Unlike the U.S. where most towns do not have local swimming pools, pretty much EVERY town in Iceland, including the small ones, has a swimming pool. With typical high temperatures in the 50s (Fahrenheit) at the height of summer, you may be wondering why there are so many swimming pools. Well, pools are open year round, including the cold winter months, because the water is naturally heating by the great amount of geothermal activity in Iceland.
Although it was a cold air temperature, swimming outdoors in Iceland was very, very comfortable. In fact, it felt better swimming in an Icelandic swimming pool than it does jumping in a U.S. swimming pool on a hot summer day. So if visiting Iceland, visit a local swimming pool. Our kids loved it.
There are many options, including some very touristy options that cost a boatload of money. Skip the famous swimming pools that cost $100 per person and go to a town's local swimming pool. On the second part of our trip we stayed near Selfoss and went to the pool there. For four of us it was about $20 USD total, as opposed to several hundred USD at the tourist traps. The pools were not packed with people so we had free reign to move around and our kids could easily move around without us worrying where they were. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and a great break from driving around the countryside.
No comments:
Post a Comment