There’s no such thing as the perfect time to visit Iceland as the weather is notoriously whimsical and the best season for your trip depends entirely on what you want to experience.
21.07.2023 - 08:01 / roughguides.com
An outdoor soak is an essential part of the Icelandic experience – a surreal way to spend a dark winter's day or to unkink those muscles after a long day's hiking. In fact, the Icelandic tradition of bathing outdoors in volcanically heated pools dates right back to Viking times. From the Blue Lagoon to those in its stark interior, here are 14 of the best natural hot springs in Iceland.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Iceland, your essential guide for visiting Iceland.
Not what you'd expect to find in the world's northernmost capital: a small white-sand beach, packed to capacity with locals on particularly sunny days.
Don't be fooled by their avid enthusiasm, though – the air temperature here rarely rises above 15ºC, though this is considered warm enough to strip off a shirt in Iceland. But two hot tubs steaming away at 38ºC, and a long, shallow pool full of geothermally heated seawater right on the sand, make Nauthólsvík pretty enjoyable whatever the season.
Make sure to spare some time to explore the capital on a walking tour.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Reykjavík.
Iceland-view of golden-sanded geothermal beach at Nautholsvik in Reykjavík © Shutterstock
Located on the gravel plains at the edge of a shockingly stark wasteland of vivid orange rhyolite mountains, Landmannalaugar – the «Farmer's Hot Bathing Pool» – is one of the best hot springs in Iceland that seeps out from under the edge of a 15th-century lava flow, where it mingles with a separate cold spring.
Edge into the cold water, walk upstream to where the two flows mix, find a spot where the temperature is perfect and settle back to admire the dramatic scenery.
You can visit Landmannalaugar as aday trip from Reykjavik or spend a night in the area.
Landmannalaugar is one of the best hot springs in Iceland © Gorodisskij/Shutterstock
Hot springs in Iceland have the convivial atmosphere of a bar or pub. Many people enjoy a daily dip on their way to or from work, where they typically spend at least as much time gossiping with their friends as they do splashing about in the water.
This, the country's largest and best-equipped swimming complex, makes a great place to join in, with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas and water slides for children.
Planning a summer trip? You won't want to miss our guide to thebest places to visit in Iceland in the summer.
Iceland's early history is a mixture of Viking violence and cultured literary output. In no way is this better illustrated than through the life of Snorri Sturluson, a wily 13th-century politician believed to have authored the Eddas – works containing much of what is known about Nordic mythology – and several Icelandic sagas.
Snorri's scheming eventually
There’s no such thing as the perfect time to visit Iceland as the weather is notoriously whimsical and the best season for your trip depends entirely on what you want to experience.
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