on Sunday...we do nothing 🛀🏻 Sleeping, eating, cooking, exercising, cuddling, relaxing and watching a movie. That's our typical Sunday.What about you? ♥...4. Iceland, Landbrotalaug hot spring...#couplegoals #bathtime #flowerbath #relationshipgoals #bathtub #beautifulhotels #luxurylifestyle #poolvilla
An Icelandic special, so no surprise we start with the Reykjavik Grapevine (Jun. 19) which reports on the rise of Icelandic swim culture.
It's an article with snippets of the island's swim culture.
Such as the newly published coffee table book Swim Around Iceland, while they also interview the author Bragi Þór Jósefsson.
Then over to Reykjavikś Sundhöllin swimming pool where they discuss architecture with Heba Hertervig whose newest project is to integrate a swimming pool with a library/civic center:
“What you need to understand is that pools are a municipal service,” Indro explains. “In Reykholt, for example, they have an extremely popular pool. I was talking to them about how there’s so many tourists up there that it is quite congested during summer. Isn’t that wonderful? Even good business for the pool? No, for every visitor they’re operating the swimming pool at a deficit. They’re losing money for every guest.”...In Canada, one can find good models for community centres that handle civic engagement in cold weather. “They had these training facilities, like a gym but in public housing. They had a swimming pool, but they kept it separate. When we asked why, they said because they cannot compete with private swimming pools. The gym [there] is for everyone. Not the pools.”Dalslaug does in fact demonstrate the great public good intended with UNESCO’s declaration. A beautiful pool connects to a well-used library, with the school also attached. The pool is the neighbourhood’s heartbeat. And the neighbourhood, despite being a healthy 45 minutes away from downtown Reykjavík during traffic, functions'.
Then also over to the University where you can study:
'Immersion in Icelandic Culture, Society, Geology and History: Understanding Icelanders and Iceland through the Geothermal Pools/Baths. “Nice entry point to Iceland, right? It’s, you know, geology, politics, society, culture, history, everything through the pools, right?” Professor Valdimar Tryggvi Hafstein tells me. “It’s on the books, but it hasn’t been taught yet, the course.”
But then:
“There’s a local discussion about this, which is funny, because that exact same discourse about hygiene and foreigners goes on to this day, except 100 years ago, foreigners were shocked about how unsanitary Icelanders were. Now, Icelanders get into public discourse about how unsanitary foreigners are in the public pools,” Valdimar says. On cue, the next month the newspapers will discuss how foreigners are wearing underwear under their swimsuits. Later, it will be revealed that in fact Icelanders are choosing to wear underwear in the pool, despite being told this is unsanitary'.
What?
The Iceland Review (Jun. 9):
'Staff at swimming pools in Akureyri are regularly having to intervene with guests who enter the water wearing underwear beneath their swimming trunks, according to local pool management'.
Really?
The Times (Aug. 25) continues with this revelation:
'Iceland fears its famous pools will attract unwashed touristsA crucial element of the country’s swimming culture is the compulsory and vigorous naked shower, which devotees fear foreign visitors will try to avoid'.
Unfortunately it's a pay for site. But from their Instagram account:
'But Icelanders worry it [UNESCO accreditation] will lure foreign visitors by the coach-load, not all of them scrupulous about following the country’s hygiene protocols'.
A couple of reactions (n=70+), a couple:
'This is a genuine cause for concern here. As tourists realise the ‘lagoon’ resorts are overpriced they are starting to migrate to the much cheaper public pools. Enforcement is difficult but we have rules, a combination of hygiene and tradition. If people are not prepared to respect them, no one is forcing them to attend the pools....That's just ridiculous. Japan has the same rules and nobody unwashed enters the hot spring areas.[ ] as a person who’s lived most of my life in Japan, I beg to differ. What you say is true in general but lately in the really heavily trafficked tourist zones in Japan I’m sadly seeing some of the same when I travel domestically and happen to stay at a hotel that has its own bath/onsen/sauna. Some people don’t seem to get the full memo that they’re supposed to wash before entering. I’ve seen it with non-Japanese in my local sentō as well, though people usually speak up about this immediately. It’s gross'.
