Destinations / February 1, 2023

Why you should add Iceland swimming pools to your itinerary

We traveled to Iceland as a family of 4, and spent 2 weeks road-tripping and exploring the incredible land of ice and fire. Our favourite activities included adventuring around/behind/into Iceland’s many waterfalls, puffin spotting, and hiking to incredible views. The kids have their own list of favourites, which include running up and down giant sand dunes, sleeping over at a sheep farm, hitting up the playground in every town we passed… but we all agree visiting Iceland swimming pools ranked high on everyone’s list.

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, don’t leave this seemingly mundane activity off your list. You might just find yourself mapping out the nearest pool every stop you make! (Well, maybe not every stop… but every couple days, at least!)

Why are Iceland public pools so special?

You can find a public pool (sundlaugar) in nearly every town. Swimming is a part of Icelandic culture and the pool provides a space for the community to get together.

Icelandic pools are geothermal and naturally heated. Each swimming facility has pools that are both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor pools are open even in cold weather. There are multiple pools at varying temperature, from 33-34 °C lap pools to 44 °C hot tubs, not to mention arctic plunge pools. You might be at a public pool, but it feels like you’re going to a spa (steam room included!)

Iceland’s pools are family friendly, with multiple pools for babies/toddlers. We were constantly impressed by how much they cater to kids, with plenty of floaties, balls, and pool toys.

Public swimming pools are pretty much part-waterparks. This is not true for all pools, but many have large corkscrew water slides, and some even have splash pools and playgrounds.

You can find swimming pools in incredible places – below waterfalls or near beaches or cliffs. You can have a relaxing swim or soak outdoors while enjoying an incredible view.

Why you should add Iceland swimming pools to your itinerary

It’s a great spot to relax. Iceland pools are definitely not just for doing laps! There’s nothing better than soaking in one of the many heated pools at the end of a long day of adventuring or driving.

It’s a great way to experience local culture. Unlike Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and other geothermal spas, their swimming pools are geared toward Iocals, and you’ll frequently be sharing the pool with Icelanders, especially on weekends.

It’s a place to shower! This is a no brainer if you’re camping. Many camping facilities require payment to use their showers, which are usually timed. Why not spend the same amount at a public pool and add on a leisurely swim/soak?

It’s a good way to spend a rainy day. You can’t let weather stop you from enjoying Iceland’s outdoors, right? It’s hardly a chore spending a day in the rain when you’re soaking in a 44 °C pool.

It’s a good way for kids to get their energy out. Most pools are usually in community areas that also have a playground. (And Iceland’s playgrounds are no joke – our kids’ eyes just light up when we hit a playground. Some have zip lines, some have extravagant climbing structures, or giant bounce pillows.) It’s a great way to spend a few hours after a long car ride.

It’s cheap! Visiting the Blue Lagoon or Iceland’s other geothermal baths is an experience – but if you want heated baths at a fraction of the price, Iceland swimming pools are a solid alternative. (In fact, on our final day before departure, our kids opted to visit the Keflavik swimming pool instead of the Blue Lagoon!)

What you need to know about Iceland’s public pools

Check the pool’s opening hours ahead of time. Each swimming pool has their own hours depending on the season and the day of the week. Many pools in Reykjavik open until 10pm, but pools in smaller towns may close at 6 or 8pm.

Cost: Generally around 900 – 1000 ISK (9-10 CAD) per adult. Children (sometimes counted as under 16) or free, or significantly discounted. Adults over 67 are also free.

If you bring valuables, you can store them in the change room lockers. Some of the pools we visited did not have lockers, but staff will usually offer to put these items in a small bin at the front desk.

Etiquette – all swimmers must shower naked before donning their swimsuit and entering the pool. (The change rooms are gendered.) This is because Iceland’s pools are non-chlorinated, so they ask that swimmers wash themselves for hygienic reasons. This is also true for tourist attractions such as the Blue Lagoon and Myvatn Nature Baths, but these places do provide curtains in some stalls for those who want a little privacy. All the showers we saw at the public pools are communal, but everybody does it, and nobody looks twice. (It was also a good chance to teach the kids, who were a little weirded out at first, that bodies are just bodies.)

The lap pool (if the lanes are set up) is for lap swimming only! There is a leisure pool for free swim and play.

Bring your own towel! But all pools are equipped with soap/shampoo and hair dryers.

Swimming pools to check out on your Iceland trip

If you’re in the mood for swimming or a rainy day has disrupted your plans (or you desperately need a shower), the easiest thing is to Google map the swimming pool nearest you. With that being said, here are a few to check out to get you started!

Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik – just over 6km east of the downtown core and easily accessible by bus (No 14). This complex is one of Iceland’s largest, with seven heated pools and a water slide. The district (Laugardalur) is also home to Reykjavik’s zoo, park, botanical garden, and campground. It would make a great day trip with kids if your home base is in Reykjavik.

Swimming pool in Vik – Vik is the getaway town to Iceland’s south coast, and will probably be the most convenient for most travellers heading out of Reykjavik/around the Ring Road. Vik is a good place to stop for the night on your way to see glaciers and the Diamond Beach. The public pool is right along the coast, with ocean on one side and bluffs on the other. There is a playground with zip line, bounce pillow, playset, and soccer enclosure.

Swimming pool in Akureyri – the getaway to Iceland’s north. We did not stop at this pool, but it is a large facility with three giant water slides.

Waterworld in Keflavik – this one is right by the airport, and a great way to kill a few hours (or an entire day) before your flight home. There are many hot tubs to enjoy here, two large water slides, as well as an entire indoor splash pool with water playground for the kids. Waterworld can get crowded on the weekends, when many locals come out to enjoy the pools.

Hofsos, north Iceland – this pool is tiny, by comparison. There is only 1 leisure pool and 1 hot tub, but is arguably Iceland’s most beautiful. It’s built into the hillside overlooking the fjord and sea. Hofsos is about 40 mins north of Glaumbaer, a popular historic turf house complex.