Traveling to Iceland but don’t know which geothermal bath to try? Wondering if Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon is the better choice? This Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon comparison will help you see clearly which one to pick and why, so you can choose the best for you.
Iceland’s two most famous geothermal baths are the Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon, which attract large numbers of tourists every year.
Both are located near Reykjavík and are easy to reach. Each offers a unique and special experience, making them well worth a visit if you’re traveling to Iceland.
Since time and budget are often limited for travelers in Iceland, it’s totally fair if you’re asking yourself:
If I only have time for one geothermal spa, which one should I choose: the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon?
In this post, you’ll find a full comparison of these two popular spots. I’ll break down everything you need to know about both places: what to expect before your visit, what the pros and cons are, and in which ways one lagoon might be better (or not) than the other.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture, so you can decide which lagoon makes more sense for you.
First, I’ll share my personal opinion and a quick summary of which lagoon stands out in different categories.
Then we’ll dive into a detailed guide, so you can get a real sense of what each place is like, and which one might be the better fit for your trip.
Let’s start with my honest opinion:
Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon: My honest personal opinion
When it comes to comparing the Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon, it’s honestly not an easy choice. Both offer a similar kind of experience, but in very different styles.
They’re both close to Reykjavík, easy to reach, and offer high-end facilities, a luxurious vibe, and some truly unique features.
That said, if I had to choose just one, I’d personally go with the Sky Lagoon. The design of the place, the views, and especially the 7-step ritual – to me, it just feels more impressive and special than the Blue Lagoon.
But of course, there are many things to consider, and in the sections below, I’ll walk you through all the key points to help you make the best decision for your trip.
Overview: Which Icelandic lagoon is better for what?
So, let’s take a look at which lagoon, based on my experience, stands out in different areas, and what makes each one worth choosing depending on what you’re looking for.
Price (cheaper) Blue Lagoon
Availability Sky Lagoon
How easy it is to get there Sky Lagoon
Facilities Blue Lagoon
Experience and views Sky Lagoon
What makes it special Blue Lagoon
Smaller crowds Sky Lagoon
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon: What to know about the two spas
Now let’s take a closer look at what you should know about both lagoons before you visit either one:
Blue Lagoon: What you should know
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous places in Iceland, and for good reason. With its bright blue geothermal water, unique lava rock setting, and relaxing spa experience, it’s often a top stop for travelers. If you’re thinking about visiting, here’s everything you need to know before you go:
How to get to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is located in the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 45–50 minutes by car from Reykjavík and only 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport.
You can get there in three main ways:
- By rental car: free parking is available
- With a private transfer: offered by the lagoon and other companies
- On a guided tour that includes the lagoon as a stop
It’s a good idea to visit either right after landing or just before flying out, since it’s so close to the airport.
Tickets and prices for the Blue Lagoon
There are different ticket packages available:
- Comfort (the basic one): includes entrance, a silica mud mask, towel, and one drink. The price is around €85 to €130 per person.
- Premium: includes everything in Comfort, plus an extra mask, a drink at the restaurant, and use of a bathrobe and slippers. The price is around €120 to €150 per person.
- Retreat Spa: a luxury experience in a private area with exclusive pools, treatments, and access to the Retreat Lagoon. Prices start from €650, so it’s a very expensive option.
Besides these, there are sometimes extra seasonal offers.
Prices are usually the lowest early in the morning around 7–8 AM, or in the last hour before closing.
I recommend booking your visit for early in the morning. This is when the prices are best and there are fewer people.
During the day, tickets are more expensive and the lagoon can get quite crowded.
Also, I suggest booking your ticket online 1–2 days before you go.
Is the more expensive ticket worth it?
Even though the more expensive tickets might look like a better option, I don’t think they give you enough extra value at the Blue Lagoon.
If you still want something extra, like another drink or a face mask, you can use the wristband you get at the entrance and pay for it when you leave.
The Premium package might be something to consider, but in my opinion, it’s also not really worth the higher price.
Best things to do at the Blue Lagoon
You can do lots of interesting things at the Blue Lagoon. Here are some of the best:
- Soak in the warm, mineral-rich, milky-blue water
- Try the silica mud mask at the in-water mask bar
- Order a drink from the swim-up bar: don’t miss the blue slush ice, it’s a popular choice
- Relax in the sauna or steam room
- Take photos of the beautiful blue water and the black lava rocks around you
- Enjoy a meal at the casual Blue Café or the more elegant Lava Restaurant
How much time do you need at the Blue Lagoon?
