Question 1

Is The Laugarvatn Fontana Spa a natural spring?

Accepted Answer

The water in the pools at the Fontana Spa is heated by a natural hot spring and the steam in the stream rooms is created by the hot spring beneath. The entire spa is built on top of a natural hot spring and there is even an on-site bakery that makes rye bread using the naturally-heated water.

Question 2

Is The Fontana Spa worth it?

Accepted Answer

It’s not the biggest or the most popular of Iceland’s many geothermal spas and lagoons, but if you’re spending the day driving the Golden Circle, it is definitely worth taking a mid-day pause at The Fontana Spa. Walking between the continents at Þingvellir and chasing waterfalls can be tiring, so The Fontana Spa offers a chance to recharge and rejuvenate right in the middle of the Golden Circle. Entrance to the Fontana Spa is also significantly cheaper than the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, so it’s a great way to experience Iceland’s bathing culture if you are on a budget.

Question 3

Are kids welcome to Fontana geothermal spa?

Accepted Answer

Kids are very welcome to experience the Fontana Geothermal Spa. In fact, children under the age of 12 can access the spa and join the tour of the bakery for free when accompanied by an adult. Unlike the Blue Lagoon, which does not permit children under two years old, you will see a lot of local visitors to the Fontana Spa with their children enjoying the bath-warm pools by the lakeside. The spa provides water toys for kids in the coolest and shallowest of the three pools.

Question 4

How long to spend in Laugarvatn?

Accepted Answer

There are a few things to do around the small hamlet of Laugarvatn in Iceland. The main attraction is the Fontana Spa itself, where you could easily spend a couple of hours changing, bathing, relaxing in the steam room and getting ready to hit the road again. There’s also a rye bread bakery where the bread is heated by the same hot spring as the spa water. A tour and sampling session at the rye bread bakery takes around half an hour. There are a few accommodation options at Laugarvatn if you wish to spend the night here and a cafe at the spa which serves Icelandic soups and the rye bread that is baked on-site.

Question 5

Where is The Fontana Spa Iceland?

Accepted Answer

The Laugarvatn Fontana Spa is right in the middle of the Golden Circle route in the southwest of Iceland. It sits on the banks of Laugarvatn Lake, so it’s a picturesque spot. From Reykjavík, it’s a 78-kilometre drive (48 miles), taking around an hour and fifteen minutes. The location of the Fontana Spa is what draws visitors to the geothermally-heated waters. It sits conveniently between Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir area of geothermal activity – two of the biggest attractions along the Golden Circle.

Question 6

Is there a time limit at Fontana geothermal spa?

Accepted Answer

There is no limit to how long you can spend at the Fontana Spa. Once you’ve paid the entrance fee, you can spend as long as you want dipping in and out of the heated pools and detoxifying in the stream rooms and sauna. Of course, you can only stay during opening hours. The Fontana Spa is open daily between 11am and 9pm.

Question 7

Can you go to the baths, get out to eat lunch, and then go back to the baths?

Accepted Answer

As there is no time limit to your stay at the Fontana Spa, you can enjoy a bathing session, then pause for lunch before getting back into the baths again if you so wish. There is an on-site cafe serving a buffet or a la carte array of Icelandic soups and rye bread baked by the hot spring.

Question 8

The Fontana Spa or the Secret Lagoon?

Accepted Answer

Both the Fontana Spa and the Secret Lagoon are geothermal outdoor bathing experiences just off the popular Golden Circle route. Which one you choose depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. The Secret Lagoon is considered Iceland’s oldest swimming pool and, as a result, has a spartan and slightly haunting feel to it. There are indoor changing facilities, a bar and a café at the Secret Lagoon, but the experience at the Fontana Spa is a little more luxurious. The look is sleek and modern, with a glass building overlooking two heated outdoor pools with crystal-clear turquoise water (as opposed to the Secret Lagoon’s slightly murky denim hue). The Secret Lagoon is a little more basic than Fontana Spa as the latter has steam rooms and a sauna for the ultimate relaxation.

