Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Reykjavik for Skyline Swims

Where to Find the Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Reykjavik for Skyline Swims

I moved to Reykjavik in 2016, and I will be honest with you. Finding a proper rooftop pool with real skyline views here is not the kind of thing Iceland does in abundance. Our city is small, our winters are long, and most hotels keep their pools indoors behind thick glass because, well, it is freezing five months of the year. But over the past few years, a handful of places have carved out something genuinely impressive, heated pools perched above the city where you can float on your back with Hallgrimskirkja's spire glowing in the background. If you are hunting for the best hotels with rooftop pools in Reykjavik, you need to know which ones deliver on that promise and which ones are mostly marketing photos taken in August during a rare heatwave. I have visited every single place on this list, and I have swum in most of them, so what follows comes from cold, wet, lived experience.

CenterHotel Thingholt and Its Geothermal-Adjacent Spa Approach

Thingholtsstræti 3 is where CenterHotel Thingholt sits, tucked into the old harbor edge of downtown, and while it does not have a rooftop pool in the traditional open-air infinity sense, their top-floor wellness area gives you heated water with views that overlook the harbor district. This is the kind of rooftop pool hotel Reykjavik that works better in practice than the glossy photos suggest because the geothermally heated water means you can actually use it year-round, not just during the three warm weeks we get. The building itself dates from a 1970s renovation of an older structure, and the spa sits right at the top with windows that frame Mount Esja on clear mornings.

What to See: The harbor-view jacuzzi tubs on the upper wellness floor paired with the blackout curtains in your room, because you will need them during midnight sun season when the light never really disappears.

Best Time: Early September, when the summer crowds thin but the water is still warm from the geothermal system and the northern lights start poking through after midnight.

The Vibe: Budget-friendly without feeling cheap. The whole place feels like a well-kept local secret rather than a tourist trap. The only real grip I have is that the spa area closes early on Sundays, which feels like a missed opportunity for a relaxation-focused hotel.

Local tip: Ask for a room on the northwest corner of the upper floors. You get Esja on one side and the harbor cranes on the other, and the light hits differently there around 6 AM in winter.

Ion Adventure Hotel and the Lava-Rock Lagoon Experience

Vonarstræti 100, out by the edge of Thingvellir-adjacent countryside, is where Ion Adventure Hotel stakes its claim. This is not technically a rooftop pool in the urban sense. It is a geothermal lagoon built into the landscape with views that stretch across lava fields and, on clear nights, the aurora dancing overhead. I know this stretches the definition of "rooftop," but the infinity pool hotel Reykjavik scene includes this place because the experience of floating in naturally heated water while the sky does something impossible is the whole reason people come to Iceland. The building itself is a converted farmhouse from the 1940s, and the architects kept the original stone walls while adding floor-to-ceiling glass that faces the raw Icelandic landscape.

What to Order: The tasting menu at the Silfra Restaurant after your swim. The lamb is sourced from farms within 30 kilometers, and the chef rotates the menu based on what the foragers bring in that week.

Best Time: Late October through February, when the northern lights are most active and the outdoor pool feels like a scene from another planet. Weekdays are quieter, and the staff will sometimes let you have the pool area to yourself if occupancy is low.

The Vibe: Remote, almost otherworldly. You are not in the city anymore, and that is the point. The drawback is that getting here requires a rental car or a shuttle, and the nearest grocery store is a 20-minute drive.

Local tip: Book the room with the skylight above the bed. I have seen the aurora from horizontal, and it changes something in you. The staff will wake you if the lights appear, which is a service no other hotel I know offers.

Hotel Borg and the Art Deco Rooftop Terrace

Posthustæti 11, right on Austurvöllur square, is where Hotel Borg has stood since 1930. This is one of the oldest pool view hotel Reykjavik options, and the rooftop terrace pool is small, intimate, and framed by the square below. The building was originally commissioned by a shipping magnate, and the Art Deco details inside are original, including the brass elevator doors and the geometric tile work in the lobby. The rooftop pool is seasonal, open from June through mid-September, and the water is heated, which matters because even in July the air temperature can drop to 8 degrees Celsius by evening.

What to See: The original 1930s tile work in the lower spa level, which most guests walk right past on their way to the rooftop. It is genuinely beautiful and almost nobody photographs it.

Best Time: Late June during the summer solstice, when the sun barely sets and you can swim at midnight with the square below still lit by golden light.

