Frost-covered birch trees against a deep blue winter sky

Best Saunas & Hot Springs in Iceland

Iceland is what happens when you build a civilization on top of a volcano. The island sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart, filling the gap with magma that heats groundwater to temperatures that would be useful in a sauna. And Icelanders have been using that gift for over a thousand years.

Bathing in Iceland is cultural DNA. The Icelandic sagas mention hot springs as meeting places and sites of political negotiation. The famous Snorralaug, a hot pool built in the 12th century by saga writer Snorri Sturluson, still exists. Today, nearly every town in Iceland has a public swimming pool (sundlaug) heated by geothermal water, with hot pots (heitur pottur) where locals gather daily to catch up, gossip, and soak.

As a Finn, I feel a deep kinship with Icelandic bathing culture. The philosophy is the same — heat, water, community, and a complete disregard for the idea that sitting in hot water requires a luxury price tag. But where Finnish sauna culture is about the interplay between fire and stone, Icelandic bathing is about the raw geological power of the earth itself. Here are the best places to experience it.

Top Thermal Destinations

Blue Lagoon (Bláa Lónið)

Grindavík, Reykjanes Peninsula • 47 km from Reykjavik • Year-round

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous geothermal spa on earth, and it lives up to its reputation. The milky, mineral-blue water sits in the middle of a stark lava field, creating a visual contrast that is genuinely otherworldly. The water is a byproduct of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant — rich in silica, algae, and minerals that give it that distinctive color and make your skin feel impossibly smooth.

The standard experience includes access to the lagoon, a silica mud mask, and a drink from the in-water bar. The water temperature hovers around 37-40°C, comfortable enough to soak in for hours. There is also a steam room, a sauna, and a waterfall that provides a natural shoulder massage.

For those wanting something more, the Retreat Spa is the Blue Lagoon's luxury tier — a separate, more private lagoon, an underground spa carved into the lava, and treatments that use the lagoon's minerals. It is expensive (starting around €500), but it is one of the most extraordinary spa experiences in the world. The standard Blue Lagoon, however, is already remarkable and far more accessible.

Sky Lagoon

Kársnes, Reykjavik • 15 min from downtown • Year-round

Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 and immediately became the Blue Lagoon's most serious competitor. Its centerpiece is a stunning 75-meter infinity pool that appears to merge with the North Atlantic Ocean beyond it. The visual effect is extraordinary — you float in warm geothermal water while staring out at the open ocean, and the boundary between pool and sea dissolves.

The Skjól ritual (their signature 7-step experience) is inspired by Icelandic bathing tradition: warm lagoon, cold plunge, sauna, cold mist, sky body scrub, steam room, and back to the warm lagoon. It is well-designed and takes about 45 minutes to complete, though you can repeat it as many times as you like.

Sky Lagoon's biggest advantage over the Blue Lagoon is location — it is only 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, making it far easier to fit into a short trip. The atmosphere is more intimate and design-forward, with turf-roof architecture that nods to traditional Icelandic building styles.

Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)

Flúðir, Golden Circle area • 90 min from Reykjavik • Year-round

The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin (“the old pool”), is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, with a history dating back to 1891. It sits in the small village of Flúðir in the Golden Circle region, surrounded by steaming hot springs, a small geyser that erupts every few minutes, and Icelandic farmland.

This is the antidote to the Blue Lagoon experience. There are no silica mud masks, no in-water bars, no luxury tiers. It is a natural hot spring pool with changing facilities, and that is it. The water is around 38-40°C year-round, fed by a constant flow of geothermal water. The atmosphere is relaxed and authentic — closer to what Icelandic bathing has been for centuries. It is significantly cheaper than the Blue Lagoon and far less crowded. If you are on the Golden Circle route (which you should be), build in a stop here.

Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin)

Lake Mývatn, North Iceland • 480 km from Reykjavik • Year-round

Often called the “Blue Lagoon of the North,” Mývatn Nature Baths offers a similar milky-blue geothermal lagoon experience without the crowds and at a fraction of the price. The water is alkaline and rich in minerals, drawn from depths of up to 2,500 meters, and the setting — overlooking Lake Mývatn with volcanic landscapes stretching to the horizon — is arguably more dramatic than the Blue Lagoon.

Getting there requires commitment — Mývatn is in North Iceland, about a five-hour drive from Reykjavik or accessible via domestic flights to Akureyri. But if you are driving the Ring Road, Mývatn is an essential stop. The surrounding area is geologically extraordinary: bubbling mudpots at Hverir, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, and Krafla volcano are all nearby. Bathe first, explore later.

Blue Lagoon vs Sky Lagoon

This is the question every Iceland visitor asks. Both are excellent, but they offer different experiences. Here is an honest comparison.

