Reykjavik is Iceland's capital and northernmost capital city of a sovereign state, set on the Faxaflói bay with mountains and glaciers on the horizon. Known for the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, geothermal swimming pools and a compact, colourful old town, it is the base for the Golden Circle, the South Coast and northern lights tours.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Reykjavik.
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- relaxed local beach with hot tubs and sea swimming
- Hot tubs (38-42 C)
- Changing rooms and showers
- Steam bath
- Beach volleyball
- Seasonal kiosk and lifeguards in summer
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
Man-made sandy cove where geothermal water is mixed into the sea, plus a heated lagoon, hot tubs and a steam bath; free entry.
Editor’s tip. Visit in the main summer season when lifeguards and the kiosk are operating.
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- spa-style ocean lagoon with sunset views
- Geothermal lagoon
- Seven-step ritual (sauna, cold plunge, steam, scrub)
- Swim-up bar
- Changing rooms and lockers
- Cafe-bar
Sky Lagoon
Ocean-edge geothermal lagoon in Karsnes, Kopavogur, with an infinity-edge pool, cold plunge and a seven-step spa ritual; ticket required.
Editor’s tip. Book a time slot ahead in summer and on weekends, as entry is limited.
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- busy local pool and hot pot culture
- Outdoor lap pool
- Hot pots (38-44 C)
- Water slides
- Children's pool
- Showers and lockers
Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool
Reykjavik's largest swimming complex, with a 50 m outdoor lap pool, hot pots of 38-44 C, a children's area and slides.
Editor’s tip. Shower without swimwear before entering any pool, as is Icelandic custom.
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- small community pool and hot pot social scene
- Outdoor pool
- Hot pots
- Sauna
- Showers and lockers
Vesturbaejarlaug Pool
Neighbourhood geothermal pool near the western shoreline with hot pots and a sauna; popular with residents in the evenings.
Editor’s tip. Shower without swimwear before entering the pool, as Icelandic custom requires.
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- historic city pool and hot pots
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Hot pots
- Sauna
- Showers and lockers
Sundhollin Reykjavikur
Historic 1937 city-centre pool, renovated with outdoor hot pots and a sauna; the nearest thermal pool to the main sights.
Editor’s tip. Shower without swimwear before entering the pools, as Icelandic custom requires.
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- windswept coastal nature reserve
- Walking paths
- Lighthouse
- Bird observation
Grotta Shore, Seltjarnarnes
Rocky shoreline and small sand patches on a nature-reserve peninsula; for walking and sea views rather than swimming, with a lighthouse on the tip.
Editor’s tip. Check tide times before crossing the causeway to the island.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Grotta shore and early mornings at Vesturbaejarlaug
Family
Family-friendly
Laugardalslaug and Nautholsvik
Urban
Urban
Sundhollin and Vesturbaejarlaug for locals' hot pot culture
Spa
Spa
Sky Lagoon for a ticketed ocean spa
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Reykjavik memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Entry Fees
Nautholsvik is free to enter; municipal pools such as Laugardalslaug cost roughly ISK 1,400 per adult (~$11); Sky Lagoon tickets start around ISK 12,000 (~$96) depending on package and time slot.
Water Quality
Sea water is cold (about 10-14 C); geothermal pools are heated and treated.
Safety
Shower without swimwear before entering any pool, as Icelandic pool rules require; lifeguards are present at municipal pools and seasonally at Nautholsvik.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Reykjavik’s coast.
Is Nautholsvik Beach free to enter?
Entry to the beach is free. Hours of the changing facilities and hot tubs vary by season, so check the municipal page before visiting.
From the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach editorial.
Is the water warm at Nautholsvik?
Geothermal water is fed into the lagoon, which makes it comfortable in summer. The open sea outside the lagoon remains cold.
From the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach editorial.
Is Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik?
It is on the Karsnes peninsula in neighbouring Kopavogur, about 6 km from central Reykjavik.
From the Sky Lagoon editorial.
Is a ticket required?
Yes. Entry is by ticket only, with different packages including the seven-step ritual.
From the Sky Lagoon editorial.
Where is Laugardalslaug?
It is at Sundlaugavegur 30a in the Laugardalur area, roughly 3 km east of central Reykjavik.
From the Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool editorial.
How hot are the hot pots?
The hot pots range from about 38 to 44 C, with different pots at different temperatures.
From the Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool editorial.
Where is Vesturbaejarlaug?
It is at Hofsvallagata 54 in the Vesturbaer district, about 2 km west of central Reykjavik.
From the Vesturbaejarlaug Pool editorial.
Is it a beach?
No. It is a geothermal outdoor pool with hot pots and a sauna, set near the western shoreline.
From the Vesturbaejarlaug Pool editorial.