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Things to do in Laugarvatn

Our most recommended things to do in Laugarvatn

Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience

1. Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience

Take part in a unique baking experience in the heart of the Golden Circle, the most popular route in Iceland. Take a stroll around the geothermal area and learn about the history of this baking technique. Witness firsthand how the dark rye dough is prepared and then buried in the warm ground with a lively 30-minute demonstration. Discover how the slow cooking of 24 hours gives the bread its memorable taste. Get to sample a fresh batch of lava bread, placed in the ground the day before. Geothermal bathing is also offered at Laugarvatn Fontana, however, tickets for bathing must be booked separately.

Golden Circle and Fontana Wellness Tour from Reykjavik

2. Golden Circle and Fontana Wellness Tour from Reykjavik

Depart Reykjavik for a full-day coach tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle and experience the geothermal wilderness up-close. Depart the city center and drive to the Geysir Geothermal Area to see springs of spouting spring water and the most active geyser Iceland at Strokkur. Continue to Gullfoss to stand next to an amazing waterfall. Watch the vast quantities of water tumble violently into a deep, meandering gorge. Encounter a cross-section of Iceland's natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park. Then, go to the natural steam baths at Fontana. Originally built in the 1920s, Fontana was little more than a shack with 2 compartments built above the hot spring that bubbles and gurgles below ground. Today, a modern complex invites you to relax in various hot tubs and steam baths that are naturally heated by hot springs. Enjoy some traditional rye bread baked in hot springs before the return transfer to Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

3. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

Take yourself on the Golden Circle Classic, a full-day tour that brings you close to some of Iceland's most beautiful natural sites. This popular excursion introduces you to some of the best known historical sites and natural phenomena in Iceland, all with the commentary of a knowledgeable guide. Begin with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament Alþingi was founded in the year 930 AD. Þingvellir is geologically remarkable and the tectonic plate boundaries form a breathtaking scenery. Then head to the beautiful waterfall Gullfoss and walk toward the edge to feel the mist of the glacial water on your face. From there, journey toward the geothermal area around the incredible spouting hot springs of Geysir and Strokkur, before traveling back to Reykjavik. 

Laugarvatn: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Entry Ticket

4. Laugarvatn: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Entry Ticket

Entrance to the geothermal baths at Laugarvatn Fontana will complete your experience of the Golden Circle and enhance the tradition by locals, to bathe in the steam and hot water streaming endlessly from the ground. Enjoy admission to the geothermal baths, natural steam baths, and the use of shower and changing rooms with lockers. Shampoo, conditioner, creams, and cotton pads are available in locker rooms free of charge.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Waterfalls Small Group Tour

5. Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Waterfalls Small Group Tour

Get back to nature and discover the icons of the Golden Circle on a full-day tour from Reykjavik. Enter historic Þingvellir National Park, where the national parliament was founded in 930 A.D. Discover where the tectonic plates of two continents are in constant movement.  Make a quick stop at Laugarvatn village and at Efstidalur farm to get a glimpse of the local life of the area. Then, head to the Strokkur geyser which erupts every five minutes at Geysir geothermal area. Feel the power of Gullfoss waterfalls where the water coming from the Langjökull glacier flows incessantly in all its glory. Stop for lunch at the Friðheimar tomato farm. After lunch, admire the astonishing Kerið crater which is over three thousand years old. Hear amazing stories from the centuries, and discover a variety of geothermal landscapes along the way. 

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Trip

6. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Trip

Drive through the beautiful landscape of the southern part of Iceland and stop at all the main sights, and even some extra stops on this full day tour of the Golden Circle.  On the morning of your tour, you will make several stops. On your way from Reykjavík to you will drive through the beautiful lava fields and geothermal area before making your first stop in the town of Hveragerði to see an earthquake exhibition. Your next stop will be at the picturesque Faxi waterfall before heading to the most popular waterfall in Iceland, Gullfoss.  Enjoy lunch at the Geysir geothermal area, where you can also take some time to walk around and see the hot spring erupt. The last stop of your day will be at the Þingvellir National Park. Both a UNESCO heritage site and the site of the tv show Game of Thrones, the park is full of amazing views. You will then head back to Reykjavík to end your day tour of the Golden Circle.

From Reykjavík: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip

7. From Reykjavík: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip

Marvel at Strokkur geyser, Thingvellir National Park, and Gullfoss Waterfall on a day trip from Reykjavík. Visit a local farm and soak in the Secret Lagoon hot spring, entry tickets included. Experience all the natural phenomena of the golden circle in one day. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, where the parliament was established in 930 A.D. Soak in the history and unique views as you walk between North American and European tectonic plates. Then it’s time to hit the road again to the Langjökull Geyser. This geyser has been inactive for some time, but Strokkur (right next to it) erupts every 5-8 minutes, so be camera-ready. Continue the journey to the Golden Waterfall. Located in the canyon of Hvítá, the waterfall plummets down into a 32-meter-deep crevice. From the parking area, it's also possible to walk all the way down to the falls (10-minute walk). Later, head to Friðheimar Tomato Farm for lunch (costs not included). It has ample supplies of geothermal water that provide heat to the greenhouses where they grow tomatoes. Walk around the greenhouse and taste their famous tomato soup. The last stop is the Secret Lagoon, the oldest natural swimming pool in Iceland. Heated with geothermal energy, the pool is a natural resource of warm water coming from the hot springs. It’s a perfect way to end this tour, relaxing in warm water while enjoying the endless nature views.

