01-11-2023
Have you ever heard of the Secret Lagoon in Iceland? This oldest natural pool in Iceland is a wonderful hidden gem, offering an authentic experience of Icelandic geothermal bathing far from the tourist crowds.
Let’s explore more about Iceland’s enchanting Secret Lagoon, including what to expect when you visit, how to get there, admission cost and opening hours. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy an amazing experience at the magical Secret Lagoon!
The Secret Lagoon is known as Gamla Laugin by local Icelanders, which means ‘the old pool’ in Icelandic. Originally constructed in 1891, this man-made geothermal pool is fed by naturally occurring hot springs and is heated by the Earth itself.
Swimming lessons used to take place in the Secret Lagoon, beginning in 1909 and continuing until 1947 when they were relocated to a different pool in the nearby village. Nowadays, the Secret Lagoon is a popular bathing spot for locals and tourists alike, although this pool is definitely quieter (and cheaper!) than the famous Blue Lagoon.
Every 24 hours, the water in Iceland’s Secret Lagoon is fully replenished, meaning you’re guaranteed to enjoy clean and tranquil waters when visiting this historic pool – lovely!
There are showers, changing rooms, lockers, an eating area and a bar close to the Secret Lagoon. Providing an authentic Icelandic experience and all the facilities needed for a comfortable visit, bathing in the serene Secret Lagoon makes for a wonderful geothermal experience in Iceland.
Yes, you can definitely enjoy a relaxing soak and swim in Iceland’s Secret Lagoon. In fact, soaking in the ethereal Secret Lagoon is probably one of the most amazing places you can imagine swimming!
Surrounded by beautiful nature, you can enjoy a toasty dip in the geothermal Secret Lagoon, which remains at a comfortable temperature of 38-40ºC (around 100ºF) all year round.
Bathing in this magical pool is a truly unique experience due to the beauty of the natural surroundings and the therapeutic nature of the waters themselves, being drawn directly from the Earth and infused with beneficial minerals.
You’ll see the steam of the Secret Lagoon hot springs billowing away around the pool, floating over the beautiful greenery. There’s a small geyser next to the Secret Lagoon that erupts every five minutes or so, meaning you’ll be treated to experiencing a real-life geyser while enjoying your relaxing bath!
Situated in southwest Iceland, the Secret Lagoon is located in the small, picturesque village of Fludir. The hot springs that feed the Secret Lagoon are located in the geothermal area of Hveraholmi, which is next to the village.
Iceland’s Secret Lagoon is very close to the famous Golden Circle route, which takes you in a loop from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík to several amazing natural wonders, including the historic Thingvellir National Park.
In fact, the Secret Lagoon is only around half an hour by car from the famous Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir geothermal area, so you can easily combine a visit to all of these incredible Icelandic landmarks in one day!
Driving to the Secret Lagoon from Reykjavík only takes around 1.5 hours. This roughly 100-kilometer drive is an easy route, mainly following the Ring Road in Iceland (Route 1), then taking Route 30 to arrive in the Secret Lagoon.
You can spend as long as you like at the Secret Lagoon, although most visitors tend to spend between 2 and 3 hours at this relaxing pool. Giving you enough time to soak in all the therapeutic benefits of the Secret Lagoon’s waters, spending at least a couple of hours here is the perfect break during your busy days of sightseeing around Iceland!
Admission prices for Iceland’s Secret Lagoon vary for different age groups and demographics. Here’s a quick guide to the prices you can expect to pay for entrance to the Secret Lagoon:
You can also rent a swimsuit or towel at the Secret Lagoon if needed. The cost for renting a swimsuit or towel is 900 ISK (around $6.50 USD) for each item.
If you’re planning to visit the Secret Lagoon during your time in Iceland, it’s highly recommended to book in advance to secure your space.
You can visit Iceland’s Secret Lagoon all year round. Here are the opening hours for both the summer and winter seasons:
Inspired to travel to Iceland’s beautiful Secret Lagoon to take a dip for yourself? Let’s make that dream a reality by getting started with planning your perfect Iceland vacation!
We can help you out with our range of affordable and reliable Iceland car rentals, ideal for traveling around the island to your heart’s content. You might also like to check out some exciting guided tour adventures in Iceland for an amazing experience exploring Iceland’s incredible natural wonders. We can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful country soon!