Most drivers heading east from Reykjavík see Hveragerði as a sign on Route 1 and a cloud of steam on the hillside. Pull off, though, and the town turns out to have a 50 m geothermal pool from 1938, a zipline across a canyon and a new hot spring complex at the foot of Reykjadalur, all within a few minutes of each other.
What to do in Hveragerði
The best things to do in Hveragerði are swimming in the 50 m geothermal pool at Laugaskarð, soaking at Reykjaböð Hot Springs, riding the Mega Zipline over the Black Canyon, and visiting the Geothermal Exhibition at the Hellisheiði power plant on the way back to Reykjavík. Hikers also use the town as the starting point for the Reykjadalur hot river trail.
Hveragerði is a town of about 3,342 people in South Iceland. Reykjaböð describes itself as about 35 minutes from Reykjavík, which makes the town an easy half-day trip from the capital or a stop on the way to the south coast. Our Hveragerði town page has the basics.
Laugaskarð swimming pool
Sundlaugin Laugaskarði is the town pool, and it is the best value soak in Hveragerði. The main outdoor pool is 50 m long and 12 m wide, and it is a geothermal pool that dates from 1938.
Laugaskarð's 50 m outdoor pool dates from 1938.
Alongside the main pool there is a children's pool, a hot tub and a natural steam bath fed by geothermal steam from the ground. A single adult ticket costs 1,500 ISK and a child ticket 440 ISK in 2026.
In summer it opens 06:45–21:30 on weekdays and 09:00–19:00 at weekends, and in winter 06:45–20:30 on weekdays and 10:00–17:30 at weekends. See the Laugaskarð pool page for more.
Reykjaböð Hot Springs
Reykjaböð is a hot spring complex at Árhólmar 5, at the foot of Reykjadalur in Hveragerði. It opened on 5 September 2026 and is open all year.
The operator's visualization of the completed Reykjaböð site.
The Classic pass covers the warm lagoon and the outdoor ritual area, with an event sauna, a cold plunge and a Kneipp pool, and a towel, locker wristband and full changing facilities are included. Full details are on the Reykjaböð Hot Springs page. [VERIFY: current Classic pass price, visit length and minimum age. The attraction page lists 7,900 ISK and the booking page shows 8,900 ISK.]
The Signature admission is a three-hour visit that adds the bathhouse spa to the lagoon and outdoor ritual area, with a bathrobe, slippers, towel and a drink of your choice at the in-water bar included. [VERIFY: current Signature price and minimum age. The attraction page lists 15,900 ISK and the booking page shows 16,900 ISK.]
From 1 June to 30 September, Reykjaböð opens 10:00–22:00 daily. From 1 October to 30 April it opens 10:00–21:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00–22:00 Friday to Sunday. Tickets can be booked online.
If you are traveling without a car, check Strætó's bus timetables for the current route.
Reykjadalur hot river
Reykjadalur is the valley above Hveragerði, where a hike leads to a river warm enough to bathe in. It is a half-day outing of its own, so read our Reykjadalur valley guide for the trail, parking and what to bring.
Reykjadalur, the geothermal valley above Hveragerði.
If you hike it, the Laugaskarð pool is a convenient place to shower before or after, since the river has no showers or enclosed changing rooms.
Mega Zipline over the Black Canyon
For something faster, the Mega Zipline is a one-kilometer flight across Hveragerði's Black Canyon, with safety equipment and transport up the trail included.
The Mega Zipline runs for one kilometer above the Black Canyon.
There are two ways to ride it. The seated Mega Zipline ride is the gentler option, and the Superman ride sends you head-first at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Both take 50 to 60 minutes and meet on location in Hveragerði.
Riders must be at least 9 years old and weigh between 30 and 120 kg. [VERIFY: zipline season, current prices and cancellation terms. Not in the tour summaries or snapshots.]
Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheiði
On the road back toward Reykjavík, the Geothermal Exhibition sits inside the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, just off Route 1 about 25 km east of Reykjavík. A self-guided audio tour takes 45 to 60 minutes and leads you over the turbine halls.
The Hellisheiði power plant, home of the Geothermal Exhibition.
It is open daily 09:00–17:00 from April to October and 09:00–16:00 from November to March, closed on 25 December and 1 January. Parking is free, and tickets are booked online, where the current price is shown. Learn more on the Geothermal Exhibition page.
A half-day in Hveragerði
If you have a morning or afternoon, start at the Geothermal Exhibition on the way out of Reykjavík, then ride the zipline in Hveragerði. Finish with a soak, either the town pool for a simple swim or Reykjaböð for the full lagoon and sauna circuit.
With a full day, swap the exhibition for the Reykjadalur hike and end at the pool.
When to visit Hveragerði
The pool and Reykjaböð are open all year, and so is the Geothermal Exhibition apart from 25 December and 1 January. The zipline is an outdoor ride, so check whether it is running before a winter visit. [VERIFY: zipline operating season. Not in the tour summaries or snapshots.]
In winter, check the Hellisheiði road status before you leave the city. [VERIFY: winter road conditions and closures on Route 1 over Hellisheiði. No CMS source.]
If you plan to hike Reykjadalur in winter, also read SafeTravel's winter hiking advice, since the trail is often icy from November to March.
If you would like Hveragerði built into a longer South Iceland route, send our planners your dates and we will fit it in.
