Seljavallalaug is one of these secret spots that hasnt been discovered by the masses. Due to iceland s position on the midatlantic ridge and the eurasian and northamerican tectonic plates pulling the country apart at the rate of about 2. A hot spring used for bathing is a natural pool, where a hot water source comes up from the ground without much effort. There are 75 locations on the island, and 26 maps ranging from ogre villages to a ruined elven city to the volcanic lair of a vain efreet. But anywhere you go in iceland, wether it be west or east, you will also find plenty of man made geothermal swimming pools with jacuzzis and saunas. Exploring the hot pools of iceland is one of the most unique experiences the country has to offer. Iceland is a country teeming with natural splendors characterized by breathtaking landscapes and the soothing waters of its hot springs. Best free natural hot springs in iceland extreme iceland. Book my natural hot spring golden circle tour here.
Updated august 30, 2017 there is no doubt that iceland is a top hot springs destination in the world. If you do one activity in iceland, make sure its a hot spring. This activity results in many hot springs around the country. Home to one of 25 wonders of the world, blue lagoon iceland is a place where the powers of geothermal seawater create transformational spa journeys. A guide to the best hot springs in iceland updated 2020. Hotsprings in iceland 9 secret soaks you shouldnt know.
The pool itself stays around 3840c all year round, and although the structure of the basin is manmade its actually the oldest pool in iceland, from 1891. Enjoy unique bathing experiences in warm and soothing natural hot springs, surrounded by iceland s volcanic vistas. The building was built in 1966 by the government of iceland. In my personal experience, most are perfect for bathing all year round or from 3840c. In the reception you will find information on the hiking trails.
Families, couples, and friends get together regularly to soak, play, and share the latest gossip or news in hot waters. If you want to know more about iceland s hot springs, gunnar is a local expert and can help you out. Iceland is filled with enough geothermal pools, geothermal spas, and natural hot springs to fill up every day of your iceland itinerary. While the misty, bright blue waters of iceland s blue lagoon have been taking over your instagram feed for the last few years, there are hot springs and geothermal pools all over the country. Since many visitors are perfectly aware of this, icelands amazing natural hot spring pools are no longer quite the secret places they used to be. As a result, the country is peppered with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Thankfully, with relatively mild weather and calm winds, may is perhaps the best month to do just that. Secret lagoon natural hot springs are located in the small village called. Notable landmarks in the area include karahnjukar hypropower plant and karahnjukar dam. You can certainly expect a quality hot spring experience when you venture to a place called smoky valley. A hot spring is also where the water doesnt require any heating and can contain natural minerals such as algae and silica. Iceland boasts hot springs, volcanoes, the northern lights and now a world cup football team.
We landed around noon, ate lunch and then visited places around reykjanes peninsula. Take a dip in one of iceland s natural hot springs or geothermal pools, which are found throughout the country. Reykjadalur hot springs, iceland reykjadalur hot springs, iceland viator. With its blue waters, luxurious facilities, and world class service. The 10 best hot springs in iceland you have to visit. The ultimate guide to icelands best pools and hot springs. Judging from the number of natural hot springs in each area, southern iceland and the westfjords are by far the best areas to find natural hot springs in iceland. Hot tubs and natural hot springs have been a part of iceland s culture since the settlement era. Iceland is the land of ice, fire and water, water, water. Hot springs are some of iceland s more popular summer attractions. The 5 best hot springs in iceland guide to iceland.
Iceland northern lights hotel iceland hot springs hotel. A campervan is the best way to get around iceland on a budget. There is little argument that the blue lagoon is the premier hot spring destination of iceland. Because of this, you will need to book your entry well in advance and it comes with the highest price tag of all the bathing options in iceland. Unwind the clock of modern life and unlock the door to a wonder of the world. Since its a natural hot spring the water temperature is not regulated and can be quite hot. Iceland sits on top of the midatlantic volcanic ridge where one of the worlds most active hotspots continuously pushes the molten rock up to the surface. I remember in my many searches coming across a book you can buy in iceland that details all the natural springs and hotsprings. Instead of going to the pub or the park, icelanders like to gather in their local pool to get fresh air, exercise and discuss world matters in the hot tub. Every local we met was helpful in our quest to find the best hot springs in iceland. As its located right on the ridge of two tectonic plates there is a lot of movement and geothermal activity. The reykjadalur hot springs provide just that, and its only a 45minute drive from reykjavik. For centuries we have known the health benefits of bathing in the ohsowonderful warm mineral water and destressing and relaxing every muscle in your body after a hard day at work.
Hoffell hot tubs eastern iceland is a little short on natural hot springs so at hoffell they have built a series of hot tubs instead. Just got back from iceland, this book seems outdated and was not very helpful. This mixture of geothermal activity, ice and fire, means that there are numerous waterfalls, lakes and hot springs all over the island that can be enjoyed all. It is unique from iceland s other hot springs in that it is entirely seawater. This is really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to places to soak in iceland. Start planning your visit to laugarvatn fontana by booking your ticket. Besides the blue lagoon, here are ten hot springs in ic eland that you must visit.
Beautiful lagoons, pools and hot springs in iceland. Aside from the famous blue lagoon, the myvatn nature baths are among icelands most tourist. Information on how to find and get to hveravellir nature reserve, whether by car, by bus or other means. Its an absolutely incredible hot springs at the base of a mountain. Iceland boasts hot springs, volcanoes, the northern lights. While we wouldnt necessarily say you should skip the blue lagoon on your trip to iceland, its worth heading to a less popular hot spring for a more authentic experience. Hveravellir service centre provides information on places to visit, things to see and do and assists how to get there. While most of them are not hidden secrets anymore, you still have plenty of tempting options to choose from.
