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Hot springs in Iceland range from modern geothermal spas with full facilities to wild pools reached by hiking trails. They exist because groundwater is heated deep underground by volcanic activity, then rises through cracks in the rock and returns to the surface as naturally warm water. You’ll find this geothermal activity across the country, and soaking in warm pools is part of everyday life in Iceland.
Arctic Adventures has helped travelers experience Iceland’s pools, lagoons, and geothermal bathing spots for more than 40 years. Below, you’ll find hot springs and spas you can book, tips for choosing the right one, and practical advice on how to bathe safely.
Blue Lagoon—Iceland's famous milky-blue spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the airport.
Sky Lagoon—Oceanside lagoon in Kópavogur town with a seven-step bathing ritual, minutes from Reykjavík.
Secret Lagoon—Iceland's oldest pool, built in 1891, in Flúðir on the Golden Circle route.
Hvammsvík Hot Springs—Natural hot springs on the shore of Hvalfjörður, near Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík.
Laugarvatn Fontana—Geothermal steam baths beside Lake Laugarvatn.
Laugarás Lagoon—New Golden Circle spa by the Hvítá river, with an infinity pool and a man-made cascading waterfall.
Krauma—Baths fed by Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, in West Iceland.
Húsafell Canyon Baths—Remote, stone-lined pools in a canyon near Húsafell area, far from the crowds.
Forest Lagoon—Forest-edge infinity pools above Eyjafjörður fjord, just outside Akureyri town.
Earth Lagoon (Mývatn Nature Baths)—North Iceland's mineral-rich lagoon spa near Lake Mývatn.
GeoSea Húsavík—Geothermal seawater baths on the cliffs above Húsavík, a noted whale-watching town.
Vök Baths—Iceland's only floating geothermal pools, set into Lake Urriðavatn in East Iceland.
Reykjadalur—A free, hike-in warm river above Hveragerði town in South Iceland.
Landmannalaugar—Highland hot springs surrounded by rhyolite mountains, reached only in summer.
The easiest to visit hot springs near Reykjavík are within about 90 minutes of the capital, but several make a genuine day trip on their own.
Sky Lagoon: At Kársnes harbor in Kópavogur, minutes from central Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon is an ocean-edge infinity pool with water temperature at 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F). A seven-step bathing ritual moves you between a sauna, a cold plunge, and a steam room, with a swim-up bar in the water. Access is easy, and a Sky Lagoon admission pass comes in two tiers, Saman or Sér.
Hvammsvík Hot Springs: On Hvalfjörður in West Iceland, a 45-minute drive north of Reykjavík, Hvammsvík has eight natural rock pools at the ocean's edge. The pool's temperature ranges from 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F). A steam bath, outdoor showers, and an on-site bistro and bar round out the visit. A slot is worth reserving in advance for summer.
Secret Lagoon: At Flúðir on the Golden Circle in South Iceland, about 90 minutes from Reykjavík, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland's oldest pool. Locally known as Gamla Laugin, it was built in 1891 and is kept at 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F). A small geyser erupts beside the water every few minutes, and there's a café, a bar, showers, and lockers on site. An easy stop on a Golden Circle day, Secret Lagoon admission is best booked online in advance.
Blue Lagoon: The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's best-known spa, on the Reykjanes Peninsula about 50 minutes from the city and close to Keflavík Airport. The mineral-rich water is at 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F), with an in-water bar, steam rooms, a sauna, and a silica mud mask included. Our Blue Lagoon transfer gets you there and back without a rental car.
Touring the north or east? These spas make the drive worth it. None is a Reykjavík day trip, so build them into your route.
Earth Lagoon (Mývatn Nature Baths): Near Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, Earth Lagoon is about 90 km (56 mi) east of Akureyri. The milky-blue mineral pool stays at 36 to 40°C (97 to 104°F). Here you’ll find steam baths, a swim-up bar, and a bistro overlooking the lake. Three passes are available: Earth Essential, Signature, and Exclusive.
GeoSea Húsavík: On a clifftop in Húsavík on the north coast, GeoSea is a set of geothermal seawater baths with a soothing temperature of 38 to 39°C (100 to 102°F). Whales sometimes pass offshore while you soak, and there are showers and a restaurant on site.
Vök Baths: On Lake Urriðavatn near Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, Vök Baths has Iceland's only floating geothermal pools, built right into the lake. A steam room, a cold-mist tunnel, a bar, and a restaurant complete the site.
Instead of planning your trip around one bathing spot, a guided tour lets you turn the soak into part of a bigger Iceland experience. You can spend the day exploring waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers, or the Golden Circle, then end with warm geothermal water without worrying about driving routes, opening hours, or winter road conditions.
