Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
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Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Krauma is a geothermal spa at Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, in West Iceland. It is on Route 50 near Reykholt, about 97 km (around 1 hour 30 minutes) from Reykjavík, open all year, charges an entrance fee, and most people spend about 1.5 hours there.
Krauma draws its hot water straight from Deildartunguhver, which produces around 180 litres of near-boiling water a second, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. The water is cooled with cold water from Rauðsgil, a ravine that comes down from the old glacier mountain Ok, rather than with tap water. Nothing else is mixed in, which keeps the mineral content intact.
The spa has five geothermal baths at different temperatures, a cold plunge pool, two steam baths and a relaxation room, built with natural stone and wood in a low, modern building that sits quietly in the Borgarfjörður countryside. It is a smaller and calmer alternative to the Blue Lagoon, aimed more at relaxation than a big day out, and works well combined with the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss a short drive away.
Krauma is a natural stop on the Silver Circle, the sightseeing route through Borgarfjörður that also takes in Deildartunguhver, Reykholt, Hraunfossar and Húsafell. You can see the hot spring itself for free from the walkway next to the spa before or after your bath.
Deildartunguhver has been used by nearby farms for generations, and hot water from the spring is piped to heat homes as far away as Akranes and Borgarnes, tens of kilometres distant. Krauma was built beside the spring to make use of that same water for bathing, rather than letting all of it go to district heating.
There are two places called Reykholt in Iceland. This one is in Borgarfjörður in the west, not the Reykholt on the Golden Circle, so check your sat nav has the right one.
A visit is simple: shower, soak, cool off, repeat. There is no time limit, so you can move between the baths at your own pace.
Krauma has changing rooms with showers, soap, shampoo and conditioner, swimsuit and towel rental, a restaurant and a small shop. It is built with accessibility in mind, with level access to the pool area.
Reykholt and Húsafell have hotels and guesthouses, and either makes a good base for a night or two exploring West Iceland's waterfalls, lava fields and geothermal sites around Krauma.
No. Deildartunguhver is the hot spring itself, which cannot be bathed in directly; Krauma is the spa next to it that uses the spring's water, cooled to a safe bathing temperature.
There is an admission fee; check current prices on krauma.is before you go.
Yes, it is open all year, which makes it a popular stop for warming up on a cold day.
Krauma is smaller, quieter and closer to natural pool design, while the Blue Lagoon is larger, more built-up and more geared towards a full day out.
At Deildartunguhver, 320 Reykholt, on Route 50 in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland. It is about 97 km from Reykjavík.
Yes, both can be rented at reception.
As long as you like within opening hours. Most people spend around 90 minutes in total.
Yes. Everyone showers before going to the baths. The showers are in the changing rooms, with soap, shampoo and conditioner provided.
Tours and trips that include Krauma, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.
