Top 10 Swimming Pools on the South Coast of Iceland

Wonderful outdoor swimming pools, filled with gloriously warm water, and surrounded by beautiful nature can be found all along the South Coast. When you leave the multitude of pools in the capital behind, you can still immerse yourself in fabulous geothermally heated warm water, enjoying outdoor hot pool relaxation and swimming!

This site lists the swimming pools along the South Coast.  

Every one of these pools is unique, so each has its
own character, my advice is, go to as many as you can, you will get a different experience every time!

Any time at all when they are open - summer, deepest winter or a season in between - these pools are perfect every time. Early in the morning is good, as are the evenings. Personally, I love to go mid-morning in mid-winter. I enter the water when it is still dark and stay until the sun has risen. I also love doing this in reverse, enjoying the special peace as the blanket of evening darkness descends! A couple of my evening swims were blessed by the heavenly Northern Lights rippling softly across a sky which twinkled with stars. These pools are special at any time, so early bird or night owl you just go when it suits your travels in South Iceland! Check the pool opening times, though, these can vary quite a bit in the rural areas.   

No way! These pools are amazingly cheap, a swim will cost you less than 1000 ISK. This is pretty amazing when you consider what is on offer. The pools are very always very clean, there are usually hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms, and the changing rooms are warm, clean, and comfortable. In the UK and many other countries, you would have to pay expensive spa prices to get these facilities.

One of the swimming pools I have listed is a spa, naturally, this is more expensive. However, at under 3000 ISK, it will not set you back as much as spas of similar quality in most other places. To get there you need to detour inland a little, but not very far, and the journey is very scenic.    

This pool is situated on the hill which leads up to the hot spring area. The pool is surrounded by nature, there are mature trees and lovely views down the hill towards Hveragerði. Gorgeous 50-meter pool, shallow children’s pool, a spacious jacuzzi, and a natural steam bath. This pool is number one on my South Coast list!

• Summer 15 May to 15 August - weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to19:00.
• Winter 16 August to 14 May - Monday to Thursday 06:45 to 20:15, Fridays 06:45 to 17:15, and weekends 10:00 to 17:15.
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK - Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a modest extra fee. For a map and more details click here.

Located in the lovely Árborg region, by the coast, and within easy walking distance of the restaurants and amenities in the village. This swimming pool is also the meet-on-location point for kayaking tours, kayaking participants even get free entry to the pool insert link this new tour is going on. The 18-meter pool has a slide for children to enjoy. There are also two hot tubs and a shallow wading pool.

• Summer 01 June to Mid-August - weekdays 13:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 17:00.
• Winter Mid-August to 31 May - weekdays 16:30 to 20:30 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00.
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK - Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a modest extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.

This pool is conveniently situated in the center of the town. There are large indoor and outdoor pools, a children´s pool, sauna and steam room, plus hot and cold tubs.

• Monday to Thursday 06:30 to 21:30 and weekends 09:00 to 19:00.
• Fee per adult: 980 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.  

Located just 6 km from the route around the South Coast. This quiet swimming pool has a slide and hot tubs.

• Summer weekdays 14:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
• Winter Tuesdays and Thursdays only from 18:00 to 21:00.  
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rental is also available for a modest extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.

Situated in the heart of the village. The 25-meter pool is complemented by 2 hot tubs, a jacuzzi, and a children´s pool.

• Summer 25 May to 25 August weekdays 06:30 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
• Winter 26 August to 26 May weekdays 06:30 to 21:00 and weekends 12:00 to 18:00.
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be seen here.

Here you will find a 25-meter pool with hot tubs and a waterslide.

• Summer 01 May to 30 September weekdays 06:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00.
• Winter 01 October to 01 April weekdays 06:00 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00.
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towels and bathing suits can be rented for a small extra fee.

Here you will find a swimming pool, shallow pool, sauna and a hot tub.

• Mondays 14:00 to 19:00 Tuesdays to Fridays 13:30 to 19:00 and weekends 10:00 to 16:00. A map and more details can be found here.

The swimming pool in Kirkjubæjarklaustur was opened in 2008. In addition to the main pool, there is a shallow pool for children and a hot tub.

• Summer 01 June to 30 September daily 10:00 to 20:00.
• Winter Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays 15:00 to 19:00.      
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit rentals are also available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be found here.

This is a 25-meter pool with a shallow pool for children, a jacuzzi, hot tubs. steam bath and an ice bath.

• Summer 15 May to 30 September, weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends 10:00 to 19:00, Winter weekdays 06:45 to 21:00 and weekends from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Fee per adult: 900 ISK. Towel and bathing suit hire is available for a small extra fee. A map and more details can be found here.

A unique treasure kept "hidden" by locals for years. It's known to Icelanders as Gamla Laugin or the Old Pool since it's the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891. The hot spring is located in a geothermal area called Hverahólmi which makes the surroundings truly unique and idyllic, there is even a small geyser hot spring and trickling hot streams in the pool-side area. The temperature of the water stays at 38-40°C all year round, keeping you warm even on cold winter months. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery!

• Summer 01 May to 30 September daily 10:00 to 22:00
• Winter 01 October to 30 April daily 11:00 to 20:00
• Fee per adult: 2800 ISK, towel and bathing suit rental 1000 ISK. More information is available here

These are my top 10 swimming pools on the South Coast!

The pools at Hveragerði, Selfoss, Hella, Hvolsvöllur, Vík can all be reached reasonably easily if you are traveling around Iceland by bus. Scheduled buses are run by Strætó, you can check out the Straeto routes here. Some tours from Reykjavík stop at the Secret Lagoon

Want to swim in a geothermal pool in South Iceland? Discover our range of hot springs and wellness tours.