Quick FactsOverview
About Seltjarnarneslaug
Seltjarnarneslaug, Iceland is a geothermally heated public swimming pool in the municipality of Seltjarnarnes, located on the narrow peninsula immediately west of Reykjavík. It is operated by the Seltjarnarnes municipality and open year-round. The pool is distinct from all other public pools in the greater Reykjavík capital area because it uses geothermal seawater rather than freshwater geothermal supply. The water is sourced from the Hitaveita Seltjarnarness borehole and contains a natural blend of geothermal heat and seawater minerals. This higher mineral content reduces the need for chlorine to maintain water quality and produces water that visitors, particularly those with eczema or sensitive skin, frequently describe as gentler on the skin than other pools in the capital area.
The facility includes a 25-metre outdoor main pool maintained at approximately 29 degrees Celsius, four hot tubs ranging from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius, two cold tubs at 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, a children's pool at 35 degrees Celsius, a shallow wading pool at 36 to 38 degrees Celsius, a steam bath, and a water slide. The World Class gym operates at the same address through a shared entrance and is separately accessible. The pool is Rainbow Certified, meaning it meets Seltjarnarnes municipality's standards for LGBTQ+ inclusive facilities, and it has accessible changing facilities for visitors with disabilities and mobility requirements.
Seltjarnarnes is a small, quiet municipality perched at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, with sea on three sides. The area is well known among locals for birdwatching, coastal walks, the Grótta lighthouse, and the Kvika footbath, a small circular geothermal seawater pool on the shoreline. The pool at Suðurströnd 8 is a short walk inland from the coast. For visitors looking for hot springs near Reykjavík that offer a neighbourhood pool atmosphere rather than a tourist-facing spa experience, Seltjarnarneslaug provides access to genuinely mineral-rich geothermal water in a setting that remains primarily a local community facility.
Location & Access
Getting to Seltjarnarneslaug
Seltjarnarneslaug is located at Suðurströnd 8, 170 Seltjarnarnes, on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula west of Reykjavík city centre. By car, the pool is approximately a 10-minute drive from central Reykjavík, heading west along the coastal road through the Vesturbær district and continuing onto the peninsula. Parking is available on site. The pool is also reachable on foot from the western parts of Reykjavík in approximately 30 to 40 minutes, following the coastal path along Ægissíða and continuing onto Seltjarnarnes.
Public bus services connect central Reykjavík to the Seltjarnarnes area, and the pool is within a short walk of the bus stops on the peninsula. The approach is on flat, paved ground. A shared entrance at the same address gives access to both the pool and the World Class gym; visitors using only the pool pay the standard municipal pool entry fee at the front desk. Entry is paid; current pricing is available at reception or through the official pool directory at sundlaugar.is. The Reykjavík City Card covers entry to all municipal public pools in the capital area, but Seltjarnarneslaug is operated by Seltjarnarnes municipality rather than Reykjavík municipality, and City Card validity should be confirmed before visiting.
Opening hours are Monday 06:30 to 22:00, Tuesday to Friday 06:30 to 21:00, Saturday 06:00 to 18:00, and Sunday 06:00 to 22:00. These hours may be subject to seasonal adjustment. The pool is in a quiet residential area, and the atmosphere is typically that of a neighbourhood pool used by local families, commuters, and regulars rather than a high-traffic tourist destination. This makes it a practical option for visitors seeking hot springs near Reykjavík outside the peak tourist venues, particularly those interested in the seawater mineral properties of the water.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Seltjarnarneslaug
Seltjarnarneslaug is suitable for virtually all visitors, and its accessible hot springs in Iceland profile is strong: the facility has dedicated accessible changing rooms with appropriate fixtures for visitors with disabilities and mobility requirements, and the approach from the car park is on flat ground. The pool complex is also Rainbow Certified, ensuring an inclusive environment for all visitors regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
For families, the dedicated children's pool at 35 degrees Celsius, the shallow wading pool suitable for toddlers and young children, and the water slide make the complex one of the more complete family options in the Seltjarnarnes and western Reykjavík area. The range of hot tub temperatures from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius, combined with the cold tubs at 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, caters to visitors who want to practise the traditional Icelandic hot-cold alternation, as well as those who simply want a warm soak at a comfortable temperature.
Visitors with skin sensitivities, eczema, or dry skin conditions may find the seawater mineral composition of the water noticeably different from other Reykjavík pools. The higher mineral content and natural salt level mean chlorine is used in smaller quantities than at freshwater pools, and the water has a different texture and feel. This is the pool's most frequently cited distinguishing characteristic among regular visitors. The pool is also adjacent to the coastal birdwatching area of Seltjarnarnes, and combining a pool visit with a walk to the Grótta lighthouse and the Kvika footbath makes for a half-day itinerary on the peninsula.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Seltjarnarneslaug
Seltjarnarneslaug is generally safe for all visitors, as a staffed municipal facility operating under Icelandic public pool hygiene standards with trained personnel on duty throughout opening hours. The seawater mineral composition of the pool water means chlorine levels are lower than at standard freshwater pools; water quality is maintained through the steady natural flow from the borehole and through standard regulatory monitoring. The pool meets all applicable Icelandic hygiene regulations for public swimming facilities.
The hot tubs range from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius. The hottest tub is at the upper end of what is comfortable for sustained soaking, and visitors who are pregnant, have cardiovascular conditions, or are sensitive to heat should avoid the warmest tub and limit time in any hot tub. Moving between the hot tubs and the cold tubs at 4 to 8 degrees Celsius is a common Icelandic pool practice; approach temperature changes gradually, particularly if using the coldest cold tub, and leave if you feel faint or short of breath. The steam bath operates at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius and is not recommended for extended use by those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
The water slide is available for both children and adults during pool hours. Standard pool rules apply: no running on the pool deck, no diving in the shallow areas, and children should be supervised near the water. Lockers are available in the changing rooms. Swimwear rental and towel rental are available on site for approximately 2,500 ISK each if needed, which is useful for visitors who have not come prepared.
Shower before entering any pool area. This is a mandatory rule at all Icelandic public pools and is enforced by staff at Seltjarnarneslaug. The shower rule exists to maintain water quality and is particularly important at a pool with a lower chlorine level, where natural filtration carries more of the load. Swimwear is required in all areas after showering. The changing rooms are shared facilities and should be treated with consideration. As a quiet neighbourhood pool, Seltjarnarneslaug functions primarily as a community gathering space, and a calm and respectful atmosphere is the normal standard.
