Quick FactsOverview
About Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths, Iceland is a geothermal spa on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn on the Golden Circle route, approximately 77 km from Reykjavik. The facility is built over natural geothermal springs in use since 1929, and the current complex opened in 2011. Geothermal water heats a series of outdoor mineral baths ranging from 32 to 40 degrees Celsius, and natural steam from the springs below powers steam rooms built directly over the geyser vents. The complex also includes a Finnish-style sauna, cold lake access, a restaurant, and a geothermal bakery. Laugarvatn Fontana is currently closed for extensive renovation and expansion, with reopening scheduled for June 2026.
The defining feature of Fontana is its steam rooms positioned directly above active geothermal springs, where visitors can hear and smell the boiling water beneath the floor while soaking in natural steam at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. The outdoor mineral baths offer varying temperatures and depths. A gate from the pool area leads to Lake Laugarvatn for cold water contrast swimming. The geothermal bakery tour offers tasting of rye bread baked in the hot black sand, a local tradition that has persisted for generations in the Laugarvatn area.
Location & Access
Getting to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths is at Hverabraut 1, 840 Laugarvatn, on Road 37 in South Iceland. The GPS coordinates published by the operator are 64 degrees 12 minutes 52.6 seconds north, 20 degrees 43 minutes 49.9 seconds west. From Reykjavik, the drive takes around 50 minutes to one hour via Route 1 east, then Route 36 or 354 to Thingvellir and continuing to Laugarvatn, or via Route 1 east and Route 37 directly to Laugarvatn. The facility is on the western shore of the lake with clear signage, a car park, and short on-site walking of around two to three minutes from the car park to the entrance. No 4WD is required and the entire route is paved and accessible year-round regardless of season.
Laugarvatn sits midway between Thingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal area on the standard Golden Circle loop, making Fontana a natural rest stop on a full day from Reykjavik. Gullfoss waterfall is approximately 29 km further east. The facility is open year-round once it reopens, with summer hours from 10:00 to 21:00 and winter hours from 11:00 to 21:00. Visitors should confirm the reopening date and current hours at fontana.is before visiting, as the facility is currently closed for renovation with reopening scheduled for June 2026.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Laugarvatn Fontana Suits
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths suits travelers driving the Golden Circle who want a structured geothermal spa stop with real Icelandic character. Its midpoint position between Thingvellir and Geysir makes it a logical addition to a sightseeing day, and the combination of steam rooms over live geothermal vents, outdoor mineral pools, lake access, and the geothermal bakery gives it more variety than most equivalent-size stops on the Golden Circle. It also works well in bad weather because the steam rooms and indoor areas provide shelter while still delivering the core geothermal experience.
Fontana is accessible hot springs in Iceland with confirmed ramp access and accessible changing facilities, making it one of the few Golden Circle bathing options with documented wheelchair infrastructure. Families are welcome; children under ten enter free with a paying adult, and the pool layout is controlled and safe for supervised children. Solo travelers and couples value the layered, calm experience, particularly the natural steam rooms, which feel more intimate than the large open pools at commercial lagoons.
Visitors planning a visit should check fontana.is for the confirmed reopening date in June 2026 and verify that all facilities will be available before booking. The geothermal bakery tour operates daily during the closure period and is accessible independently of the baths.
Safety & Etiquette
Laugarvatn Fontana Safety Tips
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths is generally safe as a staffed commercial facility, with the main safety considerations being the heat and humidity of the steam rooms, the temperature range of the outdoor pools, and the cold-water contrast at the lake. Staff are present during opening hours and the facility operates to commercial wellness standards.
The steam rooms run at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius with very high humidity; these are significantly more intense than the outdoor pools and can feel overwhelming to first-time visitors. Limit sessions to five to ten minutes, take breaks in cool fresh air between rounds, and drink water frequently. Children need close supervision in steam rooms and should have much shorter exposure times than adults. The outdoor pools range from 32 to 40 degrees Celsius; the hottest pool is comfortable for most adults but short sessions and cool-down breaks remain good practice throughout the visit.
The transition from hot pools to cold lake water is a traditional Icelandic contrast experience. The lake is cold year-round; people with heart conditions or circulatory sensitivities should approach this carefully or skip it entirely. Pool decks and indoor transitions can be slippery when wet; traction sandals reduce most slip risks. The facility requires pre-entry showering without swimsuit, which is standard in Icelandic shared pools and enforced to keep shared water clean. Check fontana.is for the current reopening status before visiting, as the facility is currently closed for renovation.
