Laugarvatn Fontana
Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana
geothermal · South
Hotter than 10% of Iceland springs (n=20).
More acidic than 85% of Iceland springs (n=20).
Mineral profile
Bar width reflects listing order, not measured concentration.
Suitability
At a glance
Getting there
Easy — under 1km from a station
Cost
Low
About this spring
This lakeside wellness facility features multiple outdoor mineral pools, steam rooms, and shallow wading zones built directly over bubbling geothermal vents. The stone-lined pools vary in temperature and border the dark sand shoreline of Lake Laugarvatn. A highlight of the property is the outdoor bakery where traditional Icelandic rye bread is buried and baked directly in the hot geothermal sand.
Highlights
History
Locals have been utilizing the natural steam vents along the lake shore for healing and relaxation since 1929.
The early structures were simple wooden sheds built directly over the crackling, boiling fissures in the earth. The contemporary Fontana complex was completed in 2011 to provide a modern spa experience while maintaining the iconic lakefront rye bread baking tradition.
Local guide
Arriving at Fontana brings you directly to the dark, volcanic sand shoreline of Lake Laugarvatn. The facility features a collection of stone-lined pools, modern steam rooms, and wooden relaxation decks. The sweet, delicious aroma of fresh rye bread baking in the hot lakeside sand often drifts through the air.
The bathing experience focuses on natural thermal therapy. You can cycle between multiple outdoor mineral pools that vary in depth and temperature to find your perfect comfort zone. The indoor Finnish steam rooms are built directly over crackling, boiling fissures, allowing natural volcanic steam to rise straight through the grid floors. The contrast of the hot steam against the cool breeze from the lake is intensely rejuvenating.
Pack your swimwear, a towel, and a water bottle to stay hydrated during the heavy steam sessions. If you plan to take part in the unique geological baking tour, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes for walking across the hot sand outside.
The pools are most peaceful during the early morning hours before the standard Golden Circle tour buses arrive from Reykjavík. The geological bakery tour happens twice daily and is highly recommended. The on-site café offers a fantastic buffet featuring smoked trout served on the very rye bread baked in the ground.
Mineral chemistry
Water character inferred from mineral type — verify on site.
Simple thermal springs have lower dissolved mineral content but are valued for the pure therapeutic effect of heat immersion itself — easing muscle tension and improving circulation. Considered the gentlest introduction to hot spring bathing.
Standard precautions apply: avoid bathing within 30 minutes of eating, keep soaks to 10–15 minutes for first-timers, and hydrate before and after.
Similar springs
This world-famous geothermal spa features striking milky-blue waters rich in silica and sulfur. The massive lagoon is surrounded by a dramatic, pitch-black mossy lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Modern architectural facilities seamlessly blend luxury wellness with the raw volcanic environment.
This beautiful alkaline bathing complex overlooks the volcanic terrain and craters of the Lake Mývatn region. The steaming blue pools are supplied with mineral-rich water drawn from depths of up to 2500 meters. Visitors can enjoy sweeping panoramic vistas of the surrounding geothermal landscapes while they soak.
This historic open-air pool utilizes a continuously flowing natural hot spring that feeds a stone-lined basin. A small active geyser erupts nearby every few minutes, casting thin plumes of steam across the pastoral landscape. The water remains perfectly warm year-round and maintains an authentic, old-world Icelandic atmosphere.
This luxury oceanfront geothermal spa features a dramatic seventy-meter infinity edge overlooking the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The architectural design incorporates traditional Icelandic turf walls to replicate the aesthetic of historical coastal homesteads. A multi-step wellness ritual takes guests through steam rooms and cold plunges cut into artificial volcanic rock walls.
Amenities
Getting there
Follow the Golden Circle route from Reykjavík via Route 36 through Þingvellir National Park, then connect to Route 37 directly to Laugarvatn village.
Location & nearby
Hverabraut 1, 840 Laugarvatn
Make a day of it
Pair your soak with these nearby spots.
Attraction
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
0.0km away
Viewpoint
Laugarvatnsfjall
1.6km away
More springs in South
This historic open-air pool utilizes a continuously flowing natural hot spring that feeds a stone-lined basin. A small active geyser erupts nearby every few minutes, casting thin plumes of steam across the pastoral landscape. The water remains perfectly warm year-round and maintains an authentic, old-world Icelandic atmosphere.
This charming, small geothermal pool sits nestled into a grassy hillside on a private historic farmstead. The pool walls are crafted from rough, moss-covered stone boulders that blend seamlessly into the surrounding green valley pasture. A tiny turf-roofed stone hut stands at the water's edge to serve as a rustic, historical changing shelter.
FREEThis spectacular geothermal river winds through a lush green volcanic valley filled with bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. Wooden boardwalks track along the sections of the river where the temperature is ideal for open-air bathing. The water temperature changes dynamically based on how far upstream or downstream you choose to settle.
Common questions
What is the water temperature at Laugarvatn Fontana?▾
The water temperature at Laugarvatn Fontana ranges up to 40°C (minimum around 36°C).
Is Laugarvatn Fontana free to visit?▾
Laugarvatn Fontana charges an entrance fee in ISK.
Is Laugarvatn Fontana a public or private bath?▾
Laugarvatn Fontana is a public bathing spring.
Are tattoos allowed at Laugarvatn Fontana?▾
Yes, Laugarvatn Fontana welcomes visitors with tattoos.
What is the nearest station to Laugarvatn Fontana?▾
The nearest station to Laugarvatn Fontana is Laugarvatn Bus Stop, about 1km away.