Drangsnes Hot Pots (Pottarnir á Drangsnesi)

What to expect

Drangsnes is a fishing village of a few dozen people at the mouth of Steingrímsfjörður, on the Strandir coast of the Westfjords. In 1997 hot water was found in the village, and the community put three tubs into the shoreline just below the main road. They have been a local fixture ever since, popular with residents and travellers alike.

The setup is simple. Three tubs sit side by side at the top of the shore, just below the road. The village describes two of them as hot and one as cold, so you can move between them to suit yourself. They are small, so expect to share with whoever else is there. Across the road is a building with showers, and everyone is expected to wash before getting in.

There is no attendant, no ticket and no closing time. You sit in warm water with the fjord at your feet and Grímsey island straight ahead. In summer the evening light goes on for hours. In winter, on a clear night, you may see the northern lights from the tubs.

Getting there

Drangsnes is at the end of a side road off Route 61 on the north shore of Steingrímsfjörður.

• From Hólmavík: Follow Route 61 around the head of Steingrímsfjörður, then turn onto Drangsnesvegur and follow it east along the north shore to the village. The trip is about 33 km (21 miles) and takes a little over 30 minutes. As the crow flies the two villages are only about 11 km (7 miles) apart, but the road has to go around the fjord.
• From Reykjavík: Allow a full day. Hólmavík is about 234 km (145 miles) from Reykjavík by road, then add the 33 km (21 miles) to Drangsnes.

The tubs are on the shore side of Aðalbraut, the main street, roughly in the middle of the village. There are no big signs, so look for the tubs below the road and the small shower building opposite. Park considerately and do not block driveways.

When to go

The tubs are open all year and around the clock, so the question is more about weather and light.

June to August gives long days, the easiest driving and the chance to combine a soak with a boat trip to Grímsey. It is also when you are most likely to share the tubs with other travellers.

Winter is quieter and darker. Clear, cold nights from roughly September to March are the time for northern lights. The roads into Strandir can be icy or closed in storms, so check road.is or the Umferdin app before you set out, and do not plan a tight schedule.

Rules and etiquette

The village asks for very little, so please follow it.

• Shower first. Use the showers in the building across the road before you get in. This is the norm at every Icelandic bathing place.
• Swimsuits on. These are public tubs in the middle of a village, next to the main road and in view of houses.
• Keep it clean. Take every piece of rubbish with you, including bottle caps and food wrappers.
• No glass. Broken glass in a small tub on rocks is dangerous, and there is no one to clean it up.
• Share. If the tubs are full, keep your soak short and make room.
• Keep the noise down at night. People live a few metres away.

The village pool

If you want a full swim as well, Sundlaugin á Drangsnesi, the village pool on Holtagata, opened in 2005. It has a 12.5 m outdoor pool, a hot tub with massage jets, a children’s paddling pool and a steam bath, with a view of Grímsey. Single entry is ISK 900 for ages 16 and over, ISK 450 for seniors and disabled visitors, and free for under-16s. Swimsuit and towel rental are ISK 500 each. In summer (roughly early June to mid or late August) it opens daily from 11:00 to 18:00. In winter it opens Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 15:00 to 18:00, and weekends from 13:00 to 17:00. The village notes that prices can change without warning.

Where to stay nearby

• Campsite: Drangsnes has a campsite by the municipal office, with toilets, showers and a washer and dryer. The shop, pool and a restaurant are close by.
• Guesthouses: Malarhorn Guesthouse and Gistiþjónusta Sunnu on Holtagata both offer rooms in the village. Book ahead in summer, because there are not many beds.
• Hólmavík: About 33 km (21 miles) away by road, Hólmavík is the main service town for Strandir, with more places to stay, fuel and a supermarket.

Safety notes

• Heat: The hot tubs can feel very hot after a cold drive. Test the water with your hand and get out if you feel dizzy.
• Rocks and steps: The tubs sit on the shoreline, and the surrounding rock and concrete get slippery, especially with ice in winter. Wear sandals or shoes to and from the tubs.
• Sea and weather: The tubs are right on the shore. Skip them in rough weather, and keep children away from the water’s edge.
• No supervision: There is no attendant or lifeguard. Do not leave children alone in the tubs.
• Winter roads: Check conditions before driving into Strandir in winter, and carry warm clothes and food in the car.

Nearby stops worth adding

Grímsey, the island just offshore in Steingrímsfjörður, is about a 10-minute boat ride from Drangsnes and is known for puffins and other seabirds in summer. In the village, look for Kerling, the tall rock that the village is named after. Local legend says it is a troll woman who was turned to stone while trying to cut the Westfjords off from the rest of Iceland. Further north in Bjarnarfjörður, Gvendarlaug hins góða is another bathing place listed by the municipality.