Hot springs in iceland top 5 spa hot springs in iceland 1. Thrilling natural hot springs and geothermal pools can be found all over the country. It is best to book a hotel with breakfast included or stock up at supermarkets off the tourist. Updated august 30, 2017 there is no doubt that iceland is a top hotsprings destination in the world. Reykjafjall, as well as through a dense green forest a rarity in iceland. The ultimate guide to the best hot springs in iceland. If youre planning a trip to iceland, theres a good chance youre also going to find yourself at a hot spring.
Learning about iceland from your knowlegable local guides. The reason for it is because iceland is situated on a hot spot with a lot of geothermal activity. However, few pools are getting colder each year for some reason while other are in very active geothermal areas and get too warm for bathing. Be sure not to miss outdoor adventures like hikingbiking trails and mountain biking. They spoke of steaming jungles filled with magical plants, lost ruins, ravenous creatures, and vengeful, feuding factions. We compiled their firsthand accounts, polished them off with a bit of wild assumption, and wrote it all down in this book a field guide to hot springs islandfor people just like you. Thanks to iceland s unique geography, the country is awash with natural pools and hot springs, meaning youll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right pool for you. Our guide to the best pools in iceland hot springs and. A field guide to hot springs island swordfish islands. Lounging around in swimming pools and hot springs is a national pastime in iceland.
Part of the magic of iceland is the hidden geothermal pools all over the island. The love for swimming and bathing is engraved in our dna. The best iceland hot spring tours guide to iceland. Tips for visiting icelands hot springs by rick steves. Iceland, tectonic treasures big mountain bike adventures.
If youre travelling the ring road in eastern iceland then they are a short drive from the town of. Bathe in geothermal pools and experience iceland s volcanic beauty up close on this leisurely hiking and hot springs tour from reykjavik. Due to high demand, we cannot guarantee a spot if you do not book in advance. Popular attractions geothermal park and hveragerdi church are located nearby. Iceland hot springs geothermal area gray line iceland. The dark of hot springs island is the game masters book. Depending on where you are, hot springs range from natural hot pools carved from the. Guide nature and hot pools in iceland tiny iceland.
Hot springs etiquette do wear a bathing suit in the pools. An outdoor soak in these natural hot springs is an essential bucketlist activity when planning a trip to iceland. Gunnuhver hot springs grindavik 2020 all you need to. Gunnuhver hot springs was our second stop, following bridge between continents. Natural hot springs can be found all over iceland, and when you come across one, please remember to leave it in the exact state you found ittoo many icelandic hot springs have been destroyed in recent years because of the foolish actions of unmindful people. Hot springs island is a hexcrawl, and the dark contains all the details needed to run a sandbox game there. Enjoy unique bathing experiences in warm and soothing natural hot springs, surrounded by iceland. From the blue lagoon spa to the geothermal hot springs. The haunted hot spring is named gunnuhver after its ghost story. Hot springs and cool northern lights, each a unique experience on their own. The temperature of natural hot springs in iceland varies from every pool. Geothermal pools and natural hot springs in iceland 2020. Read on for our ultimate guide to iceland s famous and lesserknown hot springs and pools. Experience geothermal heaven at one of icelands hot spring pools.
On the second floor, the floor that the hostel is located, the post office manager used to live with his family. Hot springs in iceland beyond the blue lagoon bookmundi. Iceland is full of surprises just waiting to be discovered. Down the road, the eye is caught by glimpses of astonishingly blue water peeking through the shrubbery.
The country is situated on a hot spot on the earth, resulting in a lot of geothermal activity, but there are also glaciers dotted all over the country. Guide to visiting hot springs in iceland seljavallalaug hot springs in southern iceland. Reykjadalur, a bucolic, beautiful plain located in the south of iceland, is renowned for its steaming hot springs, dense mud pools, and scenic hiking trails. Its an exercise in human relationshipssomething most of us could use these daysto track down the best of these springs, but when you do it will be so more more worth it. Built into a lava wall on the west bank of the blue lagoon, the restaurant is a breathtaking location for experiencing the fresh, local, seasonal pleasures of. Hot spring tours take you to famous geothermal sites and hidden gems in iceland s lava landscapes. Swimming in hot springs or geothermal pools are a timehonored tradition among icelanders, ever since the days of the sagas. You can find them all over the country see our hot spring map.
Journey to remote deplar farm and enjoy exclusive all inclusive adventures heli skiing, hot springs, snowmobiling and more coupled with high end amenities at our iceland northern lights hotel. Following that, you will trot past numerous steaming hotsprings in the geothermal area of gufudalur valley, located just above the town of hverager. It was renovated in 2016 and changed into a hostel. The best hot springs in iceland besides the blue lagoon. On the tour, you will ride gorgeous trails along the picturesque slopes of mt. Fontana geothermal baths top 5 geothermal hot spring pools in iceland 1. Sunk into a bed of rocks amidst stunning scenery of snowcapped peaks, the hoffell hot tubs are a real treat. Beneath iceland, the earths crust is thin, fractured and faulted. With your guide, leave reykjavik for the greenhouse town of hveragerdi town where reykjadalur valley is located. Hot springs in iceland are a right of passage and even the locals regularly use them. Oasis in the highlands of iceland hveravellir nature reserve.