"Cold, But Hot Too Visiting Iceland , one of the things you notice most is the contrasts that run throughout the country. These geothermal pools near the Blue Lagoon outside Reykjavik are a prime example of that. There was snow covering the hills surrounding the pools and it was maybe 30 degrees, but the geothermal pools in front of the snow-covered hill were so hot that you couldn't get too close to them. Although the sulfur smell of the geothermal pools wasn't that pleasant, the warm steam felt really good. As I took in dramatic scenes like this one around every turn I realized why they call Iceland "The Land of Fire and Ice"!"