Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach

What Nauthólsvík is

This is a municipal beach and bathing facility, not a natural hot spring or a resort lagoon. Opened in 2000, Nauthólsvík was built with golden shell sand and sea walls to create a sheltered bay. Hot water from Reykjavík’s supply flows into the bay and two hot tubs.

The bay remains open to the fjord, so tides, weather and cold seawater still affect it. In summer, the lagoon averages 15–19°C: mild for a North Atlantic swim, not hot-pool temperature. The hot tubs are the reliable warming stop.

The bathing setup

Use the place as a sequence rather than expecting one uniform temperature: sand and shallow lagoon in warm weather, a hot tub or steam bath when you need heat, and—only if experienced—the open sea beyond the protected area.

Facilities include:

• Changing rooms and showers
• Two geothermal hot tubs
• A steam bath
• A service centre and outdoor recreation space

Bring swimwear, a towel and sandals. A windproof layer is useful even on bright days; the waterfront cools quickly once you are wet. The lagoon edge and paved bathing areas can be slippery.

Summer beach and winter sea swimming

A calm summer day is the straightforward choice for wading, swimming and time on the sand. The shallow, enclosed lagoon is more approachable than the open Atlantic, but it is still tidal seawater; keep children close and follow posted instructions.

Outside summer, Nauthólsvík is used by year-round sea swimmers. The open sea is cold and staff cannot ensure a swimmer’s safety there. Do not make a first cold-water swim a distance challenge: enter with a companion, wait until your breathing is settled, stay near shore and keep the first immersion short. In an emergency, call 112.

Hours and access

The beach is on Nauthólsvegur, on Reykjavík’s south coast below Öskjuhlíð. Walking and cycling routes connect it with the wider waterfront and the hill’s paths; it also works neatly before or after time in Öskjuhlíð.

General opening pattern:

• 15 May–18 August: daily, 10:00–19:00
• 19 August–14 May: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00–19:00; Saturday, 11:00–16:00
• Winter: closed Monday and Sunday

Public-holiday hours differ. The beach itself is easy to reach, but access to changing rooms, hot tubs and other staffed facilities follows this schedule.