Hveragerði Travel Guide: Geothermal Park, Reykjadalur Hot River, Botanical Garden and Bus Links from Reykjavík

Hveragerði is a town in South Iceland, built on an active geothermal area at the eastern edge of a volcanic belt. It suits travelers who want hot springs, short walks and a soak in a river without a long expedition: the walk to the service center in Reykjadalur valley is only 1.9 miles (3 km). Not many towns sit on ground like this, and here the steam rises in the middle of town.

Getting here is simple if you plan around the bus. Strætó runs between Reykjavík, Hveragerði and Selfoss every day of the week, and the town stop is the Orkan petrol station on Austurmörk. The 2008 earthquake left cracks you can still see on the slopes above the Varmá river.

At a glance

• Region: South Iceland, postcode 810
• Getting there: Strætó bus from Reykjavík and Selfoss, every day of the week
• Bus stop: Orkan petrol station (Shell skálinn), Austurmörk
• Best window: May and June, with highs of 50°F to 55°F (10°C to 13°C)
• What to do: Geothermal Park, bathing in the Reykjadalsá river, botanical garden, Laugaskarð pool
• Entry for U.S. citizens: no visa needed for up to 90 days

Where is Hveragerði and what is it like?

Hveragerði is in South Iceland, on the eastern edge of the volcanic belt that runs from Reykjanes through Þingvellir to Langjökull.

The geothermal area lies in the middle of town, so hot springs and steam are part of the streets, not a side trip. The botanical garden is also in the center, with the Reykjafoss waterfall right next to it. A little farther out, Reykjadalur stands on a geothermal area at the foot of Hengill, and a nine-hole golf course sits in Gufudal above the town.

Traces of the 2008 earthquake can still be seen in many places in and around Hveragerði. Cracks are visible on the slopes of Mt. Reykjafjall near the Varmá. The earthquake simulator at the information center lets visitors feel what that was like.

What is there to do in Hveragerði?

Geothermal Park and hot spring cooking

The Geothermal Park is at Hveramörk 13, right in the town center. A guided walk takes visitors around the hot springs.

Hands-on tasting is the draw here. You can boil an egg in the hot stream, taste rye bread baked with geothermal heat, and take a mud bath for your hands and feet, or a foot bath in hot clay.

Since the park is in the middle of town, it fits easily into the hours between buses. It is a good first stop for families and for anyone who wants the geothermal story explained on the spot.

Reykjadalur and the hot river

Bathing in the hot Reykjadalsá river in Reykjadalur is a popular thing to do.

The service center in the valley is only a 1.9-mile (3 km) walk, and the area also has mountain hiking routes. The air is cool in much of the year, with January highs near 38°F (3°C), so bring dry layers and a towel for the river.

Plan this as a half day on foot. It suits walkers and anyone who would rather soak outdoors than in a pool, and it suits less anyone who wants to stay close to the bus stop.

Botanical Garden and Reykjafoss

The botanical garden is at Breiðamörk, in the center of the town. The Reykjafoss waterfall is right next to it, so the two share one stop.

Trout can be seen jumping in the waterfall at the town garden. Disc golf is played under the Hamar, for those who want a more active break.

The garden and the waterfall are close to everything else in the center. They work well on a rainy day between other plans, and they suit families and slower travelers.

Laugaskarð pool, local walks and more

Laugaskarð is a thermal swimming pool where you can enjoy a natural geothermal steam bath. Health walks from the pool range from about 1.6 miles (2.5 km) to more than 2.5 miles (4 km).

The town also offers cycling routes, fishing in the Varmá, and golf. The local art museum has culture and art exhibitions, and the Mega Zipline lets visitors fly for a kilometer from the Kambar plateau overlooking Hveragerði.

If you want a soak and a stroll, choose Laugaskarð and the Reykjadalur river.

Where to stay in Hveragerði

Several places to stay sit in the town itself. Frost og funi boutique hotel is at Hverhamar, on the banks of the Varmá river. The Greenhouse Hotel is at Austurmörk 6, the same street as the bus stop, and sits inside a complex with shops and a food hall. Varmi Guesthouse is at Varmahlíð 15-17, in the heart of Hveragerði.

Lodging comes in different forms. Varmi offers studio apartments, superior apartments and double rooms. Hotel Örk has 157 rooms, including 8 junior suites and 2 suites, which suits groups. The Greenhouse describes its food, drink, shopping and accommodation as affordable.

When should you go to Hveragerði?

May and June are the mildest months among those covered here. May has highs near 50°F (10°C), and June reaches 55°F (13°C) with lows of 45°F (7°C). June also has about nine rainy days, against fifteen in January. These are the months for walking in Reykjadalur and sitting outside.

January to March are colder, with highs from 38°F to 40°F (3°C to 4°C) and lows below freezing. They also bring around fifteen rainy days a month. Pick them for steam baths and indoor stops, not for long hikes.

What to know before visiting Hveragerði

According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), U.S. citizens need no visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business in Iceland.

• Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond the date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended. Two blank pages, proof of funds and an onward or return ticket are required.
• Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond the planned date of departure.
• No vaccinations are required.
• Strætó runs between Reykjavík, Hveragerði and Selfoss every day. Routes 51 and 52 also run from Hveragerði to Reykjavík and on to Selfoss.
• Route 71 runs four times Monday to Friday between Þorlákshöfn and Hveragerði.