Staying in Laugardalur
Treat Laugardalur as a collection of destinations spread across a park district. The pool, botanical garden and accommodation entrances are not all beside the same gate. Check your address against Sundlaugavegur and Engjavegur, then map the route you will use most. A room close to a park boundary may still involve a longer walk to your chosen attraction.
At a glance
- Best for
- Families, camping
- At night
- Quiet
- Getting around
- Buses to Hlemmur and the center
- Price level
- €€
A green valley east of the center with the biggest pool, the botanical garden and the campsite, about three kilometers out.
Good for
- The big pool, the garden and a park for children
- A campsite and hostels at lower prices
- Quiet nights
Think twice if
- You want to walk to the old streets and the harbor
- You'll go out in the evenings and don't want to ride back
- You want a wide choice of restaurants at the door
What is near Laugardalur
Laugardalslaug
From the Reykjavík campsite entrance, allow about 5 to 10 minutes on foot to reach the pool.
Reykjavík Botanical Garden
From Laugardalslaug, walk about 15 to 20 minutes through the park district toward the garden.
Ásmundarsafn
Allow about 15 minutes from Laugardalslaug to walk southwest toward the sculpture museum on Sigtún.
Eating in Laugardalur
Food options are more spread out than along Laugavegur, so check what is open near your accommodation before returning for dinner. Self-catering is useful if your booking includes a kitchen. Carry a snack when combining several park attractions, particularly outside the main summer season.
Getting around from Laugardalur
Check Strætó stops along Sundlaugavegur and nearby main roads for journeys into the center. The appropriate line depends on which side of the valley you stay on. Save the return journey as well, since an evening departure may involve a longer wait.
Hotels in Laugardalur
Search the area on the booking sites, where the prices are. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Other areas of Reykjavík
Staying in Laugardalur
Can I walk to the city center?
Allow roughly 40 to 50 minutes from the pool area to the old center. Check your exact address, since the valley covers a broad area.
Are the park attractions all next to each other?
No. Allow walking time between the pool, gardens and museums. Map entrances rather than assuming you can enter each site from any park path.
Is a bus plan useful for an evening out?
Yes. Check the last suitable return journey before leaving and identify the boarding stop. Evening services can be less frequent.