You can stay at the Blue Lagoon as long as you want.
But I think 3 to 4 hours is enough time to plan for your visit. This gives you time to change clothes, explore the lagoon, swim, try the masks, visit the bar, relax, shower, and change again.
If you want to eat on site, plan for a little more time. You can quickly eat a sandwich at the café (they also have diet options like gluten-free and vegan food!), but the restaurant will take more time.
How crowded is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon can be quite busy, especially during the day.
That’s why I recommend coming early in the morning. It makes a nice morning plan, and you can finish before the crowds arrive.
During the day, especially in summer, the crowds can be a bit annoying for me: lines everywhere, full changing rooms, and busy showers.
Sky Lagoon: What you should know
Sky Lagoon is a newer geothermal spa near Reykjavík, opened just a few years ago.
It is known for its beautiful ocean views and the dark basalt rocks that surround the lagoon. It also offers a seven-step ritual called Skjól, inspired by Icelandic heritage.
It is smaller than the Blue Lagoon, but that does not take away from the experience.
If you want to visit, here is everything you need to know:
How to get to the Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is located about 10–15 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavík.
You can get there by:
- Rental car: free parking is available
- Private transfer: arranged by the lagoon or transfer companies
- Taxi or ride-share from Reykjavík
Because of its close location, it’s easy to visit from the city without a long trip.
Tickets and prices for the Sky Lagoon
At Sky Lagoon, you can buy two main types of tickets:
- The standard ticket, called Saman: Includes entrance, towel, shared changing room, and the Skjól ritual. The price is about 100–120 euros per person.
- The premium ticket, called Sér: Includes everything in the Saman ticket plus a private changing room. Prices range from 120 to 150 euros per person.
Besides these, there may be seasonal offers, like a summer deal with drinks at the swim-up bar and extra food you can enjoy at the stylish local café.
I also recommend booking your tickets 1–2 days before your visit, so you don’t miss your preferred time.
Is the more expensive ticket worth it?
If you can afford it, I think you should buy the more expensive Sér ticket because the shared changing rooms can be uncomfortable, especially when there are many people. Personally, I didn’t like that the Saman ticket doesn’t include a private changing cabin or room. So yes, in my opinion, if you can, it’s worth getting the more expensive ticket, but mainly for comfort reasons.
Best things to do at the Sky Lagoon
You can enjoy your time at Sky Lagoon too. Here are some of the best experiences at Sky Lagoon:
- Relax in the warm, natural geothermal water while watching the ocean from the infinity pool
- Try the 7-step Skjól ritual that includes saunas, cold plunges, an Icelandic drink mix, and a salty body scrub
- Enjoy a drink at the lagoon bar: but be careful, this is usually not included in the ticket price
- Take photos of the stunning ocean and cliff views
- Dine at the lagoon’s bar and try one of the selected Icelandic platters
How much time do you need at the Sky Lagoon?
For the Sky Lagoon, I suggest planning about 3 to 4 hours for your visit, just like at the Blue Lagoon.
Walking around the area, doing the 7-step ritual, enjoying the views, relaxing, showering, and changing clothes takes at least 2 to 3 hours, but it’s better not to rush. So I think planning 3 to 4 hours is a good idea.
How crowded is the Sky Lagoon?
The Sky Lagoon has a limited number of visitors allowed at the same time. Because of this, it doesn’t feel as crowded as the Blue Lagoon did.
During the day, the Sky Lagoon felt much less busy to me.
But this is just my personal experience. How crowded it is can depend on the time of day, weather, and other factors.
Extra info and tips for your visit to the lagoons
- What you should definitely bring: A bag for your things, swimsuit, flip-flops, cosmetics (for women), hair tie (for long hair), waterproof phone case, your own towel (optional)
- The water, especially in the Blue Lagoon, can damage your hair. It’s recommended to use conditioner before going in. If you don’t want to do that, just tie your hair up well so it doesn’t touch the water.
- The water in the Blue Lagoon is about 1.2–1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet) deep. In the Sky Lagoon, it’s a bit shallower, up to 1.2 meters (4 feet).
