A new geothermal lagoon near Reykjavik opens on 1 September 2026, adding a wellness stop within easy reach of both the Icelandic capital and its main international gateway.
Reykjabod, a lagoon and Nordic bathhouse at the entrance to the Reykjadalur valley, sits close to Hveragerdi, roughly 35 minutes from Reykjavik and about an hour from Keflavik International Airport.
The practical draw for anyone travelling on business is what the site removes rather than what it adds. Reykjadalur’s warm river has long been one of Iceland’s best known bathing spots, but reaching it means an uphill hike of about an hour each way, in whatever the weather is doing. Reykjabod puts the same geothermal water at the trailhead, on a timed entry system, which makes it something a visitor can slot between meetings or before a late flight home rather than a half-day commitment.
What the geothermal lagoon near Reykjavik includes
The site pairs a natural hot spring lagoon with a purpose built Nordic bathhouse. Water is drawn from the same volcanic system that heats the valley’s warm river. The bathhouse holds ten spaces built around contrasts of heat and cold, steam and stillness: an event sauna, cold plunge pools, a Kneipp pool, a steam bath, a herbal pool, an infused dry sauna and a floating pool.
The operators have pitched the site deliberately small, positioning it against Iceland’s larger resort style lagoons by emphasising restraint and ritual rather than scale. That follows a run of smaller, more curated openings, including a cascading waterfall lagoon on the Golden Circle, and it matters commercially: quieter sites tend to suit client entertaining better than high volume attractions.
Admission tiers and what they cover
Entry comes in two tiers. Classic Admission, from 7,900 ISK, covers the geothermal lagoon, the outdoor ritual area, the event sauna, the cold plunge and Kneipp pool, plus changing facilities, showers and a towel. Signature Admission, from 15,900 ISK, adds full access to the ten space bathhouse, a bathrobe and slippers, and a drink at the in water bar. Prices are set in Icelandic krona, so it is worth checking the rate at the point of booking rather than assuming a fixed sterling cost.
Towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hair dryers are all provided. For a traveller working from hand luggage, that removes the usual reason to skip a stop like this on a tight schedule.
Corporate use and getting there
The venue can take private events for up to 300 guests, with a dedicated lounge and bathhouse spaces bookable for smaller groups. That puts it within range for incentive trips, client hospitality and team offsites, a market Iceland has been courting steadily alongside its wider tourism growth.
Getting there is straightforward. The lagoon sits on both the Golden Circle and South Coast routes, between Thingvellir, Gullfoss and the southern waterfalls, roughly 31 miles from Reykjavik. Visitors can self drive and park on site or join guided tours that combine the lagoon with black sand beaches and waterfalls further along the coast. Its position also makes it a workable final stop before heading back towards Keflavik, where the airport has been building out its own visitor offer through a programme of airport tours hosted by Icelandic figures.
UK access to Iceland has shifted over the past year following the collapse of budget carrier PLAY, which cancelled all flights and thinned the low cost options out of British airports. Travellers building an itinerary around the new opening should confirm routings early. Full details are on the Reykjabod website and through Visit South Iceland.
