Krauma pairs five geothermal baths with a cold plunge that sits at a bracing 5 to 8°C. The pools have different temperatures, so you can move between them at your own pace rather than settle for one long soak.
I like the mix of hot pools and an icy reset, and the quiet relaxation room with a fireplace and music gives you somewhere to slow down between dips. The main drawback is the extra cost of towels and other rental items, so bring your own if you can.
- Key things to know
- Five pools make the visit your own
- Saunas, steam and a warm place to rest
- Pair the baths with Reykholt
- Food, towels and the real cost
- Plan a comfortable visit
- Is Krauma worth booking?
- FAQ
- What is included with Krauma admission?
- Are towels, swimsuits and bathrobes included?
- How cold is the plunge pool?
- How long can I stay?
- Are meals and transport included?
- What are the age rules for children?
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- More Tour Reviews in Reykholt
- Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Reykholt we have reviewed
Key things to know
- Five pools, varied temperatures: Pick the warmth that suits you, or alternate between pools.
- A genuinely cold plunge: The ice bath is kept at 5 to 8°C, a sharp contrast to the geothermal water.
- Saunas and steam baths: Admission includes the sauna and steam-bath areas, as well as the pools.
- A calm place to pause: The relaxation room has a fireplace and music.
- Room to stay awhile: You may remain until Krauma closes, between 11:00 and 21:00 daily.
- Bring your towel: Towels, swimsuits and bathrobes are not included, and on-site towel rental can be expensive.
Five pools make the visit your own
Krauma is in Borgarbyggð, at Deildartunguhver near Reykholt. The central draw is a set of five geothermal pools with different temperatures. That variety matters: you can choose a gentler soak, try a hotter pool, then cool off before settling back in. You are not tied to a guided schedule, and the visit is designed to let you move at your own pace.
The pools are supplied with water that gives Krauma its particular hot-and-cold appeal. The bathing experience combines geothermal heat with chilled water from Rauðsgil, described as creating a glacial-lake feel in the baths. The exact temperature of each pool is not specified, so do not expect a temperature chart to plan your whole visit. Instead, test each pool carefully and stay with the one that feels right.
The icy plunge is the most dramatic part of the circuit. At 5 to 8°C, it is far colder than a typical swimming pool. You can skip it; it is an option, not a test of courage. If you try it, keep the dip brief and return to a warm pool or sauna when you are ready.
I like that the pools offer more than one way to enjoy the visit. You can make the cold plunge the main event, use the baths as a slow rest day, or alternate between heat and cold without needing to follow a prescribed route. If you prefer a busy, activity-packed outing, Krauma may feel deliberately unhurried. That is part of the appeal, but it is worth knowing before you book.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykholt.
Saunas, steam and a warm place to rest
The experience includes access to two saunas, steam baths and the relaxation areas. The sauna and steam rooms give you a change of pace from sitting in the pools, while the relaxation room provides a place to dry off, rest and enjoy the fire. Music adds to the quiet atmosphere without turning the room into another activity you need to manage.
The combination is useful if you plan to stay for more than a quick soak. You can alternate between pools, sauna time and a pause by the fireplace, rather than spending the whole visit in hot water. There is no set sequence, so take breaks as you need them and do not feel obliged to try every facility in one circuit.
The setting is described as quiet, with fewer tourists than some better-known bathing spots. That does not guarantee a particular crowd level on your visit, but it suggests Krauma can suit you if you want a calmer stop rather than a large, high-energy bathing complex. Your booked entry time and the day you choose may still affect how busy it feels.
Pair the baths with Reykholt
Krauma sits close to the Reykholt settlement, giving you an easy cultural stop to pair with bathing. Reykholt is described as a place of historical interest, but this admission is for Krauma, not a guided history tour. You will need to explore the settlement on your own if you want to add that context to the day.
