Planning to soak in Iceland’s geothermal magic without sharing the pool with half the country? It’s absolutely possible—if you know when and where to go, and how to plan your route. In West Iceland, you can still find peaceful hot springs and quiet pools, especially if you base yourself in the right places and time your visits well.
Here’s how to avoid crowded hot springs while exploring the west, with a few smart stops at Ourhotels.is properties: Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn.
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is only going to the most famous hot springs at the most popular times. If you want a calmer experience, aim for early mornings or late evenings. In summer, the midnight sun gives you endless light, and even in winter, a pre-breakfast or post-dinner soak is usually much quieter. Staying close to the springs you want to visit makes this easy. Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, just a short drive from Borgarnes, is perfectly placed for exploring the geothermal areas of West Iceland at off-peak times. You can wake up early, enjoy breakfast, and be in a hot pool before the tour buses arrive.
Another key strategy is to look beyond the “top 3” hot springs you see on every list. West Iceland is full of smaller, lesser-known pools and natural hot spots that don’t get as much attention. When you stay at places like Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’re close to local swimming pools and hidden hot pots that are mostly used by residents. Ask the staff for their personal recommendations—they often know about quiet times, less-visited pools, and scenic spots that don’t show up on the usual tourist maps.
Driving your own route also helps you avoid crowds. Instead of following the standard Golden Circle loop with everyone else, consider a West Iceland itinerary that loops through Borgarfjörður, Snæfellsnes, and the Westfjords. Start with a night or two at Hvítá Inn, where you can explore nearby geothermal areas and riverside scenery. Then continue to Stykkishólmur Inn, using it as a base to discover coastal pools and local baths on the peninsula. From there, head north to Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords, where the remoteness alone helps keep hot springs quieter and more peaceful.
The Westfjords, in particular, are ideal if your main goal is to avoid crowds. The region is more remote, the roads are quieter, and the hot springs are often surrounded by dramatic mountains and fjords rather than parking lots. Staying at Ísafjörður Inn gives you access to several natural pools within driving distance, many of which are visited mostly by those who make the effort to get there. Plan to visit in the early morning or late afternoon, bring your own towel, and always check local conditions before you go.
Respecting local etiquette also helps keep the experience pleasant for everyone. In Iceland, it’s standard to shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering any pool, whether it’s a municipal bath or a natural hot spring with facilities. Keep noise levels low, avoid alcohol in natural pools, and pack out everything you bring in. When you treat each hot spring as a shared, fragile place rather than a theme park, you’ll find that locals are more willing to share their favorite spots and tips.
Seasonal timing matters too. If you’re flexible, consider visiting in shoulder seasons—late spring or early autumn—when there are fewer visitors overall. West Iceland is beautiful year-round, and places like Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn make excellent bases outside the busiest summer months. You’ll often find quieter roads, more relaxed hot springs, and a slower pace that suits the whole idea of soaking and unwinding.
Finally, use your accommodation as a local guide. Ourhotels.is properties in West Iceland are run by people who know the area well. At Hvítá Inn, you can ask about nearby riverside walks and less-visited geothermal spots in Borgarfjörður. At Stykkishólmur Inn, the staff can point you toward local pools with ocean views and the best times to visit them. At Ísafjörður Inn, you can get up-to-date advice on Westfjords hot springs, road conditions, and quiet times so you don’t arrive when a bus group does.
By combining smart timing, lesser-known locations, and locally based stays, you can experience Iceland’s hot springs the way they’re meant to be enjoyed: calmly, quietly, and surrounded by nature. Use Ourhotels.is to plan a route through Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, and you’ll be perfectly placed to find those peaceful pools that most visitors never see.
