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Escape the Blue Lagoon crowds and steam in a naturally set pool at Laugarvatn Fontana.
(Photo: Courtesy of Laugarvatn Fontana) |
A 50-minute drive east from Reykjavík, Laugarvatn Fontana (from $32) is a crowd-free alternative to the Blue Lagoon and costs nearly $20 less to enter. Come during the workweek in the morning or early afternoon, and you’ll likely have the place to yourself. Unlike the beautiful but man-made Blue Lagoon, the open-air steam baths and cedarwood saunas at Laugarvatn are powered by natural vents on the edge of a clear lake. Plunge into its icy waters, surrounded by mountains, then rinse off in the showers with Soléy Organics, a cult-favorite Icelandic beauty line. If you stay until 2:30 p.m., you can visit the spa’s geothermal bakery: Sweet rye bread is buried in containers underground and baked by the Earth’s hot spot, then unburied at 2:30 each day and served with butter or fresh smoked trout (from $15).