East Iceland is not only perfect for hikes along beautiful black beaches, puffin spotting, driving dramatic mountain passes such as the Öxi Pass and visiting small villages in remote fjords. You can also enjoy hot pools in the Eastfjords, just like in other parts of the country. Near Djúpivogur you’ll find the Djúpavogskörin Natural Geothermal Pool and close to Höfn the Hoffell hot pools. During my stay in East Iceland, I visit Vök Baths, where the geothermal pools float in a lake called Urriðavatn.
Read this article in DutchHot springs in Egilsstaðir, Lake Urriðavatn
Lake Urriðavatn lies close to the town of Egilsstaðir. The lake covers an area of 1.1 km² and reaches a depth of 15 meters. It is fed by the Hafralónslækur and Merkilækur rivers. Centuries ago, locals noticed that during the long Arctic winters certain parts of the lake never froze. An open patch of water in the ice was called a vök. These ice-free areas were created by 75-degree hot water bubbling up from geothermal springs on the lakebed, known as Tuskuvakir.
Vök Baths, floating geothermal pools in East Iceland
A few years ago, plans were made to make the hot springs more accessible to a wider audience with full respect for nature, the lake itself and Iceland’s centuries-old bathing traditions. Vök Baths opened in the summer of 2019. The complex features a building that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Inside, next to the spacious reception area, you’ll find a bistro serving dishes prepared with local ingredients. The building also houses changing rooms and showers, as well as a sauna and a 50-degree steam bath.
The different geothermal baths at Vök Baths
Along the lakeshore, right next to the main building, you’ll find the pool bar, where you can enjoy a drink while soaking in 38-degree water. A little further out are two floating pools, which you reach via a wooden walkway. The first pool has a temperature of 39–40 degrees, while the second is heated to 41 degrees. True daredevils can jump straight from these pools into Lake Urriðavatn, where the water ranges between 10 and 12 degrees. If you’re looking for an even more natural experience, there is also a shallow pool in front of the pool bar; though it isn’t as warm as the others.
My experience at Vök Baths, hot springs in East Iceland
From the photos I looked at before my visit, I could already tell this would be very different from the Blue Lagoon. It’s not nearly as large or crowded, much more intimate and the complex blends into the surroundings in a natural way. It truly feels authentic. And I can tell you: it’s wonderful. A visit here is deeply relaxing and the fact that you don’t feel crammed in with other people makes it even better. Switching between the various pools at different temperatures is a real treat. During my visit it’s cloudy, so the scenery may look a bit gray in the photos, but it still gives you that true Icelandic atmosphere, even more so than at the Blue Lagoon. That, in my opinion, feels more like a tourist attraction. Of course, the bright blue water there is an experience in itself, but the two places are simply different and not really comparable.
Booking Vök Baths tickets online
If you’re spending more time in East Iceland, I definitely recommend a visit to Vök Baths. Hot springs are far less common in this part of the country compared to other regions. Already passed the Hoffell hot pools and the Djúpavogskörin Natural Geothermal Pool and find yourself nearby? Then don’t miss the chance, you won’t regret it. Tickets for Vök Baths can easily be booked online.
