Fontana Spa is a geothermally heated wellness retreat in southwest Iceland, set on the shores of Lake Laugarvatn and conveniently close to the Golden Circle’s top attractions. It’s an easy stop for travelers looking to add a relaxing soak to a day of sightseeing in the area.
If you’re renting a car, you can reach Fontana from Reykjavik without trouble. Travelers on self-drive tours have the flexibility to build Fontana into their route whenever it suits their schedule. Some guided Golden Circle tours also include a visit to this peaceful retreat.
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Current Facilities at the Fontana Spa
Fontana Spa may be modest in size, but it offers a wonderfully varied and deeply relaxing experience.
The facilities include two geothermal pools and a hot tub, each kept at slightly different temperatures and rich in mineral content. You’ll also find a Finnish-style sauna that reaches a toasty 80°C, perfect for a restorative heat session.
One of Fontana’s standout features is its steam rooms, built directly over geothermal vents, where you can enjoy the sensation of natural hot-spring steam rising from beneath your feet, an atmospheric and uniquely Icelandic way to unwind.
The pools sit right alongside Lake Laugarvatn, a strikingly peaceful body of water framed by volcanic landscapes and wide-open skies. The earth under the lake is geothermally active, and guests can wade in from the spa to feel pockets of naturally warm water swirling around their ankles.
Beyond soaking, Fontana also has an on-site restaurant serving traditional Icelandic lunch and dinner made with fresh local ingredients, as well as a bakery offering bread and cakes baked using the area’s volcanic heat.
This method involves sealing the dough, burying it in hot geothermal soil, and letting nature bake it slowly underground.
Fontana is open year-round, including over holidays such as Christmas (with shorter hours).
In winter, an evening visit can be especially magical, with a chance of spotting the northern lights while you soak. Towels and swimsuits can be rented on-site if needed, and during summer, it’s best to book ahead to secure your spot.
2025-2026 Fontana Spa Renovation
Please note that Fontana Spa will be closed from October 2025 through April 2026 while it undergoes a major renovation. Above, you can see the new design of Laugavatn Fontana.
During this time, the geothermal pools are being expanded, new pools are being added, and a brand-new panoramic sauna is under construction, alongside broader upgrades to the spa’s facilities and guest areas.
The goal is to make Fontana even more spacious, comfortable, and immersive, while keeping the same tranquil lakeside atmosphere that visitors love.
The Fontana spa is set to reopen in May 2026, and visiting afterward will be an especially exciting experience. Guests can look forward to more room to soak, enhanced amenities, and fresh new features designed to elevate relaxation on the Golden Circle.
During the renovation period, the popular geothermal rye bread baking and tasting tour that operates from Fontana will continue running throughout the renovation period, so travelers can still stop by to enjoy this unique, delicious slice of Icelandic tradition.
Getting to the Fontana Spa
Fontana Spa sits right on the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route.
It lies between two of the trail’s headline stops: Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and the Geysir Geothermal Area, famous for its bubbling hot springs and erupting geysers.
The third major attraction on the Golden Circle is the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall, making Fontana an easy and rewarding stop to add to a full-day loop.
Getting there from Reykjavik is simple. Drive north on Route 1, then turn right onto Route 36 after passing through Mosfellsbaer. Continue along Route 36 through Thingvellir, then turn left onto Route 365 toward Geysir.
When you reach Laugarvatn, take a left at the roundabout, and you’ll find Fontana Spa on Laugarbraut on your right. The drive typically takes a little over an hour, depending on road and weather conditions.
The Fontana Spa or the Secret Lagoon: Which is Better?
Fontana Spa is often compared to the Secret Lagoon, another popular stop for travelers exploring the Golden Circle. Both are smaller, simpler, and more affordable alternatives to the Blue Lagoon in southwest Iceland, and each offers a quieter, more traditional soaking experience away from the biggest crowds.
That said, the two spas feel quite different. Fontana has a more modern, polished atmosphere and stands out for its steam rooms and Finnish-style sauna facilities the Secret Lagoon doesn’t offer.
In return, the Secret Lagoon has its own charms: a small geyser that erupts on-site, a short walking path through a natural hot-spring area, and a fascinating legacy as Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.
Style-wise, Fontana is sleek and contemporary, while the Secret Lagoon feels more rustic and timeless. Both sit in beautiful surroundings and provide a similarly soothing experience, so the best choice comes down to whether you’re drawn more to Fontana’s spa-like comfort or the Secret Lagoon’s historic, natural character.
