By 
There is no real point in visiting Iceland if you are not, at any point, going to jump into a natural hot spring filled with healing chemicals. We recommend looking at Laugarvatn Fontana for a luxurious experience right in the middle of the beaten path. In this article, we give the hot take on one of the must-visit hot springs in Iceland.
What is Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths?
Whether summer or winter, getting in a steamy hot spring is one of the top things to do in Iceland. Laugarvatn Fontana is the perfect place to do so. Even though it is not as large as some of the more prominent geothermal baths, like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, Laugarvatn Fontana still has a lot to offer.
Lauga, Sæla, and Viska
The main reasons to visit are, not surprisingly, the hot pools. Packed with various sulfur and silica compounds, these hot pools are not only relaxing but also believed to have therapeutic properties for your skin. The three pools are interlinked and are named Lauga, Sæla, and Viska. Lauga and Sæla sit a little bit below Viska, making them a little bit cooler and an excellent compromise for those who don’t want to get too warm.
We do recommend keeping your hair out of the water at Laugarvatn Fontana. The silica that makes the water magically blue will also tangle and stiffen your hair.
Laugarvatn Lake
If the baths get a little too warm for you, there is the option of jumping into the lake to cool off. The Fontana spa is connected to the lake, so all you need to do is walk out on the small pier and take the plunge.
Steam Bath
As with most hot springs in Iceland, there is plenty of steam coming out of the openings in the ground. At Fontana hot springs in Iceland, they make good use of the excess steam and have built a steam bath on top of one of the vents. This allows the steam room to keep 40-50 degrees Celsius and almost 100% humidity.
Sauna
Iceland and Finland have one thing in common: an absolute love for everything that gets them super warm (not surprising, given the average temperatures in both countries). The sauna is a concept originally from Finland that can now be found at Fontana Thermal Baths, making it possible to have a “steam bath” at around 80 degrees Celsius with significantly lower humidity.
What to Expect at Laugarvatn Fontana
Bathing in water and steam is great, but that’s not where the Fontana wellness in Iceland stops. When the outside of your body is relaxed and happy, it’s always a good idea to get some energy in and eat something. The restaurant and bakery offer light dinner, lunch, snacks, and their famous lava-baked bread.
Admission and Opening Hours
If you want to pair the Fontana hot springs in Iceland with the Northern Lights or the midnight sun, you’re unfortunately out of luck. The opening hours at Laugarvatn Fontana are between 10 am and 9 pm in the summer in Iceland and 11 am and 9 pm in the winter. This means you won’t be able to spot the midnight sun and have an incredibly narrow chance to see the Northern Lights.
The price differs depending on age and if you have a disability or not:
- Adults between 17 and 66 years of age will pay ISK 5,490
- Children up to 9 years of age can enter for free (they must come with an adult)
- Older kids between 10 and 16 years of age pay ISK 3,490
- Pensioners over 67 and those with a disability pay ISK 4,490
If you want to go on the geothermal bakery tour to see how they make the lava bread, you can go either at 11:45 am or 2:30 pm. For everyone 13 years old and older, the price is ISK 3,190, and for the young ones up to 12 years, it’s free.
A Few Helpful Tips
In Iceland, these baths are for relaxing and finding some peace. That means that when you slide into the pools at the Fontana Spa in Iceland, you should keep the splashing to a minimum and save the cannonballs for the beach. Even though these might look like swimming pools, they’re really not in the traditional sense.
Screaming and shouting are generally frowned upon, and don’t bring speakers in and start playing music. You might have the best taste in music in the world, but save it for the car rides.
One of the most important things when visiting a place like this is cleanliness. There are generally no or very few chemicals in geothermal pools like this, and the water can’t be changed or dosed a little extra like in other pools. This means there is a strong tradition of showering and getting clean before jumping into these pools, which is non-negotiable. You must do it in the nude, and there are usually shower booths in the changing rooms for the one who isn’t as comfortable being naked next to strangers.
What if I Forgot a Towel or Swimsuit?
In the lobby, the ones who either forgot something or simply weren’t prepared will be able to rent a towel or swimsuit for ISK 1,000 each and/or a bathrobe for ISK 1,500.
Where Can I Find Laugarvatn Fontana?
You will find this not-so-hidden gem in the center of the Golden Circle in southern Iceland. It lies in the small town of Laugarvatn, in connection with Laugarvatn Lake.
How Do I Get to Laugarvatn Fontana?
The Fontana spa in Iceland can be reached via either public transport, guided tours, or a self-drive.
Guided Tours
From Reykjavik, you’ll be able to choose from plenty of tours around the Golden Circle, and many of them will have the Laugarvatn Fontana spa as a stop along the route. Golden Circle tours are usually multi-day tours, but there are a few day tours offering stops at just a few Golden Circle highlights. Alternatively, you can always request a customized private tour.
Public Transport
If you are on a budget but still want to visit Fontana in Iceland, the bus network might be a fitting alternative. This is a time-consuming adventure, even if it isn’t that many stops.
From Reykjavik, take a bus to Selfoss (roughly 1 hour). Then from Selfoss, you must take a bus towards Laugarvatn (roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes). If you’re lucky, the waiting time between buses won’t be too long, but you should count on at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of travel, not including the short 800m walk from the bus station to the spa.
How to Drive to Laugarvatn
The quickest way to get to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths will be via a self-drive, clockwise around the Golden Circle.
From Reykjavik, drive along the classic Icelandic Ring Road 1 until you reach Mosfellsbaer. At the northern part of the town, turn right onto Road 36. Keep on this road (maybe make a stop at Thingvellir if you have time) and turn left on Road 365, going east until you reach Laugarvatn.
When is the Best Time to Visit Laugarvatn Fontana?
According to the Laugarvatn Fontana reviews, there is no bad time to visit. If you don’t mind crowds, you can come at any point in the year, but if you want to have a spa day without rubbing elbows with your fellow visitors, the shoulder seasons, fall and spring, should be your go-to.
One important aspect when planning the visit is to make sure that you can spend a proper amount of time there. Laugarvatn Fontana is meant to be a place of tranquility, and it’s hard to take a step back and enjoy a good soak if you’re short of time. Get at least 2 hours in to get the full experience without rushing, and you could come in the best and worst of weather; it won’t matter.
Things to Do Close to Laugarvatn Fontana
Even though we love a good hot spring, Iceland is versatile and has a lot to offer. Below is a short list of attractions that you can enjoy not far from Laugarvatn Fontana:
Where Can I Stay Close to Laugarvatn Fontana?
Even if we would like to have the option, Laugarvatn Fontana doesn’t offer accommodation. That means that if you want to have a nice early or late swim without compromising on sleep, you’ll have to stay somewhere nearby. Below are some accommodation options in the Laugarvatn vicinity.
Heradsskólin Guesthouse – A classy guesthouse with a long and interesting history. Worth a stay if you want a unique accommodation option.
Björk Guesthouse – The high-quality budget guesthouse for the one on a budget who doesn’t want to sleep in a tent.
Laugarvatn Camping Ground – This is the place to be if you’re doing the convenient campervan solution.
Hótel Laugarvatn – This is the place for those willing to put down some more cash, get good quality, and end up close to Laugarvatn Fontana.
Indulging in the Healing Waters of Laugarvatn Fontana
Slowly slipping into the hot pools and steam baths at Laugarvatn is the perfect way to end a day’s travel in Iceland. Now that you know all you need to know about Laugarvatn Fontana, it's time to experience it for yourself. Take the reigns of your adventure and rent a campervan in Iceland for the optimal dip in the heart of Icelandic culture.
