Fontana Steam by the Lake

“This review is 3 years late but it's worth reviewing. Located on the Golden Circle, Laugarvatn Fontana is pure Iceland. What do I mean by that? It shows a side of Icelandic life that unless you live there you wouldn't understand, see or experience. Laugarvatn Fontana isn't just a tourist site it's also open to the locals to cook their own food in the ground. What you get for your money is a unique experience learning about baking Rye Bread in the geothermal ground, just how important geothermal is to the Icelandic way of life and to the people. After the bread is removed from the ground you are led back into the restaurant to enjoy it with Icelandic butter, Salmon or plain. I suggest trying all three. Laugarvatn Fontana also gives you a recipe card with the ingredients and I have since made the bread every year along with making Rye Bread Ice Cream. While I can't recreate the bread exactly as it was made in Fontana it's still delicious and worth the five hours it takes to make it at home. As I said above Fontana is also a restaurant and has a geothermal spa, steam rooms, a cold plunge in the lake, each pool, interconnected, have different temperatures and a sauna. All can be enjoyed with alcohol while you take in the scenic view of the lake and mountains.”

“Laugarvatn Fontana was a great stop along the Golden Circle. I came specifically to try the rye bread they bake underground using geothermal heat, and it was a super unique experience. Even though I didn't get to attend the actual baking class, it's definitely something that looks interesting for next time. Since this is a popular hot spring, expect it to be a bit crowded with plenty of people enjoying the baths. Even so, the combination of the food and the setting makes it a memorable visit. It’s a perfect spot to take a break and try something you can't find anywhere else!”

“Laugarvatn Fontana is both a spa and a bakery. The spa is currently being remodeled, with an expected completion date of the end of 2025. Getting here is easy, one turn off the main road and the Golden Circle itself. Parking here is simple, plenty of spots all over. Inside there's nice bathrooms and tables plus a little bakery where you can buy a few things. The highlight here is the bakery tour, this time being run by Flavio. The tour is a little less than an hour and you learn about how they used to make bread in the ground a long time ago using the geothermal heat. You go to a spot where they buried dough the day before and you even get to eat the one they pull out while you watch. Such a fun experience, but you do go outside so be prepared for warm coats during the cold season. Overall a fantastic stop and fun way to break up the Golden Circle. Reservations are required so make sure to book ahead of time.”