Last Updated on December 14, 2025
Often described as the younger sister of the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Intangible Cultural Heritage list showcases the richness of global cultural traditions of over 150 world countries.
Iceland’s pool culture has earned global recognition with inscription on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, following an evaluation process that began in March 2023.
The Nordic country has a dense network of public swimming pools, approximately 120 public pools operating across the nation. As a result, virtually every town, large or small, has a “sundlaug,” which Icelanders visit daily.
The UNESCO inscription recognizes swimming pools’ importance as public spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to swim and enjoy community. People meet in swimsuits on equal footing. A staple of the community, these pools are a daily meeting place where you might even find yourself in a conversation with the town mayor.
Iceland’s Swimming Pool Culture
Swimming pool culture is a reflection of core Icelandic values: community and egalitarianism, a close connection to nature and sustainable resources, a cultural prioritization of well-being, mental health and social connection, and inclusive social infrastructure. The culture supports physical, mental, and social well-being, with many pools also offering cold baths, saunas, and hot tubs.
The designation marks a major milestone and is a significant acknowledgment of the cultural value of Iceland’s swimming pools, the vast majority geothermal-heated, outdoor, and open year-round.
It is the first time Iceland had submitted an independent nomination to the list. In 2021, the craftsmanship of Nordic clinker-built boats was inscribed as a joint nomination by all the Nordic countries, along with the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Nomination Process
The Intangible Culture nomination stems from extensive preparation led by the National Museum of Iceland and previously the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Pool-goers, community groups, associations, and municipalities contributed by sharing perspectives and supporting the process.
Meetings were held around Iceland to gather local insights, with swimmers and swim groups nationwide offering experiences and encouragement. Swimming clubs, the Icelandic Swimming Association, and UMFÍ also participated, with ten municipalities submitting formal letters of support including the City of Reykjavík, which produced a 10-minute video on pool culture. Former President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson supported the nomination throughout.
“I am thrilled that UNESCO has affirmed what we already know – Icelandic pool culture is unlike anything else,” said Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education. “Filling a concrete basin with water is one thing, but the conversations and connections that happen there, often between strangers, are something entirely different. There are more than 120 pools across Iceland. They support physical and mental well-being and serve as one of the country’s most beloved gathering places. Each pool has its own character and reflects the community around it. They are among the few places where people put away their phones and honestly talk to one another.”
Icelandic pool culture joins French baguettes, Belgian beer culture, Nordic sauna culture, and Chinese shadow puppetry along with more than 800 other designees on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“Geothermal energy and our swimming pools are a vital part of Reykjavík’s culture and history, and we are proud of this UNESCO recognition,” Reykjavík Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir said. “The eight pools operated by the City of Reykjavík each have their own identity and atmosphere, yet all offer a sanctuary in a busy world. Everyone is indeed equal in the water, and there is nothing more wonderful than seeing people of all ages gathering in the pools to nourish body and mind.”
