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Sundhollin Swimming Center

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TracyT
TracyT
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5 out of 5
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Sundhollin Swimming Center

  • December 2, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by TracyT from yorktown heights, New York
Sundhollin Swimming Center

Swimming pools and hot pots are abundant in Iceland, and going to one of the city center swimming pools enables the tourist to get a taste of authentic local life. Many go to the hot pots after work to decompress.

Three of the main swimming centers are Lugardalslaug, Sundhollin and Vesturbajarluaug.

I went to the Sundhollin center on Baronsstigur because it was the most accessible from my hotel. It is a quick five minute walk, and it is located very close to the Hallgrimskirka Church. Going to one of the swimming centers is very affordable, the price is about 2 or so in US dollars. With that, you get a towel and a key for your locker.

Similarly to the Blue Lagoon, you must take a shower before entering the swimming pool or the hot pot.

Unlike the Blue Lagoon, there was a clear local vibe. It didn't have a touristy feel, and I appreciated that. At one point, I was sitting in a hot pot, (the hot pots are located outdoors on the roof) with four or five Icelandic men in their sixties. One had a tattoo that said "Iceland forever" on his arm. This seemed to reflect a very strong love and Icelandic identity that I picked up on throughout the trip.

The hot pots are indeed hot. There is a clock located on the outside wall, so you are able to keep a watch of how long you're in there for. There were a few times, where I had to jump into the pool to cool off, before resuming sitting in the hot pot. It felt invigorating.

Besides the two outdoor hot pots, there is an indoor swimming pool that is 25 metres long. Around the perimeter are different weight machines. I thought that was sort of an unusual sight.

The phone number for the Sundhollin is 551 4059. The center is opened for a longer period of time in the spring and summer seasons.

From journal Iceland in the Winter

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