Each Icelandic scholar takes obligatory swimming classes – for ten years. This rigorous curriculum has a minimum of one comfortable consequence: swimming pools, in every single place!
The Capital Area – an city sprawl of 5 municipalities, together with Reykjavík – has 17 public swimming pools altogether. All however one are out of doors, because of low cost geothermal warmth.
From the Atlantic Ocean to Olympic-size swimming pools, listed here are 9 locations to go to in Reykjavík the place swimming is just a part of the pleasure.
Laugardalslaug
Largest swimming pool. Largest waterslide. Largest locker rooms. The Laugardalslaug pool is the most well-liked in Reykjavík, if not the nation, and it is inside strolling distance to the town heart. Swimming is a wholesome sport, however most individuals come for the multi-temperature scorching tubs. Laugardalslaug a best choice for households, particularly when paired with one of many nice ice cream shops on this a part of city.
You will not miss the 50m out of doors swimming pool, with eight lanes and visitors guidelines. Indoor is one other 50m pool reserved for coaching and competitions.
Nauthólsvík
Welcome to the seaside of Reykjavík. Nauthólsvík is the place locals carry overseas mates to check their energy – swimming in an Icelandic ocean requires a little bit of mettle. Over summer time, the ocean’s temperature can attain double digits (like, say, 10°C!) however overwinter a really, very chilly plunge is a part of this system. Afterward, folks linger within the scorching tub (38°C year-round) overlooking the seaside.
The Nauthólsvík cove is man-made, and the yellow sand – introduced from elsewhere – is a scorching commodity for sunbathing, volleyball, and different typical seaside actions on heat summer time days. Altering rooms and scorching tubs are admission free throughout the summer time however price 740 Krona throughout winter.
The Sky Lagoon
Whereas the Sky Lagoon is 75m lengthy, do not try to swim laps. This can be a luxurious tub with a view throughout the Faxa Bay and a swim-up bar.
The enterprise opened in 2021 on the tip of the Kársnes peninsula, a brief drive from the town heart, getting into the rising collection of high-end bathing resorts round Iceland. Sky Lagoon is the one one in Reykjavík, competing with the well-known Blue Lagoon, positioned some 40 km (25 mi) from the town.
Admission is 7000 Krona and further for the steam-bath therapy. Kids underneath the age of 12 should not permitted at Sky Lagoon.
Árbæjarlaug
The suburban Árbæjarlaug is a best choice for households, with shallow swimming pools for all ages. The indoor space appears to be like like a small greenhouse, delivering a heat, enjoyable ambiance usually lacking within the older concrete swimming pools. Outdoors you may discover a leisure pool with toys and a waterslide tall sufficient to have an age restrict.
The swimming pool is 25m lengthy, with 5 lanes and a basketball hoop.
Sundhöllin
That is the most effective place for a city-center swim. Inbuilt 1937, Sundhöllin interprets as “The Swim Corridor,” and it was designed by the legendary architect Guðjón Samúlsson, who is best recognized for church buildings and theaters.
In 2017, the pool reopened after a year-long revamp that added a complete out of doors space with scorching tubs and one other swimming pool. The unique indoor pool stays open, as is the key upstairs scorching tub with metropolis views.
Male locker rooms are unique, whereas ladies now gown within the new extension. Over summer time, we suggest the out of doors locker rooms — ask employees for instructions.
Vesturbæjarlaug
Among the many three swimming pools inside strolling distance from the town heart (along with Sundhöllin and Laugardalslaug), the Vesturbæjarlaug has the strongest neighborhood spirit. It was, in actual fact, inbuilt 1961 with native donations and volunteer work.
The unique 25m swimming pool is crowded for swimming, however fortuitously, most friends are positive doing nothing! The behavior of hanging out in scorching water after work is robust on this neighborhood, house to lecturers and artists.
Children will not take pleasure in Vesturbæjarlaug as a lot as different choices in Reykjavík. Attempt as a substitute the trendy Sundlaug Seltjarnarness, some two kilometers additional into the suburbs.
Dalslaug
Some swimming pools are good for assembly new folks; others are for zoning out, like Dalslaug. The pool opened in 2021 within the youngest suburb in Reykjavík. It’s, thus far, fairly huge in comparison with the neighborhood it serves and the structure captures the Icelandic pool tradition of in the present day: one modestly giant swimming pool surrounded by many giant, multi-temperature scorching tubs. Take your decide.
Guðlaug Baths
For lovers of sea swimming – and those that wish to attempt – the Guðlaug Baths are properly definitely worth the 40-minute drive to the coastal city of Akranes. The attractive baths overlook the “Lengthy Sand Seashore” with two scorching tubs and easy accessibility to the ocean. A typical go to goes chilly swim, scorching tub, chilly swim, scorching tub. Bathe.
Ásvallalaug
The Olympic-size swimming pool at Ásvallalaug is the place lots of Iceland’s greatest swimmers prepare. The large 6000-square-meter indoor swim corridor – with a child’s pool and a waterslide – is the most important within the nation. There are two scorching tubs exterior, however the primary cause to go to is the consolation (or choice) of being inside.
Etiquette at swimming pools
Don’t enter a public pool with dry hair. It means you might be an newbie, responsible of breaking the rule of showering earlier than bathing – with cleaning soap. The swimming pools have restricted chlorine and most of the people want to maintain it that method.
You may additionally wish to take your towel poolside. Many individuals go away them behind within the locker rooms, however it is best to dry off earlier than dripping water (and wetting the ground) from the pool to the locker rooms. There’s a “dry-off” space by the showers with towel racks.
Till lately, ladies had a gown code completely different from males. Now, going topless is allowed for everybody who needs.
