Sundlaugnar í Reykjavík

Just like every tiny little village in Switzerland has a bank and each tiny little village in the Czech Republic has a pub with beer, every tiny little village in Iceland has a swimming pool: Swimming in Iceland is a national institution and that's where I also adapted to my new home - I'm swimming 3 times a week in a great swimming pool called Laugadalur: enjoying the olypia-sized pool, the hot pots and of course the atmosphere to swim outside in freezing temperatures.

"Swimming is a part of the icelandic lifestyle, wheather young or old, to visit the swimming pools in Iceland at least once a week to have a swim, to relax in the hot pools or to meet friends and have a chat. Icelanders have discovered the healthfull effect, the spring water has on people recovering from accidents or dealing with artitis and similar diseases. All of the Icelands swimming facilities have several hot pots, each kept at a different temperature, from 37°C & 42°C.

A unique aspect of Reykjavík's swimming pools when compared with Europe is that most are outdoors. Many undoubtedly shiver at the mere thought of bathing outside surrounded by frost and snow, but research has shown that there are various benefits associated with this. It is healthier for heart and asthma patients to be outside in hot water breathing fresh air than to breathe the warm, humid air of indoor swimming facilities. It also appears that the combination of warm water and cold air has a very positive effect on the human body.

It should be pointed out that no one gets cold in the pools as they are kept at an average temperature of 29°C. Swimming at Reykjavík's pools is indeed a unique experience that increases well being and improves overall health. When you travel around Iceland you will discover that every village or town has it's own pool to the delight of the traveler." (www.exploreiceland.is)