A rebuilt saga-era bath at Laugar in Dalir, named for Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, the heroine of Laxdæla saga — and free to use.
Story & Legend
The name comes from Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, a main character of Laxdæla saga, which calls this place the Baths of Saelingsdale: it is here that the saga has Guðrún meet her kinsman, the sage Gestur. The original pool — said to have been the oldest bathing pool recorded in Icelandic sources, and mentioned in both Laxdæla saga and Sturlunga saga — was reputed a wholesome bath and much used in its day. Today's Guðrúnarlaug is a modern stone-built reconstruction, made as the ancient pool is thought to have looked.
Geology & Science
Guðrúnarlaug is a hot pot fed with the valley's geothermal water: OpenStreetMap maps the natural hot spring 'used for the Guðrúnarlaug hot pot' about 1.5 km down the valley from the bath itself. The original medieval pool vanished under a landslide in the 19th century, which is why the bath you see today is a reconstruction.
Safety
The pool is free to use, with a shelter for changing built beside it. OpenStreetMap surveyors note algae in the water. This is a small stone-lined hot pot beside the locality of Laugar, not a swimming pool — treat it gently and leave it as you found it.
Photo Tip
Include the small changing shelter and the stone-lined rim in your shot — the pool was deliberately rebuilt the way the saga-age original is thought to have looked, and that is the story your photo should tell.
Insider tip
The saga connection is the real draw: Laxdæla saga has Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir meeting the sage Gestur at these baths. It sits at Laugar in Sælingsdalur, about 20 km from Búðardalur — an easy, free stop on any drive through Dalir.
Best Time to Visit
Any time you are passing through Dalir — it sits at Laugar in Sælingsdalur, about 20 km from Búðardalur.
What to Bring
Swimsuit and towel. There is a changing shelter beside the pool, but no other services — bring what you need and take it away with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guðrúnarlaug the actual pool from Laxdæla saga?
Not the original structure. The old pool in Sælingsdalur — mentioned in both Laxdæla saga and Sturlunga saga — disappeared under a landslide in the 19th century. Today's Guðrúnarlaug is a modern stone-built reconstruction, made as the ancient pool is thought to have looked.
Does it cost anything to bathe in Guðrúnarlaug?
No — the pool is free to use, and a shelter has been built beside it where you can change.
