Laugarvatn · Reopened 2026

Laugarvatn Fontana

Photo: Laugarvatn Fontana

Steam from a geyser, and rye bread baked in the ground

On the shore of Lake Laugarvatn, halfway round the Golden Circle, Fontana’s steam room sits directly on top of a natural hot spring. In August 2026 it reopened with new baths that step right down to the lake.

Water: Steam room 40–50°C
From Reykjavík: 1 h · 77 km
Opened: 2011 · rebuilt 2026
Entry from: 7,490 ISK
Best for: Golden CircleFood loversLake swims
More like this: Lagoons on the Golden Circle →

Why it’s worth the drive

People have bathed at Laugarvatn for a very long time. The first written mentions go back around a thousand years, and in 1929 locals built two small bathhouses directly on top of the hot spring at the lake’s edge, so they could sit in its steam. Fontana still does exactly that. The steam room is a dome built over a natural geyser, and you can hear it bubbling beneath the floor.

In August 2026 Fontana reopened after the biggest transformation since it opened in 2011. The new baths step down towards the lake as a chain of connected pools, each a different depth, size and temperature, with a swim-up bar and a new sauna with a wide window over the water. Nothing is chlorinated, and the cold plunge is the lake itself.

“You can hear the geyser bubbling beneath the floor.”

Then there is the bread. Fontana bakes dark, sweet rye bread the old Icelandic way, in a pot buried in the hot black sand by the shore, and digs it up on daily tours. It’s served warm with butter, and it’s one of the best things you’ll eat on the Golden Circle.

The lakeside pools and wooden pier at Fontana, with Laugarvatn village behind

Warm geothermal rye bread with butter on a wooden deck beside the water

Top-down view of Fontana’s turquoise pools beside the building and the lake

Photography: Laugarvatn Fontana.

Signature experiences

What to look forward to

01
Geyser steam room
A steam-filled dome over a natural hot spring, usually 40–50°C depending on the geyser.
02
The new lake baths
Connected pools of different depths and temperatures, stepping down to Laugarvatn.
03
Geothermal rye bread
Watch bread dug out of the hot ground, then taste it warm on the bakery tour.
04
Lake plunge
Wade into the cold lake between hot sessions, the way locals always have.

Good to know

Insider tips

Book the rye bread tour in advance. It’s ticketed separately and often sells out.
Þingvellir is 25 km west and Geysir 29 km east, so it fits neatly into a Golden Circle day.
The steam room and sauna are quiet zones.

Planning a visit

Quick answers

Prices and details last checked October 2026.

Where is Laugarvatn Fontana?

Laugarvatn Fontana is in Laugarvatn, in South Iceland, near the Golden Circle. It’s about 1 h (77 km) by car from Reykjavík.

How hot is the water at Laugarvatn Fontana?

Steam room 40–50°C. Hot springs and a natural geyser right under the bathhouse, which is why the steam room sits on top of them. No chlorine; the cold plunge is the lake.

How much does Laugarvatn Fontana cost?

Adult entry starts from 7,490 ISK. Prices change with the day, time slot and package, so check the latest when you book.

Can you book Laugarvatn Fontana in advance?

Yes. You can check live availability and book Laugarvatn Fontana through Lagoon Land. Popular times, like summer sunsets and winter evenings, sell out first, so it’s worth booking ahead.

What is Laugarvatn Fontana best for?

It’s a good pick for Golden Circle, food lovers and lake swims. Highlights: geyser steam room, the new lake baths, geothermal rye bread and lake plunge.