A new year, another sparse piece of news from Iceland. And a couple of wintery photo's.
Inspired by Iceland (Dec. 11) notes this exceptional piece of news:
'It has been said by Icelanders that if it were not for the abundant geothermal hot water on this island in the middle of the North Atlantic, there would be hardly anyone willing to live here. Indeed, the bountiful hot water is a blessing. It heats homes, provides electricity, and, perhaps most importantly, provides the water for Iceland’s iconic year-round swimming pools across much of the country....In Iceland, the phrase “going for a swim” rarely means doing laps. More often, it means soaking, chatting, warming up, cooling down, and simply being together. This everyday ritual is so central to Icelandic life that in 2025, UNESCO recognized Icelandic swimming pool culture as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, marking Iceland’s first-ever independent nomination to the list.
The Reykjavik Grapevine chimes in likewise (Dec. 11):
'In December 2025, it was confirmed that Icelandic swimming pool culture had been added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list'.
Good link to the original list.
Oh I didn’t realise there were some hikers behind me! 🤣. They should have sung or whistled to alert me 😎🤩😄. I don’t know what I would have done though. I didn’t even bring a towel to wrap myself in. Anyway! It was near a hot spring so the water was pleasantly warm 😎. #warmspring #dailydip #skinnydipping #spectators #happyplaces #iceland
Book Review time!
'The book is designed by Studio Studio, donning a book jacket that looks like a towel and holds a cheeky (literally) postcard. It presents sketchbook pages of Rán’s — with the edgings still on, seemingly freshly ripped out — depicting her experiences in different pools around the country, always documented right after the visit, while the memory was still fresh....Rán explains bathing culture in Iceland to the uninitiated, emphasising its significance to residents, recommending pools, and teaching the rules. At one point, I ask Rán a bit more about what she hopes readers understand from the book, and she laughs. “I mean, we are dancing around the big thing: getting naked.”
A new post here concerning Iceland nearly always coincides with a new flashy soak site opening it's doors. Travel & Leisure (Oct. 19):
'This summer, a new wellness venue, Laugarás Lagoon, will open its doors to those looking to enjoy the variety of water-based experiences in Iceland'.Located in the southern part of the country, and approximately an hour outside of Reykjavík, the new wellness center is home to a variety of activities including what the property calls the “first cascading waterfall lagoon opening on The Golden Circle."
The Reykjavik Grapevine also reported on this (Oct. 16), mentioning that what T&L consider as this summer was in fact
'yesterday'.
Our time in Eden
The Times heads for the real experience (Dec. 31):
'Compared with the Blue Lagoon, Laugaras is significantly more modest in scale. Both are man-made, but Laugaras has a more tranquil atmosphere, a day pass costs from £41 rather than the Blue Lagoon’s £68, plus it is distant enough from the Reykjanes peninsula to avoid closures relating to seismic activity, such as those that took place from late 2023 to mid-2025....Iceland has about 60 geothermal lagoons and spas, both natural and man-made, and with such strong competition, I can’t help wondering how Laugaras will fare in the future.There are, admittedly, prettier lagoons and spas to choose from. The Blue Lagoon pulls in the punters with its mesmerising opalescent, silica-rich waters; Hvammsvik charms with its backdrop of sea, mountains and black sand; and Laugavallalaug compensates for its remoteness with a natural lake fed by a tumbling hot-spring waterfall.Laugaras, however, plays a subtler hand to Iceland’s more famous lagoons. Intimate, and with that standout restaurant and its prime position on the Golden Circle, it will no doubt work best less as a destination and more as a calm, restorative full stop to an intense day of sightseeing'.
Google reviews notes (26 Jan. 2026) a 4.4, though with a few exceptions these are 5 star reviews.
Ó náttúran.Sem mikill náttúruunnandi - mæli ég eindregið með að nýta tækifærið og ferðast um villta náttúru landsins. Nakinn - eða í fötum 😉With a few tourist around you get the feeling of being alone with the magnificent nature of Iceland. The raw beauty of this country - mountains, rivers, sands, hot springs, Waterfalls - is simply magical. Being as she created us- in the nude is freeing, playful, humbling - feeling the connection to pacha MAMA - mother Earth - the creation - con más fuerte.#naturelover #meditation #iceland
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