Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool: Tips for a UNIQUE Hot Spring Experience

Seljavallalaug swimming pool is one of the most unique places to visit in the world. This 25-meter pool, nestled between two mountains and fed by a natural hot spring, has been around for over 90 years. Here is what you should know about Seljavallalaug to have the best hot spring experience.

There are many free hot springs in Iceland but Seljavallalaug is like no other. In a few words, you could describe it as surprising, natural and outstanding… It reminds you of all the places in Iceland, right?

Iceland is as stunning as it is unpredictable. Gathering information on all the natural places you plan to visit is essential. Here is an extensive guide of Seljavallalaug pool.

Things to Know When Visiting the Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

From how to get there, whether you can swim there or what its history is, here’s everything you need to know before visiting Seljavallalaug.

What is the Seljavallalaug Hot Spring?

The Seljavallalaug Hot Spring is a hidden swimming pool you can visit while on the Ring Road in southern Iceland. It is precisely located in the valley of Seljavellir, between the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.

This famous Iceland outdoor pool is nestled at the base of a steep hill, with natural rock formations providing privacy and shelter from the elements. It offers stunning views on the surrounding mountains.

What makes Seljavallalaug special?

1. Its magical surroundings

Seljavallalaug is not in the highlands, but it still feels in the middle of nowhere. This old pool is bordered on one side by a stream and a second mountain and on the other, by the rocks of a mountain. Iceland has some of the most incredible rock formations in the world.

The view from the pool is absolutely magical, whatever the season. In summer, it’s surrounded by greenery, while in winter, the mountains are covered in snow.

Shoulder seasons offer a mixture of both, which is typical of Iceland’s landscape.

2. Seljavallalaug hike

You have to deserve it to visit Seljavallalaug. Unlike other places of interest located exactly on the Ring Road, such as Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, you will need to walk a short distance to get to the pool.

From the parking lot, the hike is about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the season. It is a pretty stunning one, as you will be walking in the middle of the mountains and along a river stream.

The hike is fairly easy, but can be split in two parts. 

First, you will walk straight in a flat plain of rocks and a stream. If you are visiting during winter or spring, you might have to get your feet in the water to access the path, but the watercourses are shallow.

Then, you will see a path on the right and you just have to follow it to get to Seljavallalaug hot spring pool.

3. Seljavallalaug history: when was it built, by who and why

Seljavallalaug swimming pool was built by a local in 1923, almost a century ago. It was a communal pool that locals used to go to to learn how to swim.

Water for the pool comes from a nearby natural hot spring and is piped in. The hot water flows into the pool on the opposite side of the cabins.

Until 1936, it was the biggest swimming pool in Iceland! It measures around 25 meters in length and 10 meters in width. Its depth is around 1,80 meters.

Then, Icelanders went on to build other pools, but this one retains one of the most iconic Icelandic swimming pools. It has a special status thanks to its location in the middle of the mountains and the fact that it is the oldest swimming pool.

Locals no longer go there to learn to swim, but rather to relax. It has now become a popular spot also for tourists looking to have a unique Icelandic experience.

How to get to Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool?

Getting from Reykjavik to Seljavallalaug takes around 2 hours by car. First, drive on Road 1 for 1 hour and 45 minutes until reaching road 242 where you will turn left. It is 25 minutes after Seljalandsfoss parking lot.

It’s well indicated in Google Maps, you can type Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool Car Park in your gps. Then, it’s a short 20-minute hike to the pool.

There is no sign from the parking lot, which can be a little intimidating, but it is actually super easy. You will basically need to walk straight until you find a path on the left. To make it easier, the GPS coordinates of the pool are 63.5656° N, 19.6076° W.

Where to stay near Seljavallalaug Iceland?

You can easily stay less than 30 minutes away from Seljavallalaug Pool, which is very convenient for a morning or evening swim. Here are the best accommodations to stay near Seljavallalaug.

What is Seljavallalaug pool price?

Seljavallalaug doesn’t charge an entrance fee, so anyone can use it free of charge. However, not having to pay an entrance fee means there’s no maintenance to keep the pool clean and in good condition. Please respect it and leave it cleaner than you found it.

Does Seljavallalaug geothermal pool have facilities?

Seljavallalaug is in the middle of the mountains, but it does have three human built changing rooms. They are in poor conditions as tourists left their wet clothes there, but it is useful to change quickly before getting in the water.

However, it’s pretty much always cold in Iceland and we recommend putting on your swimming suit before starting the hike to minimize the time you spend half naked outside the pool!

There are no toilets, restaurants or other amenities. Nature at its best!

How long should you spend at Seljavallalaug swimming pool?

We recommend setting aside two hours in your itinerary to visit the Seljavallalaug swimming pool. The round trip takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour. Afterwards, you’ll want to swim, admire, take hundreds of photos, or all at once.

What is the Seljavallalaug swimming pool temperature?

