With your Hvammsvik admission ticket, you get to enjoy a series of naturally warm geothermal pools set right along the shoreline. The pools sit low on the shore where the geothermal water meets the Atlantic, which puts Hvammsvik among the best hot springs in Iceland and makes it one of the country’s standout geothermal spas.
Why You Can Trust Our Content
Guide to Iceland is the most trusted travel platform in Iceland, helping millions of visitors each year. All our content is written and reviewed by local experts who are deeply familiar with Iceland. You can count on us for accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy travel advice.
You can rent a car in Iceland to reach Hvammsvik and explore the surrounding area at your own pace, or join a Hvammsvik hot spring tour with bus transfer if you prefer not to drive. Nearby hotels and accommodations make it easy to enjoy a relaxing overnight escape just outside Reykjavik.
We reached out to Thelma Mogensen, Marketing Coordinator at Hvammsvik Hot Springs, for her insights on what makes this geothermal spa special. She told us about the tides, the cold plunge, and what first-time guests should know before they arrive.
Visitor Information for Hvammsvik Hot Springs
-
Location: Hvalfjordur, about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik
-
Type: Naturally heated geothermal pools along the fjord shoreline
-
Opening Hours: From August 21 to May 31, the hot springs are open daily from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM, with last entry at 7 PM. From June 1 to August 20, they are open from 10 AM to 10 PM, with last entry at 8:30 PM.
-
Age Limit: The age limit is 10 years old. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or older.
-
Admission: Admission is sold in three packages – Natural, Classic and Comfort – priced by time slot. Access to all facilities is included with a Hvammsvik spa admission ticket. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during weekends and holidays.
-
Towels & Wading Shoes: A towel and wading shoes are included in the Comfort package. With Natural and Classic, both are available to rent on site. You can also bring your own; our guide on what to pack for Iceland covers the whole trip.
-
Food & Drink: Stormur Bistro serves light Nordic dishes inspired by local ingredients, including its recommended seafood soup, as well as snacks and drinks. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
-
Accessibility: The pools sit in a natural shoreline landscape, which makes them hard to reach by wheelchair. There is accessible parking by the entrance, and the team can arrange access to the main building if you let them know ahead of your visit.
-
Parking: Free guest parking is available near the hot springs, and there are also two EV charging outlets.
-
Best Time To Visit: Year-round, with early and late time slots generally quieter.
-
Ideal For: Relaxing day trips from Reykjavik, nature lovers, and geothermal bathing enthusiasts
Hvammsvik Hot Springs Entrance Passes Explained
Every entrance pass for the Hvammsvik Hot Springs includes access to all eight hot springs, the geothermal sauna, steam bath, and swim-up bar. The main differences are the changing facilities and included extras.
-
Natural (5,900–9,900 ISK) – open changing facilities and showers
-
Classic (7,900–11,900 ISK) – private shower booths and private lockers
-
Comfort (11,100–15,100 ISK) – private changing facilities with added extras
Prices move with the time slot, so the same package costs more at peak hours than it does early or late in the day.
The Natural package is best suited for those who want to experience Icelandic bathing culture like the locals… with open showers and smaller lockers for valuables only. For the ultimate Hvammsvik experience, we’d recommend the Comfort package, which gives you access to the changing facilities in the main building, complete with private showers, a rented towel, wading shoes, and a drink at our swim-up bar.
As with every pool in Iceland, all guests shower without swimwear before getting in. Thelma stresses that this is required for hygiene and is a core part of Icelandic bathing culture, in keeping with the nudity rules at Icelandic pools. Which package you book determines how private the shower is.
The Natural showers are open, while the Classic and Comfort showers are private, so guests can wrap a towel around themselves, bring their swimsuit into the shower space, rinse off, and change into their swimsuit in privacy.
How To Get to Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Driving is the easiest and most flexible way to reach Hvammsvik Hot Springs. From Reykjavik, the journey takes about 45 minutes. Drive north along the Ring Road, or Route 1, until you reach the Hvalfjardagong Tunnel. Instead of driving through it, turn right onto Route 47 and follow it until you see Hvammsvik Hot Springs on the left.
If you are staying in Borgarnes, the largest town in West Iceland, travel south on Route 1, turn left onto Route 47 before the Hvalfjardargong Tunnel, and follow the road until Hvammsvik appears on your right.
Parking is available near the pools, and driving allows you to explore the surrounding Hvalfjordur area at your own pace. This option is ideal for travelers seeking a self-guided adventure or looking to combine their visit with other nearby sights.
