Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool — Attraction in Iceland

It is an open pool, free to everybody. It is reached via a stony path, about a 20-minute walk from the free car park.

The road is gravel, but even with a Toyota Yaris we managed to get there without any problems. There are a lot of free parking slots, people's interest in this place is lower than in popular waterfalls.

In my opinion, completely wrong! What distinguishes this attraction from all the others I have encountered is the complete lack of barriers and paths for tourists! Absolutely nothing but your honesty and conscientiousness in taking care of nature stands in the way of exploring the entire area. We start the trip in a valley closed on two sides by huge hills. As it is in Iceland - they are stony, nothing obstructs the view due to the lack of trees, we can see every little detail related to hundreds of years when water drilled streams in the rocks. No people, nature that literally presses from every side, the noise of the river, huge rocks and boulders that, like guardians of this place, tower over the entire gorge. If you are tired of other tourists, you want to feel free and breathe the mountain air - this is the valley you should visit.

After a dozen-minute walk, you will reach a rather dirty and water-poor swimming pool. For me personally, it was not an attraction at all, so I will not describe it.

What consumed my traveler's soul were two wild paths behind the buildings: -one of them leads along the stones along the river. I didn't have time to get to the end but I saw a few people who bathed in it completely carefree -the second one leads up, unfortunately I don't know where. Taking advantage of a moment for myself, I walked about 300 meters into the distance and ate a picnic among the raw beauty of nature. Mountain Dew drink has never tasted as...

One of Iceland’s oldest outdoor swimming pools, tucked into a dramatic valley with mountains rising steeply around it. The location itself is stunning and feels almost otherworldly, which is why many travelers are drawn to it.

Unfortunately, the pool has fallen into serious disrepair and is not maintained, leaving much of its charm overshadowed by neglect.

The water is lukewarm at best and often filled with algae, sludge, and debris, making it far from the relaxing geothermal soak people might expect. Trash is a common problem as well, with litter scattered around the pool and changing areas. What could be a peaceful, scenic stop often feels more disappointing and even unpleasant once you’re actually there.

Access is relatively easy, requiring only a short hike from the parking area, but the path can get muddy, especially after rain. Because of the growing awareness of its poor condition, visitors are often surprised by how stark the contrast is between the idyllic photos online and the reality in person.

There are no facilities on-site, and since the pool isn’t officially cleaned or maintained, it’s best approached with realistic expectations. It’s not a safe or hygienic spot for swimming, and those looking for a proper geothermal bathing experience will be far happier at maintained hot springs elsewhere in Iceland.

Overall, Seljavallalaug is more of a cautionary tale than a must-visit attraction. The surrounding valley is beautiful and worth the short walk for the scenery, but the pool itself is in such poor shape that many travelers leave disappointed. If you do go, treat it as a quick photo stop for the landscape rather than a destination for swimming...

If you're contemplating a visit to this pool, do yourself a favor and just go already! Trust me, it's an absolute blast. Follow the directions on Google Maps, and once you reach the end of the road, you'll stumble upon a parking lot. From there, you'll need to do a bit of hiking, although I hesitate to call it a proper trail. It's more like a one-way path, scattered with rocks the size of baby heads. So, leave the strollers and bikes behind, folks!

Believe it or not, we managed to conquer this hike with a three-year-old in tow. The floors in the changing rooms will probably be wet and muddy from peoples shoes, so make sure to bring something dry to stand on. Now, I've read some reviews mentioning how the pool can be a bit slimy, but honestly, that's just nonsense. The water is warm and inviting, especially in the shallow end. As for the deep end, well, it's warm to hot! Even on a chilly, rainy day, we had an absolute blast.

So, my advice to you? Just go for it! Embrace the entire experience, from the journey to the refreshing dip, and even the return trip. Rain or shine, it's an adventure you won't want to...