5 Hot Springs in Iceland That Aren’t the Blue Lagoon

Early on a Sunday morning in July, two brothers from Boston sat on Reykjavik’s rocky coast, with their faces turned towards the chilly waters of the bay and their toes soaking in what felt like a heat tub. Ben and Lucas Zheng had landed round 4:30 a.m. at Iceland’s worldwide airport, and didn’t have too many early-morning choices for the best way to spend the beginning of their eight-hour layover earlier than flying on to Venice. So, benefiting from the season’s round the clock daylight, they walked 40 minutes from town middle towards the northwestern tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. There on the stony seaside, they rolled up their pants and sat for a few hours, their legs submerged within the naturally heat Kvika pool, which, at 12 inches deep, is extra foot tub than scorching tub.

The Zheng brothers had stumbled onto essentially the most Icelandic of experiences. With greater than 600 pure scorching springs, the volcanic island will get the higher a part of its warmth and vitality from geothermal sources. But it has additionally included that bounty of heat water into its tradition, turning bathing in public swimming pools right into a sociable nationwide pastime that’s, in line with some, the key to its residents’ happiness.

Of course, guests like a very good soak as nicely, a predilection that has helped make the milky turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, close to the Keflavik airport, Iceland’s hottest vacationer attraction. It’s so fashionable, in actual fact, that between the car parking zone jammed with tour buses and the tightly regimented time slots, a shower there could be not very stress-free in any respect. Luckily, there are quite a few different out of doors geothermal swimming pools within the neighborhood. All of those are inside an hour or so by automobile from Reykjavik, and every has its personal persona.

Sky Lagoon: The hedonist’s tub

On the outskirts of Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon, which opened in 2021, is one in every of Iceland’s most luxurious geothermal swimming pools, with the distinct really feel of a spa — and a seven-step “ritual” to show it. Incorporating each native architectural traditions (be aware the turf partitions) and dramatic landscapes, Sky Lagoon is sleekly stunning, with a passage from well-appointed locker rooms that feels nearly magical: You step from the chilly, slippery tiles of the showers (right here, like in every single place in Iceland, showering is obligatory earlier than bathing) into steaming blue waters beneath the open sky. Towering boulders lead out right into a broad infinity pool overlooking a bay.

There is not any scarcity of bathers snapping selfies whereas clutching the Aperol spritz they procured from the swim-up bar. But one way or the other the pool by no means feels overly crowded; there are sufficient quiet corners to offer a solitary soak for individuals who search it. You can loll for hours within the temperate water, or, for an additional price, embark on that seven-step journey and add a chilly plunge, sauna, steam and scrub. Or head to the cafe for wine and cake.

Entrance begins at 6,790 Icelandic krona, or round $52, together with towel rental, and 9,790 krona for the seven-step ritual.

Hvammsvik: The scenery-seeker’s tub

Humans have inhabited Hvalfjord (or “whale fjord”) since at the very least Viking instances. It’s not arduous to grasp why: Not solely does the lengthy, slender fjord minimize so deeply into the countryside about an hour north of Reykjavik that Allied forces stashed their ships there for defense throughout World War II, it additionally presents spirit-lifting vistas in all instructions. Hvammsvik, which opened alongside the fjord’s southern lip in 2022, presents direct entry to the frigid sea from its black seaside, however most bathers come for its eight heated swimming pools overlooking the magnificent surroundings. Each pool is a special temperature, starting from lukewarm to piping, although the heat of those closest to the ocean adjustments with the tides.

Comfortable altering services, a small poolside bar and a comfortable indoor cafe whose interesting menu consists of the prospect to pattern native crowberries, which come strewn throughout baked Brie, full the providing. The swimming pools themselves aren’t massive, and Hvammsvik is seemingly on the tour checklist for day-tripping cruise passengers, which signifies that in the summertime excessive season it’s often not the place for silent communing with nature. For that, you’ll wish to ebook one of many 4 tastefully designed homes on-site which can be out there for in a single day stays.

Entrance begins at 6,900 krona, towels not included. Accommodation begins at 899 euros, or about $978, per night time for a two-bedroom home.

Gudlaug: The group tub

The lengthy, sandy seaside lining the sting of the port city of Akranes, about 30 miles north of Reykjavik, is dwelling to a group tub constructed with funds established in reminiscence of an area married couple. (Gudlaug was the spouse’s first title.) Designed by the Icelandic structure agency Basalt, the placing concrete construction opened in 2017 and consists of three tiered concrete rounds. The backside stage is a wading pool, and the commentary platform on prime presents expansive views of the seaside and ocean; on clear days you possibly can even make out Reykjavik within the distance. But the star attraction is the recent pool within the center, particularly within the early night, when a dozen or extra locals squeeze in for a chat and postprandial soak. There are bogs simply behind the constructing, and out of doors cubbyholes for stashing clothes.

Entrance, 500 krona.

Laugarvatn Fontana: The family-friendly tub

On a summer season day, Laugarvatn is a boisterous mixture of Icelandic households and worldwide guests. About 50 miles east of Reykjavik, and smack in the course of the Golden Circle, the advanced spans the sting of a shallow, black-sand-fringed lake whose cool waters make a refreshing plunge after a tour by way of its extra thermal choices. The spa attracts busloads of vacationers who come for a dip and the prospect to observe its geothermal bakery in motion (the volcanically heated earth is heat sufficient to cook dinner loaves — known as hverabraud, or “hot springs bread”— buried there). But Laugarvatn additionally has all of the services that locals search for in a washing spot: three swimming pools of various temperatures, steam rooms the place the steam funnels up instantly from the bottom, and a busy cafe serving soup, cake and that scrumptious bread.

Entrance, 4,990 krona for adults; bread-baking demonstration, together with tasting, 2,990 krona.

Reykjadalur Thermal River: The nature lover’s tub

There’s nothing fairly like a boiling alpine river to impress just a little cognitive dissonance. The stream that cuts by way of the mountains exterior of Hveragerdi, about 30 miles southeast of the capital, appears to be like prefer it must be freezing, what with the clear waters burbling previous grassy meadows and the rocky peaks overhead. But the regular puffs of steam rolling off the floor — to say nothing of the sulfuric odor — give it away: The river is so scorching in locations that even a fast splash dangers critical burns.

After an hourlong hike uphill, nonetheless, you’ll discover artfully positioned rocks that kind swimming pools the place the recent water is tempered by an adjoining chilly stream. You’ll know you’ve reached the precise place once you see the open-sided picket pavilions for altering, and the blissed-out hikers soaking beneath the watchful gaze of voyeuristic sheep. A car parking zone and cafe mark the start of the path; each rapidly turn out to be crowded, however if you happen to depart earlier than 9 a.m., you simply might need the river — and that deeply Icelandic mixture of spectacular surroundings and soothingly heat water — all to your self.

Entrance, free.

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