Question 9

Are the Fontana spa showers private?

Accepted Answer

Most of the showers at the Fontana Spa are shared – one set of showers in the men’s changing room and one set in the women’s. However, in the women’s changing room there is one shower with a curtain for those seeking extra privacy. Unlike larger spas like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, there are no fully private changing and showering facilities at the Fontana Spa.

Question 10

Can phones take pictures of the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

Almost any camera phone these days is powerful enough to take decent pictures of the Northern Lights. In fact, many phone cameras are actually better than proper cameras!

To take a good photo, turn your exposure to the maximum, turn off the flash, and use night mode. Apps such as Nightcap, Cortex Camera, or the Northern Lights Photo Taker can help too.

Question 11

What is the rarest colour of the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

The rarest colours of the Northern Lights are blue and red. Blue auroras are produced by nitrogen molecules at lower altitudes and are less common. Red auroras, occurring at the highest altitudes and caused by high-altitude oxygen, are also relatively rare. Both these colours require specific atmospheric conditions to be visible, making them a less frequent but spectacular sight in auroral displays.

Question 12

Can the Northern Lights be seen from Reykjavík?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Lights can be seen from Reykjavík, yes. And it’s a magical experience to see them by chance when you’re just enjoying your evening.

However, the city is not the best place to see the Northern Lights. That’s because light pollution can prevent them from appearing with their full strength. Instead, you want somewhere dark to enjoy them at their best.

Question 13

Why is the Northern Lights so special?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Lights are special for a couple of key reasons:

1. Unique Natural Phenomenon: They represent a spectacular natural light display in the Earth's sky, primarily seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. This phenomenon results from the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles from the sun, making it a unique celestial event.

2. Cultural and Mythological Significance: Throughout history, the Northern Lights have held significant cultural and mythological importance in various societies. They have inspired numerous folklore tales and art and have been a subject of awe and wonder. Their ethereal beauty and the magical experience they provide add to their special status in human perception and experience.

Question 14

When can you see the Northern lights in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

It’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland throughout the winter.

For the Northern Lights to be visible, you need two things: solar activity and a clear, dark sky. The darker the better—that’s why winters in very northern countries like Iceland are the best time to see them.

The ideal time to see the Northern Lights are the darkest months of the year: November, December, and January. However, you can see them from September through to April.

Question 15

Do Northern Lights happen every night in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

The scientific processes that cause the Northern Lights occur very often, if not pretty much all the time—throughout the night, day, winter and summer. However, often you can’t see them because of the cloud, the midnight sun, or because you’re not looking.

While every night might be an exaggeration, the Northern Lights are much more common than you might think!

Question 16

How long do auroras last?

Accepted Answer

Auroras can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the intensity of the geomagnetic storm causing them.

Question 17

How long do I need to stay to see the northern lights?

Accepted Answer

To maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, it's advisable to stay for at least a week. This duration allows for variability in weather conditions and solar activity, which are crucial factors in the visibility of the auroras. Since the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and their appearance can be unpredictable, a longer stay increases the likelihood of witnessing this spectacular display, especially considering potential cloudy nights or periods of low solar activity.

Question 18

Do I face north to see the northern lights?

Accepted Answer

Facing north often increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, especially in lower-latitude areas. In Iceland, however, the lights are most often right above our heads or stretching across the entire sky.

Question 19

How do you guarantee you see the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

There’s no way of guaranteeing that you’ll see the Northern Lights. It’s a natural phenomenon that’s affected by the weather, after all. But with Northern Lights tours, you do have a pretty good chance.

Question 20

What is the best month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

In Iceland, December is the month when the days are shortest and nights are darkest. That means it’s typically the favourite month for Northern Lights-hunters.

That said, you can have as much luck seeing the aurora borealis in any of the months of the winter. All you need is dark, clear skies.

Question 21

Do the Northern Lights make noise?

Accepted Answer

Exciting studies and anecdotal evidence, ranging from Sami folklore to modern stargazers, suggest that the Northern Lights might produce sounds, a phenomenon as elusive as the lights themselves.

