Laugardalur Valley in Iceland

Laugardalur Valley in Iceland

The Laugardalur valley is a Reykjavík neighbourhood that lies east of the city centre. Filled with parks, sport centres, and other recreational opportunities, Laugardalur is the perfect place to spend a sunny day.

History

The name of the valley roughly translates to hot spring valley, and it takes its name from the hot springs where the women of Reykjavík used to wash laundry. Laugavegur, Reykjavík's main shopping street, shares a name with the valley, since it was first built as a way for the washerwomen to the hot springs. Later, the hot water was used to make a swimming pool and Laugardalur soon became a centre for sports and outdoor activities.

Reykjavík's Largest Thermal Pool

Today, Laugardalur still has the largest swimming pool in Reykjavík, the Laugardalslaug. It's got an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, hot tubs of varying temperatures, a wading pool, a sunbathing area, a stream bath and a waterslide – it's basically a watery paradise. Having a chat with the locals in the hot tub is essential but there's also plenty of other activities in Laugardalur.

Icelandic Hills. Photo by Olga

Parks and Gardens

Laugardalur also boasts a beautiful garden featuring an impressive selection of arctic flowers and plants. Beneath the branches of a leafy grove in the gardens, you'll find the lovely Café Flora. Right by the botanical garden is The Family Park & Zoo in Laucardalur. The Zoo includes most Icelandic animals, both wild and domesticated, from foxes, reindeer and seals to cattle, horses and sheep. In summer, the Family Park offers rides and play equipment for children of all ages as well.

The Reykjavík Art Museum – Asmundur's Studio

At the edge of the Laugardalur valley, not far fro Laugardalur Arena is a strangerly shaped, domed white building that's well worth a visite. This is Asmundarsafn, the former studio of Asmundur Sveinsson (1893 – 1982), which has now been converted into a museum. Asmundur was a pioneer of Icelandic sculpture and you can see his sculptures in many different locations all around the city, such as in front the main building of the University of Iceland and on the corner of Laekjargata and Bankastraeti in the city center.

The Laugardalur Stadium

Finally, Reykjavík's main sports stadium, Laugardalsöllur, is also located in Laugardalur valley. Close to the stadium is the Lagardalshöll arena, a multipurpose indoor venue built in 1965. In addition to large pop and rocj concerts, trade shows, exhibitions and the 1995 World Championship of Handball, the Laugardalshöll hosted the famous 1972 World Chess Championships, where Amercan Bobby Fischer defeated Russian Boris Spassky.