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Soaking in steaming, mineral-rich geothermal water has long been an integral part of Icelandic culture; a cherished wellness ritual that brings a host of physical and mental health benefits while also fostering social connections and a sense of community. It’s so deeply woven into the national identity that in 2025, Iceland’s bathing culture was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. There are well over 100 public pools and hot springs dotted throughout the country in both urban and rural locations, alongside an ever-growing collection of purpose-built geothermal spas and lagoons. As such, no trip to Iceland is complete without experiencing at least one of these – but with so many fabulous options to choose from, it can be tricky to decide which to prioritise.
So, to point you in the right direction, we’ve picked out seven of our favourite geothermal lagoons in Iceland.
Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa and one of the country’s most visited attractions, the Blue Lagoon has established itself as a national icon over the course of the 21st century. Renowned for its milky-blue, silica-rich water, the Blue Lagoon originally began forming in the late 1970s when wastewater from the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant began pooling among the volcanic rock formations of the surrounding lava field. Following the discovery of the water’s therapeutic qualities, public bathing facilities were opened in 1987 and five years later, in 1992, the Blue Lagoon was officially established. Today, it’s a full-scale wellness resort replete with two luxury hotels (Silica Hotel and The Retreat), two gourmet restaurants (including Michelin-starred Moss) and a state-of-the-art spa. As it’s located just 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport, it’s an ideal place to start or finish an Icelandic adventure.
Built into a rocky cliff on the edge of Kópavogur, just 10 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon has become one of Iceland’s most revered geothermal spas since opening in 2021. Framed by dramatic lava stone walls, the infinity-edge lagoon appears to merge seamlessly with the North Atlantic that stretches endlessly towards the horizon, blurring the lines between the lagoon, the sea and the sky. Step inside the turf house and you can experience the signature Skjól ritual – a holistic, seven-step wellness journey including a cold plunge, sauna, steam room and exfoliating body scrub. Sky Lagoon also has a swim-up bar where you can purchase the likes of Icelandic craft beer, cocktails and wine to sip while you bathe in the lagoon.
Forest Lagoon occupies an idyllic setting on a wooded hillside overlooking Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, in the far north of the country. It features a main infinity-edge pool heated to 37°C, as well as a smaller pool at 40°C, a cold plunge pool and a Finnish dry sauna. There are several swim-up bars, too, so you can enjoy a drink or two while you bathe. As the Forest Lagoon is considerably smaller than both the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon, it has a more intimate and secluded feel to it. It was designed by the same architects behind The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, and the sleek, timber-clad design of Forest Lagoon feels very much in harmony with its natural surroundings of pine and birch trees. It lies just five minutes from Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland, making it one of the region’s most accessible geothermal spas.
There aren’t many places in Iceland where you can soak in a geothermal pool while simultaneously looking out for whales – but at GeoSea in Húsavík, it’s possible to do exactly this. Nestled on a grassy cliff overlooking Skjálfandi Bay in North Iceland, GeoSea consists of several curve-edged pools filled with seawater from nearby boreholes, geothermally heated to around 38–39°C. On a clear day, the likes of humpbacks and minke whales can often be spotted swimming in the ocean down below. GeoSea also has a steam room and a swim-up bar that serves craft beers from the local brewery, Húsavík Öl. With a clear, north-facing view out to sea, it’s also an excellent place to see the Northern Lights while enjoying a relaxing geothermal soak.
Following a multi-year renovation project, Earth Lagoon Mývatn (formerly Mývatn Nature Baths) re-opened in July 2026 with brand new and expanded facilities. Its main lagoon is now 35 percent larger than the original, and is complemented by a new lagoon bar, a rock steam room, a sauna, a waterfall, a cave passage and hot tubs. Visually, it’s most comparable to the Blue Lagoon, owing to its milky-blue, silica-rich water. Earth Lagoon Mývatn lies in the spectacular Mývatn region, home to Iceland’s fourth-largest lake and otherworldly volcanic landscapes including the Dimmuborgir lava field and Hverir Geothermal Area. It can easily be combined with other natural wonders of the Diamond Circle route, including the Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon.
Laugarás Lagoon enjoys a prime position in the heart of the Golden Circle region in Southwest Iceland, fringed by birch and spruce forests on the banks of the Hvítá River. It boasts a split-level lagoon connected by a cascading waterfall, together with a secluded grotto, a sauna house, a cold plunge pool and a separate forest pool tucked away among the trees. Two swim-up bars offer refreshments, while Ylja restaurant serves up seasonal Icelandic dishes harnessing produce from local fisheries and geothermal greenhouses. Laugarás is just 25 minutes away from Geysir, 35 minutes from Gullfoss waterfall and 45 minutes from Thingvellir National Park, making it a superb addition to any Golden Circle adventure.
Iceland’s newest geothermal spa, Reykjaböð Hot Springs, opened in September 2026 at the entrance to the Reykjadalur Valley near Hveragerði, just off the Ring Road in South Iceland. Its 900-square-metre lagoon sits alongside timber-clad, turf-roofed pavilions and a Nordic bathhouse featuring a snow room, a herbal pool, a steam bath, a dry sauna, a cold plunge pool and a fire pit. Here, guests are invited to embark on an invigorating wellness ritual that combines warm and cold therapies, designed to soothe both mind and body. Reykjaböð also has its own bistro restaurant, Réttir, whose menu is shaped by the rhythms of the seasons. It’s an easy stop when exploring the South Coast or the Golden Circle, or even as a day trip from Reykjavík.
