Gudlaug Baths is a geothermal bathing spot on the shore at Akranes, in West Iceland. The structure is a low concrete block between the beach and the athletics field, with a hot pool and a shallower pool below it. People come for hot water at the edge of the North Atlantic and for the plunge into the sea afterwards. It is used mainly by residents of the town, stays open all year, and has changing rooms and toilets but no towels. Entry is charged.
Gudlaug Baths
A hot pool built into the beach itself, where bathers step out of the geothermal water and straight into the North Atlantic.
- Entrance
- Paid entry, despite older sources describing the baths as free. The fee was 2,800 ISK in spring 2026. Cards, debit and contactless accepted.
- Accessibility
- The entrance is not wheelchair accessible. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet.
- Parking
- Park between the sports arena and the football pitch; the last stretch to the baths is on foot.
- Transport
- Self-drive to Akranes (Langisandur)
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 12:00–20:00; Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00. Open all year.
- Address
- Langisandur beach, 300 Akranes
What makes it special
The baths sit on the beach at Akranes, at the edge of the North Atlantic. The structure is concrete and stacked in levels, with a hot pool and a shallower pool below it. The outlook is not postcard Iceland: an industrial waterfront takes up much of the horizon. Sitting in hot water at the edge of the ocean makes up for that. This is a town pool rather than a tour-bus stop, used mostly by people who live in Akranes, and it stays open through the winter. Many bathers finish the soak by walking down and getting into the sea. Changing rooms are basic and unheated, and no towels are handed out.
Good to know
- Entry is charged. Older listings online still call the baths free. They are not. Cards and contactless are accepted.
- Bring your own towel. None are provided.
- The changing rooms are basic and unheated. Undress fast and get into the water.
- Weekends are the busiest. The pool fills up, and a weekday visit is the quieter one.
- Planning a sea plunge afterwards? At low tide the walk down to the water is longer.
Getting there
Drive into Akranes and park between the sports arena and the football pitch. From there the way in is on foot: a footpath runs behind the arena, past the playground, and on towards the shore. The baths are in a low concrete block between the beach and the athletics field.
Best time to visit
Better: a weekday, and late in the day towards sunset.
Avoid: weekends, when the pool is at its busiest.
The hot pool is small and serves the town, so a full house is felt at once. It is open all year, and winter takes nothing away from it — the sea view works in any weather, and the water is hot regardless.
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Gudlaug Baths on the map
The concrete tiers and breakwater rocks get slippery when wet, the lowest pool is shallow, and the Atlantic here is cold enough to take your breath. Move carefully on the steps, keep sea dips brief, and watch children closely on the wet edges and near the water.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes. Towels are not provided. There are changing rooms, but they are basic and unheated, so pack a towel and something warm to put on afterwards.Can you go into the sea from the baths?
Yes. Bathers regularly go from the hot pool into the ocean. At low tide the walk down to the water is longer.Is Gudlaug Baths open in winter?
Yes, it is open all year, with shorter hours at the weekend than on weekdays.Is it suitable for children?
Yes, the baths are family-friendly and there are toilets on site.How crowded does it get?
The hot pool is small and fills up, and weekends are the busiest. Most of the people in it live in Akranes rather than travelling through.