For a hassle-free experience, you can join a half-day Hvammsvik tour from Reykjavik. If you already have an admission ticket, this Hvammsvik transfer from Reykjavik provides convenient transportation straight to the place, making it easy to enjoy the hot springs without worrying about directions or parking.
Hot Spring Experience at Hvammsvik
The main attraction at Hvammsvik Hot Springs is, of course, the eight naturally heated geothermal pools, each offering a slightly different atmosphere and view. Temperatures range from 95 F to 107 F (35 C to 42 C), depending on the pool and the tides, with some pools staying warm year-round while others shift with the temperature of the North Atlantic.
The pools vary in size and are spread along the shoreline, where the warm geothermal water meets the cool Atlantic Ocean. Some pools sit just steps from the water’s edge, making it feel as though you’re bathing directly in nature.
I think what surprises people most is how immersed we really are in nature. No image or video can capture the energy of the mountains surrounding Hvammsvik, the ocean breeze on your face as you sit in eight geothermal hot springs, and the birds chirping around you.
In addition to the pools, there is a steam room at 115–118 F (46–48 C) and a geothermal sauna at 158–194 F (70–90 C), where you can fully unwind between soaks. As Thelma notes, every package includes access to all the pools, the sauna, and the steam bath.
There is no set route through Hvammsvik. Every pool, the sauna, the steam bath, and the swim-up bar stay open to you for as long as your visit lasts, in any order you like. “All of our amenities are open to enjoy as many times and for as long as you’d like,” she adds.
Thelma explains that the tides affect the water levels and temperatures of some pools, most noticeably the Tidal Pool, which sits farther down the shore.
During high tide, it’s completely covered by the ocean. You won’t even notice it’s there. During low tide, it stands fully out of the water. At mid-tide, you’ll get playful splashes of the sea coming in while still enjoying a great pool to lounge in.
The Tidal Pool experience depends on the time slot you book. Check a tide table for Hvalfjordur before choosing your time.
You can also cool off by entering the ocean directly, although you do so at your own risk and should follow staff guidance. For easier access to cold seawater, Thelma points to the Ocean Plunge Pool beside the sauna.
We recommend that every guest try the cold plunge at least once during their visit to Hvammsvik. That said, the Ocean Plunge Pool is a great option too, especially for hot-and-cold therapy since it sits right next to the sauna, and there’s a bench where you can sit and let your body return to its natural temperature between rounds.
Best Time to Visit Hvammsvik Hot Springs
As Thelma describes it, visiting Hvammsvik is a different experience in every season, with changing daylight, weather, tides, and wildlife.
If you are considering winter trips, Hvammsvik offers a chance to see the northern lights in Iceland while soaking. Sightings are never guaranteed and require darkness, clear skies, and sufficient solar activity.
Your chances are higher during winter in Iceland, when the nights are longer. If you're booking last-minute, you can check the aurora forecast before deciding on your slot.
In winter, Hvammsvik takes on a peaceful, still atmosphere with shorter days and darker hours. During the winter season, guests will often see northern lights. It’s an equally magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience to soak in geothermal hot springs beneath them.
If you are not fortunate enough to see the northern lights at Hvammsvik, there are plenty of northern lights tours in Iceland available for another chance.
If you are traveling to Iceland in summer, you won’t see the aurora borealis. Instead, you can enjoy Hvammsvik Spa in full daylight thanks to the midnight sun. Thelma says that in summer, sheep graze around the estate, birds are active, and the pools remain bright until closing. “There’s something magical about sitting in the hot springs at 8 PM with the sun still up,” she adds.
The History Behind the Hvammsvik Estate
Hvammsvik is named in the Book of Settlements, so the land has been lived on for more than a thousand years. Its first settler was Thorir, known as Hvamm-Thorir, and a church is documented here as early as 1367. Hvammsvik remained a working farm until the 1970s, and some of the historic houses that now accommodate guests were built in the 1930s.
During the Second World War, the US Army built an ammunition storage facility and recreation center at Hvammsvik, while the Hvalfjordur harbormaster lived on the hill above. Thelma says that history has been woven into the design of the resort you arrive at today.
During WWII, the estate housed barracks for soldiers, and the entrance to Hvammsvik Hot Springs is designed to echo that with a large, round structure painted black, imitating a barrack.
Dining at Hvammsvik
Photo from Hvammsvik Hot Springs.
Opening hours: From August 21 to May 31, daily from 11 AM to 7:30 PM. From June 1 to August 20, daily from noon to 8:30 PM.
Stormur Bistro is the main dining spot at Hvammsvik Hot Springs, located in the main building just as you enter the springs. After a soak, it is a comfortable place to enjoy a meal with views toward the hot springs and fjord.
