Sports and leisure activities Reykjavík

You think Icelandic horses are beautiful and you'd like to experience a special moment? Why not try horseback riding? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, Íslenski Reiðskólinn will provide you with a unique experience. Begga has a clear motto: "I love what I do and I do what I love"! This sums up the philosophy of this Francophile who is as passionate as she is educational. Her main offer is a few hours out in the middle of a lunar landscape, typically Icelandic. And all this just 10 minutes from the capital!

Although a little off-centre, it is THE Icelandic swimming pool par excellence, and one of the largest in the country by the way! Outside, there is a large outdoor Olympic pool with 4 hot pots, whirlpool, slides and saunas. It is an ideal place to meet the inhabitants of the capital, even if you will also meet many tourists. This giant swimming pool is complemented by many other facilities: spa centre, fitness... A small drawback, the condition of the outdoor bleachers is a little outdated, but you probably won't need them.

Located just outside the town center, this pool is very popular with Grafarvogur locals. The advantage is that you won't have the impression of being surrounded only by tourists, as can be the case in some downtown pools. Inside, you can enjoy hot pots, steam baths and whirlpools. It's close to walking and jogging trails. Nearby, there's also a golf course and a horse rental agency. Ideal for a relaxing break after a walk.

Located in the quiet district of Árbaer, this pool is one of the most beautiful in the country, and is also very popular with families, with an indoor pool specially dedicated to young children and senior citizens. There's also a play pool with small geysers, massage chairs, waterfalls and a small slide. There's also a sauna. Good to know: the pool is a little out of the way, so less popular with tourists, and just a few minutes' drive from the Árbaer open-air museum - make the detour!

Although not as well known as some of the downtown pools, Seltjarnarnes Pool is a good place to go if you want to experience the charm of Icelandic pools. Here you can enjoy indoor and outdoor baths, hot tubs, a solarium and even a sauna. It's very clean and is located in the quiet "maritime" area of Reykjavík's western peninsula. Good to know: in winter, the Grotta lighthouse, just a few minutes away, is a must-see spot for hunting the Northern Lights. Don't forget it!

As out-of-the-way as it is, this small pool is nevertheless very popular! All the essentials are here: a 25-meter outdoor pool with two hot pots, a steam bath, a sauna... and even a slide. Open until 10pm, it's a great way to end the day, whether in winter or summer, and soak up the midnight sun. Very convivial, it's located in a quiet area frequented by locals. It's also often decorated in winter, a real treat for the eyes and all the senses.

Located close to the shopping streets, this pool is ideal if you want to enjoy a hot dip without having to make a long drive. It's the city's oldest pool, and you can enjoy its 25 m-long indoor pool, with its white earthenware tiles. Renovated in 2017, it now offers a heated outdoor pool, and hot pots, as well as an ice bath. Very popular with locals, it's also a bit of a victim of its own success, being so close to the center. Don't be surprised to hear French or English spoken here!

Located near the Laugardalslaug swimming pool, it is the largest indoor ice rink in the country. You will be able to alternate between one hour of skating in the cold, and one (or several) hour(s) of swimming in the warm! Easy to access, the prices are reasonable, and the equipment is in good condition (even if you can feel that the place is old). Toilets are available, as well as a café. Small plus: the place is mostly frequented by locals, perfect for a change of scenery.

You're more into biking? You'll find what you're looking for in the many bike tours offered by Icebike Adventures. Mountain bike enthusiasts will not miss this company, which offers trips lasting from several hours to several days on Icelandic roads and tracks. You will even be able to try the Heli Biking, which consists of being dropped off by helicopter with your bike to go down the volcanic slopes of Iceland (reserved for a minimum intermediate level all the same!).