reykjavik
Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
About Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
Laugardalur valley stretches roughly 1.5 km north-south, 3 km east of central Reykjavík. Main attractions: **Laugardalslaug:** Reykjavík's largest thermal swimming pool complex (50m outdoor pool, hot pots, steam room, waterslides). See separate attraction entry. **Botanical Garden (Grasagarður Reykjavíkur):** Established 1961, covers 5 hectares with over 5,000 plant species. Icelandic flora, international collections, greenhouse. Free entry. **Family Park and Zoo:** Small zoo with Icelandic farm animals (horses, sheep, goats, pigs, reindeer, Arctic fox), seals. Family park with playground. Popular with young children. **Sports Facilities:** Laugardalsvöllur (national football stadium capacity 15,000), indoor sports hall, athletics track. **Walking/Cycling Paths:** Network of paths along Elliðaá river and through the valley. Popular for jogging, cycling, walking dogs.
🐉 The Valley Where Clothes Were Washed
For centuries Reykjavík's women walked to Laugardalur to wash clothes in the hot springs. Now their descendants walk there to relax in the hot pool — still using the same geothermal water.
📖 History of Laugardalur — Reykjavík's Green Valley
Laugardalur was Reykjavík's traditional laundry area from settlement times until early 20th century — natural hot springs provided warm water for washing clothes. The valley was developed as recreational area from 1920s onward: botanical garden 1961, swimming pool 1968 (expanded multiple times), zoo 1990, stadium rebuilt 2008.
💡 Did You Know?
The hot springs that gave Laugardalur its name are still there — though now piped underground and used to heat Laugardalslaug swimming pool rather than for washing clothes.
Key Facts
3 km east of downtown Reykjavík
Name means 'Hot Spring Valley' — historic laundry area
Contains thermal pool, botanical gardens, zoo, national stadium
Free access to walking paths and botanical garden
Popular Sunday picnic destination for Reykjavík families
💎 Hidden Gems
The Botanical Garden in Summer
The botanical garden in June–July is surprisingly lush — sheltered microclimate means plants that shouldn't grow in Iceland actually thrive here.
The Elliðaá Salmon River Path
The path along Elliðaá river (which runs through Laugardalur) is one of the best urban walking routes in Reykjavík — and the river has a salmon run in summer.
🕐 Best Time
Sundays for family atmosphere
🚗 Access
Bus routes 2, 5, 14, 15 to Laugardalur — or 30 min walk from downtown
⏱ Duration
Half to full day
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the botanical garden free?▾
Yes — outdoor garden is free year-round. Greenhouse has small admission fee.
Is the zoo worth visiting?▾
It's small and features Icelandic farm animals (horses, sheep, reindeer, Arctic fox) — charming for young children, less interesting for adults.
📍 GPS Location
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