Pool
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Nauthólsvík
Region: Reykjavík Capital AreaCoordinates: 64.1216° N, 21.9287° W
Nauthólsvík is Reykjavík's geothermal sea-bathing beach, where hot water flows into hot tubs and a partly enclosed ocean bay beside a sandy urban beach. It is a rare place to combine cold North Atlantic swimming with managed geothermal facilities inside the city.
Plan the stop
- Who it suits
- All ages
- All ages can use the beach and hot tubs with supervision; sea swimming requires cold-water awareness and close monitoring.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair · Partial
- The site has urban services and mapped facilities, but sand, beach access, tides, and hot-tub entry limit full wheelchair accessibility.
- Limited mobility · Partial
- Changing facilities and nearby parking help, though sand, wet surfaces, steps, and entering the sea or hot tubs can be difficult.
- Sensory · Limited
- Cold sea shock, wind, bright sand glare, busy beach noise, and hot-cold contrast can be intense.
- Cognitive · Partial
- Visitors must distinguish the warmer lagoon, hot tubs, open sea, tide conditions, and changing-room rules.
Why it matters
The modern beach turns a Reykjavík cove into a public sea-bathing area, while the surrounding Nauthóll area has older local history and wartime aviation associations near the city airport and Öskjuhlíð.