Laugardalur (Reykjavik) Travel Guide - Free

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Laugardalur in Reykjavik pairs geothermal bathing, botanical gardens, family attractions and Icelandic sports in a leafy valley east of the city centre.

A Green Valley within Reykjavik

Laugardalur stretches through eastern Reykjavik as a broad, open recreational district rather than a conventional shopping neighbourhood. Its name means “laundry valley”, recalling the hot springs once used by residents to wash clothes. Today, the valley is defined by lawns, sports grounds, family attractions and geothermal bathing, with low-rise residential areas and major city facilities around its edges. It lies within easy reach of the centre but feels more spacious and informal than the older streets beside the harbour.
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Geothermal Water and Everyday Leisure

The neighbourhood’s central attraction is Laugardalslaug, one of Reykjavik’s best-known public swimming pools, where locals and visitors use outdoor hot tubs, pools and steam facilities in the open air. Nearby, the Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo offers a compact introduction to Icelandic farm animals and native wildlife, while Grasagarður Reykjavíkur, the city’s botanical garden, brings together Icelandic plants and species from colder climates in a peaceful setting. The valley is particularly appealing to visitors who want to experience recreation as part of ordinary Reykjavik life rather than simply visit monuments.

Sport, Sculpture and Open Space

Laugardalur also contains several of the capital’s principal sports venues, including Laugardalsvöllur national stadium, Laugardalshöll and the ice rink. At Ásmundarsafn, the former studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, art and architecture meet in a distinctive museum and garden setting. Paths link the principal attractions, although the district is spread out and can be windy, especially in winter. The result is a neighbourhood best understood through movement: a swim, a garden walk, a sporting event and the changing light across the valley.

Best attractions in Laugardalur

Laugardalur’s attractions are concentrated around recreation, nature and family visits. Laugardalslaug is the district’s best-known experience, offering geothermal pools, hot tubs and steam facilities in an unmistakably Icelandic public-bathing setting. Grasagarður Reykjavíkur, the city’s botanical garden, provides a calm walk through collections of Icelandic and northern plants, while the Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo introduces younger visitors to domestic animals and selected Icelandic wildlife. Art lovers can visit Ásmundarsafn, housed in sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson’s former studio and surrounded by his work. The valley’s sports grounds, including Laugardalsvöllur and the area around Laugardalshöll, add a distinctly local dimension when matches or events are taking place. Wide paths, lawns and open views between the venues are attractions in their own right, particularly during Reykjavik’s long summer evenings.

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Best landmarks in Laugardalur

Laugardalur’s landmarks reflect its role as Reykjavik’s principal recreation landscape. Laugardalslaug is significant not only as a swimming pool but also as a modern expression of the city’s geothermal culture and communal bathing life. Laugardalsvöllur, the national football stadium, and Laugardalshöll, the large indoor arena, give the valley a civic and sporting presence visible beyond the neighbourhood. Ásmundarsafn is architecturally distinctive as the former studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, with a surrounding display of his imaginative forms. The botanical garden provides a different kind of landmark: a carefully cultivated public landscape within the open valley. Together, these places chart Laugardalur’s transformation from a spring-fed laundry area into a broad civic district devoted to sport, culture, horticulture and public leisure.

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Explore Laugardalur on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Laugardalur, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Laugardalur

Dining in Laugardalur is shaped more by its leisure facilities and surrounding residential streets than by a concentrated restaurant quarter. Visitors can find refreshments connected with the swimming pool, sports venues and family attractions, making the area practical for a casual meal or break during a day outdoors. The food offer is generally less destination-focused than in central Reykjavik, where the city’s strongest concentration of restaurants, cafés and bars lies. For a broader choice, visitors can use nearby commercial areas beyond the immediate valley, while the neighbourhood itself suits a simple itinerary built around coffee, snacks, pool visits and an event. Its culinary character is therefore tied to everyday recreation rather than a specialised local cuisine or a single market street, and opening arrangements may vary between facilities and event days.

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Best bars in Laugardalur

Laugardalur is not one of Reykjavik’s principal nightlife districts. Evenings here are usually associated with swimming, sports fixtures, concerts and family-oriented activities rather than a dense strip of pubs or nightclubs. The sports venues may become lively when an event is scheduled, but the atmosphere changes according to the programme rather than following a permanent late-night pattern. Visitors seeking cocktail bars, live-music venues or clubs will generally find a much wider choice in central Reykjavik, reached by bus, taxi or a longer walk. Around the valley, it is considerate to keep voices low near residential buildings after events and to check return transport before a late finish, as open recreational areas can feel quiet once organised activities have ended.

