Looking for a hot spring near Reykjavik where you can switch between warm pools and the cold Atlantic? Then we can send you to Hvammsvik Hot Springs with an easy heart. And you can save 10% on top of any other discount with our exclusive Hvammsvik Iceland discount code: EPICICELAND.
Hvammsvik has 8 natural hot springs right on the shore of Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), only 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Some pools stay warm, some change with the tides, and one disappears under the ocean completely at high tide. Yes, really.
Below we share why it’s one of our favorite hot springs in Iceland, how it compares to the Blue Lagoon, how to use our promo code, and what our visit was like.
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Why Hvammsvik Hot Spring
There are dozens of hot springs in Iceland, from wild pools in the highlands to big polished spas. So why Hvammsvik? Here are 4 reasons that matter to us.
Hvammsvík hot springs SPA. Image courtesy to: https://hvammsvik.com/
Hot springs that meet the ocean
Each of the 8 pools is different. The Old Hot Spring is the warmest at 39-42°C, the Lounge Pool with the swim-up bar sits at 38-39°C, and the Tidal Pool is around 35°C, but only when the ocean lets it.
Because the pools sit on a black sand beach, the water level and temperature of some pools change with the tides. Hvammsvik even posts the daily high tide times on their hot springs page, so you can plan your soak around them.
Hot and cold, the Icelandic way
Icelanders love switching between hot and cold water, and Hvammsvik is made for it. You can walk straight into the North Atlantic Ocean, or use the new ocean plunge pool filled with seawater right next to the sauna.
The Finnish sauna (70-90°C) has a view over the fjord, and there’s a steam room too. Brave? Ocean. Less brave? Plunge pool. Not brave at all? The Old Hot Spring won’t judge you 🙂
This is what your visit to Hvammsvik can look like
Quiet, yet close to Reykjavik
Hvammsvik limits the number of guests with booked time slots. The pools are spread along the shoreline, so even on a busier day it rarely feels crowded.
And it’s only 56 km from Reykjavik. That’s a rare combination. Most truly quiet hot springs in Iceland, like Strútslaug in the highlands, need a 4×4 and a proper hike.
Easy to add to your road trip
Hvammsvik is about 25 minutes from the Þingvellir visitor centre, so you can start or end a Golden Circle day here. It also fits nicely on the way to Snæfellsnes, or into one of our best day trips from Reykjavik.
Hvammsvik vs Blue Lagoon
Hvammsvik or Blue Lagoon? Either both, or it depends
Hvammsvik or the famous Blue Lagoon? Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose.
| Hvammsvik | Blue Lagoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Hvalfjörður, 45 min from Reykjavik | Reykjanes, ~50 min from Reykjavik [*estimated], 20 min from KEF airport |
| Adult price | From 5,900 ISK | From 11,990 ISK (dynamic) |
| Pools | 8 natural pools + ocean plunge pool | 1 large lagoon |
| Water temp | From ocean temperature up to 42°C | 37-40°C |
| Ocean dip | Yes | No |
| Sauna / steam | Finnish sauna + steam room | Sauna + steam room |
| Minimum age | 10 years | 2 years |
| Crowds | Limited slots, calm | Big, often busy |
| Setting | Fjord, black sand beach, mountains | Lava field, next to a power plant |
| Our discount | EPICICELAND (10%) | – |
| Best for | Nature lovers, hot-cold fans | Luxury lovers, silica masks |
Want the famous milky water, silica masks, and a sense of luxury? Go for the Blue Lagoon. Want ocean, mountains, 8 different pools, and typically fewer people? Hvammsvik is our pick for more remote pools. And with our code, it’s also the cheaper one.
Looking for wilder, free spots? Check our list of hidden gems in Iceland.
Hvammsvik Facilities
Hvammsvik is just a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik
Hvammsvik has 3 ticket packages. All of them include unlimited time in all 8 hot springs, the sauna, the steam room, and a wristband for the swim-up bar.
- Natural – natural changing area, open showers, and a safety box for valuables
- Classic – indoor changing rooms, a private locker, and private shower booths
- Comfort – everything in Classic, plus a towel, wading shoes, and 1 drink
If you care about privacy in the showers, go Classic. If you forget things (like us), Comfort saves you a few trips to the reception 🙂
Every ticket also includes activities like paddle boarding (summer, weather permitting), Wim Hof intro sessions, and guided ocean swimming. And the Atlas Challenge, where you try to lift a heavy stone over your shoulder, the old Icelandic strength test.
You can rent towels, swim shoes, and swimwear. After your soak, Stormur Bistro serves light Nordic food (own food is not allowed).
Want to stay overnight? Hvammsvik has houses for rent on the estate, both renovated historic houses and newly built Artist Lodges. There are also daily transfers from Reykjavik if you don’t have a car.
A few practical things: you shower without a swimsuit before entering (standard Icelandic rule), the place is cashless (no Amex), and parking is free, with EV chargers.
History
One of the fjord views from Hvammsvik
Hvammsvík is old. A settler named Hvamm-Þórir made his home here around AD 900, and the place is mentioned in Landnámabók, the Icelandic Book of Settlements.
During World War II, Hvalfjörður was a major Allied naval base. According to Hvammsvik, there were almost 40,000 soldiers and over 200 ships here at the peak, and the estate was code-named “Falcon Crest” to hide its location.
