Iceland is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and there are especially many tourists in Iceland in the summer. But even in summer it is not very hot in Iceland, and sometimes it is frankly cold, which means a hot bath will not hurt! It is good that Iceland has many hot springs.
But Iceland is not the cheapest country, and a visit to the most famous Blue Lagoon thermal complex can result in a tidy sum. And this is not counting the fact that tickets should be booked in advance - too many people want to visit this attraction.
But what if you want to soak up the hot springs, but don't want to pay a lot for it? In this article, we will look at the 10 best alternatives Blue Lagoon, many of these places are much cheaper, and some are even free!
Content:
- Quick's hot baths near Grotta Lighthouse
- Selyavallalaug Thermal Pool
- The hot river of Reykjavik
- Thermal springs Landmannalaugar
- Laugardalsvellur thermal pools, Laugardalslaug
- Hveravellir Hot Springs
- Grettisleig Pool
- The Secret Lagoon
- Geothermal baths of the Fountain
- Geothermal pool on Lake Mivatn
- Map of Iceland's hot springs
Quick's hot baths near Grotta Lighthouse
Quick's hot tubs are located right in Reykjavik, albeit on the outskirts of the city. These are not pools in the full understanding of the word pool, but small foot baths. However, they are located right in Reykjavik, they are free and they offer excellent views of the Grotta Lighthouse and the ocean.
Selyavallalaug Thermal Pool
Seljavallalaug is the oldest pool with hot spring water built in Iceland. It was built in early 1923 and is still in use today. Since then, the reconstruction was carried out in 1990. There may be quite a lot of thermophilic algae in this pool, but it does not harm bathing in any way. The pool is not very hot, the temperature here is 20-30 ° C.
The hot river of Reykjavik
This hot river is located almost the same distance from Reykjavik as the Blue Lagoon (that is, about 1 hour drive), but you still have to climb to the hot part of the river for about 40 minutes, but there is a lot of space and free access. Reykjavik is a natural river, and this means that the water temperature can change, and you can control it a little by moving to more or less hot places! Also, this source is not yet the most popular tourist place, there are no equipped showers, restaurants, but there are small windproof walls for changing clothes.
The hot springs of the Reykjadalur River
Reykjadalur(literally translated as "valley of smoke") — the area of hot springs closest to Reykjavik. It takes 45 minutes to drive to the town of Hveragerdi, and from...
Thermal springs Landmannalaugar
A green oasis in the middle of a mountainous area. A great starting point for hiking. The hot springs are very close to the main camping area. The name can easily be translated as Folk Pools.
Getting there is not so easy. Landmannalaugar is a few hours drive from Reykjavik and part of the road runs on poor dirt roads. And you can easily choose the wrong route and drown your vehicle in the river, because crossing the river is required. Please consult the information center before going there.
Colored mountains and thermal springs of Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar, often in Russia...
This is a very popular place, so the pools can be crowded, but there are changing rooms on site, and swimming is absolutely free.
Laugardalsvellur thermal pools, Laugardalslaug
If you want more comfort, then head to the Laugardalsvellur public pools (Laugardalslaug), which are open from 6 to 22, and the entrance for adults is only 1000 ISK. All geothermal pools in Iceland have a Finnish sauna, sometimes a hammam and mini-pools with different temperatures (from 36 ° C to 43 ° C), and sometimes the composition of the water. But such places are also popular among Icelanders themselves, so if you want to visit such a pool in the evening or on weekends, then be prepared for a large number of people.
Hveravellir Hot Springs
Let's face it, the main reason why people come to Iceland is the incredible scenery. So why not combine swimming in hot springs with admiring the beautiful Icelandic views. The fact is that the greatest attraction of Hveravellir lies in the fact that it is located in the center of impressive landscapes. If you translate the name Hveravellir, you will get "Hot springs of the plains". This is one of the most famous geothermal areas in Iceland. Many interesting hot springs are located in this area: Bláhver, Öskurhólshver, Eyvindarhver, Bræðrahverir and others. The area has huts, shelters, a swimming pool and a weather station that is open all year round. Before going to these sources, you should definitely check the road conditions! Access here is limited in winter.
Grettisleig Pool
This hot spring is not located in mountainous central Iceland, but at the northern end of the island and the ocean shore is a stone's throw from the pool. The pool is named after the Icelandic hero Grettir Asmupdsson, who is said to have fought monsters and lived like an outcast for a long time. The pool is not very big, but the scenery is really breathtaking. And like most remote pools, it's free!
The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is a man-made hot spring located in Hveraholmi, a geothermal area near the village of Fludir in southern Iceland. The Secret Lagoon is not as lively as the Blue Lagoon, but it is still worth booking a visit in advance in summer, as this place is becoming more and more popular every year. The cost of a visit is about 2.5-3 times lower than in the Blue Lagoon. And you can combine a visit to the Secret Lagoon with a Golden Ring in a combined tour
Geothermal baths of the Fountain
A really cool pool on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn. In this place, it is possible not only to swim in the thermal springs, but also in the refreshing waters of the lake. Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths are located in the center of the most popular tourist route in Iceland - the Golden Ring. The cost of these pools is about two times lower than the cost of visiting the Blue Lagoon.
Geothermal pool on Lake Myvatn
Natural thermal springs Myvatn, Myvatn were opened in 2004 and very soon became a popular tourist attraction in Iceland. Moreover, the thermal pools near Lake Myvatn are deservedly popular not only among tourists, but also among Icelanders. A great alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. Significantly fewer people and significantly less price.
The water temperature throughout the bathroom is pleasant. The closer to the source, the hotter the water. When removed, the degree decreases.
Map of Iceland's hot springs
On our map of attractions you can choose hot spring and then only hot spring will be visible. Remember that there are easy, medium and hard accessible places.
Iceland attractions map
On this map you can find all the most important sights of Iceland. All attractions are shown on the google map, which means it will be easy for you to get directions t...
