The hot springs

Like many locations in Iceland, Laugarvatn belongs to a hot zone. In the grounds of the village, the lake and the shore of the lake you'll find boiling waters erupting into hot springs. This hot water and various hot springs have been used for cooking, bathing, geothermal househeating and healing steam bathing. This is the reason for the settlement of Laugarvatn.

There are three hot springs at the shore of the lake Laugarvatn. They all vary in heat and have been used for different purposes. All of the hot springs are in a walking distance of each other.

Vígðalaug
The coolest and most famous one was the site of a mass baptism for the entire Parliament of Iceland, called Alþingi, in the year of 1000. The old gathering place of the Alþingi was at Þingvellir, only 25 km away from Laugarvatn. The old pagans, after much pressure from the Norwegian king, decided to adopt Christianity and were baptized in this very spring, given that it was warm and not very far away. A smart choice because the waters at Þingvellir are quite cold!

Laugarvatn Fontana
The middle spring is the one used by Laugarvatn Fontana. The current facilities were built in 2011, but there was an old historical spa facility located here that dates back to 1929. You can learn more about the history of this area in the reception area at Laugarvatn Fontana.

Bláskógabyggð Municipality Geothermal District Heating
The third and hottest spring is used by the local municipality, Bláskógabyggð, for geothermal heating of all homes and buildings in the area. Geothermal district heating is the norm in Iceland; well over 90% of all homes and businesses are kept warm with geothermal hot water.