Reykjavik: Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths

8. Reykjavik: Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths

Departing from Reykjavik, drive through the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park to arrive at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, where you can nourish both your body and soul. Upon arrival, you can purchase a homemade soup and then and then head into the geothermal baths for a cozy evening. Fontana Spa is equipped with three steam rooms built over a natural hot spring as well as a traditional sauna with three hot pools. The more adventurous can even take a dip in Laugarvatn Lake (when available) to cool down between the steam baths and sauna.  The steam temperatures range from 104°F to 122°F, depending on the hot springs and the weather. The steam rooms offer a unique experience, as you can smell the boiling water underneath the grids of the floor.  The traditional sauna has a lower humidity than the steam rooms but a higher temperature, between 176°F and 194°F. The three connected outdoor mineral baths vary in depth, size, and temperature, but are all perfect places for relaxing and socializing.  From the hot tub, take in a panoramic view of the countryside around Fontana and the northern lights if you are lucky and they show up early. After your spa experience, hunt for the famous northern lights on the way back to Reykjavík.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Trip

9. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Trip

Embark on a trip around the beloved Golden Circle, a must-see area you cannot miss during your time in Iceland. Enjoy three stops on the classic route and some staff favorites as extra stops. Visit Kerid Crater (entry included) and try the best tomato soup in the country at the Fridheimar Tomato Farm. Head to the Thingvellir National Park first. Learn the history behind this park and get a one-of-a-kind opportunity to walk from the European tectonic plate to the North-American one. Discover the original geyser, Geysir, and its little brother, Strokkur, which is still active today and erupts every 5-8 minutes. Set up your cameras and catch this spectacular activity. Then, see Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, and spot the Langjökull glacier on the horizon if it’s sunny enough. Stop at Fridheimar Tomato Farm to learn about the use of local geothermal energy and experience how this process works. Before the end of the trip, visit another secret staff favorite: the Kerid volcanic crater in the Grímsnes area. Marvel at the caldera that’s 55-meters deep and 270-meters wide. At the bottom, find an amazing aquamarine blue lake.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle & River Rafting Tour

10. Reykjavik: Golden Circle & River Rafting Tour

Enjoy convenient travel with pick-up and drop-off service from your accommodation in Reykjavik. Meet your expert guide and set off on your Icelandic adventure. This thrilling trip will take you to the historical Viking heartlands of Thingvellir, home of Iceland’s first parliament and where you can see the wonders of continental drift. At Thingvellir, you’ll see for yourself how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are ripping apart, leaving behind gigantic cracks in the Earth’s surface. Meaning you’ll have a unique opportunity to stand on two continents at the same time. Your next stop on your Golden Circle & River Rafting tour brings you to Geysir. In this geothermal wonderland, you’ll see cascades of superheated water and vapor spouting high into the air every few minutes. Geysir’s name comes from the Old Norse word for “gush”. It’s now the name given to erupting hot springs all over the world. At Geysir, you’ll feel the dynamic forces of nature that shape the “Land of Fire and Ice”. Next comes Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls”, a two-stage waterfall that thunders more than 30 meters down into a narrow canyon, fed by millions of gallons of glacial meltwater from Langjokull. It’s another sensational stop on your Golden Circle tour, and if it’s a sunny day, you might find yourself wrapped in rainbows. The grand finale of the tour comes next – this is your chance to take an awe-inspiring river raft ride down the Hvita (White) River from Gullfoss. You’ll step onboard sturdy rafts, floating and paddling your way downstream for 4 miles along the Bruarhlod Canyon.There’ll be some adrenaline-fueled fast-flowing rapids to get your heart pumping too. Of course, we’ll provide all the kit and safety equipment you need.

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What people are saying about Laugarvatn

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,715 reviews

Very nice tour with a great guide! Björn talks about real Icelandic life and doesn't just rattle off dates and facts. He lets his guests take part in his life. Yes, the route is the same as all tourist routes, which is why it was so special to be on the road with him. And it was also the places we wanted to see. Enough time to take a close look at everything, to move around a bit and even to taste the local delicacies. Thank you Bjorn!!! Pick-up absolutely on time, the minibus was clean, enough space for everyone and everything, extra wishes were taken into account as far as possible. Very good tour!

This is the Golden Circle tour to book - specifically w/ guide Björn! Björn put so much thought into the entire day - down to the smallest detail - and is funny and informative to boot. The Golden Circle speaks for itself, but when you add Bjorn to the mix, as well as the food stops (geothermal rye bread! ice cream on a farm! greenhouse tomato soup and a tomato ipa!) along the way, you end up with a very special and memorable day.

This was a great trip, and the only one I could find that would take me to Fontana Welness center! Fontana was great. We got to bake bread by geothermal baking, learn about geothermal energy, and enjoy the spas - each pool heated to different temperatures, so you could rotate as needed to manage your own body temperatures.

amazing experience, tour guide was lovely and knew her stuff!

Highly Recommended! Very informative, easy to use.