Iceland has far more hot pools than the famous lagoons. Many are small, free and reached by a short walk or a gravel track, and a few are in remote highland or Westfjords valleys. This guide covers 20 of them, with how to get there, what to expect, which are free and which need a 4x4 or a summer road.
Before you go: etiquette and safety
Natural pools are not spas. There are usually no staff, no lifeguard and often no changing room. Water temperature can change from day to day and some springs are hotter at the source, so test carefully with your foot before you get in.
Some pools are on private land and access rules change, so follow signs and ask permission where it is required. Carry out all rubbish, never use soap or shampoo in the water, and change discreetly. A small group is always better than a crowd.
- Bring a swimsuit, a towel, a warm layer and a dry bag. Wet feet cool fast in the wind.
- Wear sandals or shoes that grip, because the ground is often muddy or slippery.
- Check road conditions on road.is and the weather on vedur.is. Highland roads are open in summer only.
- Keep to marked paths, and stay away from boiling mud and steam.
West Iceland and Snæfellsnes
Landbrotalaug is a tiny natural pool on the eastern Snæfellsnes Peninsula, near Eldborg crater. The water is around 38°C and it fits two or three people. It is free and has no facilities. Access has changed in the past, so confirm the current rules locally.
Sturlungalaug is a pair of natural pools in the hills at the eastern edge of Snæfellsnes, with water of about 40°C. The last section is a rough farm track of around 6 km, so a 4x4 or high-clearance car is recommended. There are no signs and no facilities. See Sturlungalaug.
Guðrúnarlaug is a small, circular stone-lined pool near Búðardalur, about 165 km from Reykjavík. It is free and open all year. See Guðrúnarlaug.
Skátalaug is a quiet pool near the south end of Lake Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanes peninsula, at around 34°C and about 14 by 5 metres. It is free, with no changing rooms, and it is not signposted, so use a map. See Skátalaug.
A note on Snorralaug in Reykholt: it is a beautiful stone-lined pool linked to the medieval writer Snorri Sturluson, but bathing is not allowed. Look, photograph and move on.
Golden Circle and South Iceland
Marteinslaug is a small hot spring beside a stream in Haukadalsskógur forest, close to Geysir. It measures about 3 by 1.2 metres, is free and has no facilities. See Marteinslaug.
Hrunalaug is no longer a secret, but it is still worth knowing. It has three stone-lined pools on private farmland near Flúðir. Entry is charged (ISK 3,000 for adults, ISK 2,000 for ages 11 to 15, free under 10) and each group gets 90 minutes. Confirm opening hours and any booking rules before you go. See Hrunalaug and our Secret Lagoon page for another Flúðir option, which you can pair with the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Tour.
Seljavallalaug is a 1923 pool built into a hillside near Skógar, reached by a walk of about 1.5 km. It is free to enter and has no lifeguard or regular cleaning, so bathe at your own risk. See Seljavallalaug.
Reykjadalur above Hveragerði is a popular alternative if you want a longer hike (about 3 km each way) to a warm river. Parking is paid. You can walk it with a guide on our Reykjadalur Hot Spring Hiking Tour, or ride in on Reykjadalur Horse Riding & Hot Spring Bathing. See Reykjadalur.
Westfjords
The Westfjords have many quiet pools, but the roads are long, so plan nights nearby.
Hellulaug sits by the sea near Vatnsfjörður, a few metres from a roadside car park. It is free, open all year and small. See Hellulaug.
Pollurinn is a set of concrete pools in the hills above Tálknafjörður, about 4 km from the village. It is free and used by locals all year. See Pollurinn.
Drangsnes hot tubs are three free pots on the seafront on the Strandir coast, at about 38 to 42°C and open at all hours. They are about 255 km from Reykjavík. See Drangsnes.
Hörgshlíðarlaug is a small concrete pool by the shore of Mjóifjörður, with a changing shed and water of about 40°C. It is on a private farm, so ask the landowner for permission. See Hörgshlíðarlaug.
Nauteyrarlaug at Ísafjarðardjúp is a natural spring with a small changing hut and water of about 40 to 42°C. It is off the main routes and often quiet. See Nauteyrarlaug.
Reykjafjarðarlaug is a simple concrete pool by the shore of a small fjord off Arnarfjörður. It has basic changing rooms and is free, but the road is only reliably open in summer. See Reykjafjarðarlaug. Krosslaug on Barðaströnd is run by the local youth club and is mainly open in summer. See Krosslaug.
North and East Iceland
Grettislaug is a pair of pools at Reykir on the shore of Skagafjörður, about 25 to 30 km north of Sauðárkrókur. It charges an entry fee and is linked to Grettir's Saga. See Grettislaug.
Fosslaug is a small natural spring on the same short trail as Reykjafoss waterfall, about 7 km south of Varmahlíð. Sources disagree on whether it is currently open, so check locally before you go. See Fosslaug.
Djúpavogskörin is a small hot pool a few minutes off the Ring Road near Djúpivogur. It holds around six or seven people and there are no changing rooms. See Djúpavogskörin.
Laugavallalaug sits in the East highlands along the F910 road, near Kárahnjúkar. It is open only when the F-road is passable in summer, and the water temperature varies, so check before you get in. Our Stuðlagil Canyon, Karahnjukar Dam & Laugavallalaug Hot Spring tour includes it. See Laugavallalaug.
The highlands: Strútslaug
Strútslaug is a remote spring in the valley Hólmsárbotnar, between the glaciers Torfajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. You need a 4x4 to reach the Strútskáli hut and then walk about 5 km each way, which takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. It is free and has no facilities, and it is realistic only in summer when the highland roads are open. See Strútslaug.
Which one should you choose?
For an easy stop near Reykjavík, choose Marteinslaug or Skátalaug. For a road trip in the Westfjords, Hellulaug, Pollurinn and the Drangsnes hot tubs are the easiest. For a real adventure, Strútslaug and Laugavallalaug reward summer highland travellers.
If you prefer showers, towels and a bar, our guides to Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon and Reykjabod hot springs cover the comfortable options, and the Husafell Canyon Baths in West Iceland are a middle ground. Browse all our hot spring tours.
Tours to book
If you would rather not find the pool yourself, these tours take you to one.
- Reykjadalur Hot Spring Hiking Tour: a guided walk to the warm river above Hveragerði.
- Stuðlagil Canyon, Karahnjukar Dam & Laugavallalaug Hot Spring: reach the East highland spring without driving the F-road yourself.
- Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Tour: the classic sights with a soak at Flúðir.
Questions people ask
Are Iceland's natural hot springs free?
Many are free, but some charge a small fee, such as Hrunalaug and Grettislaug. Some are on private land and ask for permission.
Which hidden hot springs are open in winter?
Hellulaug, Pollurinn, the Drangsnes hot tubs, Djúpavogskörin, Landbrotalaug and Seljavallalaug are open all year. Highland springs like Strútslaug and Laugavallalaug are summer only.
Do I need a 4x4 to reach hidden hot springs?
For some. Strútslaug, Laugavallalaug and Sturlungalaug need a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle. Most others can be reached in a normal car.
Can I use soap in natural hot springs?
No. Do not use soap or shampoo, and take all rubbish with you.
