Sundlaug — Icelandic for 'Swimming Pool' — is one of the geothermal outdoor swimming pools that are a defining feature of Icelandic community life, found in almost every town and village across the country and heated year-round by naturally warm geothermal water drawn from the volcanic subsoil. Icelandic sundlaugar are far more than mere swimming pools: they are the social heart of their communities, places where people of all ages come daily to bathe, socialise, and relax in the warm geothermal water regardless of the arctic weather above. The tradition of the geothermally heated communal pool is one of Iceland's most beloved and distinctive cultural institutions.
Insider tip — Sundlaug in the Kerlingarfjöll area is a natural geothermal pool in the central highlands, fed by hot spring water from the rhyolite mountain system. At roughly 38°C, it offers an exceptional high-altitude bathing experience amid the colorful mineral landscape of Hveradalir. Reaching this remote location requires driving the F-road to Kerlingarfjöll and a short hike, best done in July or August when the highland roads are accessible.
