How to Visit Hofsos Infinity Pool in Iceland
This travel guide includes everything you need to know before visiting Hofsos swimming pool in North Iceland, from opening hours, entrance fee, parking, how to get, when to go to what to expect.
Hofsos is a small community on the Trollaskagi Peninsula that has lately become popular because of the Hofsos swimming pool and hot tub offering infinity views over the fjord.
Iceland is a country where you do not have to travel for long to find a hot pool or a swimming pool.
Local people love enjoying hot tubs, and they warmly welcome foreign travelers to share with them one of the nation's cultural aspects.
Even us, who usually consider sitting in a hot tub as a waste of time, visited Iceland's swimming pools several times during our two-week Iceland trip. Actually, this experience was high on our list.
First of all, we knew there would be a time when our bodies would need to warm up because of the harsh Icelandic climate.
And secondly, we were aware that most of the country's hot pools feature wonderful views.
And even though it is hard to decide which experience was the best, Hofsos infinity swimming pool certainly ticked off all the boxes.
Why is Hofsos swimming pool so special, and why has it become one of the must-visit places when traveling around Iceland's North?
It all began in 2010 when two heiresses from the area decided to donate money to build a swimming pool in the village.
The pool was designed as an infinity pool, which altogether, with the views, was half of the success.
The pool sits on the edge of the sea, so when you are in the pool, you have the impression there is nothing but you, the pool, and the Arctic Ocean in the distance.
In this travel guide, we would like to share everything you need to know before visiting Hofsos infinity swimming pool and hot tub.
Is Hofsos Swimming Pool Worth Visiting?
The question is, is the Hofsos swimming pool worth it?
Well, we would say it is, but since it is quite a detour from the Ring Road, we would not travel to this part of Iceland solely because of this experience.
As we've already mentioned, there are so many hot tubs in Iceland to choose from, plus plenty of them are far more accessible.
From natural hot pools such as Reykjadalur Hot Springs River to classic swimming pools, luxurious spas such as renowned Blue Lagoon or the pearl of the north Myvatn Baths.
Simply put, you can always find a pool that fits more in your Iceland itinerary.
But if you travel around the Trollaskagi Peninsula, Hofsos is a place that cannot be missed.
Hofsos' Swimming Pool Location
Hofsos lies on Trollaskagi Peninsula, which international travelers do not often visit because it is a detour from the classic Ring Road itinerary.
Yet, we decided to drive around and can only recommend you the same because the combination of fjords, Icelandic horses, and snow-capped mountains is hard to beat.
Hofsos is located on the west side of this peninsula - it’s the opposite side of Akureyri - and it overlooks the Skagafjordur fjord.
How to Get There
Hofsos is on road 76, and the best way to get there is by rent a car or campervan for two reasons.
First, public transport is not very frequent here, and second, road tripping around Iceland is the best experience you can get because it gives you the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you want.
Hofsos is one hour and a half to two hours' drive away from the capital of the North, depending on what route you take.
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Opening Hours
Hofsos swimming pool is open all year round, but the opening hours vary.
In the main season between June and August, the pool is open between 7 AM and 9 PM every day.
In September, you can visit the pool between 7 AM and 8 PM on weekdays and 11 AM and 6 PM on weekends.
In the winter between October and May, you can visit the pool on weekends between 11 AM and 4 PM and weekdays between 7 AM and 1 PM and then in the afternoon between 5 PM and 8 PM.
When to Visit Hofsos Swimming Pool
When is the best time to visit the Hofsos pool? Well, it all depends.
In case you want to avoid crowds, we would have arrived either early in the morning or just before the closing time.
In case you want to enjoy the views and long bright days, then the summer season is your best bet.
Visiting the pool in the winter is also a good idea, it is very photogenic with all the snow around, there is only one catch, at least according to our point of view.
The large main pool, even though it is heated, is actually not that hot.
It has around 30°C, and we did not spend there that much time, and when we were there, we kept on moving all the time, even though it was a warm summer day.
