North Iceland gets fewer visitors than the area around the capital, Reykjavik. But its warm pools are an important part of daily life. People of different ages spend time together there, especially in winter. In December 2025, UNESCO added Iceland’s swimming pool culture to its list of important living traditions.
Akureyri is a town of about 20,000 people in the north. A flight from Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes. The town sits in a valley, so its winter weather is often less cold than visitors expect. Local families bring children to the town pool, and teenagers meet friends there.
Visitors can also try Forest Lagoon, across the water from Akureyri. It has warm pools, a cold pool, and views of the sea. GeoSea is about an hour from town. Its pools have different temperatures and look over a bay. Whales sometimes appear there, especially in summer.
Before entering the pools, everyone must wash well without clothes. People share an open shower area. They then put on swimsuits for pools where men and women swim together. These pools are not just places for a warm bath. They are also places to meet other people.
