You’ve had your five a day (veggies/beers/panic attacks), now you gotta stay active. Whether it’s to get a dose of culture, hopping on a day tour or splashing around in your municipal pool, you can’t go wrong with our picks for Best Activities.
Best Spa
Hvammsvík
Kjósarhreppur, 276 Mosfellsbær
Here’s the tricky thing: most Icelanders will pick their neighbourhood pool or the one they grew up with as their personal best. We had a diverse group of panellists, spread out over the Greater Reykjavík area and it proved very difficult to reach a consensus on the best overall pool. After a heated discussion, we were able to hone in on this classic swimming hole in the central Reykjavík area, which has taken the top spot multiple times in the past. Their steambath has gotten some competition since setting the bar back in the day, but the gender-separated saunas, range of hot tubs and being a magnet for local celebrities has made it a reliable go-to. Bonus points for having an ice cream parlour, a bakery, a specialty grocer and a hamburger joint within a 100 metre radius.
Runner-Up:
World Class Laugar Spa
Laugardalur
Photo by Art Bicnick
The selection of quality outdoor spas has gotten a little slimmer as the volcanic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula has disrupted the services of the Blue Lagoon a teensy bit for the time being. Thankfully, for those travellers looking for a more familiar indoor gym spa, World Class has a lot to offer. With everything from infrared saunas to eucalyptus steam baths, this one has a good deal more variety than your run-off-the-mill hotel spa.
Runner-Up:
The Blue Lagoon
Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík
Blue Lagoon. Photo by Art Bicnick
We include the Blue Lagoon this year with a giant asterisk — it may not be open as you’re reading this. You see, the beloved milky-hued hot bath and the spa facilities provided therein (have you had a floating massage?) is smack dab in the middle of all the seismic and volcanic activity currently keeping the Reykjanes Peninsula on its toes. Still, when it’s open, it’s a real treat.
Previous Winners
2023 – Hvammsvík
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