Built on the edge of a glittering lake, Laugarvatn Fontana is found almost dead centre of the Golden Circle sightseeing route, which means it’s an easy detour between attractions. The Golden Circle has three major sites that draw visitors to it, namely Thingvellir National Park, the waterfall, Gullfoss, and Geysir geothermal springs.

Alternatively, one could start their day dipping in these soothing pools or instead wait until the evening to enjoy their time there without the pressure of needing to hit the road. In short, the best time to visit Laugarvatn Fontana is whenever it suits your schedule. Whatever the time, the amenities remain as alluring as ever, leaving it open to repeat visits.

Winter and summer both have their benefits regarding a visit. For instance, from May to September, bathers can enjoy extended daylight hours courtesy of the Midnight Sun, plus warmer temperatures when running between pools and the steam rooms. In those magical evening hours, basked in orange twilight, there is no more satisfying a place to be than this hidden gem by the lakeside.

Those stopping by in winter will find their surroundings blanketed in snow, making the hot tubs’ heat that much more appealing. Of course, none of this mentions the ever-present chance of catching the Aurora Borealis dancing overhead, one of Iceland’s biggest draws to overseas visitors.

Those lucky enough to see them off-hand will bear witness to a kaleidoscopic cosmos, a jet-black sky interrupted by ribbons of waving colour. Given Laugarvatn Fontana’s location out in the wilderness, conditions are just right to catch a vivid light display from the pools themselves.

Driving yourself to Laugarvatn Fontana is the safest means of ensuring you won’t miss out on any other attractions that take your eye.

Below, find the time and distance between Laugarvatn Fontana and the essential nearby locations:

Laugarvatn Fontana to Geysir – 23 minutes (29.1 kilometres)
Laugarvatn Fontana to Gullfoss – 32 minutes (38.8 kilometres)
Laugarvatn Fontana to Thingvellir – 29 minutes (31.8 kilometres)
Laugarvatn Fontana to Reykjavik – 1 hour 7 minutes (77.6 kilometres)

If you want to take the luxury and style of your visit to a whole new level, you consider staying overnight in a transparent bubble.

After hours spent enjoying the warm geothermal waters of Laugarvatn Fontana, it can be an unwelcome intrusion having to return to the city’s lights and noise. On the opposite end, our bubbles offer you the chance to continue revelling in the interconnectedness with nature one feels after bathing at a geothermal spa.

Surrounded by trees and plants, you’ll lay back in your comfortable sheets, keeping your eyes peeled on the starlit sky above. Our bubble stays are particularly suited to visitors in the Golden Circle area and even those planning on sightseeing on the South Coast.

The outdoor pools boast various depths and temperatures, perfect for those uncomfortable with too much heat. Aside from the glorious South Iceland nature around you, the pool sides are decorated with sculptures by local artist Erla Þórarinsdóttir, whose work focuses on the interplay between water and art.

It is from the hot tub itself, however, that has the best views of the landscape possible, with fantastic panoramas over Lake Laugarvatn and the green, windswept hills that enclose it. Look out for Laugarvatnsfjall mountain, instantly recognisable thanks to its steep, birch-covered slopes.

The sauna is cosy and sophisticated, maintaining a temperature between 40°C to 50°C with high humidity. According to the proprietors, the steam inside boasts minerals found nowhere else, making this an obvious choice for health-conscious visitors. There are three separate sauna rooms from which to choose, leaving enough space so that the experience never feels crowded.

One significant advantage of Laugarvatn Fontana is its position by the lake, allowing guests to leave behind the pools and walk right down to the shoreline. Here they will find hot springs warming the waters around them, opening up bathing opportunities that are more natural than you find at any other spa.

Moving between the pools and lake is excellent for blood flow and circulation, only adding to the litany of reasons to visit this spa.

There are other, more delicious reasons to head down to the lake too. The shoreline’s volcanic sands are so warm that Laugarvatn Fontana now runs walking tours to demonstrate how rye bread was historically baked using geothermal energy. First, a hole is dug in the ground, then filled with a pot of dough.

The hole is then covered again and left overnight, only to be dug up the next morning, ready for serving. After seeing the process in action, you are free to sample the bread with a smidgeon of butter and a cut of smoked trout. These lip-smacking bakery tours are available over the weekends but should be pre-booked down to sheer demand.