A candid, curious dive into Iceland’s thermal bath culture—equal parts science, soaking, and social anthropology.
Where Science Meets Steamy Conversation
Iceland is a country that offers many gifts to the weary traveler—volcanoes that don’t behave, waterfalls that thunder like ancient gods clearing their throats, and a cost of living that could make your credit card visibly flinch. But perhaps its most glorious and unlikely treasure is found in something so deceptively simple, so unassuming, that most tourists walk right past it on their way to the Blue Lagoon.
I’m talking, of course, about Reykjavik’s geothermal pools—a series of glorified bathtubs powered by the Earth’s underbelly, where Icelanders gather not just to soak their limbs but to debate politics, relive football scores, discuss fishing quotas, and occasionally even whisper gossip about the neighbor’s sheepdog.
And let me be clear: these are not spas. They are, in fact, closer to cathedrals of community. And if you skip them, you’re missing out on one of Iceland’s most human, most humble, and most surprisingly revealing experiences.
A Brief History of Icelandic Bathing (With Minimal Nudity)
Bathing in Iceland goes back to Viking times—when, it must be said, there was considerably less privacy and far fewer swimsuit dryers. The modern public pool system, however, began taking shape in the early 20th century, built alongside efforts to teach every Icelandic citizen how to swim and stay warm without using coal, firewood, or cuddling with strangers.
Pocket Rough Guides Reykjavik
Get ready to unlock the best of Reykjavík with this essential travel guide! Inside, you’ll find expert-curated recommendations for must-see sights, hidden adventures, and family-friendly fun—plus relaxed spots in the heart of the city’s most popular areas. Discover unforgettable destinations like the Golden Circle, Seljalandsfoss, Skógar, Þórsmörk, and more. Whether you have a day or a week, ready-made itineraries help you make the most of your time. Explore with ease using detailed maps, day-trip ideas, practical travel tips, and an A–Z directory packed with helpful info. Honest reviews, accommodation options for every budget, and a handy language section make this guide a must-have companion. Plus, there’s a pull-out map to keep you confidently on track wherever your Icelandic adventures lead!
Buy NowThanks to the country’s unparalleled geothermal energy, Icelanders now enjoy some of the cleanest, warmest, and most sustainable water on the planet. It bubbles up from the Earth’s crust, full of minerals, smelling faintly of sulphur and volcanic bravado, and lands directly in neighborhood pools that cost less than a cup of coffee.
And there’s something deeply democratic about it. Politicians, plumbers, schoolteachers, and curious foreigners all soak together—equally pruney, equally relaxed, and equally welcomed.
What Exactly Is a Geothermal Pool (And Why Does It Smell Funny)?
In simple terms: geothermal pools are naturally heated outdoor swimming facilities. But really, they’re a marvel of modern infrastructure and ancient geology working in sweaty harmony.
Iceland sits on a volcanic hotbed. Groundwater seeps deep underground, is superheated by magma, and then rises to the surface, where it is harnessed to heat homes, generate electricity, and yes—fill pools.
The mild “rotten egg” aroma that greets you is thanks to hydrogen sulfide. Don’t worry—it’s harmless, and after five minutes you won’t even notice it. (Although your towel might disagree.)
The water is filtered, chlorinated, and managed meticulously. And because it’s sourced sustainably, you can enjoy a soak with zero guilt, unlike those long, hot showers you take back home.
Reykjavik’s Must-Soak Spots
Laugardalslaug
Reykjavik’s largest public pool and something of a local institution. It has Olympic-sized swimming lanes, numerous hot pots (that’s Icelandic for hot tubs), steam rooms, a kiddie splash zone, and even water slides. It’s social, steamy, and gloriously unpretentious.
Why go: It’s where most Reykjavik residents actually go.
Vesturbæjarlaug
A cozy, community-centered pool located in a residential neighborhood. Less crowded than the big complexes, but no less enjoyable.
Who you’ll meet: Philosophers, professors, and elderly locals who can debate geothermal policy more effectively than your average think tank.
Sundhöllin
The oldest pool in Reykjavik, built in 1937. Recently renovated to include a lovely rooftop outdoor pool. This is the most “historical” bathing experience in town, if you discount the fact that it still uses modern plumbing.
Tip: Great on cold or rainy days when you want the ambiance of a historic bathhouse without the frostbite.
Pocket Rough Guides Reykjavik
Get ready to unlock the best of Reykjavík with this essential travel guide! Inside, you’ll find expert-curated recommendations for must-see sights, hidden adventures, and family-friendly fun—plus relaxed spots in the heart of the city’s most popular areas. Discover unforgettable destinations like the Golden Circle, Seljalandsfoss, Skógar, Þórsmörk, and more. Whether you have a day or a week, ready-made itineraries help you make the most of your time. Explore with ease using detailed maps, day-trip ideas, practical travel tips, and an A–Z directory packed with helpful info. Honest reviews, accommodation options for every budget, and a handy language section make this guide a must-have companion. Plus, there’s a pull-out map to keep you confidently on track wherever your Icelandic adventures lead!
Buy NowHow to Bathe Like an Icelander (Without Offending Anyone)
Let’s talk etiquette—because while Icelanders are unfailingly polite, there are rules. Break them, and you’ll get side-eyed with the ferocity of a disappointed librarian.
1. Shower naked. Thoroughly. With soap.
Before entering the pool, you are expected to strip completely and wash every part of your body in the provided showers. Not half-wash. Not swimsuit-on wash. Real, full-body washing.
There are signs. There are diagrams. You cannot plead ignorance.
2. Keep your voice down in hot pots.
People come here to relax, not to hear your thoughts on cryptocurrency.
3. No diving, splashing, or selfie-sticking.
This is not a Las Vegas hotel pool. Behave like someone’s grandmother is watching—because she is, and she’s probably already soaking beside you.
Social Sauna: Why Pools Matter in Icelandic Life
In Iceland, the public pool isn’t just a place to warm your bones—it’s where life happens. It’s where old friends meet, where kids learn to swim, where gossip is traded like currency, and where the latest government policies are dissected with surgical precision.
Most Icelanders go to the pool several times a week. It’s affordable, close to home, and offers a kind of wellness you can’t get from yoga or Instagram.
Sit quietly in a hot pot long enough, and you might just overhear a joke about the Prime Minister, a weather prediction based on cloud movement, or someone complaining that the hot pot isn’t quite hot enough (even though it could poach an egg).
What to Bring (And What to Leave Behind)
Bring:
- Swimsuit
- Towel (rentals available)
- Flip-flops
- Water bottle
- Curiosity and humility
Leave at home:
- Modesty (nudity in showers is expected)
- Phones (no selfies in the hot pots, please)
- Inhibitions
When to Soak: Winter vs. Summer
There is something almost mystical about sitting in 40°C water while snow falls on your eyebrows. Steam rises. The stars sparkle (or in summer, the sun simply refuses to set). And the contrast between icy air and hot water is downright addictive.
Whether you go in the bright, breezy months of June or the moody, lunar calm of January, Iceland’s geothermal pools offer the same thing: stillness in motion.
Final Thought: Iceland’s Real Thermal Treasure
Yes, the Blue Lagoon is dramatic. Yes, Sky Lagoon has its charm. But for those who want to understand the rhythm of Reykjavik—the real Reykjavik—it starts in the neighborhood pool.
Because in Iceland, soaking isn’t luxury. It’s culture. It’s health. It’s habit.
And in a country shaped by fire and ice, it might just be the warmest place of all.
