Quick FactsOverview
About Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach, Iceland, known in Icelandic as Nauthólsvík, is a man-made geothermal beach on the coast of Reykjavik, opened in 2001. It is the only geothermal beach in Iceland's capital and one of the most distinctive public bathing areas in the country. A seawall encloses a sheltered cove where cold North Atlantic seawater mixes with pumped geothermal water, producing a lagoon that reaches 15 to 19 degrees Celsius in summer. Two hot tubs and a steam room are available year-round inside the service center and on the shore. The beach attracts around 530,000 visitors per year and holds a Blue Flag certification for environmental and quality standards.
The shore hot tub runs at 38 to 39 degrees Celsius year-round, and the outdoor shore pool is listed at 30 to 39 degrees Celsius. The service center contains a second hot tub, a steam room, changing rooms, showers, and a snack bar. The beach is covered with imported golden sand, uncommon in Iceland where most beaches are black volcanic sand. Access is free during summer from May 15 to August 18, and a small entry fee applies in winter. The site is also home to the Siglunes Sailing Club, which runs sailing courses for children in summer.
Location & Access
Getting to Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is in Reykjavik at Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach, 102 Reykjavík, close to the University of Reykjavik and Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The site sits beside the sea at the foot of the forested Oskjuhlid hill, approximately 1.5 km from the Perlan landmark and around 2.5 km from the city center. From the city center, the drive takes around 10 minutes. By public bus, take Route 5 or Route 8 to the Nauthóll–HR stop beside the university and walk around 10 minutes to the beach. Free car parking is available on site. Cycling routes through the Oskjuhlid forest above the beach also lead directly down to the lagoon.
Summer opening hours are daily 10:00 to 19:00 from May 15 to August 18, with free entry. Winter hours are Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 11:00 to 16:00, closed Monday and Sunday, with an entry fee of approximately 895 ISK for adults aged 18 and over. Children under 18 are always free. Holiday hours may differ; confirm at the City of Reykjavik website before visiting. Towel and swimwear rental are available at the service center. The beach and hot tubs are open year-round on the winter schedule outside of the free summer window.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Nautholsvik Suits
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach suits travelers based in Reykjavik who want a geothermal soak without leaving the city, and locals who use it as a neighbourhood park with hot tubs. It is unusual internationally as a free geothermal beach in a capital city, combining warm soaking options, a sandy beach, cold sea swimming, and a steam room in one easily accessible site. In summer it draws a local beach day crowd; in winter it attracts cold-water swimming enthusiasts who cycle between the hot tubs and the freezing ocean in the traditional Icelandic sjósund style.
The beach is documented as accessible hot springs in Iceland with ramps and accessible facilities, making it one of the most accessible geothermal bathing sites in the country. Families are well catered for; children under 18 are always free, and the beach has supervised water edges and beach activities. For those on a tight budget, the free summer admission makes it the most affordable geothermal bathing option in Iceland's capital. Note that this is a man-made facility rather than a natural hot spring; the geothermal water is sourced from Reykjavik's municipal supply rather than a wild geothermal vent.
FAQ note: Nautholsvik is a man-made beach using municipal geothermal water supply. Hotspringsguides.com covers it as part of Iceland's geothermal bathing culture.
Safety & Etiquette
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach Safety Tips
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is generally safe as a staffed city facility with Blue Flag certification, and is monitored during opening hours. The main safety considerations are the temperature contrast between hot tubs and cold sea water, wet and slippery surfaces around the pools and beach, and open sea access which is unguarded outside the lagoon walls. Children aged eight and under require adult supervision at all times according to posted site rules.
The shore hot tub runs at 38 to 39 degrees Celsius and the steam room is hotter still. Keep soak sessions in the hot tub to around 15 to 20 minutes, hydrate between rounds, and cool down before returning to the water. The sea lagoon temperature is 15 to 19 degrees in summer and significantly colder at other times of year. Transitioning directly from a hot tub into cold sea water is a deliberate Icelandic practice but places real demand on the cardiovascular system; people with heart conditions or circulatory sensitivities should approach this carefully or skip the cold plunge entirely.
Pool surfaces and the beach area around the hot tubs can be slippery when wet; traction sandals are strongly recommended for moving between facilities. Remove silver jewellery before entering the pools as the sulphur in the geothermal water will tarnish it quickly. Alcohol is prohibited on site and dogs are not permitted. Showering before entering shared pool areas is required, as it is at all Icelandic public pools. The outdoor sea lagoon is not heated in winter months.
