter, just make sure to read up on the warmth and skip going to any outdoor pools!
Average Iceland Hot Springs Temperatures
Believe it or not, many geothermal pools in Iceland aren’t all that hot! You will see magical photos of people relaxing in what appears to be an amazing pool and then we go and visit and it is COLD! Okay, not freezing but not hot like a jacuzzi either! We are here to give you the facts straight up and tell you the average temperatures of hot springs in Iceland.
Hot swimming pools in Iceland such as Seljavallaug Hot Springs listed above are a cool 20° to 30°C or 68 to 86°F which is pretty chilly when it is freezing outside. If you see anything that looks like a swimming pool, think of it as a heated pool instead of a jacuzzi so you won’t be disappointed.
Most hot springs in Iceland are around 34° to 40°C or 95°-104°F. As Floridians, we are here to tell you that during the summer, our ocean water is about 95 degrees so that isn’t all that warm to us, especially when it is cold out. Some of the hotter hot springs in Iceland are around 44°C which is 111°F. For example, Myvatn Nature Baths have a hotter jacuzzi area for those of you that like your hot springs super hot!
Now you have a great list of hot springs in Iceland to get you started planning your dream trip! Make sure to leave no trace when visiting Icelandic hot springs and this means not leaving your trash or walking on areas that are not a designated trail.
Some hot pools in Iceland have even been closed down because tourists have had no disregard for nature and private property which is a shame that people can’t behave better. Please treat these hot springs with respect so others can enjoy them for years to come!
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