Hella – Thermal Baths and Archaeology

When planning a hotel stay in Hella, you can easily organize activities by location and type. In the village, the thermal baths and a self-guided archaeological walking tour take center stage; the caves near Ægissíða are in the surrounding area. Along the Ytri-Rangá River, a walking trail leads from Hella to Ægissíðufoss. These differences can help you decide whether you would prefer to include activities in the village, a guided tour, or a route along the water in your travel plans.

Swimming pool with several pools

Hella Swimming Pool has a 25 × 11-meter main pool suitable for competitions. There are also five other pools: a massage pool, two hot tubs, and two shallow wading pools. Three water slides—two large and one small—as well as a steam bath and a solarium area round out the facilities. The clear distinction between the main pool and the additional pools makes it easy to see the range of swimming options: several types of pools are available alongside slides and other facilities. This makes the pool a standalone activity in the village for your day’s plans, while the riverside trail or cave tour offers a different focus.

Archaeological walking tour and caves

The self-guided archaeological walking tour takes you through the village of Hella and lasts approximately an hour and a half. The archaeology app can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play; check in advance that it is currently available. Twelve human-made caves have been discovered near Ægissíða, in the area surrounding Hella. Notable features of the Caves of Hella include old crosses, wall carvings, and seats carved into the rock. Guided visits are offered just outside Hella; you should check the current schedule separately. The formats are clearly different: the walking tour is self-guided through the village, while the caves can be visited as part of the tours on offer.

Ytri-Rangá and Ægissíðufoss

The Ytri-Rangá flows past Hella, and Ægissíðufoss is a few kilometers downstream. A walking trail leads from Hella along the river to the waterfall and is frequently used by locals and visitors. A well-known fishing spot is located at the destination, and the waterfall also has a fish ladder. The trail provides a direct connection from the village to a riverside destination, while the fishing spot and fish ladder describe the waterfall itself in more detail.

Annual festival and horseback ride

Töðugjöld is Hella’s annual festival and takes place on the second weekend after the August holiday. Since the date is tied to this holiday, check the specific event dates for the year if you are planning your trip around it. Hella Horses can arrange special rides for children under six. If you would like to include such a ride in your trip, confirm the age-related arrangements when booking.

Discover more destinations: Kálfafell, Vestmannaeyjar, Laugarvatn, Vík Í Mýrdal, Hvolsvöllur, Stóri Núpur, Keldur, Búðarhólshverfi

For the overview of the wider region: Sudurland.