The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin, is a natural geothermal pool at the Hverahólmi area near the village of Flúðir in south Iceland, about 100 kilometres from Reykjavík. Built in 1891, it is the oldest swimming pool in the country, and its water holds steady at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius year-round, fed by hot springs beside the pool. This guide covers where it is, its history, the water, and how to fold it into a day on the Golden Circle.
Secret Lagoon at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Icelandic name | Gamla Laugin, "the old pool" |
| Location | Hverahólmi, near Flúðir, south Iceland |
| From Reykjavík | About 100 km, roughly 1.5 hours |
| Built | 1891, Iceland's oldest pool |
| Water temperature | 38 to 40°C year-round |
| Golden Circle | Common add-on, not one of the three main stops |
Where the Secret Lagoon is
The pool sits at Hverahólmi, a small geothermal patch on the edge of Flúðir in south Iceland. From Reykjavík it is about 100 kilometres, roughly 1.5 hours by road along Route 1 and then Route 30. That location puts it close to the Golden Circle loop rather than on it, so most people reach it as part of a wider day out in the region rather than as a trip on its own. There is a car park at the site.
Iceland's oldest pool
Gamla Laugin was built in 1891, which makes it the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. From 1909 the first formal swimming lessons in the country were held here, and they continued each year until 1947, after which the pool gradually fell out of use. It was restored and reopened to the public in 2014, keeping the plain, low-key character that sets it apart from the larger, more designed spas. The name Secret Lagoon came with that revival.
The water and the hot springs
The water stays at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius throughout the year, warm enough for a long soak in any season. It comes entirely from natural hot springs next to the pool, among them Vaðmálahver, Básahver, and a small geyser called Litli Geysir. Because fresh geothermal water flows in constantly, the pool is fully replaced about every 24 hours. The pool is shallow, about 0.6 to 1 metre deep, so you stand or sit rather than swim lengths, and the floor is natural rather than tiled.
The geothermal walkway
Around the pool is an active geothermal field, and a wooden walkway lets you look at it safely. Litli Geysir erupts every few minutes, sending up short bursts of steam and hot water, and the ground nearby steams and bubbles from the springs that feed the pool. The loop takes only a few minutes to walk, and it is a good thing to do before or after a soak. Keep to the boardwalk, since the ground off it is scalding.
Adding it to a Golden Circle day
The three main Golden Circle stops are Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, and the Secret Lagoon is not one of them. It does sit near the route by Flúðir, so it slots in easily as an extra, and a warm pool works well as the last stop after a day of driving and sightseeing. Many guided trips pair the standard loop with the lagoon, including this Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour. To weigh the wider options, compare Golden Circle tours that include the Secret Lagoon before you book.
Visiting the Secret Lagoon
Bring swimwear and a towel, and expect the usual Icelandic pool rule of a full shower without swimwear before you enter. The setting is simple, with changing rooms and a small bar area rather than the extensive facilities of the big spas, which is part of the appeal for many visitors. Admission is charged, so book your entry or a tour that includes it, and allow an hour or two to enjoy the water and the walkway without rushing.
Estimate the road time
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to work out how much driving time to allow around Secret Lagoon at Flúðir: Iceland's oldest geothermal pool.
