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The Nordic Nomad

Iceland

Beyond the Blue Lagoon: the best hot springs in Iceland

The Nordics • See & do • Beyond the Blue Lagoon: the best hot springs in Iceland

Blue Lagoon made geothermal bathing shorthand for Iceland, but the story has moved on. Across the country, new lagoons, revived local baths and wilder pools are turning a must-do stop into a reason to build bathing into the journey itself. Our edit looks at where that shift is most interesting.

Top photography courtesy of Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon

Reykjavík, Iceland

For the easiest full-scale geothermal experience near Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon combines ocean views with a tightly choreographed bathing ritual rather than wilderness. The lagoon sits at 38–40°C, with an infinity edge facing the North Atlantic and the Skjól ritual moving through cold plunge, turf-house heat, sauna, steam, scrub and a crowberry drink. A swim-up bar keeps the mood social, while Smakk Bar and Keimur Café extend the visit afterwards. Come for convenience, design and a complete spa sequence rather than solitude – it is one of the clearest examples of Iceland’s new generation of bathing culture.

Read the article on Sky Lagoon.

Sky Lagoon

Vesturvör 44–48
Kópavogur
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Sky Lagoon

For the easiest full-scale geothermal experience near Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon combines ocean views with a tightly choreographed bathing ritual rather than wilderness. The lagoon sits at 38–40°C, with an infinity edge facing the North Atlantic and the Skjól ritual moving through cold plunge, turf-house heat, sauna, steam, scrub and a crowberry drink. A swim-up bar keeps the mood social, while Smakk Bar and Keimur Café extend the visit afterwards. Come for convenience, design and a complete spa sequence rather than solitude – it is one of the clearest examples of Iceland’s new generation of bathing culture.

Read the article on Sky Lagoon.

1/9

Reykjaböð Hot Springs

Hveragerði, Iceland

Hveragerði’s famous hot river has gotten a more intimate alternative at the bottom of the valley. Reykjaböð Hot Springs combines a 900-square-metre geothermal lagoon with an adults-only indoor spa limited to around 50 guests, keeping the scale deliberately restrained. Saunas, cold plunges at two temperatures, a Kneipp pool, relaxation areas and a swim-up bar broaden the bathing ritual, while a bistro and treatments turn it into a longer stop. Greenhouse-inspired architecture refers to Hveragerði’s century-old use of geothermal heat for horticulture. The location, around 35 minutes from Reykjavík, also puts it directly on the route towards the Golden Circle and south coast.

Reykjaböð Hot Springs

Árhólmar 5
Hveragerði
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Reykjaböð Hot Springs

Hveragerði’s famous hot river has gotten a more intimate alternative at the bottom of the valley. Reykjaböð Hot Springs combines a 900-square-metre geothermal lagoon with an adults-only indoor spa limited to around 50 guests, keeping the scale deliberately restrained. Saunas, cold plunges at two temperatures, a Kneipp pool, relaxation areas and a swim-up bar broaden the bathing ritual, while a bistro and treatments turn it into a longer stop. Greenhouse-inspired architecture refers to Hveragerði’s century-old use of geothermal heat for horticulture. The location, around 35 minutes from Reykjavík, also puts it directly on the route towards the Golden Circle and south coast.

Hvammsvík

Mosfellsbær, Iceland

At Hvammsvík, the Atlantic is part of the bath rather than something you simply look at. Eight geothermal pools step down the shoreline of Hvalfjörður, and some change temperature and water level as the tide moves in and out. You can move between hot water, a steam room, a Finnish sauna and a cold seawater plunge, or swim straight into the fjord if conditions allow. Despite being only around 45 minutes from Reykjavík, the black beach and mountain setting feel remote. Come for a more elemental, weather-exposed experience, with enough facilities to stay comfortable without losing the landscape.

Hvammsvík

Hvammsvík
276 Mosfellsbær
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Hvammsvík

At Hvammsvík, the Atlantic is part of the bath rather than something you simply look at. Eight geothermal pools step down the shoreline of Hvalfjörður, and some change temperature and water level as the tide moves in and out. You can move between hot water, a steam room, a Finnish sauna and a cold seawater plunge, or swim straight into the fjord if conditions allow. Despite being only around 45 minutes from Reykjavík, the black beach and mountain setting feel remote. Come for a more elemental, weather-exposed experience, with enough facilities to stay comfortable without losing the landscape.

Earth Lagoon Mývatn

Mývatn, Iceland

Earth Lagoon Mývatn is the reinvention of the long-running Mývatn Nature Baths, rebuilt around the volcanic geology of North Iceland. Basalt Architects integrated exposed lava formations directly into the expanded bathing landscape, using local stone across walls, floors and roofs. Guests move through three lagoon zones shaped by a tuff island, fissures and lava walls, with a swim-in natural steam cave, hot pools and lagoon bars adding variety. Earth Lagoon Bistro overlooks Lake Mývatn, with Tom Pops and Caity McNally combining Icelandic ingredients with influences from Asia and the Middle East. The geothermal water and wide volcanic views remain central.

