3 Kid Friendly Hot Springs in Iceland
One of the main attractions of Iceland is its natural and man-made hot springs and geothermal pools. These are mostly made using nearby geyser water, which is pooled in a safe space for people to enjoy. There are many medicinal benefits to swimming in these waters, including aiding with muscle pain and stiffness, detoxifying and improving skin (I heard it’s great for eczema), enhancing sleep quality, and improving circulation, to name a few. Not to mention, it’s just overall relaxing and one of our absolute favorite things to do in Iceland. With that said, not all of the pools are kid-friendly for younger children, but we found a few that are. So if you're visiting Iceland with small children, you don’t have to miss out on this amazing experience.
Perhaps Iceland’s most popular and well-known hot spring is the Blue Lagoon. And yes, the water is naturally this color. It is a man-made pool made by pumping seawater underground, and the high silica content makes the water this gorgeous light blue color. Children used to be free to visit, but now you pay a small fee for them. They offer complimentary pool floats for the kids, which are mandatory for them to wear (you can also bring your own), and there are lifeguards stationed throughout. The lagoon is not very deep. I’m 5’3” and can walk the whole thing with the water never passing my shoulders. My kids LOVED it here because not only is it large with little man-made caves and places to sit, but they also loved swimming up to the bar for a drink and getting a free volcanic face mask. Our children really enjoyed the experience, even at 4 and 2, and even more so when we went again, at ages 5 and 3. I would say that, of all the pools we've experienced in Iceland so far, the Blue Lagoon isn't the hottest, which is actually good for children if you are worried about them overheating, though we never had that issue with any of the hot springs we visited with the kids.
On-site, you will also find a cafe and restaurant, making it easy to feed the kiddos.
The only area of the lagoon that children are not allowed in is the spa area. If you opt for the spa package, you get access to a separate part of the lagoon reserved for spa patrons. We did this once before having kids, and it was amazing, so if you get the opportunity, I would highly recommend it. But in the general area, you still have access to a steam room, a cold plunge, and a sauna, so you can still get spa features without paying for the spa package. Make sure to book any tickets in advance on their website.
Secret Lagoon is considered Iceland's oldest pool and is honestly not a secret, as the name would imply. It’s quite popular but not nearly as much as Blue Lagoon, which makes it a nicer, more low-key place to visit with the kids. This was another hit with our children. They also offer mandatory floaties for the children. It's much smaller than Blue Lagoon and less fancy, but honestly, we always enjoyed Secret Lagoon more, fewer bells and whistles, a much more affordable price, and it's simple, clean, and nice. It’s best to reserve your time ahead and book on their site. They also have a small cafe here, but with minimal offerings; however, nearby you can find many places to eat. We have visited Secret Lagoon with and without children, and it's just as enjoyable either way.
Now, there is a caveat to this hot spring that I must mention off the top. Hvammsvík offers a public hot spring of 8 small pools, but they only allow children 10+. But if you decide to stay here, they have a small private hot spring nestled along the beach that welcomes all ages. This is a small natural hot spring, so you won't have any amenities like a shower or changing room. It’s a true nature experience. We did this in the winter, which was an event, to say the least, but during the warmer months, it would be an easy walk and a lovely experience with your littles. (Though we did have the best experience in the winter, our kids are pretty much down for most adventures, even though they had to change in freezing weather outside.) The water is not that deep; my 5-year-old could stand in it just fine. Make sure to bring water shoes, as you have to climb over rocks to get in. I recommend visiting this pool in the early morning to ensure you have it all to yourself, as it is rather small, and it’s such a nice experience to enjoy it with just your family. However, if you visit in the early winter months, when the sun sets rather early (3 pm). You may be able to visit in the evening and catch the northern lights while basking in the hot pool. This is definitely on my list of things to experience. Nevertheless, we loved this hot spring and being immersed in nature, watching the tide roll in, and the birds gather food. It’s one of our top family memories for sure.
Note: If you really want a fully private experience, Hvammsvík offers a house with its OWN geothermal pool, which is honestly what I dream of, and I would highly recommend booking this house if you decide to stay here. And if you would like to experience the public hot springs, the resort offers a discount to all of its guests.
In conclusion, don’t let traveling to Iceland with small children stop you from experiencing these geothermal waters. It is an enjoyable expreience for adult sand children alike and you wont regret takign your little