12 Incredible Iceland Hot Springs You Have to Visit

Last updated on March 31, 2026

We’ve traveled all over the world in search of beautiful hot springs and few places can compete with Iceland! From natural hot springs to luxurious spa-like baths, there are countless hot springs to enjoy in the land of fire and ice.

On our 14-day Iceland ring road trip we visited six different Iceland hot springs. Today, we’re sharing our favorites along with several other Iceland hot springs we want to visit on our next trip.

These stops include popular hot springs like Blue Lagoon and some of the more remote springs in the north of the country that tourists often miss. If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, make sure you add these 12 hot springs to your travel itinerary!

Iceland hot springs cost and reservations

Most hot springs to visit in Iceland are in developed pools that require payment or reservation to soak there. Prices will vary depending on the spring, the day of the visit, the season, and the package chosen. Expect to spend $30 to $80+ per person to soak at a spa-like hot spring and under $20 at a rustic spring.

The geothermal activity underneath Iceland heats the waters. Each hot spring will have a completely different mineral makeup than the next. Since the springs are heated from geothermal activity it’s not uncommon to experience a strong sulfur smell when soaking, which some describe smells like rotten eggs.

Follow the guidance for each hot spring as to whether you should or shouldn’t get your hair wet (we recommend avoiding it in springs with light blue milky water). It can cause your jewelry to tarnish or your hair to dry out due to the high mineral count.

🚨 Make reservations if you are going during peak season. June through September are the busiest months for Iceland receiving millions of visitors. Prices will be higher during these months and reservations book weeks in advance. If you want to beat the crowds go early. This applies to paid and free Iceland hot springs.

Does Iceland have natural hot springs?

All of the pools in Iceland are naturally heated by geothermal activity. Some natural hot springs in Iceland are non-developed pools in the earth and are typically free to enter. However, these can be harder to get to and often require driving to remote parts of the country or down an F-road, an unpaved road that leads to the highlands.

The natural hot springs will not have a formal area for changing out of your clothes before or after soaking. You may want to team up with a friend to change behind a towel if you’re modest about being naked in public. It’s rare to be alone at these hot springs, even the remote ones.

There are 2 natural hot springs on this list if you prefer a more “natural” experience. If you want more fun activities to explore, look at some of the popular day trips and tours from Reykjavik.

Iceland Hot Springs etiquette and rules

Blog posts like these have led to more visitors enjoying Iceland hot springs which in turn, has led to excessive trash and even human remains being left behind at some pools 🤢. Please be respectful of the rules at the pools and pack in and pack out anything you bring. If you have to hike in or hike out prepare accordingly. Never leave behind toilet paper or other remains or go to the bathroom in the pools. 🚫 Most springs do not allow: 🚫

• 🍾 Glass
• ✈ Drones
• 👙Nudity

What to expect at Iceland’s hot springs

Spas will request you shower completely before entering the spring. It’s somewhat of an odd concept if you’re American, but in Europe, it’s totally normal. They will have lockers and showers for you to de-robe then wash your body and hair with soap before entering. Do not just rinse off with water over your suit. The goal is to remove any deodorants, perfumes, lotions, and grime that could contaminate the pool.

Most spas will also provide a towel or robe during your stay. You will get a key or electronic watch at check-in that you keep on you while soaking. The electronic watches will open your locker and allow you to order items, like drinks at the float-up bars without needing a card or money. Just be warned, beverages are not cheap! Expect to pay $15-$20+ for a glass of wine, champagne, or beer.

What to bring to Iceland hot springs

Bathing suites are required to soak in Iceland’s hot springs. You will also want to bring a change of clothes for after soaking. Iceland’s weather is very unpredictable and can be chilly year-round. It’s a good idea to have a jacket, pants, and boots to change into or out of at the hot springs (we love Merino wool for layering). However, let the weather during your visit guide what you pack for your change of clothes.

If you’re visiting one of the natural hot springs in Iceland, bring a quick dry towel. You’ll also want shoes you can walk to the pools with like flip-flops no matter what type of hot spring you’re visiting. 🛄 Packing list:

• Bathing suit
• Flip flops
• Change of clothing (ideally layers, it can be cold year-round in Iceland)
• Quick dry towel for natural hot springs only
• A brush to comb your hair (most have blow dryers to dry your hair)
• A bag to put your wet clothes in after

Iceland hot springs map

In our opinion, there isn’t a “best” Iceland hot spring. All of the Iceland hot springs are worth visiting and truly amazing.

