Iceland Spa and Baths - 8 Awesome Locations

The Icelandic people have used hot springs and baths for many centuries. In fact, the tiny village of Reykholt in southwestern Iceland boasts the historic hot spring known as Snorralaug. This tiny spring has been used for bathing as far back as the 12th century, and to this day provides a quaint glimpse of the comforts of life in a primeval world.

Soaking in a hot spring or a bath offers many wonderful health benefits. These include:

• A boost in blood circulation. Research suggests that a soak in hot spring water may aid in the production of nitric oxide, which in turn increases circulation and oxygen flow throughout your body.
• Stress reduction. Taking a comforting bath in a hot spring can easily put you into a more relaxed frame of mind. In addition, the heat from the bath can physically relax tense muscles.
• Promotion of better sleep. Due to the release of physical and mental tension that comes from a nice soak in a hot spring or bath, it is much easier to fall asleep after you exit the spring. 
• Pain relief. A soak in a hot spring has been known to help alleviate chronic muscle pain, arthritis, and even fibromyalgia fatigue. Moreover, your body's natural buoyancy in the spring water can provide a measure of support for aching joints.
• Relief of certain skin conditions. A hot spring's high silica content can help smooth out dry, rough skin, and its sulfur content can provide some relief for symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, and related skin conditions.

If you are planning to visit Iceland, then be sure to experience an authentic Icelandic spa and/or bath. Here are 8 awesome spa and bath locations that you should consider exploring:

Hot springs in Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Located in a lava field near Grindavik in southwestern Iceland, and positioned very close to Iceland's main Keflavik Airport, the Blue Lagoon is a naturally formed spa that boasts an ethereal atmosphere and a reputation as one of Iceland's premier spa locations. The Blue Lagoon Spa offers such features as:

• A mask bar that can cleanse and revitalize your skin with the properties of silica and algae.
• A Sauna and steam room To help you sweat out your stress.
• An in-water massage That provides a unique form of relaxation and stress relief.

You can stay at the Silica Hotel or the Retreat Hotel, and enjoy an unparalleled dining experience at the Lava Restaurant on the Blue Lagoon's west bank. When you visit, don't forget to participate in the traditional Blue Lagoon ritual, and experience the rejuvenating powers of the Lagoon's unique triad of silica, algae, and minerals. 

Fontana

The Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths are located at the heart of the Golden Circle, Iceland's premier tourist route. As you soak in the geothermal baths and listening to the calming babble of the spring's bubbles in the steam rooms, you can't help but find yourself transported to a distant time and place, free of the stress and worry of the modern world. If you are looking for more adventure, then you can also take an invigorating dip in the nearby lake.

Be sure to visit Fontana's Geothermal Bakery, and see how Icelanders make traditional pot-baked lava bread, pulled out from the hot, black sand of their island. Of course, you can also visit the local kitchen for a sumptuous lunch and dinner buffet served fresh every day.

Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon is found in the Golden Circle area, in the village of Fludir. It was formed in 1891, and boasts Iceland's oldest swimming pool. The Secret Lagoon's natural hot springs stay at a constant temperature of between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, all year long. The unique surroundings of the pool, along with the constant steam rising up into the air, confers a fantastical ambiance upon the entire area.

Around the geothermal area, there is a walking path that allows venturesome guests to explore the springs in more detail. Furthermore, during winter months the Northern Lights can often be seen from the comfort of the Secret Lagoon's pool. Be sure not to pass up a visit to this wonderful, special location!

Vok Baths

Vok Baths is located on the majestic Lake Urridavatn in east Iceland, only a few miles northwest of Egilsstadir. Vok Baths offer Iceland's only floating geothermal pools. Guests are able to completely immerse themselves in the stark, gorgeous Icelandic landscape as they soak in these geothermal baths.

The hot water found at Vok Baths is of such a high level of purity that it has actually been certified as drinkable! However, there is no need to drink from the baths when the nearby Infusion Bar & Café provides a wide variety of delicious, locally produced beverages and cuisines. If your stay in Iceland includes a trip to the east, be sure to visit Vok Baths.

Myvatn Nature Baths

Also located in northern Iceland, some 65 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Lake Myvatn is Iceland's fourth-largest body of water, and its Geothermal Area contains the famous Myvatn Nature Baths.

The baths are surrounded by exquisitely beautiful scenery, which can be enjoyed from the alkaline bathing lagoon. Myvatn offers peace and serenity to its guests. The steam baths are second to none, and Café Kvika's lunch and dinner options ensure that you'll always be able to enjoy traditional Icelandic cuisine and other comfort foods such as hot soup, bread, smoked fish, and cinnamon buns.

Myvatn Nature Baths

GeoSea

In the small town of Husavik on the north coast of Iceland, off the shores of the Skjalfandi Bay, you can find the GeoSea sea baths, one of Iceland's premier tourist attractions. The temperature of the baths stays at an optimal 38-39 degrees Celsius year 'round. 

The sea baths provide an exceptional view of Skjalfandi Bay, majestic mountains to the west, and even the Arctic Circle in the far north, off the horizon. The bathwater flows through two drill holes, and the constancy of its flow as it fills the pools, pours over their edges, and returns to its original source of the sea ensures that there is never any need to use cleaning agents or other purifying equipment to treat the water.

GeoSea's mineral-rich seawater will cleanse and soften your skin, while the heat from the baths will relieve your stress and release tension from your muscles. Try to include a stop here in your next trip to Iceland.

Beer Spa

The Bjorbodin Spa, also known as the Beer Spa, is located in the town of Dalvik in northern Iceland. The Beer Spa provides guests with a unique bathing experience: you are able to soak in a big tub filled with water, beer, hops, and yeast!

Two people can fit in each tub. While the bathwater itself is undrinkable, there is also a beer draught provided at every tub for those 20 years of age and older. After 25 minutes of soaking, guests retreat to a relaxation room for another 25 minutes.

Krauma

The Krauma Spa is located in west Iceland, a little over an hour distant from Iceland's capital of Reykjavik. The water found in Krauma's geothermal baths has its source in the hot spring of Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring. In order to achieve the perfect bathing temperature for spa guests, Deildartunguhver's hot water (with a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius) is mixed with cold water that originates from Ok, which until recently was Iceland's smallest glacier.

At the spa, you'll find 5 geothermal baths for exceptional relaxation, as well as a cold tub (with water at 5 to 8 degrees Celsius) to get your blood pumping, two saunas to help your body wind down, and a relaxation room in which you can rest by a crackling fire and listen to the soothing strains of calming music.

Krauma's two steam baths are found in separate buildings, and are near outdoor showers. Spraying water from the hot springs create steam that rises up from timber benches to provide an exceptionally relaxing experience to spa guests. If you find yourself in the western regions of Iceland, make sure that you schedule some time to relax at the Krauma Spa.

Hot tubs at Krauma baths

Contact Tour.is to Book Your Visit to the Spa

For sheer relaxation and comfort, there are very few activities that can compare to a soak in one of Iceland's exceptional hot springs. If you are going to book one of Iceland's Self Drive tours, then be sure to schedule some time for a visit to a hot spring, spa, or bath. We can help you to choose which location you want to visit that will fit in with your itinerary, and then we'll help you to book the best possible time.

If you would like more information, reach out to us at Tour.is today.