What is the policy on nudity in Iceland? When, where, and why are people getting naked in Iceland? Is it true that you have to wash publicly in the nude to enter the Blue Lagoon? Does this mean you can skinny dip in Iceland anywhere you want? Read on to take a dive into nudity in Iceland.
Attitudes on nudity in Iceland are very relaxed compared to other countries. That's not to say that you can stroll down Laugavegur Street without your clothes if you feel like it, as you will upset other pedestrians.
However, being nude in Iceland is perfectly legal in public as long as you don't offend anyone.
Iceland's free attitude towards nudity largely stems from a mix of the hot spring and pool culture, traditional folklore, and a willingness to experiment with art.
How each of these facets shaped the nation's open-mindedness has its own story.
Whether you are an avid naturist looking for a place to express yourself or someone hoping not to have to sacrifice intimate privacy to go swimming, knowing a bit about the culture of nudity in Iceland can help prepare you for your travels.
Key Takeaways
- While swimming suits are mandatory at public swimming pools and famous attractions like the Blue Lagoon, you still need to shower nude beforehand.
- Iceland is home to many hot springs and stunning beaches, but that doesn't mean they're all suited for swimming.
- Icelandic culture treats nudity differently than other countries, which can be seen in the country's folklore, art, and music.
- Before arriving in the land of ice and fire, familiarize yourself with important details pertaining to nudity with our informative FAQs.
Key Takeaways
- While swimming suits are mandatory at public swimming pools and famous attractions like the Blue Lagoon, you still need to shower nude beforehand.
- Iceland is home to many hot springs and stunning beaches, but that doesn't mean they're all suited for swimming.
- Icelandic culture treats nudity differently than other countries, which can be seen in the country's folklore, art, and music.
- Before arriving in the land of ice and fire, familiarize yourself with important details pertaining to nudity with our informative FAQs.
Nude in Iceland: Attractions and Swimming Pools
Photo from Scenic 9 Hour Golden Circle Tour with the Fontana Geothermal Baths and Transfer from Reykjavik
Shy travelers face both a blessing and a curse when it comes to nudity and swimming pools in Iceland. On the one hand, swimsuits are mandatory in all public pools (not including bikini tops), so you don’t need to worry about getting flashed while you’re trying to relax. Yes, it's normal for both men and women to be topless in Iceland’s swimming pools.
Additionally, whether you're relaxing in the countryside or soaking in one of the best swimming pools in Reykjavik, you are obligated to shower and wash your naked body before entering the pool.
There are always separate changing rooms and showers for men and women, and larger pools usually offer a fully private, gender-neutral option if needed.
The reason Icelanders are so adamant that you don’t enter their pools without a proper scrub-down is, in fact, purely hygienic.
Many of Iceland’s pools have minimal or no chlorine in them. So, for everyone’s peace of mind, all who get into the water have to make sure their body isn’t polluting it with germs.
In most larger pools, such as the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, this doesn’t need to be unnerving since they have fitted their facilities with cubicles in which you can wash in private. Attendants will be on duty to ensure those using the cubicles are not wearing swimsuits.
Do You Have to Swim in the Blue Lagoon Nude?
Don’t worry; you won’t need to bathe in the Blue Lagoon naked. The Blue Lagoon nudity police (staff) stop at the shower point. When entering the pool, you’ll need to ensure you have a bathing suit after leaving the locker room and the pool showers.
Like all spas and pools in Iceland, you need to thoroughly wash before you enter the pools and after you’ve left, before getting changed. You would certainly be frowned upon if you entered Blue Lagoon’s Lava restaurant in the nude!
Nudity at Iceland's Public Pools
If you travel around Iceland, you will notice public pools in even the most remote seaside villages. In fact, in the tiniest of hamlets, it's normal to find only a church, a gas station, and a swimming pool. However, as you might expect, most of these pools only have public showering facilities, split by gender.
Even if it makes you uncomfortable, many of these pools, such as the infinity pool at Hofsos, are so beautiful and serene that you should bite the bullet and get on with it.
There is an unspoken rule regarding nudism in Iceland, which dictates that you should not stare at other people in the changing room. On top of that, Icelanders are body-positive people, so don't worry — overcome your fears and join the party. Although it's mandatory to wear a swimsuit, this only applies to the bottom half.
Nudity at Iceland's Hot Springs
Iceland is a geothermal wonderland dotted with bursting geysers, churning mud pools, and steaming hot springs. Many of these have the perfect temperature for bathing, and some are so remote that you can jump in naked without worrying about other people seeing you.
However, there are a few things to be aware of before indulging in the hot springs of Iceland nude. First, many springs are far too hot to bathe in, so you should only soak in those officially safe to enter.
