On the banks of the Hvítá, Laugarás combines a geothermal character with bathing facilities and the cultural history of its surrounding area. The Hverasvæðið geothermal area, Laugarás Lagoon and the greenhouses show different sides of the town. Nearby Skálholt adds a long history as an episcopal see. You can tailor your stay to whether you are most interested in the landscape, bathing facilities or history.
Geothermal energy and landscape
The Hverasvæðið geothermal area includes a lake or pond formed by hot springs. From there, a stream flows into the river at Launrétt. The strong geothermal heat in Laugarás has also created conditions for numerous greenhouses and a distinctive ecosystem. The bodies of water, geothermal heat and greenhouse landscape give the town a geothermal character that extends beyond a single site.
Bathing and seasonal cuisine
Laugarás Lagoon is located in Laugarás near Iðubrú in Bláskógabyggð. Its facilities include a two-storey bathing area and steam baths. The facility is heated using geothermal energy from a source in the town; there is also a cold pool with glacial water from the Hvítá. This means a geothermal-heated bathing area and a cold pool with river water are connected to the local geothermal energy in different ways. Check the current facility details before visiting.
The Ylja restaurant at Laugarás Lagoon offers a varied, seasonal menu focusing on ingredients from the surrounding area. As the offering is seasonal, it is worth checking the current menu before planning a meal. This also lets you experience the cuisine in Laugarás as part of the local produce and seasonal selection, without assuming there is a fixed menu.
Other activities in town and nearby
Slakki in Laugarás is a petting zoo and also has a playground and a mini-golf course. The facilities offer different activities: animals, a playground and mini golf. When choosing what to do, you can decide which options suit your interests.
Nearby, the salmon river Iða and the Brúará offer opportunities for fishing. Permit requirements and seasonal conditions for both rivers can change; check the current rules in advance. This excursion differs from the bathing facilities in Laugarás: when fishing, local conditions and the current season are part of the planning.
Cultural history in Skálholt
Nearby Skálholt was a centre of Icelandic social life from the mid-11th century until the end of the 18th century. For around 750 years, it was considered a kind of capital of Iceland. Numerous cultural monuments are regarded as primary sources on the history of the episcopal see. The museum in Skálholt displays, among other things, the stone sarcophagus of Bishop Páll Jónsson, who died in 1211. Together, the monuments and this specific museum object offer insight into different aspects of the town’s history.
Discover more destinations: Skálholt, Eyrarbakki, Villingaholt, Selfoss, Blaskogabyggd, Sólheimar, Vestmannaeyjar, Vestmannaeyjabær
For the broader travel overview: Sudurland.
