Our sunny summer days tend to top out around 13° C, and that, let us tell you, fully constitutes beach weather. Maybe you’re not up for an ocean dip with members of the resident Sea Swimming and Sea Bathing Association (see ‘Best Cheap Thrill’), but there are plenty of other warming activities that you can take part in at Nauthólsvík, the city’s very own geothermal beach. Better yet, access to the facilities—changing rooms, a long outdoor hot tub, and a sauna—are free in the summer. The hot pot will be rather sandy (it’s a beach, after all), and you’ll probably have a dozen or so small children snorkeling over your legs as you lounge, but it’s all part of the convivial atmosphere. Make a day of it and buy some cheap (uncooked) hot dogs at the snack bar to grill up on one of the outdoor BBQs.

2013: Nauthólsvík
2012: Hjartagarðurinn

Photo by Alisa Kalyanova