Similar in vein, but the reference from the other side of our planet. Sydney Morning Herald (May 16) no less presents an article on hot springs on Iceland:
'Until recently, the 150 or so pools around Iceland had managed to stay mostly out of sight of the tourists who come by the millions....Now some Icelanders worry that overtourism could reach their pools, too. That’s because late last year, UNESCO honoured the country’s pool culture as “intangible cultural heritage”...Every trip to an Icelandic pool starts with a shower. Or, at least, it should.“We are a little bit scared that foreign people are not cleaning themselves well enough,” said Thordis Erla Agustsdottir, a photographer who has spent two decades documenting the pools. She – like nearly every other Icelander I met – made it very clear to me that I would need to shower properly first. That meant fully naked, with enough scrubbing to stir up a lather. Many locker rooms display a body diagram targeting armpits and genitals, in case anyone needs a reminder. It’s for hygiene, as the pools are only lightly chlorinated.What I had not anticipated was that Agustsdottir preferred the outdoor locker room in Hafnarfjordur, south of Reykjavik. I shook uncontrollably even under the hot water, dutifully soaping as she chatted in the slicing air. “I’m like the police in the shower,” she said, laughing a little at herself. “It’s such a simple thing to do. Just clean yourself!”She was one of several Icelanders who said they were worried about cleanliness standards if the UNESCO designation brought in more unaware tourists. Already, that’s why many Icelanders choose to avoid the lagoons, worrying that those sites are less stringent about the showering enforcement....There are other differences between the types of swim sites. Lagoons can have swim-up bars, plush towels and let visitors bring their phones to the deck for selfies and scrolling. Pools usually don’t. And the price gap is vast. Pools cost about $14 a day, depending on the location, or about $400 a year. (They are usually free for children and older adults.) But a basic ticket to the Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous, can cost about $200 during peak hours....Valdimar Tr. Hafstein, a folklore professor at the University of Iceland who co-authored a book on the country’s pools, said, “In some ways, safeguarding is the main source of threat.” Icelanders always liked the “adventurous spirits” who wandered in for a dip, he said. But now, “there’s a fear of the tour buses coming in,” he said. “That’s a very different kind of animal.”...The tourists, however, are coming. And they often do need reminding about the showers. That’s especially true at Sundhollin, a public pool that attracts a lot of foreign visitors, in part because it is in Reykjavik. There, in the locker room on a recent morning, Marianna Niemann Filippi was preparing for a soak. “I don’t really like doing the touristy things,” explained Niemann Filippi, an American who lives in Denmark, still dry as she pulled on her suit.Rookie move, I gently explained. She stripped.“Sorry, it’s like an automatic thing!” she said, half-apologising to the other women in the showers. One smiled thinly'.
Imbalanced
And then we arrive at our coveted natural springs. With all the negativety, it's no wonder that private owners want to have more control.
Iceland Review (Jun. 30) with the lesser news:
'What’s the Story?Public access to Reykjafoss and Fossalaug has been closed by the landowner.The owner cites increasing tourism and concerns over site management.The attractions are located on private land, where access depends on the owner’s permission.Why It ClosedThe landowner said the decision was not prompted by a single incident but by long-standing concerns over the site’s use and the responsibilities associated with hosting visitors.He also stated commercial tour operators have benefited from bringing visitors to the area without contributing to its upkeep or assuming responsibility for the site. He said this imbalance had become “What you need to understand is that pools are a municipal service,” Indro explains. “In Reykholt, for example, they have an extremely popular pool. I was talking to them about how there’s so many tourists up there that it is quite congested during summer. Isn’t that wonderful? Even good business for the pool? No, for every visitor they’re operating the swimming pool at a deficit. They’re losing money for every guest.” and ultimately led to the decision to close access.The owner has updated online map services to indicate that the attractions are no longer open to visitors. Despite this, he said some people have continued attempting to visit the area after the closure took effect.Unlike many of Iceland’s protected natural attractions, Reykjafoss and Fossalaug are situated on private land, meaning access is ultimately subject to the landowner’s permission'.
Fosslaug is very picturesque, I've more photo's waiting. So please note, this is not the actual situation!
#fosslaug#hotpot#hotspring#iceland#travel#whatsonrvk#igersiceland#wonderlusticeland#exploreiceland#exploringiceland#icelandlove#home#travelling#traveller#move#moving#icelandtravel#wheniniceland#icelandexplorer#icelandexplored#nature#naturelovers#naturephotography#landscape#landscapephotography#landscapelovers@wakeupreykjavik#heyiceland
Is there then anything left?