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Best nightclubs in Laugardalur

Laugardalur is not one of Reykjavik’s principal nightlife districts. Evenings here are usually associated with swimming, sports fixtures, concerts and family-oriented activities rather than a dense strip of pubs or nightclubs. The sports venues may become lively when an event is scheduled, but the atmosphere changes according to the programme rather than following a permanent late-night pattern. Visitors seeking cocktail bars, live-music venues or clubs will generally find a much wider choice in central Reykjavik, reached by bus, taxi or a longer walk. Around the valley, it is considerate to keep voices low near residential buildings after events and to check return transport before a late finish, as open recreational areas can feel quiet once organised activities have ended.

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Best shops in Laugardalur

Shopping is limited in Laugardalur compared with central Reykjavik and the larger commercial districts elsewhere in the city. The neighbourhood’s retail activity is mainly practical and connected with everyday residents, sports, swimming and visitors using its leisure facilities rather than with a cluster of independent boutiques or specialist shops. Small purchases such as snacks, drinks and activity-related items may be available around individual venues, but stock and opening arrangements vary. Visitors looking for design shops, Icelandic wool, books, records or a broad selection of gifts will find more choice in central Reykjavik or in nearby commercial areas outside Laugardalur. The botanical garden and museum may provide culturally relevant retail opportunities when open, but the valley is better approached as a place for recreation and public space than as a dedicated shopping destination.

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Laugardalur essentials

Getting There
Laugardalur is east of central Reykjavik and is reached by Strætó buses serving the roads around Sundlaugavegur, Reykjavegur and Suðurlandsbraut; check the current network and stop locations before travelling. From the city centre, walking or cycling is possible, though the distance is more comfortable for visitors who enjoy a longer urban walk. Taxis and cars can reach the main sports and leisure facilities, but event-day traffic may affect parking. The neighbourhood is not a separate transport hub, so visitors arriving from Keflavík Airport normally travel through the city first before continuing to Laugardalur.
Getting Around
The main attractions are connected by paths through a spacious valley, but Laugardalur is not compact: Laugardalslaug, the botanical garden, the family park, Ásmundarsafn and the sports venues are spread across different parts of the district. Walking is the most rewarding way to move between them, while cycling can be practical on suitable routes. Roads around the stadium and indoor arena are busy during events, and some paths may be slippery or exposed in poor weather. Visitors with limited mobility should check individual venues for current accessibility details before setting out.
Safety
Laugardalur is generally experienced as a public recreation and sports area, but ordinary urban precautions remain sensible. Keep valuables secure around swimming facilities, crowded entrances and event gatherings, and take care when crossing roads near the stadium and arena. Open lawns and paths can become dark, wet or icy in winter, while wind and sudden weather changes affect comfort at any time of year. After evening events, use well-lit routes and arrange transport rather than assuming every path through the valley will feel equally busy.
Emergency Situations
In Iceland, call 112 for police, fire and ambulance emergencies. Give the operator the name of the venue or street in Laugardalur, and explain whether medical help, fire assistance or police support is required. Staff at Laugardalslaug, the sports venues, museums and other public facilities can assist with immediate incidents and direct visitors to appropriate care. For non-urgent medical advice, use Iceland’s official health-service guidance rather than relying on an unfamiliar local facility; carry identification and details of travel insurance when seeking treatment.
Do's and Don'ts
At Laugardalslaug, shower thoroughly without swimwear before entering the pools and respect the quiet, shared character of Icelandic bathing culture. Follow signs around sports grounds, gardens and museum spaces, and do not climb on sculptures or enter restricted areas. Keep noise to a considerate level near homes and family facilities, particularly after events. In the botanical garden, stay on appropriate paths and avoid picking plants. Dress for changing weather, and remember that outdoor pool etiquette is more structured than a casual visit to a hotel swimming pool.
Local Tips
Laugardalur rewards visitors who give it more than a quick pass between attractions. Start with a map of the valley so that the location of the pool, botanical garden, family park and sports venues is clear, then build a route around the season and weather. Ásmundarsafn provides a useful cultural counterpoint to the outdoor facilities, while the open areas around the valley are particularly pleasant when daylight is long. Event programmes and venue opening information change, so check official details before making a tightly timed itinerary.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHalló[ha-lo]
GoodbyeBless[bles]
YesJá[ya]
NoNei[nay]
Please/You're welcomeGjörðu svo vel[gyer-thu svo vel]
Thank youTakk fyrir[tahk feer-ir]
Excuse me/SorryFyrirgefðu[feer-ir-gef-thu]
How are you?Hvernig hefur þú það?[kver-nig heh-ur thu thah]
Fine. And you?Gott. Og þú?[got oh thu]
Do you speak English?Talar þú ensku?[tah-lar thu ens-ku]
I don't understandÉg skil ekki[yeh skil ehk-ki]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseÉg ætla að sjá matsedilinn, takk[yeh ait-la ath shau mat-seh-dil-inn takk]
I don't eat meatÉg borða ekki kjöt[yeh bor-tha ehk-ki chot]
Cheers!Skál![skowl]
I would like to pay, pleaseÉg væri til í að borga, takk[yeh vair-ih til ee ath bor-ga takk]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjálp![hyowlp]
Go away!Farðu í burtu![far-thu ee bur-tu]
Call the Police!Hringdu í lögregluna![hring-du ee löh-grehg-lu-na]
Call a doctor!Hringdu í lækninn![hring-du ee laik-nin]
I'm lostÉg er týndur[yeh air teen-dur]
I'm illÉg er veikur[yeh air vay-kur]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ég ætla að kaupa...[yeh ait-la ath kow-pa]
I'm just lookingÉg er bara að skoða[yeh air bara ath sko-tha]
How much is it?Hvað kostar það?[kva-th kost-ar thah]
That's too expensiveÞað er of kostlegt[thah air ov kost-legt]
Can you lower the price?Geturðu lækkat verðið?[geth-ur-thu læk-kat ver-thith]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hvað er klukkan?[kva-th air klu-khan]
It's one o'clockKlukkan er eitt[klu-khan air ait]
Half past (10)Hálf tíu[howlf tee-oo]
MorningMorgunn[mor-gun]
AfternoonSíðdegi[seed-deh-gi]
EveningKvöld[kvoold]
YesterdayÍ gær[ee gai-r]
TodayÍ dag[ee dahg]
TomorrowÁ morgun[ow mor-gun]
1Einn[aythn]
2Tveir[t-vay-r]
3Þrír[threer]
4Fjórir[fyow-rir]
5Fimm[fim]
6Sex[sehx]
7Sjö[syow]
8Átta[ow-tha]
9Níu[nee-oo]
10Tíu[tee-oo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hvar er...[kvar air]
What's the address?Hvað er heimilisfangið?[kva-th air hay-mil-is-fan-gith]
Can you show me (on the map)?Geturðu sýnt mér (á kortinu)?[geth-ur-thu seent mair (ow kort-inu)]
When's the next (bus)?Hvenær kemur næsti (strætisvagn)?[kver-nai-r kem-ur nai-stee strait-is-vagn]
A ticket (to ....)Miða (til ...)[mee-tha til]