However, most people don’t have endless time to hop from hot spring to hot spring on vacation (wouldn’t that be the dream)? That’s why I’m sharing 12 of the best hot springs in Iceland to help you make the most of your visit. Below is an Iceland hot springs map to help you understand each hot spring location and better plan your trip.

If you’re driving Iceland’s ring road you should be able to visit several hot springs (some of our favorite ones were in the north)! If you’re only here for a short time (3 – 7 days) then you may want to stick to the hot springs in the south of the country near Reykjavik.

Hot springs near Reykjavik

If you’re only in Iceland for a short trip (5 days or less) I highly recommend you stick to the Reykjavik area and visit the hot springs within an hour or two drive of the capital city. Below are seven Iceland hot springs you can visit near Reykjavik. I have placed them in order from our favorite to least favorite for each region.

1. Sky Lagoon

Cost range: $50 – $95 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations highly recommended

Sky Lagoon opened its doors in 2021 and has quickly become one of the top hot springs in Iceland to visit. Located just 15 minutes outside Reykjavik it’s an easy hot spring to access by car or local taxi. This luxurious spa allows visitors to relax in its public infinity pools or add on spa treatments.

We opted for the 7 Ritual Package and it was a dream! We started with a cold plunge then moved through different wet and dry saunas, a cold shower, salt scrub, and back to the general hot spring pools. The vibe is immaculate and, in our opinion, is the best hot spring to visit near Reykjavik.

Yes, we recommend this more than Blue Lagoon. Included at Sky Lagoon: lockers, bar and restaurant, showers, and changing rooms.

2. Hvammsvík hot spring (new)

Cost range: $350 – $50 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended

Hvammsvík Hot Spring is the newest hot spring to open its doors in the Reykjavik area. Officially opened to the public in October of 2023, these unique pools are positioned on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This means guests get a different experience during high and low tides.

The views are absolutely unmatched and they have loads of additional amenities you can enjoy during your trip like yoga classes, cold plunges with the Wim Hoff method, paddle boards (weather permitting), and even a hotel to stay at. It’s a bit farther to get to, about 45 minutes outside of the city. If you aren’t renting a car they do have a ticket where you can get roundtrip transportation to and from the city.

Included at Hvammsvík hot spring: hotel accommodations, lockers, a free paddle board (subject to weather), yoga classes, hiking trails on the property, a bar and restaurant, and indoor and outdoor showers.

3. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

Cost: Free to visit but paid parking lot | Google Map Location

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is one of the natural hot springs in Iceland located about an hour outside of Reykjavik. It’s a long geothermally heated river with several hot sections for soaking.

You do have to hike to the springs, which means this may not be for everyone. The roundtrip hike is moderate lasting 5 miles. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half each way depending on your skill level and speed. The pool temperatures range from 30 to 35°C up to 40°C. There is a boardwalk to help you get from pool to pool but be warned there are no changing rooms here!

This unique experience is great if you’re on a budget since its free, but still want the benefits (and beauty) of visiting an Iceland hot spring

4. Hrunalaug Hot Spring

Cost range: $15 – $18 | Website | Google Map Location | First come first serve.

Hrunalaug Hot Spring is one of the lesser visited hot springs in the Reykjavik area. This rustic hot spring was built on a farm in the 1800s and is located on private property. The original bathhouse is still on site, but the current owners have added more natural pools to soak in due to its growing popularity.

The pool temperatures range from 37° – 38° and despite being an hour and a half outside of the city, still fills up quickly during peak season. There is currently no reservation system, so I recommend you visit early to guarantee your spot.

5. Secret Lagoon

Cost range: $18 – $26 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended

Secret Lagoon was one of our favorite lagoons in Iceland. This once rustic hot spring is widely considered the “oldest” hot spring in Iceland. However, there are plenty of private and natural hot springs that pre-date this.

It is, however, one of the first developed pools with a bathhouse, showers, restaurant, and other amenities on-site. It was very crowded given its location along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle and takes about an hour and a half to reach Reykjavik.

Reservations are recommended if you’re visiting during the peak summer season. It’s also worth noting that these pools are closed in winter off-season.

Looking for more cool activities to do in Iceland? Check out some of the best Iceland tours and day trips.

6. Blue Lagoon

Cost range: $81 – $147 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations highly recommended

Blue Lagoon is the most famous hot spring in Iceland. Its popularity is thanks to its milky blue waters which is from the high silica content of the water. Its striking appearance against the surrounding lava rock makes it a picturesque experience.