- For families: Children (over 2 years) are allowed in the Blue Lagoon, but in the Sky Lagoon, only kids over 12 years old can enter.
So these were the main things you should know about the two lagoons before you go.
Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon detailed comparison: Which is the better choice?
After the basic things you should know, here is a detailed look at which lagoon is better in different areas:
Which one is cheaper?
There isn’t a big price difference between the two lagoons, but you can often find cheaper tickets for the Blue Lagoon in the early morning or late evening. In those cases, the Blue Lagoon can be cheaper.
If you go during the daytime, the prices are similar at both places. On average, a ticket costs between 100 and 150 euros per person, depending on the package you choose and what time you arrive.
Which spa is easier to get to?
Both lagoons are generally easy to reach, since they’re located in roughly the same area of Iceland.
However, I’d say the Sky Lagoon is more convenient, because it’s right in Reykjavík. So if you’re staying in the city, it’s much easier and faster to get there.
The Blue Lagoon is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, close to the airport. That means getting there can take more time, unless you’re going straight from the airport, like we did.
Which spa has better facilities?
In this aspect, the two places are quite similar, both lagoons offer a lot when it comes to spa features.
But if I had to choose, I’d say the Blue Lagoon has slightly better facilities. It also has a bar, sauna, steam room, and even a small waterfall, just like the Sky Lagoon, but the ticket includes a drink and a mud mask, which is a nice bonus.
I also personally found the changing rooms better equipped at the Blue Lagoon. On top of that, it has more restaurants and even a hotel right on site.
Which one gives a more unique experience?
I’d break this into two parts. In terms of visuals, I think the Sky Lagoon feels more unique. The dark rocks surrounding the pool, the infinity-edge view over the ocean, and the 7-step ritual all make it a very special experience. For the look and atmosphere, I’d say the Sky Lagoon really stands out.
But the Blue Lagoon is unique in a different way, because of the water itself. It’s not just regular geothermal water, but mineral-rich seawater with a high silica content. That’s what gives it the beautiful milky-blue color, and it’s also great for your skin. So if you’re looking for something special in terms of natural water, the Blue Lagoon wins.
How crowded is each spa?
This is just my personal experience, but even though the Blue Lagoon is much larger than the Sky Lagoon, it still felt more crowded. During the day, the number of people actually started to feel a bit overwhelming.
So because of the lower ticket prices and the crowds, I definitely recommend going early in the morning if you choose the Blue Lagoon.
At the Sky Lagoon, I noticed fewer people during the day, and overall it felt more relaxing and comfortable because of that.
Which place has better changing rooms?
If we look at the basic ticket, the Blue Lagoon is clearly better.
It has bigger changing rooms, private changing rooms, and better showers.
But I can only talk about the women’s changing rooms.
My husband liked the Sky Lagoon’s men’s changing rooms more.
So, I guess it depends… this might be a matter of opinion. 🙂
How much time do you need for a visit?
I’ve read from other sources that the Blue Lagoon takes more time, and that might be true in some ways, but honestly, I don’t think one place takes much more time than the other.
For both lagoons, I recommend planning to spend about 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much you want to relax, explore, and enjoy the experience.
If you’re just going for a quick visit, trying the spa features and moving on, 2 hours is usually enough at either place.
But if you want to eat there, take things slow, and fully unwind, then it’s better to plan for at least 3 to 4 hours.
So this was the comparison, where you could see which lagoon is better in different areas.
General info for visiting Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon in Iceland
After the comparison, here are some general tips if you’re planning a trip to Iceland:
Where to stay in the area
No matter which lagoon you choose, it’s a great idea to stay in Reykjavík and take a day trip from there. Reykjavík is a convenient base, and you’ll find plenty of good places to stay.
Here are a few I recommend:
- Alda Hotel Reykjavík: A modern, four-star hotel right in the downtown area. It’s in a great location and has a really nice restaurant
- Hotel Kriunes: This one has a more traditional style and is located on the edge of the city, by a lake. It offers free parking and is a good value for the price
- Lundur Apartments: A comfortable apartment option in a central part of Reykjavík, though a bit farther from the main attractions. I recommend it if you want an own kitchen and washing machine during your stay.
How to get to the spas
You can reach both lagoons by car. If you rent a car, parking is free at both locations.
Another option is private transfer. Both lagoons offer transfer services through their partners, which you can book in advance. However, these can be a bit pricey.