The story goes that Winston Churchill held secret meetings in the Hill Top House, built by the British Navy as a communications headquarters.
In 2011, Skúli Mogensen, the founder of the former WOW air airline, bought the estate. Together with his wife Gríma Björg Thorarensen, he opened the hot springs in 2022. A hotel is planned for 2028.
Hvammsvik Discount Code
The Hvammsvik Iceland discount code is EPICICELAND. It gives you 10% off your Hvammsvik Hot Springs ticket, and it stacks on top of any other discount Hvammsvik may be running.
We really like the calm, natural feel of this place, so we partnered with Hvammsvik. Our Hvammsvik Iceland promo code works on all 3 ticket packages, year-round.
There’s no limit on how many times you can use it. Visiting twice on your trip? Use the Hvammsvik coupon code twice.
Planning more of your trip? You can find all our other codes for tours and car rentals on our Iceland discounts page.
Hvammsvik is our official partner. We confirm the Hvammsvik promo code EPICICELAND directly with Hvammsvik and guarantee the code is current and working. We never provide any fake or expired codes. We always negotiate the code personally with Hvammsvik.
How to Use the Hvammsvik Iceland Discount Code
Using our Hvammsvik promo code is quick:
- Go to booking.hvammsvik.com
- Choose your package, date, time slot, and number of guests
- At checkout, find the promo code field
- Enter EPICICELAND and click apply
- You’ll see the 10% discount in the final price before you pay
That’s it. Our tip: book in advance. Walk-ins are accepted only if there’s a free slot, and weekends fill up fast.
Reviews
Hvammsvik boasts one of the best hot spring reviews in Iceland
Hvammsvik says it’s the highest-rated hot spring in Iceland on Google, with a 4.9-star rating on both Google and TripAdvisor. It was also covered by Time Out.
What guests like the most: the calm atmosphere, the different pool temperatures, the ocean dip, and the friendly staff. The seafood soup at Stormur gets a lot of love too.
The negative reviews? Mostly the price, slippery rocks, a cold walk between pools in winter (a bit LOL this one for us), and a small bistro that fills up quickly. Fair points, but none of them surprised us.
Our experience with Hvammsvik
The drive is part of the fun. The road along Hvalfjörður is quiet, with mountains on one side and the fjord on the other. It feels much further from Reykjavik than 45 minutes. Just don’t stop for photos every 2 minutes like we did, or your time slot will be gone 🙂
The Old Hot Spring was our favorite. It’s the warmest pool, and we kept coming back to it after every cold dip.
The ocean dip is worth it. It’s cold. Very cold. We planned a little swim, but we lasted maybe 30 seconds (and that’s being generous to ourselves). The hot pool afterwards felt amazing, though. Wear swim shoes, the rocks are sharp and slippery.
Leave your towel inside. In colder months, a wet towel in Icelandic wind is useless. Our walk between the pools turned into a quick penguin run, with a stop in the steam room on the way.
Our experience with Hvammsvik has always been amazing. Fjord is the best!
We rubbed the elf stone. There’s an elf stone in the Upper Beach Pool that should bring good luck. It didn’t help us with the Atlas stones (they stayed exactly where they were ^^), but we’re still hopeful about the rest of our trip.
Eat the seafood soup. A warm bowl at Stormur Bistro was the perfect finish. Come before peak lunch time if you want a table.
One note: Hvammsvik is not a cheap hot spring. But with 8 pools, a sauna, and no time limit, we felt it was worth it. And with our 10% off, even more so 🙂.
If you visit on a clear winter evening, keep an eye on the sky. Hvammsvik is dark enough for the Northern Lights when the aurora forecast looks good. Just read our Iceland winter tips before driving there in the dark.
Hvammsvik FAQ
What is the Hvammsvik Iceland discount code?
Our Hvammsvik Iceland discount code is EPICICELAND. It gives you 10% off your Hvammsvik Hot Springs ticket, and it stacks on top of any other discount Hvammsvik may be running.
How do I use the Hvammsvik promo code?
Book on booking.hvammsvik.com, choose your package and time slot, and enter EPICICELAND in the promo code field at checkout. The 10% discount is applied before you pay.
Can you see the Northern Lights at Hvammsvik?
Yes, sometimes. From September to April, Hvammsvik is dark enough to see the aurora on clear nights with good solar activity. Book a late time slot in winter for the best chance.
How far is Hvammsvik from Reykjavik?
Hvammsvik is 56 km from Reykjavik, about a 45-minute drive. If you don’t have a car, Hvammsvik runs daily transfers from Reykjavik. Before driving in winter, always check road conditions.
Is Hvammsvik better than the Blue Lagoon?
It depends on what you want. Hvammsvik is quieter, more natural, and cheaper, with 8 pools and direct ocean access. Blue Lagoon is bigger and more luxurious, with silica masks. For nature lovers, Hvammsvik is our call.
What is the age limit at Hvammsvik?
Guests must be at least 10 years old. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Everyone over 10 pays the same price.
What are the Hvammsvik opening hours?
From 1 June to 20 August, Hvammsvik is open 10:00 to 22:00 (last entry 20:30). From 21 August to 31 May, it’s open 10:30 to 20:30 (last entry 19:00). You can stay as long as you like until closing. See our guide on when to visit Iceland to pick your season.