We are glad we visited Blue Lagoon and definitely thought it was unique compared to others in the area, but it wasn’t our favorite. The high silica dried my hair out for weeks and there was a lot of construction noise. It was also packed and quite expensive.

However, for first-time visitors or if it’s simply on your bucket list it’s worth going. We also really enjoyed the free masks you get to put on your face and the saunas throughout.

This lagoon is located near the airport, making it a popular stop after arriving or before departing the country. Amenities at Blue Lagoon: hotel accommodations, fine dining restaurants, a cafeteria-style restaurant, spa and floating therapy, and indoor showers with lockers and changing rooms.

7. Krauma Hot Springs

Cost range: $50 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended, but not required

Krauma Hot Springs and Spa is an hour and a half north of Reykjavik. This spot is often overlooked as a geothermal getaway since it’s not on Highway 1 of Iceland’s ring road. However, it’s a stunning spa with 7 pools to soak in. You can also find a relaxation room with an epic hanging fireplace and restaurant on site.

Iceland hot springs along the ring road

If you’re doing a ring road trip like we did, I highly encourage you to visit some of the hot springs along the way. Some of our favorites were in the north of Iceland which most tourists never visit. These are NOT in any particular order.

8. Myvátn Nature Baths

Cost range: $49 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended, but not required

If you’re driving the ring road, I recommend visiting Myvátn Nature Baths over Blue Lagoon. Myvátn Nature Baths offers that same milky blue water with gorgeous views of the mountains surrounding the town of Myvátn.

It has saunas, a cold plunge pool, and bar on-site with two different large pools to relax in. We loved it so much that we spent over 4 hours there, closing out the hot springs! Of all of the hot springs in Iceland, this ties for the #1 position.

9. Foss waterfall

Cost range: Free | Google Map Location

Foss waterfall is somewhat of a hidden gem in the north of Iceland. We haven’t personally soaked here, but our friends who recently took a Nordic Cruise stopped in Akureyri and found this amazing hot spring.

The waterfall cascades into a small pool overlooking the ocean and is just off the side of the road in the town of Foss. It takes less than 10 minutes to get there and requires no hiking! The pool is small, so if there is a lot of people there it gets crowded quickly. Our friends loved sliding down the falls into the pool and said it was the highlight of their trip.

If rustic isn’t your vibe you can visit Forest Lagoon, another new lagoon offering a more spa-like experience.

10. Vök Baths

Cost range: $49 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended, but not required

Vök Baths is another ocean-side hot spring in Iceland that offers a mix of luxury and nature. The unique hexagonal shape makes it a fun pool to soak in, but its access to the water and mix of hot and cold experiences sets it apart from other Iceland hot springs.

It has loads of other amenities like a cold mist tunnel, restaurant, hotel, bar, and steam bath all for under $50 entry.

11. Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths

Cost range: $23-46 | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations recommended, but not required

Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths are located just outside of Húsavík, one of the more populated towns in the north of Iceland and the start of the Diamond Circle. This area is known for whale watching, which means there’s a chance you can see whales spouting in the distance from the oblong pools. 🐋

The pools are a mixture of clear rock water and ground seawater which are kept at a temperature of 38-39°C (aka the perfect temp). This unique mix of seawater with high minerals isn’t found elsewhere across the island. There’s also a restaurant, bar, and cool soaking pool.

12. Bjórbödin Beer Spa (The Beer Spa)

Cost range: $106 (single) – $147 (couple) | Website | Google Map Location | Reservations required

If you want a unique soaking experience, Bjórböðin Beer Spa is the place to go. They’re currently doing some renovations but will be open for summer and fall bookings in 2026.

Located about 45 minutes north of Akureyri, this beer spa mixes minerals with unfermented beer. This isn’t the beer you’d drink out of the tap. Rather it’s the barley, wheat, and other ingredients in the stage before they’ve fermentation. As if that wasn’t fun enough, you get your own soaking room with unlimited beers on tap!

The sensation of soaking in beer is odd at first, but our skin felt the best after visiting this spa compared to the rest. After soaking for roughly 45 minutes you get taken to a relaxation room where you can rest and listen to calming music. There are also natural (non-beer) hot springs outside with epic views, a beer barrel sauna, a restaurant and bar, and an infrared sauna, too.

Don’t forget to check out the other unique activities to do in Iceland.

Still want more hot spring recommendations? We have a map of Iceland sharing over 100 destinations to visit, including more hot springs! You can get access to our Google Map and our perfect 10 – 14 day Iceland ring road trip itinerary here.