Seltjarnarneslaug (Sundlaug Seltjarnarness)

What to expect

Seltjarnarnes is a small town on the tip of the peninsula west of Reykjavík, its own municipality even though the two run together without a break. Its pool, Sundlaug Seltjarnarness, sits in the town’s sports centre on Suðurströnd, next to the sports hall, the football pitch, the primary school and a World Class gym. It is the pool locals use every day, and few visitors find it, which is the main reason to come.

The water is the selling point. The town takes it directly from a borehole of Hitaveita Seltjarnarness, its own geothermal heating utility, and describes it as rich in minerals. The town also says it suits people with sensitive skin and eczema. Treat that as the town’s own description rather than a medical claim.

Otherwise this is a straightforward Icelandic town pool: an outdoor lap pool, warm pools for children, hot pots for sitting and talking, and two cold pots. The town has not published a history of the pool, so we have left that out.

The pools

The town lists:

• Main pool: 25 m, four lanes, 84°F29°C. Outdoors.
• Children’s pool: 48 square metres, 90 cm (3 ft) deep, 95°F35°C.
• Toddler pool: 40 cm (16 in) deep, 97 to 100°F36 to 38°C.
• Hot pots: four in all, including a massage pot, at 100 to 111°F38 to 44°C.
• Cold pots: two, at 39 to 46°F4 to 8°C.
• Steam bath: 104 to 122°F40 to 50°C.
• Water slide and play equipment for children, plus a sheltered outdoor area.

There is a private accessible changing room for disabled and older guests, who may bring an assistant of any gender, and for anyone who prefers not to use the shared changing rooms. A massage studio is open on weekdays, and the gym connects directly to the pool. Visit Reykjavík counts four changing rooms in all, two indoors and two outdoors.

Getting there

The pool is at Suðurströnd 8-10, 170 Seltjarnarnes, on the south side of the peninsula.

• By car from central Reykjavík: About 3.5 km (2 miles). Drive west on Hringbraut, which becomes Nesvegur, then turn south toward Suðurströnd and the sports centre. There is parking at the building.
• By bus: Strætó serves Seltjarnarnes from the centre. Check the Strætó trip planner for the nearest stop to Suðurströnd.
• On foot or by bike: The coastal path along the south shore runs from Reykjavík to Seltjarnarnes, a flat and pleasant ride on a calm day.

When to go

The pool is open all year. The quietest time is late morning on a weekday, though school swimming for Mýrarhúsaskóli and Valhúsaskóli takes over parts of the pools during school hours. KR’s swim club and aqua fitness classes (Monday and Wednesday 18:30, Tuesday and Thursday 07:10) also use the water.

Combine it with the shore. On a clear evening from September to March, a soak here followed by a stop at the Kvika footbath and the dark coastline near Grótta lighthouse gives you a real chance of northern lights without leaving the capital area.

Closures. The pool closes for five working days every May for cleaning and maintenance, with dates announced by the town. It is also closed on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Whit Sunday, 17 June, the August bank holiday Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve it opens 09:00 to 12:30. Note that this differs from the Reykjavík city pools, which open on many of those days.

Prices and booking

There is nothing to book. Pay at the desk. The 2026 price list, approved by the town council in December 2025:

• Adults (18+), single entry: ISK 1,300
• Children under 18: free
• Seniors aged 67 and over: free
• 10-visit card: ISK 6,400 (valid 12 months)
• 30-visit card: ISK 16,850 (valid 36 months)
• Annual pass: ISK 46,500
• Swimsuit or towel rental: ISK 2,500 each, with ISK 1,500 refunded on return

That is a little cheaper than the Reykjavík city pools for adults, and children of any age up to 17 swim free.

Pool cards. Seltjarnarnes is not part of the Reykjavík system. Reykjavíkurkortið, the Reykjavík pool access card, and Visit Reykjavík’s City Card cover the eight Reykjavík city pools, not this one.

Hours: Monday to Friday 06:30 to 22:00, weekends and weekday holidays 08:00 to 19:30. Visit Reykjavík shows shorter hours on its listing, but the town’s own page, updated in October 2026, gives the times above. Call 561 1551 if in doubt.

Bathing culture

• Shower without your swimsuit first. It is a legal requirement at Icelandic pools. Wash with soap, then put your suit on.
• Swimsuits in the water.
• Children under 10 must be with a swimmer aged 15 or older. Free entry for under-18s does not change that.
• Dry off before you walk back to the lockers.

Where to stay nearby

Seltjarnarnes is mostly houses, with few places to stay. Most visitors sleep in central Reykjavík, 10 minutes away by car, or in Vesturbær, the western district of the city between the centre and Seltjarnarnes. The main Reykjavík Campsite is in Laugardalur, on the far side of the city.

Safety notes

• Hot pots: the hottest pot reaches 111°F44°C. Start in a cooler one and keep your time short.
• Cold pots: 39 to 46°F4 to 8°C is very cold. Short dips only, and skip them with a heart condition.
• Steam bath: up to 122°F50°C. Leave if you feel faint.
• Winter decks: wet tiles freeze at the edges. Walk carefully between pots.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Kvika footbath (Bollasteinn), a basin of warm geothermal water carved into a basalt boulder by the artist Ólöf Nordal, sits on the north shore about 1.5 km (1 mile) away, near Grótta lighthouse. Grótta is a tidal island, so check the tide, and remember it is closed from 1 May to 15 July for nesting terns. Vesturbæjarlaug is the nearest Reykjavík city pool, about 1.5 km to the east.

See also: Kvika Footbath, Vesturbæjarlaug, Sundhöll Reykjavíkur and Laugardalslaug.