Sky Lagoon is only about 10–15 minutes from downtown Reykjavík by car. That makes it very easy to reach—you won’t need to travel far to start relaxing in the warm water. It’s also easier to fit into your daily travel plans, especially if you’re short on time.
Blue Lagoon, on the other hand, is about a 45–50-minute drive from Reykjavík. That’s something to keep in mind when planning your trip, especially if your schedule is tight.
A good idea is to visit the Blue Lagoon either at the beginning or the end of your trip. Since it’s close to the airport, it’s easy to stop by after you land or before you fly out, without going too far out of your way.
If there’s an active volcano eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula (which has happened a few times in recent years), you might even combine your Blue Lagoon visit with a volcano-viewing trip.
Overall, since it’s quite hard to explore Iceland without a car, I personally recommend renting one. It gives you more freedom and flexibility, especially if you plan to visit places like the lagoons or go on a road trip around the island.
Best time to visit Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
Both lagoons are filled with hot spring water, usually around 38–40°C (100–104°F), so there’s no wrong time to visit, you can enjoy them all year round.
Still, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- For the Blue Lagoon, early morning tickets are usually cheaper. Because of both the lower price and smaller crowds, I highly recommend going right when it opens at 7:00 or 8:00 AM. That way, you’ll get the best value and the most peaceful experience.
- For the Sky Lagoon, ticket prices tend to stay about the same throughout the day. However, to avoid the busiest times, it’s still a good idea to go early in the morning or later in the evening.
- As for the weather, I would personally avoid going on rainy days. While the lagoons are outdoors, soaking in the rain isn’t very enjoyable in my experience. The good news is that you usually don’t need to book your tickets far in advance. You can often buy them the day of or a few days before, once you’ve seen the weather forecast.
- Outside of summer, even though the hot water is tempting, it can be quite cold once you’re out of the pool, especially since you’ll be in a swimsuit. That’s why I recommend visiting on warmer, dry days if possible.
So if you’re looking for the best possible time to visit, here’s my tip: go on a summer day when it’s dry and not too cold, and try to book an early morning or evening slot to avoid the crowds. But finding weather like that in Iceland isn’t easy.
Other places to see nearby
There are many interesting places to see in the area. From Reykjavík, you can easily reach several great spots. Here’s a quick overview:
- Thingvellir National Park: This national park is where two tectonic plates meet, the North American and Eurasian plates. It’s also home to Öxarárfoss, a small but beautiful waterfall. The park is full of exciting natural beauty.
- Brúarárfoss: A beautiful blue-colored waterfall not far from Road 37. It’s easy to reach and is one of the lesser-known gems in the area.
- Geysers: The most famous one is Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes and shoots water high into the air. It’s a must-see if you are in Iceland.
- Gullfoss: A powerful and huge waterfall located near the geysers, just off Road 35. It’s one of the most popular sights in Iceland and very impressive to see up close.
- Kerið Crater: A colorful volcanic crater lake that you can easily stop by when driving on Road 35. You can walk around the top and enjoy the view.
- Seljalandsfoss: Another large and famous waterfall, and one of the few you can actually walk behind. It’s probably Iceland’s most photographed waterfall.
- Skógafoss: A huge waterfall located right next to Road 1. You can climb the stairs to the top for a great view. It’s one of the most powerful waterfalls in the country.
You can reach all of these places within 1–2 hours from the lagoons. They are great to visit on a day trip from Reykjavík, or as stops along a longer Iceland Ring Road journey.
Conclusion: Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon
This was a comparison of Iceland’s two most famous geothermal spas: the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon.
I hope you found enough information and helpful tips to decide which one you’ll visit on your next trip to Iceland.
If I had to choose just one, it wouldn’t be easy, but I think I’d choose the Sky Lagoon, mainly because of the amazing views. Still, if you decide to visit the Blue Lagoon, you definitely won’t be disappointed either.
Overall, choosing between the two isn’t easy. If you have the chance, I honestly recommend visiting both. Each one offers a different kind of experience, and if you can, it’s totally worth trying both.
No matter which lagoon you visit, or what else you explore in Iceland, you’re sure to have unforgettable memories. So if you’ve been unsure about going, my advice is: read the rest of my Iceland travel guides, start planning your trip, and get ready for your Iceland adventure!
