07 Jul 2015
With the most swimming pools per capita there are dips to be had around the corner from every volcano, geyser and glacier in Iceland!
You can pack your bathers all year round when flying with WOW air, Iceland's only low-cost airline! Where Brits head to the pub to socialise, Icelanders go for a swim and despite the cold sea that surrounds the island nation, they have more swimming pools per capita than any other country in the world - handily heated year round by Iceland's geothermal energy! So this summer forget about that infinity pool on the Mediterranean and join the Icelanders for a rejuvenating dip with views of geological wonders.
Here are the top picks for this summer:
Secret Lagoon
Dating back to 1891, this is Iceland's oldest swimming pool and also a lot older than any UK brutalist monstrosity leisure centre. Situated in a geothermal area near Flúðir, the Secret Lagoon was replaced by locals in 1947, falling into a state of disrepair. The lagoon has undergone a recent renovation and is once again open to the public. As well as waters hitting up to 40 degrees Celsius year round, the pool's surrounded by geothermal spots including a small geyser that erupts every five minutes. The isolated pools and consistent water temperature make this a great place to view the Northern Lights from too (primary Lights season is from September to April).
The Secret Lagoon is around 90 minutes' drive from central Reykjavik and close to the Golden Circle route that takes in Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park. Entrance fees are just 2,500 ISK (around £12) but free for children up to 16 when accompanied by their parents. More information at www.secretlagoon.is.
Laugardalslaug
Reykjavik has seven public swimming pools, Laugardalslaug being the largest. This is as good as public swimming facilities can be with a 50m outdoor pool, recreational pools, numerous hot spas with water naturally at 37 degrees Celsius (one even filled with salty sea water), an 86 metre waterslide, a thermal steam bath and more. The pools are open daily from 06:30 all the way to 22:00, catering for city dwellers visiting before and after work.
Entrance to Laugardalslaug is just 650 ISK for adults and 140 ISK for children (around £3.15 and 65p respectively). More information at www.reykjavik.is/stadir/laugardalslaug.
Laugarvatn Fontana
This is the truly luxurious option when it comes to bathing in Iceland. Opened in 2011, the spa is situated on the shores of Lake Laugarvatn with panoramic views across the water during the day. At night the spa is kept dark, adding to the atmosphere as the steam rises into a sky which, at the right time of year, puts on a vivid Northern Lights display. The facility also bakes their own rye bread on site using the traditional Icelandic technique of burying the bread in its metal tin to be baked by the underground geothermal energy. This, and other Nordic foods can be sampled in the on-site restaurant, well worth dining at.
Although the spa is a 90 minutes' drive from Reykjavik, Fontana is perfectly situated to be tied into a Golden Circle or Northern Lights tour with Thingvellir National Park just 20 minutes away, readily available with Reykjavik Excursions. Entry costs 3,400 ISK (approx. £16) for adults 17 or over while children enter FREE. For more information, visit www.fontana.is.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Most tourists head to Iceland to avoid the monotony of a beach holiday. But everyone loves a beach day at some point during the summer and Icelanders are no different. A popular spot is Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach which, unlike the Southern Coast Beaches, has bright white sand. As well as a beach with its refreshingly cool sea, the bay also has three pools, including two hot tubs, and a long, shallow sea-water pool that is geothermally heated to 38 degrees Celsius.
Situated on the coast by Reykjavik's airport and below Perlan that overlooks the city, the geothermal beach is just a ten minute drive from Laugavegur, the city's main thoroughfare. Entry is free during summer. For more information visit www.nautholsvik.is.
WOW air flies eager swimmers from London Gatwick to Reykjavik six days a week (daily from 27/09) with up to two flights per day. Prices start from just £49 each way including taxes and hand luggage allowance large enough for a swimming costume.
For more information or to book visit www.wowair.co.uk or call 0118 321 8384.
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For further press information please contact:
Nick Wheywell / Stuart Fyfe / Kevan Barber
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: teamwow@rooster.co.uk
About WOW air
WOW air is Iceland's only low-cost airline and the most punctual, with 92% of flights arriving on time in 2013.
WOW air offers the lowest fares, a modern fleet with the lowest emissions and the biggest smile; this is the WOW air promise to its valuable customers.
WOW air flies daily from London Gatwick to Reykjavik with twice-daily flights currently on Sunday, Monday and Thursday.
As of Spring 2015, the airline services 20 destinations across Europe and North America including London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Washington DC and Boston.
Created in November 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, the purple airline flies four Airbus A320 aircraft across Europe and four Airbus A321 aircraft that service its transatlantic routes.
WOW air was ranked as the 7th best low-cost airline in Europe at the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards and was the youngest airline in the top ten.
For more information: www.wowair.co.uk