Even if the water in some pools seems to be a perfect temperature, the earth around them may be unstable, with scalding water just beneath the surface. They may also be prone to heating up very quickly and without warning.
Remember that Iceland is a highly geothermally active country, constantly undergoing formation. The volcanic powers operating beneath the Earth's surface are fierce, and you should respect them.
Grjotagja Hot Spring cave in the Lake Myvatn area is, for example, known for occasionally heating up rapidly, so bathing in it is banned to ensure public safety. The hot spring is also in the same cave featured in the popular HBO TV series Game of Thrones (Season 3, Episode 5).
Picture from Lake Mývatn Sightseeing and Hot Springs Tour from Akureyri
Additionally, some hot springs have harmful bacteria because they have no treatment systems like swimming pools. Hot pots in the Westfjords and on Reykjanes Peninsula are particularly notorious.
Many hot springs in those areas that older sources might deem safe are now unfit for bathing because of the many bacteria in the waters. Towards the end of summer, even the popular bathing waters, like those in Landmannalaugar and Hveravellir, can be contaminated.
Pregnant women, young children, and those with vulnerable immune systems should avoid them at this time of year.
Photo from Hot Spring Hike of Reykjadalur Valley
Beyond the famous Blue Lagoon, Iceland is home to many other hot springs you can experience during your visit. A few hot spring experiences you can incorporate into your Icelandic adventure include:
- Sky Lagoon Entry Ticket with Full Access — Gain full access to luxurious Sky Lagoon, a geothermally heated infinity pool located not far from Reykjavik.
- Admission to the Relaxing Secret Lagoon Spa — Discover the oldest man-made pool in Iceland, created back in 1891, and soak in its soothing waters.
- Hvammsvik Hot Springs — Relax in eight stunning geothermal pools surrounded by Icelandic nature at Hvammsvík Hot Springs.
Are There Nude Hot Springs in Iceland?
There are no specific nude hot springs in Iceland. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy the hot springs while naked. Many remote hot springs out in nature are perfectly safe and acceptable to enter in the nude, and you can even find some without anyone around.
There is no judgment from locals for this kind of skinny dipping should they catch you. Odds are they have done the same thing before. Not only is naked bathing seen as a beautiful way to connect with nature, but it’s also a smart way to keep your clothes dry and lighten your laundry load.
Of course, if there are other guests at your destination, you should perhaps ask if they mind before getting naked and joining them. Different people will react differently, and for some, your birthday suit might fall into the realm of “indecent exposure.”
An excellent way to avoid other bathers altogether is to travel at night in summer. Under the midnight sun, there are much smaller crowds. Equally, you could rent a four-wheel drive car and travel out to the springs in winter when fewer travelers are around.
Does Iceland Have Nude Beaches?
There are no officially designated nude beaches in Iceland, but that doesn’t mean you cannot get naked as long as there are no other people around. We would not recommend trying this at a popular tourist destination.
The more important question is, why would you want to go skinny dipping at one of Iceland’s beaches? Unlike hot springs, the ocean water is quite cold and not in a refreshing way.
Additionally, while the beaches in Iceland may be beautiful, they can also be dangerous. Depending upon the beach, you should not even turn your back on the waves, let alone go for a dip!
If you’re set on swimming in the ocean in Iceland, some places are better than others. The most popular spot is Nautholsvik Beach in Reykjavik, where part of the water is actually heated. You can then swim farther out from the shore, but keep in mind it gets colder the further you go.
Other Icelandic Beach Activities and Experiences
Even though Icelandic beaches aren't the best place in the country to swim and soak in, they're still worth visiting! Visitors can have all kinds of adventures and tours at the land of ice and fire's picturesque beaches.
- Horse Riding Tour on the Black Sand Beach from Vik — Ride across the South Coast's otherworldly black sand beaches on this unforgettable horseback riding tour.
- Guided 2-Hour ATV Tour of Lava Fields & a Black Sand Beach — If you're searching for an exciting Icelandic experience, this exhilarating ATV tour will take you across a black sand beach and stunning lava fields.
- Shuttle to the Plane Wreck on Solheimasandur's Black Sand Desert — Discover the DC-3 plane wreck on the Solheimasandur Black Sand Desert on this unforgettable trip.
Nudity in Icelandic Music and Art
Many who don’t know anything about the nudity culture surrounding swimming pools and hot springs in Iceland still know about the nation’s open-mindedness towards the human body from the music videos produced here.
For example, the band Sigur Ros, whose music has won international acclaim. The band's album covers and music videos frequently contain nudity but in a far more tasteful way than most artists from countries where nudity is a taboo subject.
Sigur Ros is not alone. The up-and-coming electronic musician iRiiS has also used a lot of nudity in her productions.
Curiously, while most nudity-averse cultures will make exceptions when displaying sculptures of the human form, Iceland’s sculpturing tradition is so recent that this is not notable here.
