Lagoon / Geothermal Spa
Vök Baths
East Iceland, Egilsstaðir
Experience the otherworldly sensation of soaking in warm geothermal water while floating on the serene surface of Lake Urriðavatn. Vök Baths offers a truly unique lagoon experience in East Iceland, blending natural beauty with innovative design, where the misty light blue waters invite deep relaxation amidst rugged landscapes.
️ The pool water is hot, and visitors should be mindful of staying hydrated. Always follow the facility's guidelines for a safe experience.
Float in Iceland's only lake-set geothermal pools and sip a cup of tea brewed from the country's sole certified drinkable hot spring water.
Story
On the quiet shore of Lake Urriðavatn, just outside Egilsstaðir, two infinity-edged pools reach out into the water itself — the only floating geothermal pools in Iceland. Step off the platform and the lake surrounds you on every side, its cool surface meeting the pool's rim while naturally heated water, drawn from deep boreholes, keeps you warm against the East Iceland air. Locals have long known this patch of lake for something unusual: even in the harshest winters, small holes never fully froze over. Icelanders call these ice-free openings vök (plural vakir), and old folklore names this particular spot Tuskuvakir, after a mythical horse-like creature said to live beneath the water. That local knowledge became the foundation for Vök Baths, which opened in 2019 and channels the same geothermal water — certified as Iceland's only drinkable hot spring water — into the floating pools, two onshore hot pools, a sauna, a cold plunge, and an in-water bar where visitors sip a warm tisane brewed straight from the spring.
History
The ice-free patches on Lake Urriðavatn were known to locals long before any spa existed here — old folklore calls them Tuskuvakir, tied to a mythical horse-like creature said to live in the lake, and it's from this phenomenon (vök, an 'ice-free hole') that the baths take their name. Vök Baths opened in 2019, built to put these geothermal springs to use in Iceland's first floating pools, drawing water from deep boreholes that is certified as the country's only drinkable hot spring water.
Highlights
- ✓Iceland's only floating geothermal pools on Lake Urriðavatn
- ✓Certified drinkable hot spring water, sulfur-free
- ✓Unique modern architecture integrated with natural lava fields
- ✓Serene East Iceland location, offering panoramic mountain views
- ✓Includes onshore hot pools, sauna, cold plunge, and in-water bar
Did You Know?
Vök Baths sits over natural patches of Lake Urriðavatn that never freeze — Icelanders call these openings vök — and the springs beneath them are certified as Iceland's only drinkable hot spring water.
Admission
From 7,690 ISK (adult, 16+); 3,590 ISK youth; free under 6 — per Vök Baths' official price list, checked September 2026 and subject to change.
Practical Information
Best Time
Open year-round; summer (mid-June–mid-September) gives the longest hours and warm evening light, while a winter visit under clear skies offers a chance at the Northern Lights over the lake.
Duration
1.5–2.5 hours for a relaxed soak, longer if combining with the on-site Vök Bistro.
Getting There
Vök Baths sits on the shore of Lake Urriðavatn, about a 5-minute drive from Egilsstaðir in East Iceland — an easy stop off the Ring Road. There is an on-site car park.
Transport
Self-drive via the Ring Road (Route 1) is easiest; Egilsstaðir also has a domestic airport with flights from Reykjavík, from which it's a short taxi or transfer to the baths.
Budget
7,690 ISK for adults (16+), 3,590 ISK for youth (6–15), free for children under 6, and 5,290 ISK for students, seniors (67+), and disabled visitors — per Vök Baths' published price list (subject to change; verify at vokbaths.is/hours-prices).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Vök Baths different from other geothermal spas in Iceland?+
Vök Baths has Iceland's only floating geothermal pools — two infinity-edge pools that extend directly into Lake Urriðavatn, so you're surrounded by the lake itself while soaking in naturally heated water.
Can I drink the water?+
Yes — the spring water at Vök Baths is certified as the only drinkable hot spring water in Iceland, and it's used to brew the tisanes served at the on-site tea bar included with admission.
How much does admission cost?+
Per Vök Baths' published price list: adult admission (16+) is 7,690 ISK, youth (6–15) is 3,590 ISK, children under 6 are free, and students, seniors (67+), and disabled visitors pay 5,290 ISK. Towel, swimsuit, and bathrobe rental are available for an extra fee. Prices are set by Vök Baths and can change — check vokbaths.is before you go.
What are the opening hours?+
From June 15 to September 15, Vök Baths is open daily 10:00–23:00; from September 16 to June 14, hours are daily 12:00–22:00. Hours can vary on holidays, so check vokbaths.is/hours-prices for the current schedule.
