Picture sitting in hot water at the very edge of the Atlantic, the tide going in and out a few metres away, and a fjord full of mountains in front of you. That is Hvammsvík. When the hot pool gets too hot, the cold sea is right there, and plenty of people take the plunge.

Hvammsvík sits in Hvalfjörður (Whalefjord), about 45 minutes' drive from Reykjavík. There are eight natural hot springs of different sizes and temperatures, so you can move around until you find the one that suits you.

What's included with your Hvammsvík Hot Springs ticket

• Access to all eight natural hot springs, for as long as you wish
• Private showers and changing rooms
• The swim-up bar, the steam room and the ocean itself
• Activities such as ocean swimming and introductory sessions in Wim Hof techniques
• SUP paddle boards in summer, weather permitting
• All fees and taxes

The paddle boards are the wild card. They are a summer thing, and only when the weather plays along, so treat them as a bonus rather than the reason you book.

Good to know before you go

Bring your own swimsuit, towel and wading shoes if you have them. If you forget, all of these can be rented on site. Still water is free at the bar, or you can fill your own bottle at the taps, which you should: sitting in hot water dehydrates you faster than you notice.

Guests must be 10 years or older. The reception area is wheelchair accessible, but the hot springs themselves are not. There is no public transport nearby, so plan on a rental car or a transfer booked separately.

Pro tip: pack wading shoes or rent them. These are natural pools at the shoreline, not tiled pools, and if you want to try the ocean swim you will be glad of something on your feet.

Who this suits

Couples and friends who want a slow afternoon near Reykjavík, anyone who has already done the big lagoons and wants something smaller and closer to the sea, and swimmers curious to try the hot-cold routine with actual Atlantic water.