Swimming Pools in Reykjavík: A Local’s Guide (2026)

Which pool should you go to?

Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is the oldest city pool, a short walk from Hallgrímskirkja, with an indoor hall from the 1930s and hot tubs outside. Vesturbæjarlaug in the west end is a smaller neighbourhood pool. Laugardalslaug in Laugardalur valley is the biggest, with a 50 m outdoor pool, children’s pools, two water slides, lots of hot tubs and a steam bath. It’s a good choice for families.

Reykjavík has eight city pools, open all year. Most open at 06:30 and close at 22:00 on weekdays, and at weekends they open at 08:00 or 09:00 and close at 22:00. Sundhöll has shorter hours on some weekdays, and all the pools change their hours on public holidays, so check reykjavik.is before you go.

Other city pools

Further from the centre, most neighbourhoods have their own pool. They tend to be quieter: Árbæjarlaug (Árbær), Breiðholtslaug (Breiðholt), Grafarvogslaug (Grafarvogur), Dalslaug (Úlfarsárdalur) and Klébergslaug (Kjalarnes). The towns next door, Kópavogur, Garðabær, Hafnarfjörður and Seltjarnarnes, have pools of their own too.

What does it cost?

A single adult ticket to any city pool is 1,500 ISK (2026). Most pools rent out towels and swimsuits, but what’s on offer and the price depend on the pool, so ask at the desk. Compared with the big spa lagoons, a city pool is by far the cheapest way to try Iceland’s hot water.

Shower first, without your swimsuit

Before you get in, you have to shower without your swimsuit and wash with soap, especially head, armpits, groin and feet. Signs show you where, and the staff will remind you if you forget. It’s the rule at every pool. Ask the staff if you need a private shower space.

Pool rules and etiquette

The city’s pool rules are short and strictly kept. These are the ones visitors miss most often:

Shower first, without your swimsuit (see above), and wear clean, proper swimwear.
No phones or cameras, in the pool area as well as in the changing rooms. Leave your phone in your locker.
Children under 10 must be with a swimmer aged 15 or older and kept within sight at all times. Someone who isn’t a parent or guardian may bring at most two children.
Non-swimmers must wear approved armbands or a swim vest. Inflatable rings don’t count.
No alcohol, tobacco, vapes or nicotine pouches, and you can’t come in under the influence. No glass anywhere.
In the sauna, sit on a towel and don’t use scented oils. Children under 16 need an adult with them.
Dive only where diving is marked, and do what the lifeguards tell you.

Then there are the unwritten rules. Take your shoes off before the changing room and leave them on the racks at the entrance. Dry off before you walk back to your locker. The hot tubs are for sitting and talking, the pool is for swimming, and a plain “hæ” as you get in is enough. Our page on how to say hello in Icelandic has the rest.

Nauthólsvík: the geothermal beach and sea swimming

Ylströndin í Nauthólsvík is a golden-sand beach on the south side of the city, below Öskjuhlíð hill. Warm water is pumped into a sheltered lagoon where it mixes with the sea (around 15 to 19°C in summer), and there’s a hot tub, a steam bath and changing rooms. Entry is 1,500 ISK (2026). Opening hours are shorter in winter than in summer.

It’s also where Reykjavík’s sea swimmers (sjósund) gather all year round. Cold water is a shock to the body, so if you want to try it:

Never go alone. Go with others, and ask the staff about conditions that day.
Enter slowly and stay close to shore.
Warm up gradually afterwards.
Skip it if you have a heart condition or are unsure whether it’s safe for you.

What to bring

A swimsuit, a towel and, in winter, a warm hat for the hot tubs. People swim here in snow and rain too. Clear winter evening? Look up from the hot tub now and then, and check our northern lights forecast first. And no, you don’t tip at the pool.

Quick answers

How much does a swimming pool cost in Reykjavík?

A single adult ticket to a Reykjavík city pool is 1,500 ISK (2026). Most pools rent out towels and swimsuits, and prices vary from pool to pool.

Do you have to shower naked in Icelandic pools?

Yes. Everyone showers without a swimsuit and washes with soap before going into the pool. It’s a hygiene rule, and the staff will remind you.

Can I bring my phone to the pool in Reykjavík?

No. Phones, cameras and other smart devices aren’t allowed in the changing rooms or the pool area, so leave yours in your locker.

Which is the best swimming pool in Reykjavík?

It depends what you want: Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is central, Vesturbæjarlaug is a smaller neighbourhood pool, and Laugardalslaug is the biggest, with slides.

About the author

Elfar Tjörfi Steinason, co-founder of Reykjavík Locals. Elfar was born in Reykjavík and still lives here. He has worked in restaurants and entertainment for the past 20 years, from waiting tables and cooking to running businesses.

Sources

Written by Elfar Tjörfi Steinason. We checked the facts in this article against these sources on 19 October 2026:

Swimming pools in Reykjavík