Even if the water in the pool comes from a hot spring, it goes through a pipe before entering the pool. Depending on the season, Seljavallalaug pool temperature ranges from 17°C (63°F) and 30°C (86°F).

During winter and spring, melting snow flows down the mountain rocks to the pool. It makes the water cooler during those months. People do not visit this pool to swim in hot water, but rather to enjoy its unique scenery.

⚠️ It seems that part of the pipe leading the hot water from the thermal spring to the pool has been leaking since 2022. As a result, the water isn’t as hot as it used to be.

What to bring at Seljavallalaug pool?

Aside from your swimming suit and towel, you should bring water, snacks to keep your body in perfect condition after the small hike. You should also bring a beanie to keep your head warm, and a plastic bag for your wet swimming suit.

Last but not least, do not head there without your camera! This place is photo award-worthy.

Can you really swim at Seljavallalaug swimming pool?

Seljavallalaug pool has been self-managed for decades. Let’s say it is obviously not one of the cleanest Iceland swimming pools. It’s more like a natural pool, with algae proliferating at the bottom.

However, this doesn’t stop hundreds of tourists from taking a dip every year. We’ve never heard of a bather falling ill after swimming there. The setting is just so magical so you easily forget about the water. In the end, the choice is yours!

Is Seljavallalaug pool maintained?

A group of volunteers comes once a year to clean the pool and cabins. However, you can imagine that one cleaning a year would only be enough if all tourists were respectful of the place.

When you see in which conditions some people leave the place, it’s understandable that locals don’t want to put in the effort to clean it more often.

Built by hand into the rugged terrain, it is however surprisingly well preserved despite its age.

It would be a shame to see this incredible pool disappear, so do not be like them. Do not leave anything at Seljavallalaug pool or during the hike. If you see trash and have a plastic bag, please take it with you!

Is it worth visiting Seljavallalaug hot spring if you don’t swim?

The Seljavallalaug swimming pool is well worth a visit, even if you don’t intend to take the plunge. The scenery is like something out of a film, absolutely unreal. The hike itself is very mystical, let alone the pool in the middle of the mountains…

Can you visit Seljavallalaug pool in winter?

You can visit Seljavallalaug swimming pool in winter if the hike to get there is accessible. We’ve seen pictures of this pool at winter time with snow all around. However, we would say it’s better to visit it from March to November.

Very few tourists visit Iceland in December or January anyways due to bad weather conditions and the sun setting super early. There are only 5 hours of daylight at the winter solstice.

✔️ Before hitting the road, you should always check the conditions and weather on Road.is to make sure you can drive there safely.

Is Seljavallalaug hot pool too touristy?

Seljavallalaug is not crowded! Since there is a hike to get there and loads of hot springs in the Golden Circle before getting to Seljavallalaug, it is often overlooked by tourists.

There are still people visiting it every day, especially when it’s sunny, but it is usually never super crowded.

What to visit near Seljavallalaug hot springs?

Seljavallalaug is not out of the way of other natural splendors – in fact, it’s right in the middle of them! Here are all the interesting places to visit within a 30-minute drive to the west or east of Seljavallalaug.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss is a stunning waterfall located 24 minutes before Seljavallalaug on the Ring Road. It is approximately 60 meters tall and is fed by the melting waters of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.

📸 In summer time, you can walk behind the waterfall, which is pretty unique! The photos from behind the waterfall are very impressive.

Drangshlid Houses

Ever dreamt of seeing Elves houses? Well, Drangshlid has a few small houses carved inside the rock. It’s a very unique and charming place. It is only 10 minutes away from Seljavallalaug.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Another beautiful waterfall reachable in a 13-minute drive past the Seljavallalaug pool is Skogafoss. The one is not tall as Seljalandsfoss, but definitely wider! You can get close to it on the ground, but also see it from the top on a viewing platform.

Sólheimasandur plane wreck

Keep driving and you will arrive at the DC Plane Wreck, another unique location only 18 minutes from the pool.

An American plane crashed on the vast plain of black volcanic rock at Sólheimasandur in 1973. It has become a historic site to visit, both for the contrast of the white plane against the black desert, and for the 4-kilometer hike from the road to reach it.

It is a photographer’s paradise as you can take pictures from so many different angles, even inside the plane.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Last but not least, the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is just a half-hour’s drive from the Seljavallalaug pool. We think this beach needs no introduction, as it’s Iceland’s most famous black beach!

Seljavallalaug swimming pool: final thoughts

Now that you know the essential information on Seljavallalaug swimming pool, it’s time to start booking your trip! Iceland is a place like no other and its hot springs are some of the best experiences that you will never forget.

What is absolutely incredible about Iceland is that hot springs are far from being the only reason to visit. From seeing impressive geysirs, active volcanoes to going on private northern lights tours in Iceland, you will make lifelong memories.