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Kvika Hot Pool/Foot Bath Guide to Iceland

SeltjarnarnesFoot bathFree entryOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Kvika Foot Bath
Kvika Foot Bath
KVIKA FOOT BATH IN SHORT

Kvika is a small geothermal foot bath carved into a rock on the shore of Seltjarnarnes, at the western edge of the Reykjavík area, close to the Grótta lighthouse. It is free, open all year and only a short drive from the centre. Most people stop for 15–30 minutes, often around sunset.

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Quick factsGetting thereWhat to doBest time to visitSafety tipsFacilitiesMapNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

About Kvika Foot Bath

Kvika is not a swimming pool. It is a shallow basin carved into a rock by the artist Ólöf Nordal, filled with warm water from a nearby borehole. The name means “magma”. You sit on the edge and soak your feet, with the sea a few metres away.

The basin is small: about 25–30 cm deep and 80–90 cm across, with a rim wide enough to sit on comfortably. The water is around 39°C. A handful of people fit around it at once, so on a fine evening you may wait a few minutes for a space.

The setting is what makes it worth the short trip. You look across the bay towards Mount Esja and, on clear days, Snæfellsjökull glacier far out on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a quiet, local spot, popular for sunset walks and for watching the midnight sun in summer or the Northern Lights on dark winter nights.

Kvika is a favourite with locals, mostly because it is so close to town. A classic Reykjavík first date is to buy an ice cream, drive out to Seltjarnarnes and eat it with your feet in the warm water while the sun goes down behind the lighthouse.

There are no changing rooms, so this is a foot bath and nothing more. Roll up your trousers, bring a towel for your feet and enjoy it for what it is.

Quick facts

TypeArtist-made geothermal foot bath in a rock
ArtistÓlöf Nordal (installed around 2005)
WaterAbout 39°C, fed by a nearby borehole
SizeAbout 25–30 cm deep and 80–90 cm wide
RegionSeltjarnarnes, Reykjavík capital area
From ReykjavíkAbout 5 km (4.7 km from the centre), around 10 minutes by car
EntryFree
ParkingSmall car park nearby, free
Opening hoursOpen at all times
FacilitiesNone. No changing rooms or toilets at the bath
Time needed15–30 minutes

How to get to Kvika Foot Bath

By carDrive west from central Reykjavík along Eiðsgrandi and continue onto Norðurströnd, the coast road on the north side of Seltjarnarnes, towards the Grótta lighthouse. It is about 4.7 km and takes around 10 minutes. The foot bath is beside the shore path near the end of the road, with a small car park close by.
By public transportStrætó city buses run to Seltjarnarnes, but the closest stops are still a walk from the shore. Check the Strætó app for current routes.
On foot or by bikeA coastal path runs from Reykjavík along the shore towards Seltjarnarnes. It is a pleasant walk or ride of a few kilometres if the weather is good.

The path to the foot bath is short and level, but the shore is exposed. Wind can be strong here, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

What to do at Kvika and around it

The foot bath itself is a short stop. Most people combine it with a walk on the shore or one of the places below.

Watch the sunset or the midnight sunThe rock faces north-west over the bay, so the sun sets over the sea in front of you. In June and early July it barely sets at all, and late evening is the best time to come.
Look for the Northern LightsFrom September to April this is one of the darker spots within easy reach of the city, with an open view north. You still need a clear sky and aurora activity, and warm feet make the waiting easier.
Walk to Grótta lighthouseThe lighthouse stands on a small island joined to the shore by a causeway that is covered at high tide. Check the tide times before you cross, and note that the island is closed during the bird nesting season in spring and early summer.
Go for a proper swimSeltjarnarneslaug, the local swimming pool, is a few minutes away by car and has hot tubs and changing rooms. It is the place to go if the foot bath leaves you wanting a full soak.

Best time to visit Kvika Foot Bath

Summer (June–August)Long light evenings and the midnight sun make this a lovely late walk. The foot bath is used all year, so expect a few other people on fine evenings.
Winter (November–March)Warm feet on a cold coast, and a good place to look for the Northern Lights away from the busiest streets. The rock and path can be icy, so wear boots with grip.

Safety and practical tips

  • This is a foot bath only. Wear shoes that come off easily and bring a small towel.
  • Do not use soap and do not leave rubbish. It is a small, shared public spot.
  • Check the weather before you go. The shore is open to the wind and spray.
  • The paths and rock can be slippery in frost. Take care getting in and out.
  • For a full soak, use one of the Reykjavík swimming pools or Nauthólsvík geothermal beach instead.
  • Do as the locals do: bring an ice cream or a hot drink and stay for the sunset.
  • Come early or late on fine summer evenings. The basin only has room for a few people at a time.

Facilities and accessibility

There are no changing rooms, showers or toilets at the foot bath itself. There is a small free car park nearby and a walking path along the shore. Cafés and shops are in Seltjarnarnes and central Reykjavík.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

GróttaLighthouse and nature reserve on the same shoreNauthólsvík geothermal beachNauthólsvík geothermal beachWarm-water beach in ReykjavíkHarpa concert hallHarpa concert hallGlass landmark on the harbourTjörnin pondTjörnin pondCity-centre pond and walking areaPerlanPerlanMuseum and viewing deck above the cityHallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkjaReykjavík's landmark church, with a tower viewThe Sun VoyagerThe Sun VoyagerSteel ship sculpture on the city seafront
LaugavegurReykjavík's main shopping street

Where to stay near Kvika Foot Bath

Most visitors stay in central Reykjavík, which is a short drive or bus ride away. There are also a few guesthouses in Seltjarnarnes and Vesturbær, close to the coast.

Kvika Foot Bath FAQ

Is Kvika free?

Yes. There is no entry fee and parking is free.

Can you swim at Kvika?

No. It is a shallow foot bath, not a swimming pool. There are no changing rooms.

How hot is the water?

Around 39°C, fed by a nearby borehole. It stays warm all year.

Where is Kvika?

On the shore of Seltjarnarnes, near the Grótta lighthouse, about 5 km from central Reykjavík.

When is the best time to go?

Around sunset, or on a dark clear winter night for a chance of Northern Lights. It is open at all times.

How big is the Kvika foot bath?

It is about 25–30 cm deep and 80–90 cm wide, carved into a single large rock. A few people can sit around the rim at once.

Is there parking at Kvika?

Yes. There is a small free car park beside the shore path, a short walk from the foot bath.

Who made Kvika?

The Icelandic artist Ólöf Nordal. She carved the basin into the rock, and it is filled with warm water from a nearby borehole.

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