That proximity makes the visit more flexible. You can plan a soak as a break in a wider outing around Reykholt, or visit the settlement before or after the baths. The available information does not specify how long you should allow for the nearby sights, so set your own schedule rather than assuming a particular tour route or included visit.
Transport is not included. You will need to arrange your own way to Deildartunguhver, 320 Reykholt, Iceland, and plan the stop as part of your own day. If you are comparing this with a bus tour from Reykjavík, note the distinction: this ticket covers entry, not the journey there.
Food, towels and the real cost
The listed starting prices are not consistent: one price is shown as US$64.89, while another summary gives $71.39. Treat both as starting figures, not a guaranteed final total. Check the date, package and checkout price before paying, since the amount you see may depend on the booking option.
Admission covers the geothermal baths, relaxation areas and steam baths, and lockers are available at no extra charge. It does not include transport, meals or drinks. Towels, swimsuits and bathrobes are also excluded, with rentals available on-site. One practical tip: bring your own towel if you can, since renting one there may cost more than you expect.
There is a restaurant, and the blueberry skyr cheesecake is a tempting detail to keep in mind if you plan to eat on-site. Food and drinks are extra, so build that into your budget. The restaurant may help make a longer visit more comfortable, but no meal is part of the ticket and no menu or prices are provided here.
For value, think about how much time you will use. If you want a quick dip, the entry price may feel high once you add travel and any rental costs. If you intend to spend several hours moving between five pools, saunas and the relaxation room, the unlimited stay until closing makes the ticket easier to justify. That flexibility is a real advantage: you are paying for access and time, not a timed circuit.
Plan a comfortable visit
Krauma is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, and your stay can continue until the venue closes. Arrive 15 minutes before your booked entry time. Bring your mobile voucher for admission, and remember that it is valid only for the date and time specified on it.
Pack a towel, swimsuit and bathrobe if you use one. The ticket does not include those items, and bringing your own avoids the extra rental expense. Lockers are provided, so you can store your belongings on-site.
Children must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 0 to 12 need to be accompanied by a paying adult. Child pricing applies for ages 0 to 12, youth pricing for ages 13 to 16, and those aged 17 or older pay the adult rate. The age rules make this a possible family stop, but the cold plunge is very cold and is not something every child will want to try.
This is a self-directed visit, not a guided excursion. No guide names or guided program are specified, and transport is not part of the package. That suits you if you want to set your own pace, but you will need to handle the journey and any Reykholt sightseeing yourself.
Is Krauma worth booking?
Book Krauma if you want an unhurried bathing stop with several pool temperatures, a proper cold plunge and indoor places to rest between soaks. It is especially appealing if you are already visiting Reykholt or can make the journey part of a broader day. The five pools, saunas and fireplace room give you enough variety to make a longer stay worthwhile.
Think twice if you are mainly after the cheapest possible hot-spring visit, need transport included, or do not want to pay extra for food and rentals. Bring your own towel, check the final price carefully and allow enough time to enjoy more than one pool. If those details fit your plans, Krauma offers a relaxed way to balance geothermal bathing with a nearby taste of Reykholt.
Krauma Geothermal Baths Experience in Reykholt
“Towel fees are not included. If you rent towels on-site, it can be quite expensive, so it's more cost-effective to bring your own!”
FAQ
What is included with Krauma admission?
Admission includes access to the geothermal baths, relaxation areas and steam baths. Free use of on-site lockers is also included.
Are towels, swimsuits and bathrobes included?
No. You can rent them on-site, but bringing your own towel can save money.
How cold is the plunge pool?
The ice-cold bath is maintained at 5 to 8°C.
How long can I stay?
You may stay until Krauma closes. The baths are open daily from 11:00 to 21:00.
Are meals and transport included?
No. Transport, meals and beverages are not included in the admission.
What are the age rules for children?
Children aged 0 to 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Ages 0 to 12 are charged at the child rate, ages 13 to 16 at the youth rate, and ages 17 and older at the adult rate. All children must be included in the passenger headcount.
