Quick FactsOverview
About Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug, Iceland is the largest public swimming pool complex in Iceland, located in the Laugardalur district of Reykjavík and operated by the city's Department of Sport and Leisure. Opened on 1 June 1968 and designed by city architect Einar Sveinsson, the complex was built over the natural hot springs that historically gave Reykjavík its name: the Icelandic word reykja means smoky, and the springs of Laugardalur were the source of the steam that rising travellers once saw from the sea. The facility was significantly expanded in 1986 and again in 2005 when the indoor Olympic-size pool was added, bringing it to its current scale as the most comprehensively equipped geothermal pool in the capital area.
The complex includes two 50-metre pools: an outdoor pool with eight lanes maintained at 28 degrees Celsius, and an indoor Olympic pool with ten lanes. Additional pools include an indoor 25-metre children's pool and an outdoor kidney-shaped children's pool at 32 degrees Celsius with its own slide. For soaking, there are eight hot tubs ranging from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius, a unique saltwater hot tub fed from the Atlantic, and a cold plunge tub at 6 degrees Celsius. A steam bath, an 86-metre water slide, a mini-golf course, beach volleyball courts, a wipeout obstacle track, and running trails in the surrounding Laugardalur valley complete the outdoor offer. An on-site massage service, food concession, and swimwear and towel rental are available. The pool is Rainbow Certified, confirming inclusive and LGBT-friendly facilities for staff and visitors.
Laugardalslaug sits within the broader Laugardalur leisure area, which includes a botanical garden, the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo, sports fields, running paths, and a campsite. This makes it a natural hub for a full day out in the city, particularly for families. For visitors looking for hot springs near Reykjavík in a genuinely local setting at municipal prices, Laugardalslaug is the largest and most varied single pool destination the city offers.
Location & Access
Getting to Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is located at Sundlaugavegur 30, 105 Reykjavík, in the Laugardalur district approximately 3 to 4 kilometres east of central Reykjavík. By bus, Strætó routes 12 and 14 serve the pool directly from Hlemmur bus station, the main transit hub in central Reykjavík, making the journey approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Free parking is available in the large car park at the pool. On foot from the city centre, the walk takes approximately 40 minutes along well-marked paths through the Laugardalur valley.
The pool is open year-round. Standard weekday hours run from 06:30 to 22:00, and weekend hours vary; check the official sundlaugar.is website for current opening times including public holiday schedules. No advance booking is required for individual visits. Entry is paid at the gate, and the Reykjavík City Card covers admission to Laugardalslaug as part of its pool access package. Towels and swimwear are available to rent at reception for a small additional fee.
The surrounding Laugardalur park is directly accessible from the pool entrance, connecting visitors to the botanical garden, the Family Park and Zoo, sports fields, and cycle and running paths. Bus routes and the parking area make the complex easy to reach from any part of the city. For visitors arriving by bicycle, cycle lanes connect the city centre to Laugardalur. The geothermal pool complex at Laugardalslaug is well signposted from the main roads into the district, and the large building is visible from Sundlaugavegur.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is suitable for all visitor types including families, solo visitors, competitive swimmers, and those with mobility requirements. The range of facilities, from the Olympic lap lanes to the shallow children's pools and multiple hot tubs, means different members of a group can engage at their own level without needing to do the same activity. Children of all ages are welcome; younger children have dedicated pools and slide facilities, and the water temperatures in the children's areas are maintained at a comfortable 32 degrees Celsius.
The facility is wheelchair accessible. A pool lift enables wheelchair users to enter the main outdoor pool, a hot tub is specifically equipped for wheelchair access, and the sauna is also accessible. A private changing room with a shower and toilet is available for guests who require more space or assistance. Call ahead or enquire at reception to confirm the best on-site arrangements for your visit, as layout and temporary provisions can vary. Accessible hot springs in Iceland within the city are comparatively rare at this scale, and Laugardalslaug represents the broadest range of accessible geothermal water options in one location in Reykjavík.
The pool is a working municipal facility used daily by Reykjavík residents for exercise, recreation, and the social ritual of the hot tub, or hot pot, which is central to Icelandic community life. Visitors joining the hot tubs during peak hours are likely to find themselves in conversation with locals, which is a distinctive part of the experience. For competitive swimmers, the indoor pool meets Olympic standards and is used for training and competitions. The complex can become busy at weekends and on summer evenings, so visits on weekday mornings or weekday afternoons tend to be quieter.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is generally safe as a fully staffed, municipally operated facility open year-round. The pools are maintained to city standards with geothermal water and a low-chlorine eco-friendly salt system used in the steam room. Lifeguards are on duty during opening hours. Hot tubs range from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius; the 44-degree tub is at the upper end of comfortable soaking range and visitors should limit time in it, especially in combination with the steam room. The cold plunge at 6 degrees Celsius is a common contrast bathing option and is generally well-tolerated by healthy adults when entered gradually.
A mandatory thorough shower without a swimsuit is required before entering any pool or hot tub. This is standard across all Icelandic public pools and is enforced by staff. Compliance keeps chlorine levels low and makes the water more comfortable for all users. Swimwear is required in all pool areas after showering. Sandals are recommended throughout the changing and pool areas as floors are wet and can be slippery. The 86-metre water slide has its own access rules; height or weight restrictions may apply and should be confirmed at reception.
Hot tub etiquette at Icelandic pools is social and straightforward: make space for others, do not monopolise a tub, keep conversation at a normal volume, and be prepared for direct but friendly local conversation. The hot tubs are a shared community space. Using soaps, shampoos, or oils in the pools or tubs is not permitted. Towels, soap, and shampoo are available at reception. The complex is Rainbow Certified and inclusive; discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated.