Earth Lagoon Mývatn

Jarðbaðshólar
Mývatn
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Earth Lagoon Mývatn

Earth Lagoon Mývatn is the reinvention of the long-running Mývatn Nature Baths, rebuilt around the volcanic geology of North Iceland. Basalt Architects integrated exposed lava formations directly into the expanded bathing landscape, using local stone across walls, floors and roofs. Guests move through three lagoon zones shaped by a tuff island, fissures and lava walls, with a swim-in natural steam cave, hot pools and lagoon bars adding variety. Earth Lagoon Bistro overlooks Lake Mývatn, with Tom Pops and Caity McNally combining Icelandic ingredients with influences from Asia and the Middle East. The geothermal water and wide volcanic views remain central.

Húsafell Canyon Baths

Borgarbyggð, Iceland

A soak here comes at the end of a guided journey into the highlands, which is exactly what makes Húsafell Canyon Baths different. From Húsafell, a local guide leads you past Langifoss waterfall and glacial streams to two small geothermal pools built into the canyon. Fed by hot springs and ranging from roughly 30 to 41°C, they use local flagstone and salvaged timber to sit quietly in the landscape. There is also a cold-water option for contrast. Come for the scale, silence and remoteness rather than facilities, cocktails or a polished spa circuit.

Húsafell Canyon Baths

Húsafell 311
Borgarbyggð
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Húsafell Canyon Baths

A soak here comes at the end of a guided journey into the highlands, which is exactly what makes Húsafell Canyon Baths different. From Húsafell, a local guide leads you past Langifoss waterfall and glacial streams to two small geothermal pools built into the canyon. Fed by hot springs and ranging from roughly 30 to 41°C, they use local flagstone and salvaged timber to sit quietly in the landscape. There is also a cold-water option for contrast. Come for the scale, silence and remoteness rather than facilities, cocktails or a polished spa circuit.

15/10

Laugarás Lagoon

Laugarás, Iceland

Set along the Hvítá River in Iceland’s Golden Circle, Laugarás Lagoon feels like stepping into a geothermal daydream. Pools tier down a hillside, linked by a waterfall, with a cold plunge and forest-wrapped saunas sharpening the contrast. The architecture nods to Icelandic turf houses but pares them back to modern lines – Roman in proportion, Japanese in clarity – opening wide to the surrounding wilderness. Ylja, the on-site restaurant, anchors the indoor experience. Here, designer Anthony Bacigalupo and clay specialist Guy Valentine shaped its rammed-earth feature wall from natural clay and local red volcanic stone (Rauðamöl). Chef Gísli Matt’s cooking stays close to Laugarás farms, greenhouses and the wild. Swim-up bars keep the rhythm easy and, in winter, the Northern Lights often appear right above the steam.

Laugarás Lagoon

Skálholtsvegur 1
Laugarás
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Laugarás Lagoon

Set along the Hvítá River in Iceland’s Golden Circle, Laugarás Lagoon feels like stepping into a geothermal daydream. Pools tier down a hillside, linked by a waterfall, with a cold plunge and forest-wrapped saunas sharpening the contrast. The architecture nods to Icelandic turf houses but pares them back to modern lines – Roman in proportion, Japanese in clarity – opening wide to the surrounding wilderness. Ylja, the on-site restaurant, anchors the indoor experience. Here, designer Anthony Bacigalupo and clay specialist Guy Valentine shaped its rammed-earth feature wall from natural clay and local red volcanic stone (Rauðamöl). Chef Gísli Matt’s cooking stays close to Laugarás farms, greenhouses and the wild. Swim-up bars keep the rhythm easy and, in winter, the Northern Lights often appear right above the steam.

Fontana

Laugarvatn, Iceland

Steam rising directly from the earth is the clue that Fontana belongs to an older Icelandic bathing tradition. Redesigned and reopened in August 2026, its geothermal pools now extend towards Lake Laugarvatn, joined by a panoramic sauna and a steam room built directly above a natural geyser. You can cool off in the lake between sessions, then stay for the other reason Fontana matters: rye bread baked for 24 hours in the hot ground and served warm with butter. On the Golden Circle, it combines bathing, landscape and food tradition in a way few newer lagoons can match.

Fontana

Hverabraut 1
Laugarvatn
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Fontana

Steam rising directly from the earth is the clue that Fontana belongs to an older Icelandic bathing tradition. Redesigned and reopened in August 2026, its geothermal pools now extend towards Lake Laugarvatn, joined by a panoramic sauna and a steam room built directly above a natural geyser. You can cool off in the lake between sessions, then stay for the other reason Fontana matters: rye bread baked for 24 hours in the hot ground and served warm with butter. On the Golden Circle, it combines bathing, landscape and food tradition in a way few newer lagoons can match.

Seljavallalaug

Hvolsvöllur, Iceland

This is not a polished hot spring but a century-old, unstaffed swimming pool where the setting matters more than the water temperature. Built in 1923 beneath Eyjafjallajökull, Seljavallalaug was created to teach locals to swim and remains one of Iceland’s oldest surviving pools. A 15–20 minute walk leads into the narrow valley, where geothermal water feeds the 25-metre concrete basin. Expect lukewarm rather than hot water, algae at times and only a basic changing shelter. Entry is free and there are no attendants or modern facilities.

