Hofsos Swimming Pool Travel Guide

Hofsos swimming pool, Hofsós Sundlaug in Icelandic, is a lovely seaside pool located on the Skagafjordur fjord coastline. 

A few tourist packages might include visiting the Hofsos swimming pool, one of Iceland's most attractive swimming spots. It's also accessible independently on a self-drive tour that covers North Iceland. While in Skagafjordur, plan to stay awhile at the lovely Hofsstadir Country Hotel.

In Iceland's most northern reaches, tourists come from far and wide to bathe in Hofsos swimming pool's warm waters and bask in its scenic views. The pool boasts unbeatable vistas of the fjord and Drangey island.

Hofsos swimming pool is the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate after a day out exploring the wonders of North Iceland.

Photo above from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Danapit

About the Hofsos Swimming Pool

In recent years the Hofsos Swimming Pool has gained a lot of attention for its natural beauty and isolated feel. It is perched on a hillside and has the feel of an infinity pool because it's very close to the sea's edge with stunning views across the water.

The swimming pool measures 82 feet (25 meters) long and 67 feet (20.5 meters) wide. With a temperature of 86-88 F (30-31 C), it's ideal for those who enjoy lane swimming. The pool is 2.6 feet (0.8 meters) deep in the shallow end and 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) in the deep end.

The Hofsos Sundlaug also boasts a wonderfully warm hot tub, with temperatures between 100 F (38 C) and 102 F (39 C). The facility is open all day during the summer and has reduced hours in winter and fall.

Bathing Etiquette in Icelandic Hot Pools

Be prepared to encounter a unique perspective when entering public swimming pools in Iceland. Showering nude and washing your hair and body with soap before entering a public swimming pool is expected. Don't try to skip this step, or locals might call you out on it!

Iceland is a country that prides itself on cleanliness. From the fresh air you breathe to the untouched Highlands, locals dedicate themselves to keeping their swimming pools as pristine as their land. 

Getting to Hofsos Swimming Pool

The Hofsos swimming pool is in the tiny village of Hofsos in North Iceland. Located on the shores of Skagafjordur fjord, it's 22.5 miles northeast of Saudarkrokur town, at the base of the same fjord.

The Hofsos swimming pool is 82 miles (132 kilometers) from Akureyri city. Take the Ring Road west from Akureyri, then turn onto road 76 and head north to Hofsos.

Attractions Near Hofsos

From the swimming pool, you'll see the Stadarbjorg basalt columns below. Allow a little extra time after your swim to take the wooden path down to the beach and enjoy exploring the rocky shoreline.

Photo by Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Markus Trienke

Hofsos village has a few amenities such as a grocery store and campground. It is also home to the Vesturfararsetrid museum, dedicated to Icelandic emigration.

Drangey Island

You can see the small island of Drangey from the Hofsos Swimming Pool. It's a remnant of a 700,000-year-old volcano that has sunk into the cold northern Atlantic. Drangey is abundant in birdlife, and it's even possible to climb up a cliff to the top of the island.

Like many treasures of the North, this volcanic fortress has folklore surrounding it. It is supposedly the transformed bodies of a pair of night-walking trolls and their cow who, out at daybreak, became rock under the sun's rays.

Saudarkrokur town

Travelers will find plenty to do in Saudarkrokur town, at the base of the Skagafjordur fjord. Take a stroll along the picturesque black sand beach, and don't miss a visit to 1238 The Battle of Iceland for an exciting virtual reality experience that takes you back to the Viking era.

Akureyri, the Capital of the North

Akureyri is the capital of the North, with plenty of gorgeous sights. This city is only about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the Arctic Circle and is Iceland's second most-populated urban area after Reykjavik.

Some of the best attractions in Akureyri include the botanical gardens, the Laufas turf houses just out of town, and the beautiful Kjarnaskogur forest. Akureyri is also an excellent place for horse riding and whale-watching tours.