Can You Drink The Water In Iceland? 2026 Guide

Want to know if you can you drink the water in Iceland?

You are in the right place!

Iceland is a fantastic vacation spot. With the Icelandic culture and geothermal pools, anyone who visits will not be disappointed.

But can you drink and use the water there?

Not only have I visited Iceland, I am a former drinking water chemist!

So I know a lot about what makes drinking water safe and what signs you need to look out for. To make sure you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Iceland, let’s jump in and look at what the drinking water is like around Iceland.

The last thing we want is for you to be sick on your trip!

Planning A Trip To Iceland? Use The Resources Below!

Is it safe to drink Iceland water?

You can drink the water in Iceland straight from the tap with zero problems!

Unless there is a sign telling you not to drink the water, you are good to use it to drink directly.

The water is incredibly pure in Iceland because it comes from groundwater sources. This means it is free from many metals, organic and inorganic compounds like chlorine.

It’s a good idea to turn your tap to the coldest setting too to get rid of any sulphur smells.

However, just like in most destinations, do not drink directly from the hot tap. This is because of the way hot water is stored and moved to the hot tap. You will find that the water smells and tastes weird, especially in Iceland.

Due to most of the hot water coming from geothermal sources, the hot water in your hotel or home can smell like sulphur. Even though you can wash dishes and your body with hot water, boil cold water if you want a warm drink.

And If you are ever unsure if the water you are about the drink is unsafe, run the tap for 30 seconds. This is the best way to get rid of any smells or tastes coming through your water system. So no matter if you are driving through Iceland’s hotspots or staying in the same area, all your water will be clean and ready to use.

is Icelandic water good for you?

The water in Iceland is considered one of the best, healthiest and cleanest options in the world!

Locals drink straight from the tap, streams and even straight out of Silfra while snorkelling.

And you can too!

You will also not see many locals buying bottled water because they consider it a waste of money. The free water from taps, streams and other natural sources is that good!

So I recommend you bring a reusable water bottle on your trip and refill it using natural spring water. This will come in super handy if you have booked any adventure tours in Iceland.

Is water in Iceland good for skin?

Totally!

Not only can you drink the water in Iceland, but it’s also great for your skincare routine too!

Icelandic water is incredibly good for your skin because it is so pure. Those who have used it noticed an improvement in their skin barrier and dryness.

If you want the ultimate skincare experience and a relaxing few hours, I highly recommend visiting the Blue Lagoon. The water is a mixture of seawater and geothermal water so is amazing for your skin and they provide free face masks!

🤿 THIS is the best package I have done to visit the Blue Lagoon, and it has over 1500 5-star reviews!

Is Reykjavik water safe to drink?

Wondering “Can you drink the water in Iceland and its capital?”

The good news is you can!

The water in Reykjavik is safe to drink so no matter if you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb, you should have zero issues with the tap water here. This is super handy for any visitor who needs a quick drink before an epic tour!

Generally, the only problem you will have with tap water in Reykjavik is if it comes through and old pipe. If this is the case, just run the tap before you use it.

The water in this part of the country is incredibly clean and pure so do not waste your money on buying water in plastic bottles.

Can you drink water straight from river in Iceland?

So most free flowing water is safe to drink in Iceland, including rivers.

However, make sure the river you are drinking from is not near farmland.

The water passing farms can carry harmful bacteria and chemicals from runoff and rainfall which can make you extremely unwell.

If you want to drink from a river in Iceland, try and stick to clear waters that are passing through rocks, this acts like a natural filter.

Locals also tend to follow a rule that the colder the water is, the better it is. If you keep this rule in mind during your trip, you should be fine!

Can you drink glacier water in Iceland?

Glacier water in Iceland is generally pure and safe to drink.

You may find particles in your water when using this source, but this is just glacial silt. It isn’t harmful and you can get rid of them using a FilterStraw.

If the glacier water is brown because of the rocks and sediment in it, it’s a good idea not to drink this directly.

It is probably safe to drink, it just won’t taste nice!

Is it safe to drink from a waterfall?

Thanks to the amazing natural water in Icelands natural system, drinking from waterfalls is okay.

There are travellers I know who have drank water directly from Icelandic waterfalls for 10 plus days and had no issues!

If you want to be extra safe, it is a good idea to take a look around just to make sure there is nothing in the water that shouldn’t be.

Why do you have to shower before swimming in Iceland?

If you are planning on visiting a swimming pool or geothermal spot during your trip, they will ask you to shower first.

This is simply because of hygiene reasons as the water used has no chemicals like chlorine.

It is taught to Icelandic people from a young age to shower before swimming so as a visitor, you should do the same.

Even if you are renting a car and driving to remote thermal lagoons, shower first.

Can you drink the water in Iceland?: final thoughts

A trip to Iceland will never be complete without enjoying its famously pure water.

Forget buying expensive bottled water when you’re in the land of fire and ice. You can just turn on the tap or fill up your bottle from a waterfall!

No matter if you are on a helicopter tour over volcanoes or walking behind a glacier, Iceland is full of free water!

However, make sure when you are using a tap it’s run through cold water for a few moments before you take a sip.

And that you avoid the hot tap – it can sometimes smell like Sulphur!

Although natural sources are great, watch out for any foreign matter that may get into these untreated waters.

Why not grab yourself a filter to ensure that what you’re drinking is safe and clean?

That way, you can enjoy all the benefits Icelandic water has to offer: better hydration and no nasty chemicals.

I hope you found this article useful! To have the best trip to Iceland and Europe, here are some more helpful posts:

✔️ Driving in Iceland in March: The Ultimate Guide

✔️What To Wear In Europe & What To Avoid (By A European)

✔️27 Must-Have Travel Items For Europe (From A European)

✔️The Best Luggage For All Types Of European Travel