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Drekkingarhylur (Drowning Pool)
Best time to visit
Early morning or late afternoon to avoid coach crowds and catch warm sidelight for photos; winter offers stark snow contrast and far fewer visitors.
Budget tips
No separate ticket for Drekkingarhylur, however Þingvellir has a seasonal parking fee, pay at machines or online to avoid fines; arriving by Golden Circle tour or public bus removes the parking cost.
Recommended for
History buffs, Photography enthusiasts, Geology fans, Walkers and small groups
Plan your visit
15-30 minutes
About
Quick facts: Visitors often stand silent at the glassy, cavernous hollow where wind-borne echoes and crisp reflections give the water an uncanny stillness. Local sagas whisper that accused women were drowned there, a grim backstory that makes the spot feel strangely solemn and atmospheric.
Highlights: A nearly black, bowl-shaped pool nests beneath mossy cliffs, and when the wind dies the water turns into a perfect glass that reflects the jagged columnar rock like a dark, living mirror. Local folklore says that in the 1600s some condemned people were drowned there, and even now visitors sometimes leave a single small stone on the shore as a quiet, wordless remembrance.
Insider tips
- Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes; boardwalks and paths can be muddy or icy depending on season.
- Use the small wooden viewpoint above the pool for the best reflections and include the Almannagjá rift wall in your frame.
- Avoid 10:30–14:30 in high season when coach groups arrive, aim for early morning or late afternoon for quieter photos.
- Respect barriers and signage, do not attempt to climb down to the water for safety and preservation.
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