Flúðir · Oldest pool in Iceland

Secret Lagoon

Gamla laugin

Photo: Secret Lagoon

Iceland’s oldest pool, with a geyser for a neighbour

Built in 1891 beside a field of bubbling hot springs, the Old Pool at Flúðir is where Icelanders first learned to swim. It’s simple, steamy and unpretentious, and a tiny geyser erupts beside it every few minutes.

Water: 38–40°C
From Reykjavík: 1 h 20 min · 98 km
Opened: 1891
Entry from: 4,500 ISK
Best for: HistoryGolden CircleFamilies
More like this: Lagoons on the Golden Circle →Natural hot springs and wild baths →

Why it’s worth the drive

Long before lagoons were luxury, there was Gamla laugin. The pool was built in 1891 in the hot-spring field at Hverahólmi, just outside the village of Flúðir, and from 1909 it hosted some of the first swimming lessons in Iceland. It fell quiet once newer pools were built, but after a long restoration it reopened in 2014, deliberately kept simple and natural.

All of the water comes from the springs around it, Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir, and it flows through continuously, replacing the whole pool roughly every 24 hours with no chemicals needed. Steam rises from the ground on every side, and Litli Geysir, the little geyser at the edge of the field, throws up a plume every few minutes.

“Steam rises from the ground on every side, and the gravel paths are warm underfoot.”

It’s the lagoon for people who want the real thing rather than a resort: moss and an old stone hut instead of designer architecture, communal showers in the traditional Icelandic way, and the best value on the Golden Circle.

A bather in the shallow, steaming pool in front of the old stone building

Steam rising from moss-covered ground beside the lagoon, backlit by low sun

The weathered stone hut on the lagoon’s grassy edge in low sun

A woman bathing in the steaming lagoon with a hazy landscape behind

Photography: Secret Lagoon.

Signature experiences

What to look forward to

01
Litli Geysir
Walk the boardwalk around the hot-spring field to watch the little geyser erupt.
02
Natural flow
Spring water flows through the pool constantly, with no chlorine needed.
03
Hot pot & cold plunge
Beside the historic main pool: a hot paddling pool and a cold plunge pool.
04
The geothermal path
A walk past boiling springs Vaðmálahver and Básahver. Look, don’t touch: they’re near 100°C.

Good to know

Insider tips

Pair it with Gullfoss and Geysir, both about 30 minutes away.
It closes at 19:00 in winter, so plan an afternoon visit.
The bistro serves drinks and snacks only, so eat before you come.

Planning a visit

Quick answers

Prices and details last checked October 2026.

Where is Secret Lagoon?

Secret Lagoon is in Flúðir, in South Iceland, near the Golden Circle. It’s about 1 h 20 min (98 km) by car from Reykjavík.

How hot is the water at Secret Lagoon?

Usually 38–40°C. Entirely from three hot springs, Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir. The whole pool is replaced roughly every 24 hours.

How much does Secret Lagoon cost?

Adult entry starts from 4,500 ISK. Prices change with the day, time slot and package, so check the latest when you book.

Can you book Secret Lagoon in advance?

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