Reykjavik city wellness

Reykjavik wears its wellness lightly. Warm water is woven into daily life here, and you can fill a restful day or two without leaving the capital. From the beloved neighbourhood pools to a geothermal beach and a famous lagoon on the edge of town, here is how to soak in the city.

The neighbourhood pools

The geothermal swimming pool is the true heart of Reykjavik wellness, where locals start and end the day. The large Laugardalslaug has pools, hot pots, steam and slides, and it is affordable and welcoming. Spending a slow morning moving between the hot pots is the most authentic city soak there is.

A warm sea beach

On the shore at Nauthólsvík, a warm lagoon meets the cool sea on a small golden beach. It is a favourite spot for the warm and cold ritual, a brief sea dip followed by the heated lagoon, all within the city limits.

Lagoons on the edge of town

For something more designed, the ocean edge Sky Lagoon sits minutes from the centre, with its seven step ritual and wide sea views. The famous Blue Lagoon is a short drive towards the airport, and the quiet tidal pools of Hvammsvík make an easy day trip up the fjord.

An easy city rhythm

Pair a morning at the pool with an afternoon walk by the harbour and an evening lagoon soak, and you have a complete city wellness day. For the unwritten rules of bathing, read on below.

In Reykjavik the pool is the town square, warm water is simply part of the day.

First time bathing here? Read your first Icelandic bath, then learn the sauna culture.