Day tours run out and back from Reykjavík in a single day, pairing a few hours of sightseeing with a soak. Year-round, the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour combines Þingvellir National Park, the erupting Strokkur geyser, and Gullfoss waterfall. The day ends with about two hours in the warm water.
A Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tour follows the same route but ends at the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Comfort admission is included, with a silica mud mask, towel, and a drink. For something more active, the Landmannalaugar Hiking Tour heads into the summer Highlands among rhyolite mountains and lava fields. The hike ends at the natural hot pool by the Laugahraun lava field.
Multi-day tours spread the journey over several days, with a soak built into the wider route. With transport, accommodation, and the itinerary handled for you, you can see more of the country and still build in time to slow down. A hot spring stop feels especially rewarding after a day of hiking, sightseeing, or traveling through remote landscapes with a local guide who knows where the day flows best.
The classic Laugavegur Trek runs south from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, covering 55 km (34 mi) across the Icelandic Highlands. The first evening ends near the trail’s only natural hot spring, making the soak feel like part of the trek rather than a separate stop.
For travelers who want to circle the island, the 6-Day Around Iceland tour, 7-Day Ring Road tour, and 8-Day Ring Road tour all follow Iceland’s Ring Road through highlights like the Golden Circle, South Coast, East Fjords, and Lake Mývatn. On these routes, you can book an optional visit to Mývatn Earth Lagoon, a geothermal spa in North Iceland surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
The orange and red come from iron and sulfur in the soil. Photo: Gunnar Gaukur
Iceland's hot springs come in three kinds, all heated by the earth: wild and untouched, natural but improved by people, and purpose-built. Water that reaches the surface at a comfortable 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F) is ready for bathing. In many places, it surfaces far hotter, safe to admire only from a distance.
In some geothermal areas, water never cools to a safe temperature. Mud pots, fumaroles (vents of hot volcanic gas), and boiling springs are strictly look-but-don't-touch, as at Hverir near Lake Mývatn, the Geysir area, and Deildartunguhver in the west. On the Reykjanes Peninsula, a Reykjanes and Hot Springs tour visits a cluster of them at Gunnuhver, the Krýsuvík field at Seltún, and Lake Kleifarvatn.
Worth knowing: Hot springs/geothermal lagoons and glacier lagoons are not the same. Hot springs are warm geothermal pools where you can bathe. Glacier lagoons are cold meltwater lakes beside glaciers, usually visited for icebergs, boat tours, kayaking, or photography.
Bathing in Iceland’s hot springs is safe and simple if you follow the rules. Shower properly before you get in, and never enter water marked too hot or whose temperature you don't know. These points keep it pleasant and safe for everyone:
Summer is best for wild and highland springs, such as Landmannalaugar and the Reykjadalur river. The mountain roads are open only from mid-June to early September, and the long days give you time to explore and bathe. The spas and developed pools stay open year-round, including Sky Lagoon, Hvammsvík, the Secret Lagoon, GeoSea, and Vök Baths. Many travelers find winter the best time to soak, with steam off the water, snow underfoot, and a real chance of the Northern Lights.
Most bathing pools and spas stay between 38 and 40°C (100 to 104°F), comfortable for a long soak. Geothermal areas like Hverir, Gunnuhver, and Deildartunguhver are close to boiling, at around 100°C (212°F). Never get into those, and only bathe where a site is set up for it.
A hot spring is a naturally occurring feature where heated groundwater reaches the surface, while a geothermal spa is a built facility filled with the same heated water. At some natural springs, like the Reykjadalur river, you can bathe safely. Some are too hot, so you can only look. Geothermal spas such as Sky Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon have changing rooms, showers, and usually a café or bar.
Yes. The developed spas and well-known springs are safe for bathing. Many lagoons are staffed and maintained. Skip any random, unmarked pool, since some run dangerously hot. At wild hot springs, there are no lifeguards, so go slow on the slippery rock.
Yes, for the popular spas. Sky Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon, and Hvammsvík sell out their time slots, especially in summer, so it’s best to book online ahead. Wild springs like Reykjadalur and Landmannalaugar are free and need no booking.
A swimsuit, a towel, and flip-flops. Wild springs need more: drinking water, warm layers for the walk in and out, and shoes that grip wet rock. Pack it all before you go, since there's nothing for sale at the trailhead.
Yes, if you want high-end facilities and an easy airport stop. The Blue Lagoon lives up to its reputation, with an on-site restaurant, a spa, and a location near Keflavík Airport. For a quieter or more natural soak, try Hvammsvík, the Secret Lagoon, or the free Reykjadalur river.
Arctic Adventures is Iceland’s largest adventure tour operator, with over 40 years of experience leading travelers into nature’s wildest playgrounds. We are united by one purpose—creating unforgettable moments in Iceland.
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