Factor	Blue Lagoon	Sky Lagoon
Price (standard)	From €75-100	From €55-75
Distance from Reykjavik	47 km (50 min drive)	7 km (15 min drive)
Distance from KEF airport	23 km (20 min drive)	52 km (45 min drive)
Water type	Silica-rich, milky blue	Geothermal, clear to slightly mineral
Signature feature	Iconic lava field lagoon, silica mud masks	75m infinity pool, ocean views, 7-step ritual
Atmosphere	Grand, iconic, bucket-list	Intimate, design-forward, contemplative
Crowd levels	High (book weeks ahead)	Moderate (easier to book)
Sauna quality	Good steam room and sauna	Excellent sauna as part of 7-step ritual
Best for	First-time Iceland visitors, the iconic experience	Design lovers, sauna enthusiasts, short trips

Choose Blue Lagoon if...

✓It is your first time in Iceland and you want the iconic experience
✓You are flying in or out and want a stop near the airport
✓You want the silica mud and mineral-rich water experience
✓Budget is not the primary concern

Choose Sky Lagoon if...

✓You are staying in Reykjavik and want convenience
✓You appreciate thoughtful design and the ritual experience
✓You prefer a more intimate, less crowded atmosphere
✓You want a strong sauna and cold-plunge experience

My honest recommendation: if you have time and budget for both, do both. They are genuinely different experiences. If you can only do one and it is your first time in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is an experience you will never forget. If you are returning to Iceland or prioritize the sauna/ritual element, Sky Lagoon is the better choice.

Hot Pot Culture — The Soul of Icelandic Bathing

The big-name lagoons get all the attention, but the real heart of Icelandic bathing culture is the humble hot pot (heitur pottur). Every town in Iceland — and I mean every town, no matter how small — has a public swimming pool with at least one hot pot. These are not fancy spa experiences. They are concrete or stone tubs filled with geothermal water at 38-44°C, where locals gather every morning and evening to soak and talk.

The hot pot is Iceland's equivalent of the Finnish sauna as a social institution. Business is discussed. Gossip is exchanged. Problems are solved. Friendships are maintained. Showing up at your local sundlaug and sitting in the hot pot for 30 minutes is as natural as having morning coffee.

For visitors, the community pools are the most authentic and affordable way to experience Icelandic bathing culture. Admission is typically just a few euros. The etiquette is simple: shower thoroughly (naked, before putting on your swimsuit), be quiet and respectful in the hot pot, and do not bring your phone into the water. In Reykjavik, Vesturbaejarlaug, Sundhöllin (recently renovated with a beautiful rooftop pool), and Laugardalslaug are all excellent.

Beyond the community pools, Iceland has wild hot springs scattered across the landscape. Some are well-known, others are unmarked. If you venture to find wild hot springs, be careful: water temperatures vary dramatically, some springs are scalding hot, and conditions change. Always test the water carefully, bring a buddy, and leave no trace.

The Geothermal Connection

Understanding why Iceland has such extraordinary bathing culture requires understanding the geology. Iceland sits on one of the most volcanically active spots on earth. Geothermal energy is not a niche renewable here — it powers 90% of Iceland's heating and 25% of its electricity. The same geological forces that created the bathing culture also created one of the most sustainable energy systems in the world.

The Blue Lagoon's water is a byproduct of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The community pools across the country are heated by geothermal boreholes. Even the sidewalks in Reykjavik are heated by geothermal water in winter. The entire Icelandic relationship with hot water — for bathing, for heating, for energy — is an expression of living in harmony with powerful geological forces.

As a Finn, where sauna heat comes from chopping wood and burning it, there is something profoundly different about bathing in water heated by the earth itself. It adds a dimension to the experience that is hard to describe — a sense of scale, of geological time, of being connected to forces far larger than yourself. It is one of the reasons Iceland's bathing experiences feel so unique.

Practical Tips for Bathing in Iceland

Book in Advance

The Blue Lagoon requires advance booking and frequently sells out weeks ahead, especially during summer. Sky Lagoon is easier to book but still benefits from advance reservation. The Secret Lagoon and Mývatn Nature Baths are more flexible but still book ahead during peak season (June-August).

What to Bring

Swimsuit (required at all Icelandic pools and lagoons), a towel (some venues provide them, others rent them), and a hair tie if you have long hair. The silica in Blue Lagoon water can dry out hair — apply conditioner before entering. Many visitors bring a waterproof phone case for photos in the lagoon.

Costs Overview

Community pools: €5-10. Secret Lagoon: €25-30. Sky Lagoon: €55-75. Blue Lagoon: €75-100+ (standard). Mývatn Nature Baths: €40-50. The community pools offer the best value by far and are the most authentic experience.

Showering Rules

You must shower naked before entering any pool in Iceland. This is non-negotiable and enforced. Shower areas are communal and gender-separated. It is the same principle as Finnish sauna hygiene — you wash thoroughly before entering shared water. Icelanders take this very seriously, and rightly so.

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A downloadable PDF with all the best hot springs, lagoons, and community pools in Iceland. Includes booking tips, packing list, and a map of hidden hot springs.