Laugardalur Park is located east of Reykjavík‘s historical city centre and serves as the capital’s main sports area with a large open-air geothermal heated swimming pool, soccer stadium, sports hall, botanical garden, family park and zoo.
Laugardalur means “hot spring valley.” The name comes from the fact that until the 1930s, women used to wash laundry in the area’s hot springs. If you enter Laugardalur valley from the north, you will notice the remains of brickwork washbasins that were used back in those days.
Laugardalslaug swimming pool
The swimming pool in Laugardalur valley is the largest one in Reykjavík. Open year round, this geothermally heated swimming pool is one of the best facilities in the city, including a 50m outdoor pool, outdoor children’s pool and paddling pool, two waterslides, numerous hot tubs, steam bath, gym and mini golf course.
Sports stadium and sports centre
In Laugardalur you will also find a multi-purpose sports stadium, where the national teams of Iceland in football (soccer) play their matches.
The valley also has an indoor sports hall, Laugardalshöll sports centre, which is also used for many events and concerts.
Botanical garden
Laugardalur Botanical Garden is a small but beautiful park that boasts an impressive selection of Arctic flowers and plants. In the middle of all the garden you will also find a lovely café (open during the summer). The garden itself is open year-round.
Laugardalur Zoo and Family Park
Near the Botanical Garden is a small zoo where you can see typical Icelandic farm animals, along with seals, minks and Arctic foxes.
Right next to the zoo is a small family park, where in the summer you can find many different activities for children, including rides and festivities. The park is not officially open in the winter time, but remains open as a play area.
Ice skating in Laugardalur
Next door to the family park, you can enjoy winter ice skating at the ice rink. The venue hosts both ice hockey and figure skating practices and competitions, as well skating for the general public.
How to get to Laugardalur
If you’re staying in the city centre, you can take a bus to get to Laugardalur. The area is within walking distance of hotels such as the Hilton Nordica, the Reykjavík Grand Hotel, and Reykjavik Lights.
GPS: 64.146636 N, -21.879905 W
