Most pool visitors prefer diverse sauna options for all genders
Health Sports and Outdoor Activities
![Sauna at Breiðholtslaug, showing the exterior, entrance door, and sign next to the door. Swimming pool in the background. Winter, snow.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_small/public/2025-01/25010901_gufubad_004_0.jpg?h=73f8af3d&itok=XQl3v8Jm)
Reykjavík's Department of Culture & Sports recently conducted a survey on pool visitors' attitudes toward saunas in Reykjavík swimming pools. The goal is to better understand visitors' views on these services to guide management decisions and improve the swimming experience.
The survey was conducted in all Reykjavík City swimming pools from December 4-16, 2024. A total of 727 visitors participated in the survey, with about 84% being regular guests who visit the pools once a week or more. Participation was good across all age groups, with about 86% of respondents over 25 years old.
It's worth noting that services vary among the eight pools. Seven pools have wet saunas, five have dry saunas, and two have infrared saunas.
Key findings
Figure 1. Visitors are generally very satisfied
It's pleasing to see that about 95% of visitors are satisfied with Reykjavík's swimming pools:
![graphic, bar chart showing visitor satisfaction with Reykjavík swimming pools](/sites/default/files/styles/original_medium/public/2025-01/gufubad.jpg?itok=AS62nxjs)
Figure 2. Visitors prefer dry saunas
When asked to choose between dry and infrared saunas, 70% preferred dry saunas. Responses varied considerably between pools, which may be due to the type of sauna people are accustomed to:
![graphic, bar chart showing whether pool visitors prefer dry or infrared saunas](/sites/default/files/styles/original_medium/public/2025-01/gufubad2.jpg?itok=zqXPQvFI)
Figures 3 and 4. Most visitors want diverse sauna options for all genders
About 75% of visitors either want all-gender saunas or are neutral. Responses differ between pools, with visitors to pools currently offering gender-separated saunas placing more emphasis on this:
![graphic, bar chart showing whether pool visitors prefer gender-separated saunas or diverse sauna options](/sites/default/files/styles/original_medium/public/2025-01/gufubad3.jpg?itok=fQi9D8Vn)
When asked to choose between diverse options and gender-separated saunas, visitors prefer diversity in offerings:
![graphic, bar chart showing whether pool visitors prefer diverse sauna options over gender-separated saunas](/sites/default/files/styles/original_medium/public/2025-01/gufubad4.jpg?itok=yn2nxfBJ)
The Department of Culture & Sports thanks visitors for their participation. Their opinions matter.