History of Laugardalur

The Laundry Valley and Its Springs

Laugardalur’s name preserves the area’s earlier relationship with geothermal water. Springs in the valley were used for washing clothes, an everyday task that gave the district its Icelandic name, “laundry valley”. The site was outside the historic built-up centre and remained open land for much of its early history. Its warm water, however, made it useful to Reykjavik residents long before the area became a planned recreational quarter, linking the landscape to the practical importance of geothermal heat in Icelandic urban life.

From Open Land to City Recreation

As Reykjavik expanded during the twentieth century, Laugardalur was incorporated into the city’s plans for public recreation and green space. The valley’s broad landform allowed room for playing fields, swimming facilities and large civic venues that would have been difficult to establish in the older centre. This development gave Laugardalur a distinctive public purpose: rather than becoming primarily commercial or residential, it evolved as a place where sport, leisure and outdoor activity could be provided for the growing capital.

Gardens, Sport and Civic Institutions

The establishment of Reykjavik’s botanical garden in Laugardalur added a horticultural and educational dimension to the district. Sports infrastructure developed alongside it, including the national stadium and Laugardalshöll, helping make the valley an important setting for athletics, football, indoor events and community use. The construction of swimming facilities also extended the area’s older geothermal identity into modern public life. Together, these institutions shaped Laugardalur as one of Reykjavik’s principal civic landscapes.

A Recreation District in Contemporary Reykjavik

Later additions, including the family park and zoo, the ice rink and the museum devoted to sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, broadened Laugardalur’s appeal beyond sport and bathing. The district now combines formal venues with open lawns, planted areas and walking routes, while surrounding housing and urban infrastructure have brought the valley firmly into the everyday fabric of Reykjavik. Its present identity rests less on monumental architecture than on the continued public use of its landscape for exercise, family outings, culture and relaxation.

Laugardalur in Photos

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