Every Icelandic student takes mandatory swimming lessons – for ten years. This rigorous curriculum has at least one happy result: pools, everywhere!
The Capital Region – an urban sprawl of five municipalities, including Reykjavík – has 17 public pools altogether. All but one are outdoor, thanks to cheap geothermal heat.
From the Atlantic Ocean to Olympic-size pools, here are nine places to visit in Reykjavik where swimming is only part of the pleasure.
Laugardalslaug
This is the largest swimming pool, featuring the biggest waterslide and the largest locker rooms. The Laugardalslaug pool is the most popular in Reykjavik, if not the country, and it’s within walking distance to the city center. While swimming is a healthy sport, most people come for the multi-temperature hot tubs. Laugardalslaug is a top choice for families, especially when accompanied by one of the great ice cream stores in this part of town.
You won’t miss the 50m outdoor swimming pool, with eight lanes and traffic rules in place. Indoor is another 50m pool reserved for training and competitions.
Nauthólsvík
Welcome to the beach of Reykjavik. Nauthólsvík is where locals bring foreign friends to test their endurance – swimming in an Icelandic ocean requires some bravery. During summer, the ocean’s temperature can reach double digits (like, say, 10°C!). However, in winter, a very cold plunge is part of the experience. Afterward, people linger in the hot tub (38°C year-round) overlooking the beach.
The Nauthólsvík cove is man-made, and the yellow sand – brought from elsewhere – is a favorite for sunbathing, volleyball, and other typical beach activities on warm summer days. Changing rooms and hot tubs are free during the summer but cost 740 Krona during winter.
The Sky Lagoon
While the Sky Lagoon stretches 75m in length, don’t attempt to swim laps here. This is a luxurious bath with breathtaking views across Faxa Bay and a swim-up bar.
The enterprise opened in 2021 at the tip of the Kársnes peninsula, a short drive from the city center, joining the growing selection of high-end bathing resorts around Iceland. Among these, Sky Lagoon is the only one in Reykjavik, competing with the famous Blue Lagoon, located some 40 km (25 mi) from the city.
Admission costs 7000 Krona and additional for the steam-bath treatment. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at Sky Lagoon.
Árbæjarlaug
This suburban Árbæjarlaug is a top choice for families, with shallow pools for all ages. The indoor area resembles a small greenhouse, fostering a warm, fun atmosphere often missing in older concrete pools. Outside, you’ll discover a leisure pool with toys and a waterslide, tall enough to have an age limit.
The swimming pool itself is 25m long, featuring five lanes and a basketball hoop.
Sundhöllin
For a city-center swim, this is the best option. Built in 1937, Sundhöllin translates as “The Swim Hall,” designed by the legendary architect Guðjón Samúelsson, known for churches and theaters.
In 2017, the pool underwent a year-long revamp, adding an entire outdoor area with hot tubs and another swimming pool. While the original indoor pool remains open, there is also a secret upstairs hot tub with city views.
Male locker rooms remain original, while women now dress in the new extension. During the summer, we recommend using the outdoor locker rooms – just ask the staff for directions.
Vesturbæjarlaug
Among the three pools within walking distance from the city center (along with Sundhöllin and Laugardalslaug), Vesturbæjarlaug possesses the strongest neighborhood spirit. Built in 1961 with local donations and volunteer work, this pool’s original 25m swimming area is often crowded, but many guests prefer to relax instead!
The habit of enjoying hot water after a long workday is a tradition in this neighborhood, favored by academics and artists alike.
For families, children may enjoy other options in Reykjavik more than Vesturbæjarlaug. For these families, the modern Sundlaug Seltjarnarness, located two kilometers further into the suburbs, offers a better fit.
Dalslaug
Some pools are great for socializing; others are perfect for unwinding, such as Dalslaug. This pool opened in 2021 in the youngest suburb of Reykjavik. So far, it is quite expansive relative to the community it serves, and its layout captures the modern Icelandic pool culture: one modestly large swimming pool surrounded by many spacious, multi-temperature hot tubs. Take your pick and enjoy.
Guðlaug Baths
For lovers of sea swimming – and those who would like to try – the Guðlaug Baths are well worth the 40-minute drive to the coastal town of Akranes. The stunning baths overlook “Long Sand Beach” and feature two hot tubs with easy access to the sea. A typical visit includes alternating between a cold swim and a hot bath. Don’t forget to shower afterward!
Ásvallalaug
The Olympic-size swimming pool at &Ásvallalaug is where many of Iceland’s best swimmers train. The massive 6000-square-meter indoor swim hall – featuring a kid’s pool and a waterslide – is the largest in the country. Moreover, there are two hot tubs outside, but most visitors prefer the comfort of being indoors.
Etiquette at pools
It is important to note that entering a public pool with dry hair is not considered acceptable. This indicates that one has neglected to shower before bathing, which is against the rules – soap is required. The pools maintain low chlorine levels, and it is preferable to keep it that way.
Additionally, you should bring your towel poolside. Many individuals forget them in the locker rooms, but it is courteous to dry off before trailing water from the pool to the locker rooms. There is a “dry-off” area near the showers equipped with towel racks.
Until recently, women had a different dress code compared to men. Now, going topless is permitted for all who wish to do so.
