Quick FactsOverview
About Sundholl Reykjavikur
Sundholl Reykjavikur, Iceland, also known as Sundhollin, is the oldest public swimming pool in Reykjavik, opened in 1937. It is a municipal geothermal pool at Barónsstígur 45a in central Reykjavik, designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson, who also designed the Hallgrimskirkja church. The building is an Art Deco structure with a high-ceilinged indoor pool, arched windows, and a green-and-white tiled exterior that is one of the more recognisable architectural landmarks among Reykjavik's swimming pools. The facility includes a 25-metre indoor pool, a 25-metre outdoor pool, multiple hot tubs at 38 to 44 degrees Celsius, a cold tub at 6 degrees Celsius, a sauna, a steam bath, a children's shallow pool, diving boards, and private changing rooms. Wheelchair access is confirmed for pools, hot tubs, and sauna.
Sundholl Reykjavikur is geothermally heated using Reykjavik's municipal hot water supply and uses a low-chlorine salt-derived system rather than conventional pool chemicals. As a community pool in frequent daily use by local residents, it offers a more authentic Icelandic swimming culture experience than commercial spa venues. It is Rainbow certified, meaning it formally commits to welcoming LGBT+ guests and staff. The pool is open year-round on a regular city schedule.
Location & Access
Getting to Sundholl Reykjavikur
Sundholl Reykjavikur is at Barónsstígur 45a, 101 Reykjavik, in central Reykjavik approximately 550 metres from the Laugavegur shopping street and around 400 metres from Hallgrimskirkja church. It is walkable from most city centre accommodation in Reykjavik, making it one of the most convenient geothermal bathing options in the capital for visitors without a car. Public buses cover central Reykjavik well and stop near the pool. There is no dedicated parking lot at the site; street parking on nearby roads applies standard city parking rules. The main entrance is on Barónsstígur Street, just above Laugavegur.
Published operating hours are Monday to Friday 6:30 to 22:00 and Saturday to Sunday 8:00 to 21:00. Adult admission is listed at 1,430 ISK, youth aged 16 to 17 at 220 ISK, and children under 16 enter free. The indoor pool operates on a shared schedule with school swimming programmes on weekdays; if lap swimming is the priority, confirm the daily timetable before visiting as the public may be excluded during school sessions. Hours can change without notice; check sundlaugar.is or reykjavik.is before visiting to confirm current hours and pool availability on the day of your visit.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Sundholl Reykjavikur Suits
Sundholl Reykjavikur suits travelers staying in central Reykjavik who want to experience Icelandic swimming culture in an authentic local setting rather than a commercial spa. As the oldest pool in the city, it carries more architectural and historical character than newer facilities, with Gudjon Samuelsson's Art Deco interior a draw in itself. It works well for a morning lap swim, a midday soak in the outdoor hot tubs, or an evening visit after sightseeing on Laugavegur or at the nearby Hallgrimskirkja church.
Accessible hot springs in Iceland with documented wheelchair access to pools, hot tubs, and sauna, Sundholl Reykjavikur is one of the most centrally located accessible bathing options in the country. Families are welcome; children under 16 enter free, and a dedicated shallow children's pool is on site. The cold tub at 6 degrees, combined with the hot tubs at 38 to 44 degrees, supports the traditional Icelandic contrast bathing practice. The pool's Rainbow certification and private changing rooms make it a welcoming and inclusive choice for all visitors.
Note that Sundholl Reykjavikur is a municipal swimming pool heated by Reykjavik's geothermal water supply, not a natural hot spring. Hotspringsguides.com includes it as part of Iceland's broader geothermal bathing culture.
Safety & Etiquette
Sundholl Reykjavikur Safety Tips
Sundholl Reykjavikur is generally safe as a staffed city facility operated to municipal standards, with the main safety considerations being the heat of the hot tubs, the cold tub temperature contrast, and the wet surfaces throughout the indoor and outdoor areas. Staff are present during all operating hours.
The hot tubs range from 38 to 44 degrees Celsius; the hottest tub is at the upper end of comfortable tolerance for most adults. Limit sessions to 15 to 20 minutes, take breaks between soaks, and drink water throughout the visit. The cold tub at 6 degrees Celsius is an intentional contrast tool and not suitable for unsupervised children or for people with heart conditions or circulatory sensitivities. If you are unfamiliar with cold plunges, a brief immersion of a few seconds is a good starting point before building up gradually over subsequent visits.
Wet tile floors throughout the indoor pool area and the outdoor transitions are where most pool injuries occur. Traction sandals are strongly recommended for all movement between facilities. The pool requires thorough pre-entry showering without a swimsuit, which is standard practice at all Icelandic public pools and is enforced by staff. The indoor pool has diving boards at 1 metre and 2.75 metres; always confirm the pool is clear and that diving is permitted before entering from height. School programmes may limit public access on weekday mornings; check the timetable at sundlaugar.is before visiting to confirm the indoor pool is open to the public.
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