The 9 best places to swim in Reykjavík

Every Icelandic student takes mandatory swimming lessons – for 10 years. One result of this rigorous curriculum? There are pools in every corner of Iceland.

The concentration is especially dense in the capital city of Reykjavík and the towns that adjoin it, which are home to 17 public pools in total. And thanks to all the seismic activity under the surface of chilly Iceland, all but one of them are outdoor pools, heated by natural geothermal power.

We’ve selected a few of the best of them, as well as spots where the brave can take a dip in the cold North Atlantic. These are the best swimming spots in Reykjavík.

1. Laugardalslaug

Best for sheer scale

The largest swimming pool. Largest waterslide. Largest locker rooms. Laugardalslau brims with superlatives – which is perhaps why it’s the most popular pool in Reykjavík, if not the entire country. What’s more, it’s within walking distance of the city center. You can’t miss the 50m outdoor swimming pool, with eight lanes and traffic rules. Indoors, another 50m pool is reserved for training and competitions.

While swimming is a healthy pastime, most people come to Laugardalslaug for the multi-temperature hot tubs. And thanks to dedicated children’s pools and that super-fun slide, it’s a top choice for families. (Continue the family excursion with gelato at Skúbb, just down the street.)

2. Ásvallalaug

Best for serious aquatic training

The Olympic-size swimming pool at Ásvallalaug is where many of Iceland’s best swimmers train. The massive 6000-sq-m indoor swim hall – complete with a kids’ pool and a waterslide – is the largest in the country. There are two hot tubs outside, but the main reason to visit is the comfort of being inside.

3. Nauthólsvík

Best for golden sand

Welcome to Reykjavík’s lido. Nauthólsvík is where locals bring foreign friends to test their strength – for swimming in the cold ocean water that surrounds Iceland requires more than a bit of mettle. In summer, the ocean’s temperature can reach double digits (all of, say, 10°C / 50°F) – but in winter, a very, very cold plunge is part of the program. Afterward, people linger in the hot tub (38°C year-round) that overlooks the beach.

The Nauthólsvík cove is man-made, and on warm summer days the yellow sand – brought in from elsewhere – is a hot commodity for sunbathing, volleyball and other beach activities. Changing rooms and hot tubs are admission-free during the summer, but entrance costs 920 Icelandic króna during winter.

4. Sundhöllin

Best for a city-center swim

Built in 1937, the centrally located Sundhöllin translates to “Swim Hall” – for this grand public pool was designed by famous architect Guðjón Samúlsson, who is better known for churches and theaters. In addition to the original indoor pool and “secret” upstairs hot tub with city views, the complex in the 2010s added an outdoor area with hot tubs and another swimming pool.

The male locker rooms are original, while women now dress in the new extension. In the summer, we recommend the outdoor locker rooms; ask staff for directions.

5. Sky Lagoon

Best for a luxurious soak

While Sky Lagoon is 75m long, don't attempt to swim laps. For this is a luxury bath with a view across Faxa Bay and a swim-up bar.

Open since 2021 at the tip of the Kársnes peninsula, a short drive from the city center, the enterprise is among a growing selection of high-end bathing resorts around Iceland. But Sky Lagoon is the only one in Reykjavík, competing with the famous Blue Lagoon, 40km from the city.

Access to the carefully designed changing rooms, saunas and pools here doesn’t come cheap, starting at 13,990kr and ascending quickly with add-on treatments and services. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at Sky Lagoon.

6. Vesturbæjarlaug

Best for a neighborhood vibe

Another pool within easy walking distance of the city center, Vesturbæjarlaug with has a strong neighborhood spirit. This is not surprising, given its history: it was built in 1961 with support from local donors and volunteers.

The original 25m swimming pool gets crowded for swimming; fortunately, most guests are fine doing nothing at all. The habit of hanging out in the hot water after work is strong in this neighborhood, home to academics and artists.

7. Árbæjarlaug

Best for family outings

The suburban Árbæjarlaug is a top choice for families, its shallow pools perfect for bathers of all ages. The indoor area looks like a small greenhouse, delivering a warm, fun atmosphere often missing in the older concrete pools. The swimming pool itself is 25m long, with five lanes and a basketball hoop. Outside, you'll find a leisure pool with toys and a waterslide tall enough to have an age limit.

8. Dalslaug

Best for a zoned-out soak

Some pools are good for meeting new people; others, like Dalslaug, are for zoning out. The pool opened in 2021 in a new Reykjavík satellite town and is quite large for the community it serves, allowing bathers plenty of space. The layout captures the Icelandic pool culture of today: one modestly large swimming pool surrounded by many large, multi-temperature hot tubs. Take your pick.

9. Guðlaug Baths

Best for cold dips and hot soaks

For lovers of sea swimming – and those who want to try – the Guðlaug Baths are well worth the 40-minute drive to the coastal town of Akranes. The gorgeous baths overlook the “Long Sand Beach,” with two hot tubs and easy access to the sea. A typical visit goes like this: cold swim, hot bath, cold swim, hot bath. Shower. Ahhhh.

Etiquette at pools in Reykjavík

Do not enter a public pool with dry hair: this will show you are an amateur, guilty of breaking the fundamental rule of showering (with soap) before bathing. The pools have limited chlorine, and most people prefer to keep it that way.

You'll also want to take your towel poolside. Though some leave theirs behind in the locker rooms, you should dry off before dripping water (and wetting the floor) from the pool to the locker rooms. There is a “dry-off” area by the showers with towel racks.

Until recently, women had a dress code different from men. Now, going topless is allowed for everyone who wants.