Historically, indigenous peoples and early Arctic explorers reported hearing sounds like crackling and whooshing during auroral displays, though these claims were met with scepticism since auroras occur at altitudes beyond the human ear's acoustic range.

Recent research in Finland, however, has recorded sounds such as claps and crackles coinciding with the auroras at lower altitudes within the human audible range. This emerging theory suggests that the electrical phenomena of auroras, involving charged particles and temperature variations, could generate these sounds akin to the noise produced by a spark.

While not all observers experience these sounds, and they're often heard under specific, quiet conditions, for some, the Northern Lights are not just a visual spectacle but a celestial concert, highlighting the dynamic nature of our planet.

Question 22

Can you see the northern lights in Reykjavik?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik in some cases. However, when the lights are faint or low on the horizon, their visibility can be significantly reduced by the city lights and obstructed by buildings. For the best viewing experience, it's recommended to find spots away from the urban light pollution and with an unobstructed view of the sky.

Question 23

How rare is it to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

It’s not at all rare to see the Northern Lights in Iceland! That’s why so many people come to the Land of Ice and Fire to enjoy the display.

In fact, you can see the aurora borealis almost every night if the skies are clear. You just need to know where to look!

Question 24

How can I increase my chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

The best way to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights is to join a tour. While you can sometimes see the phenomenon by yourself, when you’re led by an expert guide, they’ll be able to show you exactly where to look.

What’s more, if you don’t see the Northern Lights on your tour, we’ll give you a ticket to another tour on a day that suits you for free—to double your chances.

Question 25

What are 3 interesting facts about the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

Three interesting facts about the Northern Lights are:

1. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are caused by the interaction of solar wind - a stream of charged particles escaping the Sun - with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

2. They can exhibit a variety of colours, with green being the most common. These colours result from different gases in the atmosphere getting excited by the solar particles; oxygen emits green and red hues, while nitrogen gives off blue and purple.

3. Although best known for appearing in polar regions, during periods of strong solar activity, the Northern Lights can be seen at lower latitudes, far from the polar areas. This makes them a spectacular and somewhat unpredictable natural light show.

Question 26

Which part of Iceland is best for the Northern Lights?

Accepted Answer

To see the Northern Lights at their best, it’s recommended that you find a place where light pollution is lowest. That’s why the best Northern Lights tours will leave cities such as Reykjavík—because you can see the aurora better where it’s darkest.

That said, you can see the Northern Lights from the city. And as weather conditions and cloud cover change every night, the best place to see the Northern Lights changes too.

Question 27

How likely is it to see the northern lights in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is fairly likely during the winter months if weather conditions are favourable.

Question 28

How much is a Northern Lights tour in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

The price of Northern Lights tours in Iceland depend on what you want to get up to and how you want to travel.

The most affordable option is the classic tour from Reykjavík, which takes you by coach to a destination where the conditions are best that evening. But if you want to travel by small group, or on a private vehicle, you will pay more.

The same goes for tours that take you to different destinations, such as the Golden Circle or the Blue Lagoon.

Check out individual tour pages for up to date prices.

Question 29

Do the Northern Lights happen every night?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Lights do not occur every night; their visibility depends on solar activity and atmospheric conditions.

Question 30

Why are Northern Lights only in the north?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Lights are not exclusively in the north; they are mirrored by the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) in the southern hemisphere, both occurring near the Earth's magnetic poles.

Question 31

What to wear on a Northern Lights tour in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

When on a Northern Lights tour, plan to wear clothes that will best keep you warm. You’re going to be outside at night in the Icelandic winter, and to enjoy the experience to the fullest you won’t want to get cold.

The best idea is to wear lots of thin layers, plus a winter jacket and a windproof outer shell. And don’t forget to keep your feet warm! Icelandic woollen socks, for example, can be a good idea.

Question 32

Which part of Iceland is best for northern lights?

Accepted Answer

The best parts of Iceland for Northern Lights are outside urban areas, with the eastern northern and western regions often recommended for clearer skies.

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