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Travel Guide to the Sky Lagoon in Iceland

30-08-2024

Sky Lagoon

Iceland is famous for its incredible geology and natural wonders, especially its steaming hot springs heated by the Earth itself, but have you ever heard of the Sky Lagoon? Closer to Reykjavik than the famous Blue Lagoon, the up-and-coming, oceanfront Sky Lagoon is an amazing option for travelers wanting to experience the magic of bathing in one of Iceland’s beautiful geothermal springs.

Learn more about the wonderful Sky Lagoon in our complete travel guide, including where exactly the lagoon is, how to get there, when to go, prices and opening hours. Let’s go!

All About the Geothermal Sky Lagoon Near Reykjavik

You’ve probably heard of the Blue Lagoon, but do you know about the Sky Lagoon? Opened in 2022, this oceanfront geothermal spa is fed by natural hot water that comes from deep below the Earth’s surface, with a design based on Icelandic culture, heritage and nature.

The traditional turf house and turf walls, as well as plunge pool, are based on historic Icelandic architecture, and the blue-gray, cream and browns draw inspiration from the country’s natural landscapes.

A luxurious and stylish natural spa, the Sky Lagoon features a lagoon with infinity edge, cold plunge, sauna with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and cold fog-mist area. There’s also a bar and café. If you’re wondering about the sky lagoon temperature, we can tell you that the water is kept at a warm and comfortable 38 to 40ºC (100 to 104ºF).

With stunning views of the ocean and a 700,000 year-old glacier-topped volcano (Snæfellsjökull), the Sky Lagoon is the perfect place to sit back, relax and steam away your troubles!

Where is the Sky Lagoon and How Do I Get There?

Located on Kársnes Harbour in the Icelandic town of Kópavogur, the Sky Lagoon is a 10-minute drive from central Reykjavik.

To reach the Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik city center, you’ll need to take Route 49 (Hringbraut) to Bústaðavegur, then Route 40 (Hafnarfjarðarvegur) and Kársnesbraut until you reach Vesturvör. The Sky Lagoon sits on the edge of the peninsula right in front of the ocean.

Is the Sky Lagoon Less Crowded Than the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, the Sky Lagoon is smaller than the Blue Lagoon and is less crowded most of the time. This depends on what time (of year and day) you choose to visit but, in general, the crowds usually flock to the Blue Lagoon.

Keep in mind that the Blue Lagoon is bigger than the Sky Lagoon, so there are more areas for people to explore, swim and bathe. But, as the Blue Lagoon is world-famous and the Sky Lagoon is a lesser-known and fairly newly-opened gem, it’s not been discovered by all the tourists yet!

Is the Sky Lagoon Better in the Day or at Night?

Both day and night are simply beautiful at the Sky Lagoon, with its ocean and mountain views. If you’re looking for a quiet time to visit, we recommend weekday early mornings before most visitors arrive. You’ll probably find evenings are generally more crowded, as everyone wants those stunning sunset views.

How Long Do You Need at the Sky Lagoon?

We recommend allowing yourself at least 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy the geothermal bliss that the Sky Lagoon has to offer but, if you have more time, 3 hours will allow you to fully relax, indulge and soak in peace. You might also want to factor in some time to enjoy the bar and café after you’ve finished your spa experience.

While at the Sky Lagoon, you can take part in the unique and carefully crafted Seven-Step Ritual, which is based on Icelandic tradition and designed to relax your mind, body and soul.

The Seven-Step Spa Ritual at the Sky Lagoon

  1. Laug – The first step is a long soak in the warm lagoon waters to relax your muscles and admire the mountain views as you acclimatize to your peaceful surroundings. 
  2. Kuldi – Next is a short 10 to 30 second cold plunge, either in the cold pool or by simply walking in the brisk Icelandic air, which will invigorate your senses and supercharge your immune system.
  3. Ylur – Sitting in the sauna for 5 to 10 minutes will help your body to release toxins and cleanse itself, while pleasing your eyes with a breathtaking view of the North Atlantic.
  4. Súld – After that, step through to the cold fog-mist room to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin and cool down after the sauna.
  5. Mýkt – Get ready for glowy skin as you use the unique sea salt Sky Body Scrub to exfoliate and massage your skin. 
  6. Gufa – It’s time for steam once again as you allow the hot water vapor to open your pores and the natural minerals in the scrub to work their magic.
  7. Saft – Lastly, nourish your body with a nutritious juice shot made from crowberries that grow across Iceland's lava fields before sitting back and relaxing. Ah, bliss!

Sky Lagoon Opening Hours

The Sky Lagoon is open from 9am to 11pm from June 1st to September 30th, then 10am to 11pm throughout October.

From November 1st to May 31st, the Sky Lagoon opening hours are 11am to 10pm, apart from weekends, which are 10am to 10pm.

Opening hours vary on public holidays. You can check the up-to-date Sky Lagoon opening hours, including holiday variations, here.

It’s handy to note that the lagoon area closes 30 minutes before closing time, and the lagoon bar and Seven-Step Spa Ritual finish an hour before.

Sky Lagoon Prices

Admission prices for the Sky Lagoon vary depending on which package you choose. There’s a Saman package that starts at 12,990 ISK per adult (~$95 USD), and a Sér package starting at 16,990 ISK per adult (~$124 USD).

The difference between the Saman and Sér packages is that the Sér includes private changing rooms (rather than public with the Saman package) and a signature Sky Body Lotion.

Another option is a package for two, which includes food and drinks, starting at 39,480 (~$288 USD) for Saman and 47,480 ISK ($346 USD) for Sér.

You can also buy multi-passes, which will save you money if you want to visit the Sky Lagoon six times. And, there’s an option including a transfer if you’d rather get picked up and dropped off at the Sky Lagoon.

Food and Drink at the Sky Lagoon

If you fancy a bite to eat or a drink during your visit, you’ll be well taken care of at the Sky Lagoon! With two bars and a café, you can choose from a range of light snacks, hearty meals and delicious beverages.

  • Keimur Café – With yummy snacks and traditional Icelandic meals, Keimur Café is a lovely place to sit for a while after your swim and spa experience in the lagoon.
  • Smakk Bar – Taste a selection of locally-produced Icelandic delicacies at Smakk Bar based on Reykjaivk’s changing seasons.
  • Gelmir Bar – Order your favorite drink from this in-pool bar to take a sip while bathing in the lagoon – what could be better?

Enjoy Your Own Unique Iceland Vacation

Soak in the geothermal waters of Sky Lagoon, visit volcanoes, hike on glaciers and explore the unique Icelandic cultural heritage by planning your own dream Iceland vacation today! 

Ready to hit the road and enjoy your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Iceland? If so, take a look through our range of reliable and affordable Iceland rental cars to pick the best car for your trip, perfect to take you all around the island, wherever your heart desires. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful country soon!