Seljavallalaug

Seljavallalaug
Hvolsvöllur
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Seljavallalaug

This is not a polished hot spring but a century-old, unstaffed swimming pool where the setting matters more than the water temperature. Built in 1923 beneath Eyjafjallajökull, Seljavallalaug was created to teach locals to swim and remains one of Iceland’s oldest surviving pools. A 15–20 minute walk leads into the narrow valley, where geothermal water feeds the 25-metre concrete basin. Expect lukewarm rather than hot water, algae at times and only a basic changing shelter. Entry is free and there are no attendants or modern facilities.

Geosea

Húsavík, Iceland

Warm seawater, rather than freshwater, is what sets Geosea apart from most Icelandic lagoons. Perched above Skjálfandi Bay in Húsavík, the Basalt Architects complex uses mineral-rich geothermal seawater drawn from deep underground and kept at roughly 38–40°C, with a continuous flow system instead of chemical treatment. The cliff-edge pools face west towards the bay, so whale sightings are possible in season and winter evenings can bring northern lights. Add a steam room and simple food, but the reason to come is the combination of warm salt water, open horizon and the working fishing town just below.

Geosea

Vitaslóð 1
Húsavík
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Geosea

Warm seawater, rather than freshwater, is what sets Geosea apart from most Icelandic lagoons. Perched above Skjálfandi Bay in Húsavík, the Basalt Architects complex uses mineral-rich geothermal seawater drawn from deep underground and kept at roughly 38–40°C, with a continuous flow system instead of chemical treatment. The cliff-edge pools face west towards the bay, so whale sightings are possible in season and winter evenings can bring northern lights. Add a steam room and simple food, but the reason to come is the combination of warm salt water, open horizon and the working fishing town just below.

Forest Lagoon

Akureyri, Iceland

Trees are the defining feature at Forest Lagoon, a welcome change from Iceland’s usual lava and open horizons. Basalt Architects embedded the baths into the wooded slopes of Vaðlaheiði opposite Akureyri, using timber and concrete to keep the forest present throughout the visit. Two geothermal pools sit around 37–40°C, joined by a Finnish dry sauna, cold pool, swim-up bars and a 70-metre infinity edge overlooking Eyjafjörður. The water source was discovered accidentally during construction of the Vaðlaheiði tunnel. Come for shelter, trees and wide fjord views – a softer, greener counterpoint to Iceland’s more exposed bathing landscapes.

Forest Lagoon

Vaðlaskógur
Akureyri
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Forest Lagoon

Trees are the defining feature at Forest Lagoon, a welcome change from Iceland’s usual lava and open horizons. Basalt Architects embedded the baths into the wooded slopes of Vaðlaheiði opposite Akureyri, using timber and concrete to keep the forest present throughout the visit. Two geothermal pools sit around 37–40°C, joined by a Finnish dry sauna, cold pool, swim-up bars and a 70-metre infinity edge overlooking Eyjafjörður. The water source was discovered accidentally during construction of the Vaðlaheiði tunnel. Come for shelter, trees and wide fjord views – a softer, greener counterpoint to Iceland’s more exposed bathing landscapes.

Vök Baths

Egilsstaðir, Iceland

Floating out into Lake Urriðavatn is what makes Vök Baths worth the detour east. Basalt Architects shaped two geothermal pools directly on the lake, taking their form from the ice-free openings, or vök, created naturally by hot springs beneath the surface. Two additional hot pools sit on shore, joined by a sauna, cold plunge, mist tunnel, in-water bar and bistro. The geothermal water is unusually pure and certified drinkable, and even appears at the tea bar. Come for the sensation of bathing almost level with the lake, with East Iceland’s landscape doing most of the visual work.

Read the article on Vök Baths.

Vök Baths

Við Urriðavatn
Egilsstaðir
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Vök Baths

Floating out into Lake Urriðavatn is what makes Vök Baths worth the detour east. Basalt Architects shaped two geothermal pools directly on the lake, taking their form from the ice-free openings, or vök, created naturally by hot springs beneath the surface. Two additional hot pools sit on shore, joined by a sauna, cold plunge, mist tunnel, in-water bar and bistro. The geothermal water is unusually pure and certified drinkable, and even appears at the tea bar. Come for the sensation of bathing almost level with the lake, with East Iceland’s landscape doing most of the visual work.

Read the article on Vök Baths.

Guðlaug

Akranes, Iceland

Closer to a beautifully designed neighbourhood pool than a destination spa, Guðlaug is compelling precisely because it stays simple. Built into the breakwater at Langisandur beach in Akranes, Basalt Architects arranged the concrete structure over three levels: a viewing deck above, a 39°C sitting pool in the middle and a shallow pool closer to the sand. Outdoor showers and changing rooms keep things practical, while steps lead directly towards the sea for anyone wanting a cold-water contrast. Come for architecture, local life and a quick soak with views across Faxaflói rather than robes, rituals or an all-day spa programme.

Guðlaug

Langisandur
Akranes
Iceland

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Photography courtesy of Guðlaug