Seljavallalaug pool was built in 1923 and is a 25-metre pool on Iceland's South Coast. It is reached by a roughly 15 to 20 minute walk from the parking area, and the water usually ranges from about 20 to 30 degrees Celsius depending on season.
A brief history of one of Iceland's oldest pools
Seljavallalaug is one of Iceland's oldest swimming pools, built in 1923. It was the largest pool in Iceland until 1936, and it reflects Iceland's early swimming culture. The pool was once used to teach compulsory swimming lessons.
In 2010, the Eyjafjallajokull eruption filled the pool with ash. It was later cleared by volunteers.
Where Seljavallalaug sits below Eyjafjallajokull
Seljavallalaug sits in a narrow valley below the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on the South Coast. The site lies near Skogar, between the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.
The walk from the parking area to the pool
The pool is reached by a walk of roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the parking area. The trail is rocky but manageable on foot.
What the water is really like
The pool is fed by a natural warm spring and is only lukewarm. Water temperatures range from about 20 to 30 degrees Celsius depending on season.
Rustic facilities and what to expect on site
Seljavallalaug is unstaffed and has no lifeguard, ticket booth, showers, or restrooms. It is open to the public year-round, with swimming at your own risk.
Changing facilities are basic, rustic sheds that are not cleaned regularly. The pool is cleaned only occasionally by volunteers, so the water can look green or murky from algae. Conditions on site can be slippery.
Visiting Seljavallalaug on a South Coast tour
If you want to compare options, see South Coast tours.
Check the timing
The Driving Distance Calculator helps turn a visit to Seljavallalaug pool: what to know before visiting into a realistic self-drive day.