The art of sculpting only really began in the early 1900s with the works of Einar Jónsson. Though you can find his work all over the city, his subjects are most often fully clothed.
- See also: Music of Iceland and Top 11 Museums in Reykjavik
Nudity in Icelandic Folklore
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by August Malmström. No edits made.
Most of the folklore of Iceland tells some important truths about what the country was like historically. Many of them contain historic lessons in morality.
For example, one story tells of Hidden People murdering multiple women for the crime of merely dancing in the nude. You would think that this would have deterred people from nudity, but that's not the case. Iceland’s Christian traditions are strong, but many pagan beliefs from the Old Norse religion bled into the new faith and affected many customs.
Look, for example, at the Icelandic celebration of midsummer.
Until the Reformation, Iceland was Catholic, and thus, the people were encouraged to celebrate the birthdate of Saint John the Baptist on June 24th. However, this day already had a meaning in the Norse faith. There was an existing midsummer tradition of rolling naked in the morning dew to secure luck for the year to come.
This custom persisted throughout Icelandic history, even after the country adopted Christianity.
Nudity in Iceland's Museums
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by ThomasWF
No article on nudity in Iceland would be complete without a reference to the world’s only Phallological Museum, located in downtown Reykjavik.
This bizarre, titillating, and still somewhat fascinating place has hundreds of specimens taken from the animal kingdom. There is also one particularly revolting display of a poorly preserved human member.
However, it also has rooms and cabinets displaying artwork and books dedicated to the penis.
The museum further cements the fact that Icelanders don’t get sensitive about nudity or seeing genitals. Visiting is one of those “must-do things” in Reykjavik, and if you’re up for it, we recommend booking your Penis Museum tickets ahead of time.
Limits on Nudity in Iceland
Photo by Victoria Strukovskaya
Although it might seem to you that Icelanders like to get naked for any reason, there is one thing they are not permitted to do, and that's to undress for money.
Since 2010, the government's policy has been that no person’s body is a commodity. Therefore, those who strip for a living must leave a fair amount to their patrons' imaginations.
The legislation has faced criticism for being sex-negative. However, some have praised the policy for limiting the exploitation of women brought here as part of the sex trade and protecting professional exotic dancers.
Photo from Premium Admission to the Blue Lagoon with a Private Transfer in a New Mercedes Benz V-Class
FAQs About Nudity in Iceland
Want to learn more about the rules surrounding nudity in Iceland? Before arriving in the land of ice and fire, make sure to check out some of these important details:
Why Is Showering Nude Important in Iceland?
Respect and Hygiene: Icelanders view communal bathing as a shared responsibility, where cleanliness is a must. Showering nude before entering pools prevents contamination from sweat, lotions, and oils.
Unfiltered Geothermal Water: Most pools use natural geothermal water without chemical treatment. Clean bodies help preserve the purity and balance of these unique water systems.
Mandatory Hygiene Protocol: Public pools in Iceland require full nudity when showering to maintain strict hygiene standards. Skipping this step is considered disrespectful and unsanitary.
What Nudity Etiquette Should Visitors to Iceland Know About?
No Swimsuits in the Shower: As mentioned previously, guests must remove all clothing before using communal showers in pools or hot springs.
Shower Thoroughly and Openly: Use provided soap and wash all areas of the body visibly. Locals expect this transparency as part of pool etiquette.
Comfort with Body Diversity: Icelanders are body-positive and nonjudgmental about nudity. Embrace the relaxed atmosphere and focus on cleanliness rather than appearance.
What Should You Bring With You to Iceland's Geothermal Pools?
Towel for Drying Off: It's a good idea to bring your own personal towel. A microfiber towel is ideal, as it’s compact, lightweight, and dries fast.
Plastic Bag for Wet Items: Having a waterproof bag will help keep your gear separate from dry items in your bag.
Flip-Flops or Pool Shoes: Non-slip footwear protects your feet from hot surfaces and shared shower floors. They're also easy to slip on and off when moving between areas.
Reusable Water Bottle: Soaking in hot water can dehydrate you faster than expected. As a result, consider bringing a refillable bottle to stay hydrated throughout your visit.
Final Thoughts on Iceland Nudity
Iceland is a paradise for naturists and a wonderful place for the body-conscious to get more comfortable with the bits we all have. Even if you have a growing feeling of horror at the thought of being watched while showering, you can at least trust that the locals are respectful enough to look away.
While you are under no pressure to join the people of Iceland in their naked glory, using the opportunity to enjoy being in your birthday suit can add streaks of liberation and exhilaration to your travels in the land of ice and fire.
Will you take part in the bathing culture in Iceland? Which locations are you most excited to experience? Have you visited Iceland before? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
