Where exactly is Marteinslaug?

It's in Haukadalsskógur forest in South Iceland's Golden Circle area, about 2 km from the Geysir geothermal field — in Bláskógabyggð, South Iceland, not the Capital Region. (Source: guidetoiceland.is)

Is Marteinslaug free?

Yes — it's an unmanaged natural pool with no admission fee, open 24 hours. (Source: guidetoiceland.is)

How hot is the water?

Reported between 39°C and 43°C. (Source: guidetoiceland.is)

There are no lifeguards or facilities, and the stone surround can be slippery, so it's better suited to visitors comfortable on uneven, wet ground. Take care not to confuse it with the much hotter Marteinshver nearby. (Source: guidetoiceland.is)

Natural Hot Spring

Marteinslaug

South Iceland

FreeOpen 24/7 (weather permitting)Difficulty: Moderate

Nestled deep within South Iceland's Haukadalsskógur forest, near the famous Geysir, Marteinslaug offers a truly authentic and serene natural hot spring experience. This rustic, stone-lined pool, partially covered by a metal grate, invites you to unwind away from the crowds. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Icelandic landscapes, surrounded by diverse flora and a peaceful stream.

️ As a rustic, undeveloped spring, visitors should exercise caution, especially regarding water temperature which can vary, and the uneven natural surroundings. There are no facilities or lifeguards.

Soak in a hidden stone pool just minutes from Geysir and Strokkur, without the crowds of the Golden Circle's headline stops.

Story

On the southern edge of Haukadalsskógur forest, a short walk from the world-famous Geysir and Strokkur, a small stone-lined pool sits tucked beside the Kaldilækur stream — easy to walk straight past if you don't know it's there. Barely a metre wide and just over half a metre deep, it holds only three to five people at a time, warmed to a gentle 39–43°C by the same geothermal forces that send Strokkur skyward every few minutes. Unlike its famous neighbors, Marteinslaug asks nothing of its visitors — no ticket, no queue, no viewing platform — just a quiet soak among the forest a few minutes off the Golden Circle's best-known stop.