Nauthólsvík

Nauthólsvík is a popular recreational and bathing area in Reykjavík, located at the base of Öskjuhlíð hill near the domestic airport. The area combines a golden sand beach, a heated seawater lagoon, hot tubs, and a wide range of outdoor activities.

The site is operated by the City of Reykjavík, which runs the sailing club Siglunes and the beachfront facility known as Ylströndin. Today, Nauthólsvík serves as a lively hub for swimming, sunbathing, sea sports, and relaxation by the ocean.

The former farm Nauthóll was built around 1850 and was one of many small settlements established near Reykjavík during that period. It functioned as a dependent holding of the Skildinganes farm and stood along a well-travelled route. Around the year 1900, an outbreak of typhoid fever led to the farm being burned down. The remains of the buildings can still be seen north of the parking area.

During World War II, extensive military activity took place in and around Nauthólsvík due to its proximity to the airport. The bay served as a base for seaplanes, which played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic. Among the units stationed here was a Norwegian air squadron, commemorated by a memorial located west of the Ylströndin service building.

After the war, ideas emerged to develop Nauthólsvík as a seaside bathing area. Facilities were improved, but sea bathing was later prohibited due to pollution. During the 1970s, a naturally warm stream flowing into the bay became extremely popular until it was closed in 1985.

With the cleanup of Reykjavík’s coastline, plans were revived to restore Nauthólsvík as a sea-bathing site. Construction began soon afterward, and the beach officially opened in the summer of 2000. A year later, a service centre with changing rooms, bathing facilities, and refreshments was opened.

Under favourable conditions, the seawater lagoon within the rock barriers maintains a temperature of approximately 15–19°C, while the hot tubs range from 30–39°C. Both the lagoon and the pools are heated using geothermal overflow water from the district heating tanks in Öskjuhlíð — water that has already been used to heat homes in the city.

The service building also serves as an ideal base for runners and outdoor enthusiasts, with access to numerous routes through the wooded trails of Öskjuhlíð, along the coastline to the west, and into Fossvogsdalur valley toward Elliðavatn.

The sailing club Siglunes maintains its facilities at the eastern end of Nauthólsvík, making the area an important centre for sailing and water sports in Reykjavík.

Many well-known attractions are located nearby, including Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík Swimming Pool, Reykjavík Pond, Sun Voyager, Valur Stadium, Klambratún Disc Golf Course, Adventist Church of Reykjavík, and attractions in nearby Kópavogur, including the Sky Lagoon.