Hot Pools in the vicinity of Bitra Guesthouse
Icelanders have a deep appreciation and love for hot pools, which play a significant role in their culture and daily lives. Hot pools are natural or geothermal pools of warm water found throughout the country. These pools are heated by the Earth's geothermal activity and offer a unique and enjoyable bathing experience.
Icelanders see hot pools as a place of relaxation, socialization, and rejuvenation. They are a haven for locals to unwind, connect with nature, and engage in meaningful conversations. Hot pools serve as a gathering spot for friends, families, and communities, where people can come together to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of warm water while engaging in lively discussions.
We’ve listed some of our favourite hot pools whether they are in the form of hot pools out in nature, commercial lagoons or just public swimming pools.
Hrunalaug
Hrunalaug is a natural hot spring that is only about 30 minute drive from our guesthouse, click this link to get driving directions. Note that there is a small admission fee as this hot spring is on private land.
The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is considered to be one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland with swimming lessons for locals beginning there in the early 1900’s. It is a man made pool but it’s built next to natural hot springs that provide the water to the lagoon. If you get to hot in the lagoon there is a nice walkway to check out the surrounding hot springs. There are changing rooms with showers and lockers for your belonging while you are soaking in the lagoon. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to the Secret Lagoon.
Reykjadalur Hot River
The hot river in Reykjadalur is a must visit if you like hiking and hot springs. You drive about 30 minutes from our guesthouse through Selfoss and then through the town of Hveragerði. There you will find a service centre where the start of the hike begins. The hike up to the hot river takes about an 1-1,5 hour depending on your fitness level. When you arrive at the hot river there are no changing rooms but there are wooden dividers where you can get a little bit of privacy. Then you just find a good spot in the river to soak before hiking back down. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Reykjadalur Hot River.
Laugarvatn Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana Spa is quite similar to a normal public pool except two main differences. You can buy alcohol to take with you to the pool and you have access to swim in the nearby lake if you get to warm and cosy in the pools. Fontana Spa also has nice sauna on location. A must try while you are there is the locally baked rye bread that where the put the mixture in a pot. They then bury the pot in hot sand and have it bake in the sand for about 24 hours. It is delicious! Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Laugarvatn Fontana Spa.
Hvammsvík Hot Springs
The Hvammvík Hot Springs is one of the newest man made hot springs in Iceland. It is built around an area that has natural hot springs but also has a beautiful building that houses the changing rooms, a nice little bistro/cafe and a sauna. This is a nice addition to do while doing the Golden Circle, it takes off the beaten path to Hvalfjörður fjord which is also quite scenic on it’s own. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Hvammsvík Hot Springs.
Selfoss Public Pool
Best way to enjoy hot pools on a budget is to go to a public swimming pool. There is one in almost all towns in Iceland, big or small, usually the entrance fee is about 1000 ISK per person. The pool in Selfoss is only about a 12 minute drive from our guesthouse. In addition to a 25 meter swimming pool it has 3 hot pools, 2 baby pools, a cold plunge, a slide and a sauna. On weekdays it is open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm and on weekends 9 am to 6 pm. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Selfoss Public Pool.
Hella Public Pool
Another good public pool, good to go to if you are going in the direction of the south coast. It has a 25 m swimming pool, 3 hot pools, sauna and a slide. It is open 6:30 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 7 pm on weekends. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Hella Public Pool.
Hveravellir
If you are on your way to the north of Iceland from our guesthouse and you have a good 4x4 rental we recommend that you take the Kjölur route over the highlands of Iceland. The road can be a bit rough at times but there are no rivers to cross so it is relatively easy. On the way you can stop at a place called Hveravellir which is a geothermal area. And there you can find a very nice hot spring to bathe in, just be mindful that it runs usually quite hot. There are now changing rooms or showers so be prepared for that. Click this link for directions from our guesthouse to Hvammsvík Hot Springs.