The bistro serves light Nordic-inspired dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, with the seafood soup being its most popular and recommended dish. You can also enjoy drinks at the bistro and the swim-up bar, including local beers, wines, wellness shots, and non-alcoholic options to round out your dining experience.
Staying at Hvammsvik Nature Resort
If you want to turn your day trip into a true nature getaway, staying at Hvammsvik Nature Resort is one of the best choices near Reykjavik. The estate has 12 rental houses in total, four of them restored historic properties and eight purpose-built Artist Lodges. Here are the accommodation options at Hvammsvik:
-
Hilltop House: A stunning property with panoramic 360° views over the fjord and surrounding mountain ridges.
-
Lake House: Bright and airy with expansive views over the private lake and Hvalfjordur Fjord.
-
Club House: A beautifully renovated farmhouse that sleeps up to seven guests.
-
Farm House: The oldest building on the estate, thoughtfully updated with modern amenities and spectacular ocean views.
-
Artist Lodges: These one-bedroom lodges blend modern and rustic design and are dedicated to Icelandic artists, giving each a unique character.
All accommodation options are within walking distance of Hvammsvik Hot Springs. One of the standout benefits of staying here is exclusive access to a private hot spring on the estate’s northern shore. Overnight guests also have access to the Barn House, which has a common lounge, a game room with pool tables and ping-pong, and a gym.
If you're looking for more budget-friendly options in the area, there are plenty of hotels in West Iceland to choose from.
Attractions Near Hvammsvik Hot Springs
A visit to Hvammsvik Hot Springs can easily be included on a day trip to several nearby attractions, especially for self-drive adventures in Iceland. The area offers a mix of natural wonders and cultural sites, all within a short drive:
-
Glymur Waterfall (about 10.9 miles / 17.6 km) – Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, accessible via a moderate hiking trail that rewards you with breathtaking canyon and river views.
-
Thingvellir National Park (about 23.6 miles / 38 km) – Part of the Golden Circle, this UNESCO World Heritage site is where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.
-
Geysir Geothermal Area (about 50 miles / 80 km from Hvammsvik) – Famous for its erupting hot springs, including the active Strokkur geyser that shoots boiling water up high.
-
Gullfoss Waterfall (about 52 miles / 83 km) – A powerful two-tiered waterfall along the Golden Circle, perfect for photography and soaking in Iceland’s raw natural beauty.
-
The Settlement Center (about 32 miles / 51 km) – A museum dedicated to Iceland’s Viking history, featuring interactive exhibits and historical displays about the settlement of the region.
-
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring (about 44 miles / 71 km) – Europe’s most powerful hot spring, known for its steaming waters and local geothermal energy.
-
Reykholt Historic Site (about 45 miles / 72 km) – Home to the famous Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson, featuring historic buildings and a nearby natural hot spring pool.
Deildartunguhver and Reykholt both sit on the Silver Circle route, so they pair naturally into a single day out from Hvammsvik.
Hvammsvik can also be added to a journey between Reykjavik and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, although it requires a detour. Combining both in one day may feel rushed, so the hot springs fit more comfortably into a two-day West Iceland trip.
Hvammsvik Hot Springs Combo Tours
Here are some recommended tours that include Hvammsvik Hot Springs, perfect for combining geothermal relaxation with Iceland’s iconic sights:
-
Golden Circle and Hvammsvik Hot Springs Tour from Reykjavik – Explore the classic Golden Circle sights, including Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss, before unwinding at Hvammsvik Hot Springs.
-
Reykjanes Peninsula Volcano & Hvammsvik Hot Springs Tour from Reykjavik – Combine a visit to the volcanic landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula with a relaxing soak in Hvammsvik’s geothermal pools.
-
Private West Iceland Tour with Fjords, Waterfalls, and Hot Spring Bathing from Reykjavik – A customizable private tour highlighting West Iceland’s fjords, waterfalls, and natural hot springs, with Hvammsvik included as a scenic and relaxing stop.
Plan Your Hvammsvik Hot Springs Experience
At Hvammsvik Hot Springs in Iceland, adventure and relaxation are rolled into one. You can relax in the pools, explore nearby hiking trails, or try activities such as the Atlas Challenge.
Leave time to explore beyond the water. The estate extends along the shoreline and into the surrounding hills, and Thelma encourages guests to walk around the property and explore the surrounding nature beyond the hot springs themselves.
Hvammsvik also fits easily into a wider trip, whether as the calm end to a Golden Circle day or a stop on a loop through West Iceland. Book your Hvammsvik admission ticket for the time slot you want, and let the tide decide the rest.
