Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
HRUNALAUG IN SHORT
Hrunalaug is a small geothermal bathing place with three stone-lined pools on private farmland near Flúðir, about 100 km (roughly 1 hour 30 minutes) from Reykjavík. There is an entry fee, set opening hours and a changing facility with showers, and each visit is limited to 90 minutes. It is open all year and can be busy in summer.
Hrunalaug sits on a working sheep farm a few minutes outside Flúðir, in the hills above the Golden Circle. Three small pools, each a different temperature, are built into the slope beside a stream, with grass growing right up to the water and sheep often grazing nearby. It has none of the scale of Iceland's big geothermal spas, and that is the point.
Hrunalaug has changed a lot in recent years. It is no longer an undeveloped hot spring with no facilities and no opening hours. Today there is paid admission, seasonal opening hours and, since February 2026, a modern changing facility with showers, toilets and lockers. Visits are limited to 90 minutes to protect the small site and give more people a turn.
It still feels close to nature. The difference is that you now have somewhere warm and comfortable to change before you step into the water. Word about Hrunalaug spread through hiking and travel blogs over the past decade, and the farm manages visits this way to keep it from being overwhelmed.
The property is privately owned and has been cared for by the same family since the first pool was built in the 1890s.
Quick facts
LocationÁs, Hrunamannahreppur, near Flúðir in South Iceland
Water temperatureUsually around 37–38°C; it varies a little between the pools
PoolsThree stone pools, the oldest from around 1890
From ReykjavíkAbout 100 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes by car
From Flúðir5–10 minutes by car
From Geysir / GullfossAbout 30 km / about 32 km
EntryAdults ISK 3,000 before 14:00, ISK 3,500 after; ages 11–15 ISK 2,000 / 2,500; 10 and under free
Visit limit90 minutes
BookingNo online booking; first come, first served
Opening hoursOpen all year; from 09:00 (10:00 in winter), closing between 20:00 and 22:00 depending on season
FacilitiesChanging rooms, lockers, toilets, showers, hairdryers and swimsuit dryers
AccessibilityNot wheelchair accessible
Time neededAbout 2 hours including parking and changing
A farm pool turned into a fee-paying stop
For most of its history Hrunalaug was just the farm's own bathing pool, used by the family at Ás and their neighbours. It only became a well-known name among travellers once photos of the little turf-edged pools started circulating online, and the number of visitors began to outgrow what an unmanaged farm pool could handle.
The farm responded by building a third pool in 2017 and introducing an entry fee and a time limit, and in 2026 by opening a proper changing facility. That is why Hrunalaug today feels more organised than the old stories about it suggest. It is still on private land, and the fee goes towards maintaining it, so treat it as you would a small family business rather than a public bathing site.
How to get to Hrunalaug
By carFrom Reykjavík, take Route 1 east past Selfoss, then turn left onto Route 30 to Flúðir. From the village it is a 5–10 minute drive on rural roads to the farm Ás. The easiest way to find it is to search for "Hrunalaug Hot Spring" in Google Maps and follow the route to the marked parking area.
From the Golden CircleHrunalaug is about 30 km from Geysir and 32 km from Gullfoss, so it is easy to add to a Golden Circle self-drive day.
By public transportThere is no public bus to Hrunalaug, so a rental car, a private tour or a taxi from Flúðir are the only practical options.
Parking and the walk inA small gravel car park sits by the farm buildings. From there the walk to the hot spring is less than 200 metres. It is short, but the path can be snowy or icy in winter, so wear shoes with good grip. The car park fills up at busy times, especially midday in summer.
The last roads are rural, so drive slowly and check conditions on umferdin.is, particularly in winter.
What makes Hrunalaug special: the three pools
Hrunalaug is not a luxury spa. Its appeal is warm natural water, a quiet rural setting and pools that each tell part of the story of everyday life on an Icelandic farm.
The laundry poolThe oldest part of Hrunalaug dates from around 1890. It was built by Stefán Jónsson, the farmer at Ás, and his family. The warm water was used for washing clothes and for bathing the household.
The sheep poolThe second pool was built in 1935 by Steindór Eiríksson, grandfather of the present owners. It was used for washing sheep to prevent sheep scab, a disease caused by mites, and that went on until the 1980s.
The newer bathing poolThe third pool was made in 2017 as more visitors began to come. It was completely renovated in 2023 and enlarged with an outer ring of natural columnar basalt, which made it deeper and roomier while keeping it in tune with the landscape.
Hrunalaug opening hours, admission and booking
Hrunalaug has set seasonal opening hours. Access outside them is strictly prohibited.
Opening hoursSpring and autumn (15 March–30 April and 1 September–31 October): 09:00–22:00. Summer (1 May–31 August): 09:00–21:00. Winter (1 November–14 March): 10:00–20:00.
AdmissionAdults ISK 3,000 before 14:00 and ISK 3,500 after. Ages 11–15: ISK 2,000 and ISK 2,500. Seniors and visitors with disabilities: ISK 2,500 and ISK 3,000. Children aged 10 and under are free. You can pay by card or with Icelandic cash.
No booking for regular visitsThere is no online booking. Entry is first come, first served, with room for about 25–30 people at a time. If it is full you may have to wait a little. The 90-minute limit keeps the queue moving.