The Vibe: Old-world European with a modern Icelandic twist. The rooftop pool is not large, so when the hotel is at full capacity, it can feel a bit crowded. I have seen families with kids take over the whole area by 4 PM, which is fine if you are a family, less fine if you came for a quiet float.

Local tip: The square below hosts political protests and festival stages throughout the year. If you are on the rooftop during a rally, you get a front-row seat to Icelandic democracy in action, which is more entertaining than any poolside cocktail.

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik and the Harbor-Edge Wellness Floor

Smiðjustræti 4, right along the harbor, is where Canopy positions itself as a modern rooftop pool hotel Reykjavik contender. The wellness area on the upper floors includes a heated pool with views across the Old Harbor and Harpa Concert Hall. The building opened in 2020, so everything feels fresh, and the design leans into the industrial harbor aesthetic with exposed concrete and warm wood. The pool is not technically on the roof, but the elevated position and the floor-to-ceiling windows give you that skyline swim feeling, especially at night when Harpa's glass facade reflects the harbor lights.

What to Order: The smoked trout at the on-site restaurant, which they cure in-house using a traditional Icelandic cold-smoke method with birch wood.

Best Time: Early evening in winter, when the harbor lights come on and the pool area feels like a warm glass box floating above the dark water outside.

The Vibe: Sleek and modern without being cold. The staff are genuinely helpful, which is not always the case in Reykjavik's newer hotels. My only real complaint is that the pool area can get noisy during weekend evenings when the bar downstairs gets busy, and the sound carries up through the ventilation.

Local tip: Request a room facing Harpa. The building's light display changes with the seasons, and in December it shifts to a deep blue that matches the winter ocean. It is subtle, but once you notice it, you cannot unsee it.

Reykjavik Residence Hotel and the Intimate Upper-Level Pool

Hverfisgata 45, in the old theater district, is where Reykjavik Residence Hotel operates a smaller, more personal pool view hotel Reykjavik experience. The rooftop pool is compact, heated, and surrounded by a terrace that faces the city center rooftops. The building was originally a 1920s apartment block, and the renovation kept the original wooden stairwells and some of the vintage door hardware, which gives the whole place a lived-in feeling that newer hotels cannot replicate.

What to See: The vintage theater posters in the hallways, which are original prints from the old Hverfisgata cinema that used to operate next door.

Best Time: Midweek in May, when the city is waking up from winter and the pool is warm but the air is crisp enough to make the steam rising off the water dramatic.

The Vibe: Quiet, almost residential. You might forget you are in a hotel, which is either a pro or a con depending on what you came for. The pool is small enough that if another guest is being loud, you will hear every word. I have had to leave because of a particularly enthusiastic family reunion once.

Local tip: The hotel is a two-minute walk from Hlemmur Square, which has a food hall that opened in 2022. Grab a lamb soup from one of the vendors and eat it on the terrace after your swim. Nobody tells you this, but it is the best post-pool meal in the city.

Alda Hotel and the Rooftop Hot Tub Collection

Laugavegur 22, the main shopping street, is where Alda Hotel sits with its rooftop hot tubs that overlook the city center. This is not a full pool, but the collection of heated hot tubs on the roof gives you that skyline soak experience, and the views stretch from Laugavegur's storefronts to the mountains beyond. The building is newer, opened in 2019, and the design references the old Laugavegur trading post history with reclaimed wood and vintage photographs throughout the lobby.

What to Order: The Icelandic hot dog from the street vendor two blocks down on Laugavegur, then eat it on the rooftop. I know this sounds basic, but the combination of a pylsur with a rooftop view of the city is peak Reykjavik.

Best Time: Late August, when the weather is still mild and the northern lights are just starting to appear around 10 PM.

The Vibe: Boutique and walkable. You are right on the main street, so everything is steps away. The hot tubs are first-come, first-served, and on weekend evenings the wait can be 20 minutes or more, which is frustrating when you are in a swimsuit and it is 6 degrees outside.

Local tip: The rooftop is also accessible to non-guests during certain hours if you book a spa treatment. Ask at the front desk, and they will sometimes let you up even if you are not staying there, which is a nice flexibility that most hotels do not offer.

The Reykjavik EDITION and the Elevated Wellness Experience

Kalkofnsvegur 1, near the Old Harbor, is where The Reykjavik EDITION opened in 2022 with a wellness area that includes a heated pool with city views. This is a rooftop pool hotel Reykjavik option that leans into the luxury end, and the pool area is on an upper floor with windows that frame the harbor and the surrounding hills. The building is new construction, and the design references Icelandic volcanic rock and geothermal energy throughout, with a lobby that uses locally quarried basalt.

