Swimming in an outdoor pool is such a quintessentially Icelandic experience. Icelanders just cannot miss out on this at any time year. Wonderful outdoor swimming pools, filled with gloriously warm water, and surrounded by beautiful nature can be found all along the South Coast. When you leave the multitude of pools in the capital behind, you can still immerse yourself in fabulous geothermally heated warm water, enjoying outdoor hot pool relaxation and swimming!
This site lists the swimming pools along the South Coast.
Every one of these pools is unique, so each has its
own character, my advice is, go to as many as you can, you will get a different experience every time!
Winter Swimming in Iceland
Any time at all when they are open - summer, deepest winter or a season in between - these pools are perfect every time. Early in the morning is good, as are the evenings. Personally, I love to go mid-morning in mid-winter. I enter the water when it is still dark and stay until the sun has risen. I also love doing this in reverse, enjoying the special peace as the blanket of evening darkness descends! A couple of my evening swims were blessed by the heavenly Northern Lights rippling softly across a sky which twinkled with stars. These pools are special at any time, so early bird or night owl you just go when it suits your travels in South Iceland! Check the pool opening times, though, these can vary quite a bit in the rural areas.
Swimming pool in Hveragerði in winter. Photo from their Facebook page.
Is swimming in Iceland Expensive?
No way! These pools are amazingly cheap, a swim will cost you less than 1000 ISK. This is pretty amazing when you consider what is on offer. The pools are very always very clean, there are usually hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms, and the changing rooms are warm, clean and comfortable. In the UK, and many other countries, you would have to pay expensive spa prices to get these facilities.
One of the swimming pools I have listed is a spa, naturally, this is more expensive. However, at under 3000 ISK, it will not set you back as much as spas of similar quality in most other places. To get there you need to detour inland a little, but not very far, and the journey is very scenic.
Great South Coast Swimming Pools
1. Laugaskarð Swimming Pool, 810 Hveragerði.
Swimming pool in Hveragerði. Photo from their Facebook page.
This pool is situated on the hill which leads up to the hot spring area. The pool is surrounded by nature, there are mature trees and lovely views down the hill towards Hveragerði. Gorgeous 50-meter pool, shallow children’s pool, a spacious jacuzzi, and a natural steam bath. This pool is number one on my South Coast list!
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 15 May to 15 August - weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to19:00.
- Winter 16 August to 14 May - Monday to Thursday 06:45 to 20:15, Fridays 06:45 to 17:15, and weekends 10:00 to 17:15.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK - Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a modest extra fee. For a map and more details click here.
2. Stokkseyri Swimming Pool, Eyrarbraut, Stokkseyri.
Swimming pool in Stokkseyri. Photo from sundlaugar.is
Located in the lovely Árborg region, by the coast, and within easy walking distance of the restaurants and amenities in the village. This swimming pool is also the meet-on-location point for kayaking tours, kayaking participants even get free entry to the pool insert link this new tour is going on. The 18-meter pool has a slide for children to enjoy. There are also two hot tubs and a shallow wading pool.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 01 June to Mid-August - weekdays 13:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 17:00.
- Winter Mid-August to 31 May - weekdays 16:30 to 20:30 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK - Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a modest extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.
3. Selfoss Swimming Pool, Sundhöll Selfoss, Tryggvagata 15, 800 Selfoss
Swimming pool in Selfoss. Photo from sundlaugar.is
This pool is conveniently situated in the center of the town. There are large indoor and outdoor pools, a children´s pool, sauna and steam room, plus hot and cold tubs.
Opening times and Prices:
- Monday to Thursday 06:30 to 21:30 and weekends 09:00 to 19:00.
- Fee per adult: 980 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.
4. Laugaland Swimming Pool, Laugalandi í Holtum, Rangárþingi Ytra
Swimming pool in Laugaland. Photo from south.is
Located just 6 km from the route around the South Coast. This quiet swimming pool has a slide and hot tubs.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer weekdays 14:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
- Winter Tuesdays and Thursdays only from 18:00 to 21:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rental is also available for a modest extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.
5. Hella Swimming Pool, Útskálum 5, 850 Hella
Swimming pool in Hella. Photo from their Facebook page
Situated in the heart of the village. The 25-meter pool is complemented by 2 hot tubs, a jacuzzi, and a children´s pool.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 25 May to 25 August weekdays 06:30 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
- Winter 26 August to 26 May weekdays 06:30 to 21:00 and weekends 12:00 to 18:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.
6. Hvolsvöllur Swimming Pool, Vallabraut, Hvolsvöllur
Swimming pool in Hvolsvöllur. Photo from hvolsvollur.is
Here you will find a 25-meter pool with hot tubs and a waterslide.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 01 May to 30 September weekdays 06:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
- Winter 01 October to 01 April weekdays 06:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towels and bathing suits can be rented for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.
7. Vík Swimming Pool, Mánabraut 3, 870 Vík
Here you will find a swimming pool, shallow pool, sauna and a hot tub.
Opening Times:
- Mondays 14:00 to 19:00 Tuesdays to Fridays 13:30 to 19:00 and weekends 10:00 to 16:00. A map and more details can be found here.
8. Kirkjubæjarklaustur Swimming Pool, Klausturvegur 4, 880 Kurkjubæjarklaustur
Swimming pool in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Photo from visitklaustur.is
The swimming pool in Kirkjubæjarklaustur was opened in 2008. In addition to the main pool, there is a shallow pool for children and a hot tub.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 01 June to 30 September daily 10:00 to 20:00.
- Winter Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays 15:00 to 19:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be found here
9. Höfn Swimming Pool, Víkurbraut 9, Höfn í Hornafirði
Swimming pool in Höfn. Photo from sundlaugar.is
This is a 25-meter pool with a shallow pool for children, a jacuzzi, hot tubs. steam bath and an ice bath.
Opening Times and Prices:
- Summer 15 May to 30 September, weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00, Winter weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends from 10:00 to 17:00.
- Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit hire is available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be found here.
10. The Secret Lagoon, Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir.
Secret Lagoon
A unique treasure kept "hidden" by locals for years. It's known to Icelanders as Gamla Laugin or the Old Pool since it's the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891. The hot spring is located in a geothermal area called Hverahólmi which makes the surroundings truly unique and idyllic, there is even a small geyser hot spring and trickling hot streams in the pool-side area. The temperature of the water stays at 38-40°C all year round, keeping you warm even on cold winter months. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery!
Opening times:
- Summer 01 May to 30 September daily 10:00 to 22:00
- Winter 01 October to 30 April daily 11:00 to 20:00
- Fee per adult: 2800 ISK, towel and bathing suit rental 1000 ISK. More information is available here
These are my top 10 swimming pools on the South Coast!
The pools at Hveragerði, Selfoss, Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Vík can all be reached reasonably easily if you are traveling around Iceland by bus. Scheduled buses are run by Strætó, you can check out the Straeto routes here. Some tours from Reykjavík stop at the Secret Lagoon.
Have you swum in any of these pools?