Swimming Culture in Iceland

Swimming pools in Iceland are nothing like in most European Cities. If you truly want to follow in the footsteps of the locals, you should visit one of Reykjavík's 18 geothermal swimming pools.

You could say our pools are a mix of a sports centre, a water-slide park and a spa with hot tubs and steam baths. Run-on geothermal water from boreholes, you could say this is where Iceland's hot springs meet the city culture. Read on to find the best pools our city has to offer.

Hot Water in Iceland

Since hot water is plentiful in Iceland, the country's inhabitants have found ways to use it since the settlement. Snorri Sturluson, the 12th-century poet of Edda and other medieval literature, is known to have constructed a pool on his farm with hot water guzzling in. He even heated his house with it. Today the largest portion of Icelandic homes are heated with water from hot springs; 99% are heated with green energy. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Icelanders have gotten used to bathing in the warm, smelly water through the age.

Iceland's swimming culture explained 

As mentioned before, swimming pools in Iceland are very different from what EU and US visitors know from their homes. Of course, a lot of people come mainly for the fitness part. But the local pools are also a huge cultural thing in Iceland. In the morning you will encounter elderly ladies and gents in the hot tubs, discussing news-related stuff and the weather (PRO TIP: Icelanders love to talk about the weather!) Later in the day, families gather, so that the young ones can spend the rest of that day's energy and the parents can relax in the warm water. And the list goes on: people go on dates in the pools, friends meet up and others come solo for the Zen quality of the water and steam.

Where to go swimming in Reykjavík?

Reykjavík's largest swimming pool is also the most popular one; both among locals and visitors. Laugardalslaug features two 50-meter pools, 7 hot tubs ranging in heat, a steam bath, a cold tub, a giant water slide, and more. It's a short distance from the city centre. 

Right in the centre is Sundhöllin, Reykjavík's oldest pool (but most recently renovated). It's a popular destination with great facilities.

Then there are many other great pools of the grid. Take Lágafellslaug in Mountain Borough for an example: it features 3 water slides that the kids love, a great kids pool as well and cosy hut tubs. Álftaneslaug on the Presidential Peninsula is another perfect destination for families. There you'll find an excellent kids pool, a giant water slide, and even a "tidal pool" which replicates a wavy beach.

Do I have to shower naked?

Yes. Butt naked! But of course, the dressing and shower rooms are divided into men, and women and some have gender-neutral locker rooms. But don't let that discourage you. The locals have been bathing naked at the local pool since birth and most definitely have no interest in other people's private parts. A poster can be found in all shower rooms explaining how to wash all these different parts; something that many visitors find both strange, funny, and confusing. This rule was set many years ago to keep the quality of the water and minimize the use of chlorine. If you break the rule, you might receive a friendly reminder from a dedicated swimmer to take off your clothes. 

How warm are the swimming pools?

The standard temperature of the hot tubs is 38°-40° Celsius or 100°-104° Fahrenheit. However, they get as warm as 44° Celsius / 111° Fahrenheit and as cold as 36° Celsius / 97° Fahrenheit.

The pools themselves are somewhere between 27°-30° Celsius or 80°-86° Fahrenheit. They are a bit warmer than the standard pool in Europe but cool enough for swimming in.

In recent years, sea swimming has become hugely popular. Many believe it has excellent health benefits. Because of this, most swimming pools are equipped with a cold tub, some even as cool as 5° Celsius or 41° Fahrenheit. This of course is only for the bravest! 

... and after the swim?

If you want to have the full Icelandic-swimming-pool-routine, you should head to one of Reykjavík's many hotdog stands and order "one with everything". On weekends, this will be followed by a visit to the ice cream shop; or the famous "ísbíltúr".