What to Order: The tasting menu at the on-site restaurant, which sources langoustine from the Westfjords and serves it with foraged herbs that change weekly.

Best Time: Midweek in March, when the days are getting longer and the pool area catches the late afternoon light in a way that makes the whole room glow.

The Vibe: Polished and international. You could be in any major city, which is the trade-off for this level of luxury. The pool area is beautiful but can feel a bit sterile compared to the older, more character-driven hotels. I have also noticed that the spa staff can be overly attentive in a way that interrupts the quiet you came for.

Local tip: The hotel is a five-minute walk from the Settlement Exhibition, which is an archaeological site from the 10th century. Most guests skip it, but the excavated longhouse ruins are genuinely moving, and they connect you to the actual history of this harbor in a way that no hotel lobby can.

Loft Hostel and the Rooftop Bar with Hot Tub

Bankastræti 7, up on the top floor of the Loft Hostel building, is where a small rooftop hot tub and bar area gives you one of the most affordable pool view hotel Reykjavik experiences in the city. This is not a hotel in the traditional sense, but the rooftop area is open to guests and sometimes to the public, and the views from the top floor stretch across the old city center. The building is a converted commercial space from the 1960s, and the rooftop was added during a 2018 renovation that kept the raw concrete and industrial feel.

What to Order: The Brennivín, the Icelandic caraway schnapps, from the rooftop bar. It is terrible and wonderful, and drinking it on a rooftop while looking at the city is a rite of passage.

Best Time: Friday or Saturday evening in summer, when the rooftop bar is live and the city below is buzzing with festival energy.

The Vibe: Social and loud. This is a hostel, so expect backpackers, solo travelers, and the occasional bachelor party. The hot tub is small, and if you are looking for a quiet, contemplative swim, this is not your spot. I have seen it get uncomfortably crowded on weekend nights, and the wait for the hot tub can stretch past 30 minutes.

Local tip: The hostel is directly above the Loft bar, which hosts live music and open mic nights. If you are on the rooftop during a good set, the sound drifts up and the whole experience becomes something you did not plan but will remember.

When to Go and What to Know

Reykjavik's rooftop pools are almost all heated with geothermal water, which is a gift from the volcanic activity beneath the city. The best months for rooftop swimming are June through September, when the air temperature is above 10 degrees and the pools feel like a warm embrace. From October through April, the experience shifts to something more dramatic, steam rising off the water while the sky does something extraordinary. Credit cards are accepted everywhere on this list, and you will not need cash for any of these venues. Tipping is not expected in Iceland, and you will not offend anyone if you do not leave extra. Most rooftop pools are seasonal, so confirm opening dates before booking, because some close from September through May. The midnight sun in June and July means you can swim at 11 PM in full light, and the aurora season from October through March means you might swim under green skies, which is the reason most people come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Reykjavik?

A specialty coffee in Reykjavik costs between 600 and 900 Icelandic króna (approximately 4.50 to 6.50 USD), while herbal or local tea ranges from 500 to 750 króna (approximately 3.50 to 5.50 USD). Prices are consistent across most cafés in the city center, with occasional premiums at hotel restaurants or tourist-facing locations near the Old Harbor.

Are credit cards widely accepted across Reykjavik, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?

Credit and debit cards, including contactless and mobile payments, are accepted at nearly every establishment in Reykjavik, from small street vendors to hotels and tour operators. Carrying cash is unnecessary for daily expenses, and some businesses have moved to card-only or digital payment systems entirely.

What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Reykjavik?

Tipping is not expected or customary in Iceland, and service charges are typically included in listed prices at restaurants and hotels. Staff do not anticipate gratuities, and rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount is appreciated but not required.

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Reykjavik without feeling rushed?

Three full days are sufficient to cover the major attractions in Reykjavik, including Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, the Old Harbor, the Settlement Exhibition, and the Laugavegur shopping street. Adding a fourth day allows for a relaxed pace and time for a day trip to the nearby Golden Circle or the Blue Lagoon.

Is Reykjavik expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier daily budget in Reykjavik ranges from 35,000 to 55,000 Icelandic króna (approximately 250 to 400 USD), covering a hotel room, two meals, local transportation, and one activity. Accommodation accounts for roughly half that budget, with meals at casual restaurants running 3,000 to 6,000 króna per person.