Vok Baths

Vok opened in 2019 on the shore of Urridavatn outside Egilsstadir, and the design puts two of its pools out on the lake itself as floating platforms, so bathers sit warm with cold lake water on all sides. The name comes from the local observation that recorded itself over generations: parts of the lake never froze in winter, and those holes - vok in Icelandic - were where hot water rises through the bed. The water here is unusually clean and is drinkable, which the site makes a point of, serving it as a tea at the bar. There are steam rooms, a cold tunnel and a bistro on the shore.

What you actually see

• Pools floating on the lake - warm water with cold water around them.
• Holes that never froze - the hot springs that name the place.
• Water clean enough to drink - served as tea at the bar.
• Steam rooms and a cold tunnel - on the shore behind.

When to go

Year round; winter gives the strongest contrast. Two to three hours.

Honest expectations

Getting between the shore and the floating pools means a cold walk in the open. It is a modern commercial spa at commercial prices. It fills in the evening in summer. Booking is sensible in peak season.

Nearby

Egilsstadir is minutes away; Hengifoss and Hallormsstadur are south.