Laugarvatn Fontana is a geothermal spa and bath complex on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn in south Iceland. The site has been used for natural bathing since 1929, and the modern Fontana spa opened in 2011. It sits along the classic Golden Circle route in south-central Iceland.
What Laugarvatn Fontana is
Laugarvatn Fontana combines geothermal bathing facilities with lakeside access at Lake Laugarvatn. The complex includes outdoor mineral baths, hot tubs, steam rooms, and a sauna.
Its setting is part of the Golden Circle area in south-central Iceland, with both bathing and geothermal baking activities operating year-round. Opening hours are longer in summer.
Steam rooms built over a natural hot spring
The steam rooms at Fontana are built directly over a naturally hot spring. Steam rises straight from the ground into the rooms.
Inside, floor grilles let visitors hear and feel the geothermal activity beneath them. This setup is a direct part of how the steam rooms work at the site.
Outdoor baths and the cold lake dip
Outdoor mineral baths and hot tubs of varying temperatures sit right beside the lake. The complex also includes a sauna.
From the warm pools, guests can step straight into the cold water of Lake Laugarvatn for a dip. The lake access is part of the bathing area on the shore.
The geothermal rye bread tradition
Fontana bakes traditional Icelandic rye bread, hverabraud, by burying the dough in the naturally hot black sand by the lake. The bread bakes underground for about 24 hours using geothermal heat before it is dug up.
Staff demonstrate the digging-up of the bread on daily geothermal bakery tours. The warm rye bread is traditionally served with Icelandic butter.
Where it sits on the Golden Circle
Laugarvatn Fontana lies roughly halfway between Thingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal area on the Golden Circle. It is about 25 km from Thingvellir and about 29 km from Geysir.
From Reykjavik, it is roughly 77 km east, about a 1 hour 15 minute drive. The location places it on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn in south Iceland.
Visiting Laugarvatn Fontana on a Golden Circle tour
Laugarvatn Fontana sits along the classic Golden Circle route, so it appears as a stop connected with Golden Circle tours. The baths and bakery operate year-round.
Allow time for the road
Check the Driving Distance Calculator when deciding how Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Guide belongs in the rest of your itinerary.
