Sky Lagoon Guide: Honest Review of Sky Lagoon, Iceland

Sky Lagoon is a modern wellness spa that opened just a few years ago, and it has quickly become one of the most popular places to visit in Iceland.

This geothermal spa offers a peaceful atmosphere, stylish design, and naturally warm water from hot springs. It is a great spot to unwind and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.

Because Sky Lagoon is located only a short drive from the city center of Reykjavík, it’s an easy stop to add to your Iceland itinerary. Whether you have just a few hours or want to spend a relaxing afternoon, it’s the perfect place to experience Icelandic bathing culture in a beautiful setting.

But many travelers ask the same questions: Is Sky Lagoon really worth it? Is the experience worth the higher price? What exactly can you expect when you visit?

That’s why I put together this complete guide to Sky Lagoon. In it, I’ll cover everything you should know before your visit, including the pros and cons, what to bring, and how to make the most of your time there. I’ll also share my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience.

Let’s take a closer look at what Sky Lagoon has to offer.

Advantages of visiting Sky Lagoon

Why you should visit Sky Lagoon:

• It’s close to Reykjavík and easy to reach
• Beautiful view with black basalt rocks and an infinity pool
• The 7-step ritual gives a pleasant spa experience
• Usually not too crowded

Disadvantages of visiting Sky Lagoon

Things to consider before visiting Sky Lagoon:

• Tickets are expensive
• The basic ticket doesn’t include private changing rooms
• Limited food options
• The water is quite shallow, so it’s more for relaxing than swimming

Where is Sky Lagoon located in Iceland

Sky Lagoon is located just outside Reykjavík, in the town of Kópavogur.

You can find the geothermal lagoon at the tip of a small peninsula, at Vesturvör 44–48, Kópavogur, next to an industrial area.

How to get to Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon is located about 10–15 minutes by car from the downtown of Reykjavík.

You can get there by:

• Car: free parking is available
• Private transfer: arranged by the lagoon or transfer companies
• Taxi or ride-share from Reykjavík

Because it’s so close to the city, it’s easy to visit for a relaxing morning or afternoon.

Best time to visit Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon is filled with hot geothermal water, usually around 38–40°C (100–104°F), so there’s no bad time to visit, it’s enjoyable all year round.

Still, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Ticket prices usually stay the same throughout the day. But to avoid the busiest times, it’s a good idea to go early in the morning or later in the evening. These times are often more peaceful.
• When it comes to weather, I would personally skip rainy days. Even though Sky Lagoon is outdoors, swimming in the rain isn’t very fun in my experience. The good news is that you don’t need to book far in advance. You can often buy your ticket on the same day or a few days before, once you know the weather forecast.
• Outside of summer, even though the water is hot, it can feel very cold once you get out of the pool, especially in a swimsuit. That’s why I recommend visiting on warmer, dry days if possible.

So, what’s the best time to visit Sky Lagoon? My tip: choose a summer day that’s dry and not too cold, and try to book a morning or evening time slot to avoid the crowds. But of course, finding perfect weather in Iceland isn’t easy!

Tickets and prices at Sky Lagoon

At Sky Lagoon, there are two main ticket options:

• Saman (standard ticket): This includes entry to the lagoon, a towel, access to shared changing rooms, and the full 7-step Skjól Ritual. It costs around €100–120 per person.
• Sér (premium ticket): This includes everything in the Saman ticket, plus a private changing room with your own shower and space to relax. Prices are usually between €120 and €150 per person.

From time to time, Sky Lagoon also offers seasonal deals. For example, during summer, there might be packages that include a drink from the swim-up bar or a food combo at the stylish local Smakk Bar.

I recommend booking your ticket 1–2 days in advance, especially during busy travel seasons. You don’t usually need to book weeks ahead, but it’s smart to check the weather forecast and reserve your preferred time slot once you know your plans.

Also, note that children under 12 are not allowed in Sky Lagoon, so this is more of an adults-only experience.

Experience at Sky Lagoon

Bathing and enjoying the spa at Sky Lagoon is a special and one-of-a-kind experience. In this post, I’ll show you what to expect when you visit.

Entrance

At the entrance, you get two wristbands. One is used for entering the spa and for any extra services like drinks at the bar. The second wristband is for the 7-step ritual.

Near the entrance and the changing rooms, you’ll find the local café and bar, where you can grab something to eat or drink before or after your bath, if you feel like it.