On the other hand, it is really a swimming pool in the right sense of the term, so it is not designed for relaxing.
Then there is a hot tub with a much more pleasant temperature, but it is quite small and can be crowded, so make sure you set your expectations right.
Entrance Fee
The ticket for visiting Hofsos Swimming Pool is 1000 ISK per adult, and we found the price quite adequate for what it offers.
It is preferable to pay cash.
Unlike other more popular hot pools in Iceland, there is no need to make a reservation or buy a ticket in advance.
How Much Time You Need
Because the complex is really small, there is just the swimming pool, hot tub, and a cafe, we think most of the visitors, including us, spend here an hour, an hour and a half maximum.
Of course, in case you called it a day in Hofsos and you do not have any other stops on your itinerary, it is possible to stay here even longer.
As we had a few more stops on the itinerary that day, we found spending for about sixty minutes in the pool adequate for what it offers, and we felt refreshed for continuing our journey.
Visiting Hofsos Swimming Pool
Visiting Hofsos swimming pool is very straightforward. Park your car in front of the pool (it is free), pack your stuff, and you are ready to go.
What to Pack
So, what do you need to bring with you?
Towel and swimsuit are enough. We changed from sneakers to flip-flops as well as we wanted to go inside as lightly as possible.
It is only up to you whether you decide to keep your valuables in the car or you take them with you.
We took our dry sack with us and left the electronics in the locker room by the entrance to the showers.
Tickets
When you enter the complex, you need to pay the entrance fee, and you can continue to changing rooms.
Lockers and Changing Rooms
As we've already mentioned, you can use the small locker (it is free), the important thing is not to leave anything valuable in the changing rooms.
The reason is simple, you won't find here classical lockers for your clothes, there are only open baskets where you leave your clothes.
Take a Shower
Then you must go to an open shower (it is necessary to take a shower without a swimsuit), where you need to wash carefully (soap and shampoo are provided).
Once you are done, you are ready to go to the pool.
Photography
You can take your phone or camera with you as photos are allowed in Hofsos, waterproof case or GoPro.
For obvious reasons, it is prohibited to take photos in the showers and changing rooms.
Have a Fun
Once you are in the pool, it is only up to you how you will spend your time here.
You can swim, enjoy amazing views from the infinity pool, squeeze in the hot tub, or sunbathe in the sun with a drink in hand.
Of course, to enjoy the views, it is better when it is sunny, but we would not skip the visit even when it is cloudy as enjoying the soothing effects of the hot water is always pleasant.
In fact, hot pools are often better when the weather is less than nice.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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Where to Stay
Depending on your itinerary, you can spend a night either in Hofsos, but you can, of course, continue in your journey and sleep in Akureyri or any other village on Trollaskagi Peninsula.
We've handpicked the best hotels in locations that you might be considering for your overnight stay to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Akureyri | Akureyri H.I. Hostel - Super-clean and modernly furnished hotels are a great pick for budget travelers looking for excellent accommodation in Akureyri. This hostel is just off the Ring Road, so perfect for those of you who plan on hitting the road early in the morning again.
Dalvik | Dalvik Hostel Gimli - Dalvik is a picturesque village, and if you decide to stay here, it must be in this dreamy hostel that offers rooms for every type of traveler.
Olafsfjordur | Brimnes Bungalows - Amazing cabins in a unique location offer great service no matter if you travel as a couple or family. You can use kayaks and a private hot tub during the summer season free of charge.
Siglufjordur | Siglo Hotel - If you are looking for the best hotel on the Trollaskagi Peninsula, this is probably the one. Great location, views over the harbor, and excellent breakfast accompanied by lovely rooms are the main features here.
Hofsos | Franedgardur - You can call it a day after relaxing in the hot pool and spend a night in this apartment in Hofsos that offers everything you need after a long day on the road.
Varmahlid | Hotel Varmahlid - If you are looking for a hotel just off the Ring Road that can be a gateway to the peninsula or the place where you finish exploring this region, this might be the one.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
