7 Best Swimming Pools in Reykjavík Locals Actually Use (Not the Blue Lagoon)

Beyond the Blue Lagoon: Why Reykjavík Locals Love the Sundlaug

Locals do not drive out to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon for a Tuesday swim. They walk to a neighborhood sundlaug, the local pool, the way people elsewhere visit a gym or a corner café. Reykjavík operates 18 public geothermal pools, according to the official Visit Reykjavík pool guide. A single adult entry to a city pool runs about 1,300 ISK, versus 10,000 ISK or more for a session at Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. That price gap is a big part of why the neighborhood pool, not the tourist spa, is where daily life happens. Long-stay visitors can buy a discounted multi-entry card instead of paying per swim, which lowers the cost further. Neighborhood pools function less like attractions and more like community centers. Regulars gather in the hot tubs to trade local news the way people elsewhere might meet at a pub or a plaza. Treating a soak as routine, rather than a splurge, is one of the under-the-radar routines that separate a local week in Reykjavík from a checklist visit.

The Golden Rules of Icelandic Pool Etiquette

Icelandic pool culture runs on a few unwritten rules, and visitors who skip them get a polite correction from staff. None of the customs are meant to intimidate first-timers, and staff are used to explaining them.

• Shower naked before you get dressed
  • Pools use less chlorine than in many countries, so a full-body soap shower before swimming keeps the water clean for everyone.
  • Signs at the shower entrance mark the areas that need extra attention, and stalls are single-sex and private.
• Leave shoes and phones at the locker
  • Street shoes stay in the locker room, and many pools restrict phone use on the pool deck and in the changing area.
  • Ask a staff member first if a photo matters; a quick nod usually settles it.
• Hot tub conversation is optional, not required
  • The 40°C pottar are where neighbors debate politics and trade gossip, but nobody expects a visitor to join in.
  • A short exchange about the weather is normal, and sitting quietly is just as normal.

7 Best Swimming Pools in Reykjavík Locals Love

These seven pools give a realistic cross-section of Reykjavík's pool culture, from a century-old downtown hall to suburban complexes with fewer crowds. Choose based on location and vibe rather than trying to fit all seven into one trip.

• Sundhöllin (Sundhöll Reykjavíkur) — The Heritage Pick
  • Opened in 1937 as the city's first public pool and designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson, Sundhöllin sits on Barónsstígur in downtown Reykjavík.
  • An outdoor pool now runs alongside the original indoor hall, and rooftop-level hot tubs give panoramic views over the city.
  • Expect quiet lap swimmers in the morning and a more social crowd of regulars in the hot tubs by early evening.
• Laugardalslaug — The All-Rounder
  • Reykjavík's largest pool complex sits in Laugardalur valley, pairing a 50-meter outdoor pool with an Olympic-sized indoor pool.
  • Facilities include two waterslides, several hot tubs at different temperatures, a steam bath, a gym, and a mini-golf course.
  • Its scale makes it the pick for families or a half-day visit rather than a quick soak.
• Vesturbæjarlaug — The Local Favorite
  • This 25-meter outdoor pool sits in the Vesturbær (West Town) district, an easy walk from the University of Iceland.
  • Its smaller size keeps the hot tubs conversational, and regulars outnumber visitors on most weekday mornings.
  • It's a short walk from Grandi Harbour, Reykjavík's harbour-front neighborhood.
• Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach — Cold Sea, Hot Lagoon
  • A man-made lagoon here mixes geothermal water with the sea, so you can move between heated water and the cold ocean a few steps away.
  • The sandy beach setting pairs with the lagoon for sunbathing between dips.
  • Some services scale back outside summer, so check current hours before planning a winter visit here specifically.
• Sundlaug Seltjarnarness (Seltjarnarneslaug) — The Salt-Water Pool
  • According to the official Visit Reykjavík pool guide, this is the only salt-water pool in the city.
  • The complex has a 25-meter outdoor pool, two children's pools, and three hot tubs at different temperatures.
  • Pair it with sunset near the Grotta Lighthouse, a short walk from the pool.
• Árbæjarlaug — The Valley View
  • Set above the Elliðaárdalur valley in the Árbær district, this pool pairs an outdoor 25-meter pool with an indoor pool connected by a covered bridge.
  • Waterslides, a massage tub, and a cold tub round out a complex built for a longer visit rather than a quick lap swim.
  • The valley setting keeps it quieter than the two big downtown pools, even on a busy weekend.
• Breiðholtslaug — The Suburban Staple
  • Located in the Breiðholt district, this pool draws a mostly local crowd rather than downtown visitors.
  • Multiple hot tubs and a waterslide make it popular with families.
  • Crowds thin out here compared with Sundhöllin or Laugardalslaug, making it a reasonable pick for a relaxed family afternoon.

Winter Swims: Northern Lights from a Hot Tub

Night swimming is a genuine winter activity in Reykjavík, not just a novelty for photos. Geothermal heating keeps outdoor pools running through winter regardless of the air temperature, since the water itself is heated at the source. Steam rising off a hot tub against a clear, dark sky is routine at neighborhood pools rather than rare. Suburban pools such as Grafarvogslaug sit away from downtown streetlights, giving a better shot at spotting the aurora than the more lit-up city-center pools. Check an aurora forecast before heading out, since cloud cover blocks the display no matter how dark the surroundings are.

Costs, Hours, and Getting to the Pools

Budget and timing follow a consistent pattern across most Reykjavík pools. After an early swim, refuel at one of downtown's coffee spots before continuing the day. Swimmers staying near the harbor can extend the morning with a ferry to Viðey Island, reachable from the Sundahöfn dock.

• Cost
  • A single adult entry runs about 1,300 ISK at most city pools.
  • That's roughly a tenth of the 10,000-ISK-plus entry fee at Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
  • Long-stay visitors can buy a discounted multi-entry card instead of paying per swim.
  • Confirm exact 2026 admission rates at the pool entrance or on Visit Reykjavík's site, since prices can shift year to year.
• Hours
  • Most pools open around 6:30am on weekdays for the early lap-swim crowd.
  • Weekend hours run shorter, so check the specific pool's posted schedule before heading out.
• What to bring
  • Soap is provided free at every shower station, so bringing your own isn't necessary.
  • Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent both on-site for an added fee.
  • Hairdryers are typically available in the locker rooms.
• Getting there
  • Downtown pools like Sundhöllin and Vesturbæjarlaug are walkable from most city-center hotels.
  • Reaching suburban pools such as Árbæjarlaug, Breiðholtslaug, and Grafarvogslaug means using the Strætó public bus network.

Which Pool Should You Choose? Quick Comparison

Use this table to match a pool to what you actually want from the visit, rather than trying to fit all seven into one short trip.