Changing rooms

Next, you go to the changing rooms. Usually, they ask you to take off your shoes at the entrance. Then, depending on your ticket, you will go into either a public or private changing room.

I used the public one. It had everything I needed: sinks, toilets, mirrors, lockers, hairdryers, but I still missed the comfort of a private space.

You can lock your things in a locker using your wristband. If you didn’t bring your own towel, you’ll most likely get one here too.

Pool

After this, you walk through a dark hallway where you can read about the seven-step ritual. Then you’ll find the showers, and you must shower before entering the lagoon.

There are separate entrances to the lagoon depending on your ticket type (Saman or Sér).

The lagoon water is warm, between 38–40°C (100–104°F). It’s about 1.2 meters (4 feet) deep, very clear, and clean. The floor is smooth. The lagoon isn’t huge, but there’s plenty of space to relax.

As you move out from the basalt rock area, you’ll see the infinity edge pool and a small waterfall to the right.

To the left, there’s a small exit from the pool. Just a few steps away is the spa area, where the Skjól Ritual continues. The warm water soak was the first step.

Skjól Ritual

This ritual has seven steps, based on the Icelandic bathing culture. It’s an interesting and calming experience, especially for first-time visitors.

Here are the 7 steps of the ritual, with their Icelandic names:

• Laug – Warm Lagoon: Started by soaking in the warm water of the lagoon. Enjoy the view and let your body relax.
• Kuldi – Cold Plunge: Take a dip in the cold pool or walk through a cold mist room. It’s very refreshing and helps improve blood flow.
• Ylur – Sauna: The sauna is hot and has an amazing ocean view through a big window. It helps your body sweat and relax.
• Súld – Cold Mist: After the sauna, walk through a cool mist room. It’s not very comfortable, but the design of the room is beautiful.
• Mýkt – Sky Body Scrub: Rub oily salt scrub on your skin. It feels great and makes your skin soft and smooth.
• Gufa – Steam Room: Step into the steam room to open your pores and clean your skin deeply.
• Saft – Icelandic elixir: Drink a small juice made from Icelandic crowberries, ending the Skjól experience with a refreshing boost.

After that, you can return to the lagoon and enjoy more time in the water.

How much time to spend at Sky Lagoon

I recommend planning around 3 to 4 hours for your visit.

Walking through the area, doing the 7-step ritual, enjoying the views, relaxing in the warm water, showering, and getting changed all take time—at least 2 to 3 hours. But it’s better not to rush.

If you want to enjoy everything fully and move at a calm pace, 3 to 4 hours is a good amount of time to plan for.

What to bring with you to Sky Lagoon

Here are the things I recommend bringing to make your visit as smooth and comfortable as possible:

• A small bag or backpack: You’ll need something to carry your personal items, like your swimsuit, cosmetics, and phone. Lockers are available at the lagoon, so you can store everything safely.
• Swimsuit: This is essential, as Sky Lagoon doesn’t rent swimsuits. Make sure to bring your own.
• Flip-flops or shower shoes: These aren’t required, but they’re useful for walking around the changing area and outdoor paths. Especially helpful in colder weather or if you don’t want to walk barefoot.
• Hair tie: If you have long hair, you’ll need to tie it up before using some parts of the ritual (like the cold plunge or sauna), so pack a hair tie or clip.
• Cosmetics and personal care items: Bring anything you like to use after showering: face cream, body lotion, deodorant, makeup, etc. The spa provides basic shampoo and conditioner, but nothing else.
• Waterproof phone case: If you want to take photos in the lagoon without risking your phone, a waterproof case is very useful.
• Towel (optional): A towel is included with all ticket types, but you can bring your own if you prefer.

Other places to visit 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 lagoon. They are great to visit on a day trip from Reykjavík, or as stops along a longer Iceland Ring Road journey.

So, these were the main things I think you should know before visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland. I hope this complete guide helped you prepare for your visit and answered your most important questions.

I tried to cover as many details as possible to give you a clear picture of what to expect.

Hopefully, this post gave you some helpful information and maybe even a bit of inspiration. I truly hope you get the chance to visit Iceland soon, and maybe enjoy a relaxing time at Sky Lagoon as part of your trip.

If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and book your flight, your rental car, your hotel, and start planning your Iceland adventure. Sky Lagoon is waiting!