The thermal baths in Iceland are an indisputable tourist attraction of the country: they are not only liked by foreigners, but also by the natives of the place. If you visit this idyllic site, we recommend that you visit one of the different offers that Iceland has to offer. In addition to relaxing, you will enjoy spectacular views that will make you not want to leave the Nordic island country characterized by its northern lights.
Thermal baths in Iceland
We dare to say that Iceland is not only the country of the northern lights, but also of thermal baths. And it is that they are a natural wealth, since all the warm waters of the country are geothermal. If you are one of those who like to take hot showers all year round, we tell you that maybe you should consider moving to Iceland, basically because the Icelandic subsoil is a reservoir of hot water that reaches people’s homes with these temperatures. For this reason, Icelanders, unlike us, have to wait for the water to cool down before they can use it.
Thanks to this particular condition, thermal baths abound in Iceland. And all of them are ideal for relaxing and having a good time with family and friends. Icelandic thermal baths are of natural origin and most of them have fumaroles of boiling water in geysers, wells or pools built with the help of man. Without a doubt, soaking in any of these places is one of the favorite activities of Icelanders and tourists. There are thermal baths for all tastes!
Close to the capital, far from it, on tourist routes and with views of the sea, the thermal baths of the country of the northern lights have much to offer you and we are sure you will enjoy them.
The blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular thermal baths in Iceland. The waters of these baths are blue, hence the name. They have temperatures between 38 and 39 degrees. The formation of this lagoon is not natural, but it was not built by man, not directly. It is an accident that occurred after a construction in 1976.
Rich in silica and numerous algae, the Blue Lagoon began to be used as an enclosure for bathers in 1981 and in fact, it is so beautiful and popular that it was named one of the 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic. It is one of the most impressive spas in the country and receives many visitors a year, it also has restaurants, cafes, bars …. Even in the water! It also has souvenir shops and a few hotels around.
To be able to access the Blue Lagoon, you need to book your entrance well in advance and that yes: being so popular, the prices are much higher than the rest of the baths. It is 30 minutes from Reykjavik, the capital of the country. We tell you that you can not only enjoy the hot springs, but also some shy northern lights that can be seen along the way.
Mývatn natural baths
Similar to the Blue Lagoon for their color are the natural baths of Mývatn, yes, much further away from the capital (12 hours round trip), but much cheaper and they are quite famous. It is a good alternative for those who think that the Blue Lagoon is too popular and touristy. So, if you visit the country, you go with enough time and you like places that are not too crowded, we recommend this site.
This natural spa is equipped for you to enjoy and relax, as it has showers and changing rooms, as well as a cafeteria and sauna . And the views are spectacular. We promise you will not regret it.
The Secret Lagoon, one of the most idyllic thermal baths in Iceland
Near the town of Flúðir is the Secret Lagoon. Its name tells us everything and promises a lot: a cozy place, to completely relax and enjoy the views. In addition, it is one of the oldest thermal baths in Iceland , dating back to 1891. Although yes, it was reopened in 2014 to the public after being closed for years. Completely renovated, you can enjoy showers and changing rooms.
As they tell us, it is like getting into a hydromassage pool. It is very close to the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is a 300 kilometer tourist route that ends in Reykjavik and is very popular with tourists. In the Golden Circle you can find three popular geysers: Geysir, Strokkur and Pingvellir. The temperature of the Secret Lagoon ranges between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius.
GeoSea Sea Baths
If you visit the country, please do not miss GeoSea, one of the most beautiful thermal baths in Iceland. It is quite new and is located in Húsavík, in the north of the country and where you can not only take a dip, but also book a whale watching. It is hot sea water that reaches high temperatures in a geothermal way. It has a lot of salt and other minerals, great not only for relaxing, but it also has healing properties that people often take advantage of.
It has impressive views that you can enjoy and mountains in the distance that frame a beautiful landscape for you to hallucinate and, of course, take some envious photos. It has a cafeteria with a terrace so that, before or after bathing, you can order a drink to enjoy.
Fontana Geothermal Baths
On one side of Laugarvatn are the Fontana baths, an hour and a half from the Icelandic capital. It is also part of the Golden Circle, so you can include them in your route through the country. Fontana’s geothermal baths date back to 1929, when locals came to cook and bathe. Saunas are quite hot and even steamy, so we guarantee you’ll be warm in minutes.
In fact, many cook rye bread by burying it in the sand between Lake Laugarvatn (next to Fontana) and the geothermal baths. It’s crazy! If you don’t want to bake your own bread, you can order a portion of this rarity at the Fontana cafeteria.
Guðlaug, a hot pool capable of competing with Iceland’s thermal baths
Guðlaug is a hot pool on Langasandur beach, so here you can not only enjoy the hot springs, but also the wonders of the ocean. Guðlaug is located in a rock garden on the aforementioned beach and has 3 floors, including a fabulous platform from which you can enjoy unparalleled views. It has a hot water pool, showers, changing rooms and even room for children.
It is open all year round and, best of all, it is free. In winter it opens Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; while in summer it does it every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays; We recommend that you check their Facebook for special hours before going.
We tell you that Guðlaugur is the work of the Basalt Architects group, through an agreement signed in August 2017. Basically, it is a geothermal pool in Iceland that arose thanks to the action of man, but a success! The project for which it was created was not only made with the inhabitants of the area and tourism in mind, but also in creating employment for the young people of Akranes (where these thermal waters are located). Although its construction is quite modern, more and more visitors enter its magical waters to fully enjoy the magnificence of the place.