On Reddit (3 months ago) a post with reference to 59 hot springs:
'We've spent months exploring all the hot springs in Iceland and have personally visited almost all of them. Our full list currently covers 59 hot pots - wild springs, man-made pools, mountain tubs, and the big commercial lagoons.To be clear: these are the springs you're allowed to bathe in (unless we've marked otherwise). We deliberately exclude places where bathing is forbidden, like the Stóragjá cave. But "publicly accessible" still doesn't mean "do whatever you want" - it means act like a guest, every single time.For each spring, we've gathered the common info you actually need upfront so you can visit responsibly and know what you're walking into: the type of spring, water temperature, whether there's a changing room, whether it's free or paid, how to get there, what car you need, and how busy it tends to get. No surprises, no guessing.And so this is our list of all 59 hot springs, with maps, temperatures, car requirements, and access notes for each: https://epiciceland.net/all-hot-springs-iceland/
Iceland Spirit presents an overview (updated (?) Sep. 2026) of wild hot springs, only 7 though. But a fair number of other tips and an extensive FAQ. Also this:
'The experience comparison: wild spring vs. commercial spaThe difference between a wild hot spring like Reykjadalur and a commercial spa like the Blue Lagoon is not just about price. They are fundamentally different experiences.Commercial spa: Controlled temperature, consistent quality, changing rooms, a bar, staff, and certainty that the experience will meet a defined standard. You know what you are paying for.Wild hot spring: Variable temperature, potentially shared with no one or with 50 people, no facilities, no staff, the possibility that the water level has changed since the last report. The landscape context is raw — steam rising, volcanic geology visible, no architecture to mediate the experience.The wild spring experience involves more personal agency and accepts more variability. This appeals strongly to some visitors and deters others. Both preferences are valid — the choice should be based on honest assessment of what you want, not on a general cultural assertion that “wilder is more authentic.”If budget is the primary driver, see the Iceland on a budget guide for cost-effective strategies that include free thermal bathing without pretending the trade-offs are not real'.
The World Pursuit lists (May 27) 30 hot Icelandic springs.
Nordic visitor (updated Sep. 7) has an overview of 24 hot springs (public / free) and geothermal pools (private / cash first). Their number one (literally & figuratively):
1. Hvammsvík hot springsForty-five minutes from Reykjavík, the coast opens up into a fjord – and right at its edge, tucked against black sand and framed by mountains on every side, you'll find Hvammsvík.This isn't one pool. It's 8, scattered along the shoreline so the tide itself becomes part of the experience. Some pools flood and change temperature as the sea rises and falls. You move between them at your own pace: warm water lapping against volcanic rock, cold Atlantic waves within a few steps for a proper shock to the system, then back again. The temperature range runs from a bracing 10°C (50°F) right up to a deeply soothing 42°C (107°F), so there's a pool for however brave you're feeling.The setting does most of the work, but the sleek amenities hold their own. Private changing rooms with hot showers, a steam room, a swim-up bar and an-on site bistro.
Hvammsvík:
Coldest day of my life in the warmest circle#winterocean
Impressed
Howl at the Moon sauna co organizes an Icelandic hot spring "expedition" starting this November:
'Icelandic Bathing Expedition · Nov 2–8, 2026 — Howl at the Moon Sauna Co.: For seven days, we experience Iceland’s bathing culture the way it has been lived for generations: by stepping into it ourselves. We move through the rhythm of heat and cold, soak in geothermal waters, gather in saunas, share long meals around the table, and let Iceland’s wild landscapes set the pace instead of our calendars'.
Something (slightly) different.
Iceland Monitor reports (Sep. 7) on new geothermal bathing lagoon at the foot of Reykjadalur in Hveragerði:
'The project has been on the drawing board for more than five years, while construction itself has taken around two years.During that time, the project has grown considerably in scope. The lagoon was expanded, greater emphasis was placed on the overall visitor experience, and a bathhouse and an upscale restaurant were built'.
The Reykjavik Grapevine also reports (Aug. 27)
Named Reykjaböðin entrance to the hot springs starts at roughly 70€.
Google rates it a 4.8, this based on nearly 50 reviews. Examples:
'I have visited all the top-notch spas and baths in Iceland and Reykjaböð is without a doubt one of the most unique I have ever experienced. The first impression, the smell, the sight, the feeling and the service – everything comes together to create a complete experience that will last a lifetime'.
and
'nope, these baths have a lot of work to do. We've been there yesterday, it was noisy, without basic facilities, smelly and impractical in the baths - barn. The water outside wasn't warm enough and both fireplaces were more like a decoration, without any warming effect for a body. Inside The baths (extra paid part) are few nasty indoor pools looking like old communist pools, nice ordinary sauna and strange peeling. The best part was the cold room, that was an unique experience'.
Jury's still out? Potential visitors should note: Reykjaladur is a stiff hour's walk away, a total different, but natural experience.
Finally, Travelstarts at 40 looks (Aug. 7) (not too closely we presume) the nude beaches of Iceland. Are there any?
'The clearest answer is: not really in the formal sense....Iceland’s bathing culture is often where confusion begins. At public swimming pools and many geothermal spas, visitors are expected to shower thoroughly without swimwear before entering the water. This is a hygiene rule and a normal part of Icelandic pool etiquette, not an invitation to bathe nude in the pool itself. Swimwear is normally required once you leave the shower area.Natural hot springs vary. Some remote springs have few or no facilities, and local practice may be more relaxed, but popular places are often busy and may have rules. Bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes, and assume clothing-optional bathing is only appropriate when privacy and local expectations clearly allow it'.
