Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.06.2007, Blaðsíða 26

34_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 08_007_DESTINATIONS
The City’s Swimming Pools Text by Chandler Fredrick Photos by Leó Stefánsson
Sundhöllin is the oldest operating pool in Reykjavik, and be-
cause of its location (it’s directly behind Hallgrimskirkja) we’d
have to say that this is one of the best. The locker rooms are
incredibly funky, with each locker having its own fold-out
dressing room with a mirror and a stool. The showers here
seem particularly clean, and the hot pots here are on an up-
per level from which one can see the Hallgrímskirkja church
and much of the city. The indoor pool is large and surprisingly
crowded.
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur
The distance away from the city centre and the disregard for
this saltwater pool in guides is most likely why you won’t find
any signs here written in English. The entrance to this pool
looks more like a reception room for a huge television station
than a neighbourhood swimming pool entrance. Sundlaug
Seltjarnarness hosts a couple of small pools, a pool with a big
slide for kids, and lap pool. It also hosts a lot of very attractive
people. The steam bath has a huge glass window looking into
the pool, and there’s a big bubbling Jacuzzi. If only this place
were closer, we’d be there everyday.
Sundlaug Seltjarnarness
Only a 10-minute walk out of the city centre, this pool is ex-
tremely convenient for University of Iceland students during
the school year and people working in the city during the
summer. Vesturbæjarlaug boasts a sizable swimming pool and
very few screaming children. The designers of Vesturbærslaug
had most of us in mind when making the hot pots: make the
one with the perfect temperature the smallest – and let the
cramped conversation begin. Come here for either two things:
a quick relaxation or a rigorous swim.
Vesturbæjarlaug
If you will be able to find this pool, located in the suburban
maze called Grafarvogur – a 30-minute bus ride from the
centre – it is a great destination for the whole family. The
locker rooms are spacious and bright, and nearly fit-for-surgery
clean. There is a small indoor pool, usually filled with kids, an
incredibly effective Jacuzzi, and the fastest waterslide in town.
There are two outdoor pools, one ideal for actual swimming,
while the other is usually occupied with more kids. This pool
is mostly visited by residents of Grafarvogur, but most of them
are friendly.
Grafarvogslaug
Supposedly Árbæjarlaug is a famous meeting spot for single
mums and single dads. As Grapevine went to this pool at
around noon on a freezing Tuesday, all we got were a handful
of old men and some local kids playing hooky. This pool has a
great view of a boring part of the city. It also has the biggest
Jacuzzi of all the pools. Árbaer doesn’t get much tourism, so
don’t be surprised if people look at you funny for speaking
English. It’s a long bus ride, but this pool is worth it.
Árbæjarlaug
Yep, this is the big one. So big that it even has its own karate
studio. Laugardalslaug is located just a short bus ride out of
the city centre. The biggest upside of this place is that there
are always tons of people. The downside: the hostel/camp-
ground is just next door, so most of them are tourists. The
men and women’s locker rooms resemble an airport terminal.
Laugurdalurslaug has everything: an Olympic-sized swimming
pool, several hot pots, a steam bath, a kid’s pool with volley
ball nets and a waterslide, and even a small heated pool with
fake rocks.
Laugardalslaug
Fylkisvegur, 110 Reykjavík Hofsvallagata 107 Reykjavík Barónstigur, 101 Reykjavík
Sundlaugavegur, 105 Reykjavík By Dalhús, 112 Reykjavík Suðurströnd, 170 Seltjarnarnes
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