Gudlaug Baths

Gudlaug was built into the sea wall at Langisandur in Akranes and opened in 2018: three levels stacked into the rock defence, with a hot pool at the top, a shallower cooler pool below it, and steps continuing down to the beach and the sea for anyone wanting the cold. It is free, unstaffed and open, with changing facilities at the nearby sports centre rather than on site. The design won attention for treating a piece of coastal engineering as public architecture, and it has become the town's gathering point - locals use it as a matter of course through the winter.

The main sights

• Three levels in a sea wall - hot pool, cooler pool, then the beach.
• Free and unstaffed - open to anyone at any hour.
• Steps into the sea - for cold water swimming.
• Coastal engineering as architecture - the reason it was noticed.

When to go

Year round; winter use is heavy among locals. An hour.

Practical notes

There are no changing rooms at the structure itself. It is small and fills quickly. Wind and spray off Langisandur are constant. Showering before entry is expected as at any Icelandic pool.

Nearby

Akranes lighthouse is on the point; Borgarnes is north.