Reykjavík Grapevine - 16.07.2010, Qupperneq 48

Mountaineers of Iceland • Skútuvogur 12E • 104 Reykjavík • Iceland
Telephone: +354 580 9900 Ice@mountaineers.is • www.mountaineers.is • www. activity.is
SUPER JEEP & SNOWMOBILE TOURS
36
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 10 — 2010
REBECCA LOUDER
jULIA STAPLES
It’s surprising that Iceland' s amaz-
ing pools are still a secret to the
outside world, considering it’s one
of the only countries in the world
that gets their hot water environ-
mentally soundly and dirt-cheap
(or should we say water-cheap) all
year round. To our loyal readers, it’s
definitely no secret how much us
Grapeviners love them pools. They
are without doubt one of Reykja-
vík’s redeeming qualities.
Lucky for us, then, that there are three
great ones close to downtown (where
we keep our offices). And there are
also many pools just off the beaten path
that are totally worth taking the trip to.
Some of them have really cool hot pots
and water slides and stuff, and maybe
soon we’ll all be getting free towels like
our new mayor has promised (in fact,
that would up our pools’ to ‘SPA STA-
TUS’ according to some crazy EU regu-
lation). So check out all the pools in the
Greater Reykjavík Area, y’all, before it’s
too late and they all turn into spas!
ÁRBæjARLAUG
Fylkisvegur 9, 110 Reykjavík
The swimming pool in the neighbour-
hood Árbær is a really neat maze of in-
door and outdoor tubs. The indoor pool
is housed under a huge glass dome
where one can gaze out at the sky all
year round, feeling like some kind of
fancy millionaire. What is super cool
here is that the pools are all connected
to each other so you can leave the glass
dome and go outside without ever get-
ting out of the water. The hotpots are
also connected by barely a step, so this
place really tops the lazy swimmer list.
It is verifiably a great place for Skinka-
watching, too.
Weekdays: 6:30–22:00
Weekends: 8:00–21:00
BREIðHOLTSLAUG
Austurbergi 3, 111 Reykjavík
Originally opened in 1981 as a teach-
ing pool for school children, Breiðholt’s
pool is now known for being one of the
best family-friendly hangouts in the
city. The massive indoor and outdoor
facilities offer four pools (one for the
kids), as well as three excellent hotpots,
a steambath and the elusive dry sauna
that most Icelandic pools do not have.
They also have a pair of waterslides that
bring out the kid in everyone. A favou-
rite amongst some of our staff.
Weekdays: 6:30-22:00
Weekends: 8:00-20:00
GRAFARvOGSLAUG
Dalhúsum 2, 112 Reykjavík
Another great family hangout, this pool
also has an excellent outdoor lap pool
for anyone who likes to get their serious
swim on. The beautiful open-air loca-
tion makes it a great place to sunbathe
on clear days or sit in the cluster of hot
tubs during grey skies. Here again you’ll
find another huge fantastic waterslide
for all to enjoy, as well as a water play-
ground for the kiddies. Inside the main
building there is also a refreshment
area to buy drinks and snacks or vari-
ous swimming accessories one may
need.
Weekdays: 6:30–22:30
Weekends: 8:00–20:30
LAUGARDALSLAUG
Sundlaugavegur 30, 105 Reykjavík
Probably the most famous pool around
town, this central behemoth is totally
worth its weight in geothermal gold.
Located in the lower valley of Reykja-
vík where women traditionally went on
Saturdays to do their washing, this lo-
cation is said to have been a swimming
spot since 1772. The modern facilities
were first opened in 1968 but renovated
and re-opened in 1986. Now it boasts a
massive lap pool, six hot tubs including
one with seawater, a huge kids’ pool
and steambath. The newest addition is
the crazy disco slide they just complet-
ed, with flashing lights and powerful
jets to shoot you down at crazy speeds.
So fun!
Weekdays: 6:30–22:30
Weekends: 8:00–22:00
(opening hours change during winter
season).
SUNDHöLLIN
Barónsstígur 45a, 101 Reykjavík
The only pool in the actual downtown
proper, Sundhöllin is also the eldest of
Reykjavík’s pools. After many snags
in municipal proposals and cutting
through the red tape, the pool finally
opened on March 24, 1937. Set in a
magnificent white art-deco structure,
it’s also the only exclusively indoor pool
in town, and frequently used for swim-
ming lessons. What’s more, they have
two springboards to do cannonballs off
of. The outdoor rooftop hot tubs and
steambath are a great place to soak
in some rays and is a classic hangover
cure for all the weekend club-kids.
Weekdays: 6:30–21:30
Weekends: 8:00–19:00
vESTURBæjARLAUG
Hofsvallagata, 101 Reykjavík
Although its address is in the 101, this
pool really resides in the fancy west-
side neighbourhood of Vesturbær. Lo-
cated mere metres from the Oceanside,
this quaint pool isn’t huge or geared
out with waterslides and all that jazz,
but it has a lot of character. Something
about the dark wood walls around the
hot tubs and the sunbathing area give it
a real community feel to it. The steam-
bath is one of the nicest ones in town,
housed in a large round room made of
thick glass that lets sunlight stream in
(it was also known as a ‘gay cruising
spot’ for a long time, as referenced in
many Icelandic hip hop songs). The
kids’ pool is also great place to play
water-basketball with your buddies.
Weekdays: 6:30–22:00
Weekends: 8:00–20:00
Reykjavík | Swimming
Swimming Is Awesome!
Grapevine loves Reykjavík‘s pools