Natural Hot Spring
Sæberg Hot Tubs
North Iceland
Saeberg Hot Tubs is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
Soak in two naturally heated hot tubs right on the shore of Hrútafjörður, a quiet, low-key stop roughly midway between Reykjavík and Akureyri.
Story
On the eastern shore of Hrútafjörður, where Route 1 bends north toward Akureyri, two geothermal hot tubs sit right at the water's edge at Sæberg — a former boarding-school building at Reykjaskóli, now run as a Hostelling International (HI) hostel and campsite in Húnaþing vestra, in Iceland's northwest. The tubs are simple: naturally heated water at around 37°C and 40°C, framed by the still fjord and moorland behind it, with oystercatchers and eider ducks working the shoreline and, on a good day, a seal or a distant whale passing through the fjord. This isn't a spa built for tour buses — it's a hostel amenity that happens to sit on real geothermal water, roughly midway between Reykjavík and Akureyri on the Ring Road. Guests staying at Sæberg soak for free after a day on the road; travelers just passing through may be able to join them for a fee, but should arrange it with the hostel ahead of time rather than expecting a walk-up public bath.
History
Sæberg is a former boarding-school building at Reykjaskóli, on the Hrútafjörður shore, now operated as a Hostelling International (HI) hostel and campsite. No independently verified founding date or history for the hot tubs themselves was found in this research — sources describe the current facility (two tubs heated by local geothermal water) but not when they were built.
Did You Know?
Despite being listed under West Iceland in places, Sæberg's hot tubs actually sit in Húnaþing vestra, part of Iceland's northwest, on the shore of Hrútafjörður — the fjord that traditionally marks the boundary between the Westfjords and North Iceland.
Admission
Free for hostel/campsite guests. No published day-visitor rate found — contact Sæberg HI Hostel directly to confirm access and cost for non-guests.
Practical Information
Best Time
Year-round; the tubs are outdoors on the shoreline, so calm weather makes for a more comfortable soak, and the off-season offers a quieter fjord view.
Duration
30–60 minutes for a soak; most visitors combine it with an overnight hostel stay.
Getting There
The tubs are located at Reykjaskóli, about 1 km off Route 1, on the eastern shore of Hrútafjörður in Húnaþing vestra, Northwest Iceland — roughly midway between Reykjavík (~3.5 hrs) and Akureyri (~2.25 hrs). Free for hostel/campsite guests; day visitors should contact the hostel ahead of time, as this is not an open public facility.
Transport
Self-drive via Route 1 is easiest (paved access road suitable for standard 2WD); the Reykjavík–Akureyri long-distance bus also stops at Reykjaskóli.
Budget
Free for guests staying at the HI Sæberg hostel or campsite. No published day-use price was found for outside visitors — contact the hostel directly (saeberg@hostel.is) to confirm availability and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sæberg Hot Tubs open to the public?+
The hot tubs are primarily an amenity for guests staying at the Sæberg HI hostel or campsite, who use them free of charge. Day visitors may be able to use them for a fee, but should contact the hostel in advance to arrange access — this is not a walk-up public bathing facility.
What is the water temperature?+
The two tubs are maintained at approximately 37°C and 40°C, heated by local geothermal water.
Where exactly is Sæberg located?+
Sæberg sits at Reykjaskóli on the eastern shore of Hrútafjörður, about 1 km off Route 1 (the Ring Road), in the Húnaþing vestra municipality in Northwest Iceland — roughly midway between Reykjavík and Akureyri, and about 15 km from Hvammstangi.
How do I get there without a car?+
Reykjaskóli is a stop on the Reykjavík–Akureyri long-distance bus route, with two buses a day in summer and one in winter.