Private visits and groupsCouples, families and groups can reserve the pools for a private session, from ISK 60,000 for an hour before or after regular opening hours; sessions during opening hours cost more. Arrange it by email at info@hrunalaug.is. Larger tour groups should contact Hrunalaug ahead, or call on the morning with their arrival time and group size.
The area is monitored and has an alarm system. Ignore older online advice about early-morning, late-night or overnight visits. Hours, prices and access can change because of weather, maintenance or natural conditions, and in very dry periods the pools have sometimes lost their water, so check hrunalaug.is shortly before you travel.
The new changing facility, what to bring and visiting with children
The changing facilityOpened in February 2026 and built into the hill behind the pools, with an entrance that looks like a cave. Inside it is warm and bright, with lockable lockers, toilets, three showers in each changing room, shampoo, soap and conditioner, hairdryers and swimsuit dryers. A glass roof lets daylight into the showers.
What to bringSwimsuit, a towel unless you rent one, warm clothes for before and after, shoes with good grip and a refillable water bottle. Water shoes help on the stones, and a warm hat that covers your ears is welcome in cold or windy weather.
Visiting with childrenChildren are welcome and those aged 10 and under get in free. Children under 11 must be with an adult. Watch them closely: the stones are wet and uneven, and this is a natural bathing place with no lifeguards.
The stones in and around the pools get very slippery. Take your time getting in and out, and do not run or climb on the stonework.
Combining Hrunalaug with the Golden Circle
Hrunalaug fits naturally at the end of a Golden Circle day: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss, then a soak. Other stops nearby include Flúðir, Friðheimar tomato farm, the Secret Lagoon and the new Laugarás Lagoon. Do not try to fit several bathing places into the same day. Allow about two hours for Hrunalaug, including parking, changing and the 90-minute visit.
Is Hrunalaug worth visiting? Yes, if you want a small, personal geothermal bath with real local history. It is not for everyone. The site is small, you cannot reserve a regular visit, and the uneven path and pool surrounds are not wheelchair accessible. If you want a large lagoon with a restaurant and spa facilities, one of the bigger geothermal baths in the area will suit you better.
Best time to visit Hrunalaug
Summer (May–August)Green countryside and long daylight. The busiest time is late morning to mid-afternoon; come early for more space, and note that entry before 14:00 costs a little less.
Spring and autumnOften quieter, and the colours of the landscape are at their best as the seasons turn. A late visit works well at the end of a day's sightseeing.
Winter (November–March)Snow on the hills and steam rising off the pools. The short walk from the car park can be icy, so wear proper boots, and check weather and roads before you set off.
There is no advance booking for normal admission, so no time is guaranteed to be quiet. Do not try to visit outside opening hours in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights from the pool.
Safety and practical tips
Do not enter outside the published opening hours. The site is monitored.
No glass bottles or other glass. Drinks are fine in non-glass containers.
Drones are not allowed, to protect visitors' privacy, and dogs are not permitted around the pools.
Avoid food that could fall into the water or onto the grass, and take all rubbish with you.
Bring your own towel, or rent one on site for ISK 1,000.
Shower before you get in. The changing facility has showers with soap and shampoo.
Stay on the marked paths and respect the farmland around you. This is a working farm on private land.
Check current opening hours and prices on the official website before you go, since they change with the seasons.
Facilities and accessibility
A changing facility opened in February 2026 with lockable lockers, toilets, showers, hairdryers and swimsuit dryers. Towels can be rented, and you can buy coffee, soft drinks and sweets on site. There is no restaurant; the nearest services are in Flúðir. The site is not wheelchair accessible.
Flúðir has guesthouses and a swimming pool of its own, and there are more places to stay around Reykholt and Laugarvatn nearby, all within easy reach of the rest of the Golden Circle.
Hrunalaug FAQ
Is Hrunalaug free to visit?
No. Adults pay ISK 3,000 before 14:00 and ISK 3,500 after, ages 11 to 15 pay ISK 2,000 or 2,500, and children aged 10 and under are free.
How warm is the water at Hrunalaug?
Normally around 37–38°C, close to body temperature and comfortable for bathing.
How many pools are there?
Three. The oldest dates from around 1890, the second was built in 1935, and the newest was made in 2017 and renovated in 2023.
Are there changing rooms and showers?
Yes. A new changing facility opened in 2026 with lockers, toilets, showers, toiletries, hairdryers and swimsuit dryers. Towels can be rented for ISK 1,000.
Do I need to book ahead?
No, and you cannot. Regular admission is first come, first served, and each visit is limited to 90 minutes. Private sessions and larger groups are arranged directly with Hrunalaug.
Can I visit Hrunalaug at night or for the Northern Lights?
Only within the published opening hours. Entering the area after closing is strictly prohibited.
Is Hrunalaug wheelchair accessible?
No. The path and the natural surroundings of the pools are not suitable for wheelchairs.
How far is Hrunalaug from Reykjavík and the Golden Circle?
About 100 km and 1 hour 30 minutes from Reykjavík, just outside Flúðir. It is about 30 km from Geysir and 32 km from Gullfoss.
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