Icelandic Water

Icelandic Water

The Best in the World?

Icelanders have the good fortune of having access to an almost limitless and inexpensive supply of natural hot and cold water. In addition, Icelanders can be proud of the quality of drinking water, which is one of the purest in the world. The cold water from the tap is pure spring water, without any additives such as chlorine.

According to an OECD report from 2001, Icelandic drinking water is of high quality and without traces of contaminants or heavy metals. Stringent quality control measures ensure consistent quality and safety of the water.

In fact, Reykjavík Water Works, now a part of Reykjavík Energy, was the first Nordic company to receive the ISO 9001 quality standard.

Visitors to Iceland often ask why the hot water smells of rotten eggs. This is because the hot and cold water come from two different sources. It is true that the hot water sometimes smells of sulphur, which is due to the geothermal origins of the hot water, making it excellent for bathing, but not drinking. The hot water which is supplied by the geothermal power plants is best experienced in one of the many geothermal swimming pools of the city.

In order to enjoy the unique taste of the pure spring water, just remember to let the cold water run for a while from the tap before tasting, to ensure that no hot water is mixed in. The Icelandic spring water is safe, refreshing and tastes excellent. It is not without cause that Icelanders say their water is the best in the world.

Glacier Water in Iceland. Photo by Olga

Pools & Spas

Geothermal water is one of Iceland’s greatest natural resources. It’s used to heat houses and produce electricity, but most importantly, Icelanders love to swim in it. Pools and spas are a huge part of the Reykjavík lifestyle.

The country has over 170 pools – spread around the country and throughout all of the capital region’s neighbourhoods. Most swimming complexes include a lap pool, a hot tub of five and at least one steam room. If you’d like to treat yourself to Reykjavík’s loved spa culture, indulge in a trip to the local pool.

Thermal Pools included in the Reykjavík city card:

•     Arbaejarlaug – Fylkisvegur, Reykjavík
•     Breidholtslaug – Austurberg 3, 111 Reykjavík
•     Grafarvogslaug – Dalhus 2, 112 Reykjavík
•     Klebergslaug – Kjalarnes, 116 Reykjavík
•     Laugardalslaug – Sundlaugarvegur, 104 Reykjavík
•     Sundhöll Reykjavíkur – Baronstigur, 101 Reykjavík
•     Vesturbaejarlaug – Hofsvallagata, 101 Reykjavík

Other thermal pools in the Reykjavík capital area:

•     Sundhöll Hafnarfjardar – Herjolfsgata 10, Hafnarfjördur
•     Asvallalaug – Hringbraut 77, Hafnarfjördur
•     Kopavogslaug Borgarholtsbraut 17, Kopavogur
•     Salalaug – Versalir 3, 201 Kopavogur
•     Lagafellslaug – Laekjarhlid, 270 Mosfellsbaer
•     Varmarlaug – 270 Mosfellsbaer
•     Gardabaejarlaug – Bjarnastadir, 225 Alftanes
•     Sundlaug Seltjarnarness – Sudorströnd, 170 Seltjarnarnes
•     Loftleidlaug – Loftleidir hotel, 101 Reykjavík
•     Nautholsvik – Nautholsvegur, 101 Reykjavík.