Quick FactsOverview
About Bjorbodin Beer Spa
Bjorbodin Beer Spa, Iceland is a private beer bath spa in Arskogssandur on the Trollaskagi Peninsula in northern Iceland, offering individual wooden tub sessions filled with a mixture of warm water, young beer, hops, and yeast, alongside outdoor geothermal pool access and a restaurant and bar. The spa opened in 2017 and is part of the Kaldi Brewery operation in Arskogssandur, with the beer used in the baths sourced directly from the adjoining brewery. It sits on the eastern shore of Eyjafjordur fjord, about 30 minutes north of Akureyri.
The facility has seven private indoor tubs crafted from Kambala wood, each accommodating two people and equipped with a beer tap dispensing cold Kaldi beer for guests to drink during their soak. The beer used in the tubs is a non-consumable young beer, meaning an unfermented mixture without significant alcohol content; the drinking beer comes from the tap beside each tub, not the bath itself. Sessions last approximately 25 minutes and are followed by access to the outdoor relaxation area, which includes two large communal hot tubs with views over Eyjafjordur toward Hrisey Island, the valley of Thorvalds, and the surrounding mountains. The site also offers a relaxation room with traditional Icelandic resting beds.
Location & Access
Getting to Bjorbodin Beer Spa
Bjorbodin Beer Spa is on Aegisgata in Arskogssandur, a small village on the eastern side of the Trollaskagi Peninsula, approximately 30 km north of Akureyri by road, a drive of around 30 minutes. From Akureyri, take Route 82 north along the eastern shore of Eyjafjordur toward Dalvik, continuing past Dalvik toward Arskogssandur. The spa is clearly signposted on arrival in the village and sits near the water's edge.
From Reykjavik, the journey to Bjorbodin requires either a 45-minute domestic flight to Akureyri followed by the 30-minute drive, or a full day's drive of around five hours along the Ring Road northward. Visitors combining Bjorbodin with exploring North Iceland typically use Akureyri or Dalvik as a base. Dalvik is the nearest accommodation village at about 8 km from the spa. Because drinking beer is part of the experience for most guests, planning accommodation within the area or designating a non-drinking driver is strongly advisable. The spa is open Wednesday to Saturday; confirming current opening hours before travelling is recommended as seasonal schedules apply. A booking in advance is required as the spa accommodates a maximum of 14 guests per session and fills quickly in peak season.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Bjorbodin Suits
Bjorbodin Beer Spa suits adults who want a structured, private bathing experience with a novelty element, particularly those interested in craft beer culture or looking for a memorable one-of-a-kind activity in northern Iceland. The combination of a private indoor tub, access to a cold beer tap, outdoor fjord-view hot tubs, and a restaurant makes it a self-contained experience well suited to couples, groups of friends, and solo travellers looking for something beyond a standard geothermal pool. For those interested in geothermal pools in Iceland in a more theatrical setting, Bjorbodin provides a distinctive alternative to the large public lagoons.
The indoor tubs are nudity-optional; most guests soak without swimwear, though a swimsuit is required for the outdoor communal hot tubs. Towels and robes are provided. The spa advises not showering for several hours after the beer bath in order to allow the skin to absorb the yeast and hop residue from the soak, which some guests find unusual but which is part of the stated benefit of the experience.
The experience is adult-oriented. Guests aged 20 and over may drink the beer from the tap beside each tub; Icelandic law sets the drinking age at 20. Younger guests may use the tubs, as the bath beer is non-consumable and does not produce intoxication, but the full experience is designed with adults in mind. Families with young children should consider whether the environment suits their needs before booking. Wheelchair access is not confirmed; the facility should be contacted directly by visitors with mobility requirements.
Safety & Etiquette
Bjorbodin Beer Spa Safety Tips
Bjorbodin Beer Spa is generally safe as a managed commercial spa, with the primary safety considerations being the beer consumed at the tap beside each tub, the hot water temperature of both the indoor tubs and outdoor communal pools, and the road conditions on the drive back from the spa after drinking.
The beer in the tub itself is non-consumable young beer without significant alcohol, so the tub water poses no intoxication risk. However, the cold Kaldi beer served from the tap beside each tub is fully alcoholic. Guests who intend to drive after their visit should plan their consumption carefully or arrange alternative transport, as Iceland's drink-drive limit is very strict. The spa recommends designating a driver or staying locally overnight rather than attempting a long drive after drinking. Guests under 20 will not be served alcohol at the tap.
The indoor tub water is warm and the session lasts 25 minutes; this duration is set by the spa and is generally appropriate for safe soaking without overheating. The outdoor hot tubs are geothermal and may be hotter than the indoor tubs; test the temperature before entering and exit if you feel light-headed or overheated. Drinking water between sessions, particularly if you have consumed alcohol, helps manage dehydration. The path between the indoor area and outdoor tubs may be slippery in cold or wet weather; wear the sandals or footwear provided. As the spa advises, avoiding showering for four to five hours after the experience allows the skin benefits of the beer soak to take full effect.
