Wellness Offerings in Iceland
Iceland has long been a top destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and unique experiences. Recently, the country has introduced several new wellness offerings that are sure to attract visitors looking for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Laugarás Lagoon
Set to open in September 2025, Laugarás Lagoon is the latest addition to The Golden Circle, Iceland’s famous tourism route. This two-level luxury retreat offers a variety of bathing experiences, including a cascading waterfall and a tranquil grotto. The two forest saunas provide health benefits and stunning views over the Hvíta River and its surroundings. Additionally, Ylja Restaurant will offer a signature dining experience curated by renowned Icelandic chef Gísli Matt, featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
The Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn, founded in 1929, has undergone a recent refurbishment to enhance the visitor experience with contemporary comforts. Located on the Golden Circle route, the baths allow guests to soak in natural pools, bubbling hot springs, and a lake that stretches as far as the eye can see. A highlight of the visit is the region’s geothermal bread, which uses a traditional recipe and is baked in the hot ground.
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon, Reykjavík’s oceanfront geothermal lagoon, has elevated its seven-step Skjól wellness ritual. The property’s recent expansion includes a second sauna featuring Iceland’s largest single-pane glass window, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors finish their ritual with a shot of antioxidant-rich crowberry juice, providing a healthy taste of the local landscape.
Hotel Openings and Refurbishments
Iceland continues to expand its hospitality offerings with new hotel openings and renovations that cater to a range of traveler preferences.
Höfði Lodge
Höfði Lodge is a luxury adventure lodge located just 25 minutes from Akureyri in northern Iceland. With 40 rooms offering spectacular views of Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, the property includes a restaurant, rooftop bar, spa, and gym. Guests can enjoy activities such as heliskiing, whale watching, hiking, and horse riding, with customisable tour packages and transportation options available, including a 10-minute helicopter transfer from Akureyri Airport.
Hotel Akureyri
Hotel Akureyri, a charming micro-hotel in the heart of Akureyri, added a four-storey extension in summer 2024, including a new lobby, bar, lounge, and 52 rooms. The boutique bolthole offers modern comforts, top-of-the-range facilities, and excellent value. It also houses the popular North restaurant, which focuses on sustainable, local ingredients sourced from the region.
Skáld Hotel
Opening in summer 2025 as part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the Skáld Hotel will be the first internationally branded countryside property in North Iceland. Designed to emphasize Iceland’s history and culture, the 70-room hotel will offer a base for a tranquil escape amid the region’s natural beauty. The property’s serene fjord-side setting and intimate scale promise a restorative retreat for travelers to the north.
New Accommodations
Iceland is also introducing new accommodation options that cater to different types of travelers.
Heiðin Houses
Heiðin is a new accommodation option just outside Akureyri in North Iceland, offering modern, well-designed houses in the peaceful surroundings of Vaðlaheiði. Each 125-square-metre house has four bedrooms and sleeps up to eight guests, making them ideal for families, groups, or anyone seeking a quiet stay with fjord views but needing the convenience of being a six-minute drive from Akureyri. Currently, five houses are available, with two more opening by the end of July. Openings will continue periodically through until 2026, when twelve houses will be available. Bookings can be made via the Heiðin website, Airbnb, and Booking.com.
New Tours and Attractions
Iceland is also expanding its tour offerings, providing unique ways to explore the country’s natural wonders.
Whale Watching
The family-run business Friends of Moby Dick now offers whale watching tours in Húsavík, a vibrant town on the northeast coast of Iceland. Boats are equipped with the latest technology and safety equipment, and passionate guides share their knowledge and love of the whales in Skjálfandi Bay. Other operators like Gentle Giants, North Sailing, and Húsavík Adventures also offer tours to the protected Skjálfandi Bay.
Heli-Rafting
Arctic Rafting recently launched its first heli-rafting tour on the Markarfljót River in collaboration with Asgard Beyond. Adrenaline seekers take a scenic helicopter ride up the Markarfljót canyon, which was carved out by glacier water and is up to a staggering 160 meters deep in parts. The helicopter then lands inside the canyon, where participants start their epic journey on the river to the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, past glaciers, waterfalls, and basalt columns. This is a sightseeing adventure like no other.
Water Safaris
Ribsafari in Vestmannaeyjar offers tours of the puffin colonies on Elliðaey and Bjarnaey, where visitors can observe the impressive seabirds in their natural habitat. The tour also visits Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar’s only inhabited island, and the lava fields created by the 1973 volcanic eruption. A particular highlight is the stop at a sea cave, where guests can experience the unique acoustics with music. Local guides offer insight into the islands’ history, volcanic activity, and wildlife for a fun yet informative adventure.
