Paradise on Earth - Hot Springs in Iceland

'With the water, stress flows away and all that remains is warmth and peace' by Julia Fleißig

Relaxing in a hot spring, feeling the warmth and wellbeing fill you up, is truly one of the best feelings in the world! And which country is famous for its hot springs? Iceland!

Iceland is known as the land of water with hundreds of waterfalls and countless hot springs. A truly beautiful country, whose wild and stunning nature takes your breath away at every step, and has become increasingly popular in recent years. What used to be a hidden gem for nature lovers is now a tourist hotspot that you must visit. In the summer, the island is filled with tourists who come to enjoy the breathtaking beauty or to mingle in the vibrant city of Reykjavik. The country has so much to offer and is definitely worth a visit. But it's not just the nature that is breathtaking, Iceland also has a variety of hot springs! As a lover of hot springs, I had to visit as many as possible during my time there! Let me tell you about the amazing experiences I had with Icelandic hot springs.

First of all, it is important to distinguish between natural and artificial hot springs. Natural hot springs are often said to contain more minerals in the water and be good for health or skin. In Iceland, where the volcanoes are still active and the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in the Atlantic Ocean, you can find natural hot springs everywhere. And I mean literally everywhere. Sometimes they are just small holes with steam, indicating that it is indeed a hot spring. But be careful! Some of them are too hot for humans or contain dangerous minerals like sulfur, so you can't bathe in all of them. The ones you can visit are marked with signs that can be found along the road. Sometimes they are small baths in the gardens of owners, sometimes they are streams in the mountains. One of the most famous Icelandic hot springs is one of these.

Reykjadalur is a long river with naturally hot water and a great place to take a nice bath. The temperature is perfect for a pleasant bath and it's not too far from the capital Reykjavik. It's easy to drive there by car (there is only one main road in Iceland, you can't get lost), but to get to the relaxing hot water, you have to be a bit sporty first! It really depends on how fast you walk and how often you stop along the way to take photos - it's a scenic route through the mountains - and it can take up to an hour to get there. But trust me, it's worth it! Before you get to see the river, you see the steam from the springs and after a few more steps and one last hill, you finally made it. In a valley between two mountains, a river flows slowly with steaming, hot water. To make access easier, a wooden walkway has been built on the side, and there is enough space to walk along the river.

The further you go, the hotter the water gets. We found a spot, and although there were already a few people there, it wasn't too crowded. The water is shallow, clear, and wonderfully warm against the cold wind that hits you as soon as you get out of your clothes, making the warmth even more welcoming. You lie down, feel the warmth spreading inside you, and with every passing second, your body relaxes a little more. The stress of everyday life is washed away with the flow and disappears from your body. You breathe deeply and enjoy. When you open your eyes again, the scenery you see becomes even more relaxed. Tall mountains against a misty sky, untouched nature interrupted only by more people relaxing in the hot spring. After soaking up as much warmth as possible, you can have a delicious Icelandic meal at the restaurant at the foot of the mountain, where the parking lot is also located (while the hot spring is completely free, you have to pay for parking).
But natural hot springs are not the only popular ones! The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is world-famous and has always been a tourist magnet. As it was sometimes quite crowded, another lagoon was opened in Reykjavik last year.
The Sky Lagoon might not be as famous yet, but it is an equally great experience. Tickets can be purchased online, where you can choose between different spa courses. More expensive than the natural hot springs, but also more luxurious. There is a relaxing atmosphere, lockers, showers, and towels. After the first shower, you leave the changing area and enter an entrance that looks like a secret cave. The water is a beautiful light blue, the walls are made of natural volcanic rock, and when it gets dark, light bulbs appear in the water and on the walls, creating a mysterious light. You walk through the wonderfully warm water to the main area, where you have a fantastic view of the sea. The rounded edge of the swimming pool gives you the feeling of being right in the sea or at least just a few meters away. The view without freezing! Standing at the edge and watching the sea while the sun slowly makes its way to color the sky and then disappears to let the moon come out. Whether you see the moon or not depends, of course, on when you arrive at the lagoon, but since there is no time limit for the visit, you can stay all day! The water is warm and relaxing, and you can even buy drinks at the bar right in the pool! A good system with bracelets prevents you from worrying about bringing money. There is also a cold water pool and a sauna, which you have to book in advance and it can get a bit crowded, but with many small rooms and benches, there is enough space so that you still feel relaxed. It really is a wonderful place to relax your body and mind and enjoy a hot bath.

All in all, there are far too many reasons to visit Iceland, and the hot springs are definitely one of them!