Matkaopas: Selárdalslaug

Selárdalslaug is a geothermally heated swimming pool located in the Eastfjords of Iceland. 

Description of Selárdalslaug

Selárdalslaug is located by the popular fly-fishing salmon river Selá in east Iceland; it is surrounded by beautiful nature, with no other buildings in sight. It has a single swimming pool, a wading pool and a hot tub, and there is a picnic area, an indoor changing area, and a sundeck on site. 

The area is accessible for those in wheelchairs, and there are lockers to keep your possessions dry and safe.

The waters are geothermally heated by a nearby hot-spring, which has been a popular bathing spot for decades. As a result, the temperature of the water is raised to be comfortable to swim in, although it is not as warm as at sites such as the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. Of course, the hot tub is warmer.

Selárdalslaug is an important site for the community because of its heritage. It was built between 1949 and 1950, largely by volunteers from a local young men’s group. Individuals from the surrounding area since have continued to repair and update it. The site has also been used historically for swimming lessons; they were held fortnightly until 1975, and have continued in autumn and spring since.

Getting to Selárdalslaug

Selárdalslaug is located in a sparsely populated area of the Eastfjords; the closest settlement is the village of Vopnafjörður. To reach it from ‘the Capital of the East’, Egilsstaðir, travel north along the Ring Road before turning right onto Route 85. Pass through Vopnafjörður, turn left onto Sundlaugavegur, and you’ll find the pool at the end of the road.

From May 1st to August 31st, Selárdalslaug is open from 12:00 to 22:00, although on weekdays in July, it is open two hours earlier. Throughout the rest of the year, it is open from 14:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, 12:00 to 16:00 on weekends, and it is closed on Mondays.

This means that if travelling in midwinter, you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights from the pool if you arrive for the last few hours.