Laugarvatn lies between Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Water, nature and history offer different perspectives on the area: you can include geothermal bathing, cultural heritage and activities nearby in your travel plans. The shallow lake Laugarvatn lies close to the village and covers an area of about 2 km². Historic sites such as Héraðsskólinn and Vígðalaug add to the discoveries around the water.
Lake, bathing and geothermal energy
Hot springs beneath Laugarvatn warm the lake, making it suitable for swimming year-round. Nearby, Laugarvatn Fontana offers warm geothermal pools and natural steam rooms. The Laugarvatn swimming pool has a sauna. The options differ: the lake offers bathing in naturally heated water, while Fontana has pools and steam rooms, and the swimming pool features a sauna. Which of these options appeals to you most depends on the kind of bathing experience you are looking for.
Rye bread and local cuisine
At Laugarvatn Fontana, visitors can try rye bread baked in Laugarvatn's hot springs. If you plan to include this tasting, check the tour's availability before your trip. Fontana's Local Kitchen also offers a taste of the area: the menu includes soup with freshly baked rye bread and smoked Arctic char caught in Laugarvatn. The food offerings may change.
School history and local tradition
Héraðsskólinn in Laugarvatn was built in 1928 and designed by Guðjón Samúelsson. The building also has a literary connection: the novel “Sjálfstætt Fólk” was written at Héraðsskólinn in 1934. Laugarvatn is also home to Vígðalaug, which is associated with baptisms following the Christianization at Þingvellir in the year 1000. The area's history thus brings together both a 20th-century building and a tradition connected with the Christianization of Iceland.
Landscape and outdoor activities
Nearby Laugarvatnsfjall has birch-covered western slopes and protects the village from the weather. North of the village, hringsjá lies between the mountain and the lake. From this viewpoint, you can look out over Laugarvatn and its surroundings. There are many marked hiking trails in the area; check locally which routes are available and what condition they are in.
North of the lake, green hills and wooded areas are suitable for camping and hiking; horseback riding is also an option, though the availability of providers may vary. On Laugarvatn, rental boats and sailboards are possibilities, but their availability may vary by season. For planning purposes, it is helpful to note the difference: the lake is suitable for swimming year-round, while boat and sailboard rentals may be seasonal. Outside Laugarvatn, nearby lakes and rivers offer fishing opportunities. Check permits and access conditions before fishing.
Discover more destinations: Sólheimar, Vík Í Mýrdal, Hella, Laugarás, Vestmannaeyjar, Hveragerdi, Ólafsvellir, Búðarhólshverfi
For the main travel overview: Sudurland.
