Having never visited Iceland before, I had always dreamed of experiencing the Blue Lagoon, one of the world’s top 25 wonders according to National Geographic since its creation in 1976. However, it was only after a friend’s recent trip to Reykjavik that I learned about the Sky Lagoon, a newer geothermal spa located closer to Reykjavik’s city center and right on the coast. With a visit to both the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon planned, I’m excited to compare these two iconic Icelandic experiences during my stay.

Sky Lagoon, Reykjavik Iceland: The Important Details

Website - https://www.skylagoon.com/
Location -  Vesturvör 44-48, Kópavogur, Iceland
Contact - info@skylagoon.is
Opened - 2021
Cost - ISK 18,990 for Sér (ISK 21,189 including transport to and from Reykjavik)
Wellbeing facilities - Sky Lagoon's Skjól Bathing Ritual, lagoon pool, in pool bar, restaurant & café, shop
Visited - August 2024

The Spa Experience

The main thing here is the huge lagoon pool, filled with geothermal waters. When you book your visit there are three options (all of which you can add inclusive transport to):

• Sér (the top option, including the ritual and private changing rooms)

• Saman (includes the ritual)

• Pure (bathing in the lagoon only)

When you arrive and check in, you’ll be given one colour of electronic wristband for Sér and another for the other packages, if you’ve included the ritual then you’ll also be given a separate black wristband which you’ll give up at the start of the ritual in the Turf House. This is situated on the other side of the lagoon pool, which is the first thing you’ll enter directly from either changing room.

The Ritual (or Skjól): A Seven-Step Journey to Bliss

The order you’re meant to do this in is as follows:

1. The Lagoon (Laug)

2. The Cold Plunge (Kuldi)

3. Sauna (Ylur)

4. Cold Mist (Súld)

5. Sky Body Scrub (Mykt)

6. Steam (Gufa)

7. Elixir (Saft)

Not having my glasses, I got this a bit wrong. I did indeed spend time in the lagoon first (with a glass of Moet, which was very nice) but then when I went into the turf house area, I took off my glasses and left them in a locker. I had missed the cold plunge on the way in, but then went into one of the two saunas, with the incredible panoramic windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This wasn’t too hot, but I sat there for a while before moving on to the next area which was the cold mist. 

Mainly right so far, but then when I was given a container with the sea salt scrub (with almond oil and sesame seed oil) which I thought you were then meant to wash off before going into the steam room. Apparently not, I found out afterwards - you’re meant to keep the scrub on, then shower off afterwards before going back into the lagoon. I did that last bit right, and this time tried the special offer of Pina Colada beer - remarkably refreshing, and quite unique to be having a drink in a location like this, being warm in the geothermal waters.

My Review - Sky Lagoon

This was a really good experience, the added transport option worked well and I was glad I had opted for the Sér package including the more private changing facilities and the 7-step ritual. I enjoyed the daytime experience, but I think if I was going back (and I will on a future trip with ‘Mrs’ The Private Traveller, who couldn’t come along this time) would be to go at dusk. There were lights all around the lagoon, and it would be magical to watch the sun go down on the horizon.

Changing facilities

There were two options here when booking (after the reception desk, Saman is left [public] and Sér is to the right and more private). You take your shoes off as you go in, then there is a decent number of private changing/shower areas where you can undress, then you put all of your belongings into one of the lockers. Everything is electronic and links to your wristband - use it to lock the locker, and if you forget your number, there are devices on the wall where you can scan your wristband and it reminds you of the locker number.

After the bathing experience and the ritual, when you come back to get changed in each ‘lane’ with the lockers there are a number of toilets and a number of the changing suites to shower and change in private. There are lots of towels in the changing areas, and there always seemed to be quite a few attendants making sure everything was clean and ship-shape. 

The Lagoon

You access this directly from the back of the changing room area, and it was just up to my chest, so you can either walk through or swim. At first, I took my phone in with me for some pictures, which I did when having my glass of Moet, but then I went back to the locker area and left it there throughout. The bar in the lagoon did sell waterproof bags for phones (and also sunglasses and sunscreen), but like most people I just held it above the water level, and made sure I didn’t drop it, albeit it is now a waterproof iPhone!

Food & Drink

There’s the Gelmir cave bar in the lagoon itself, which serves a whole selection of beers, wine, champagne, cider, cocktails and non-alcoholic and soft drinks too. It’s easy that you just have your wristband scanned, and then you pay for any drinks at the end. This was a really easy process, you just have your credit card scanned at reception on arrival, and as you leave there is both a manned desk to pay, or automatic stations where you scan the band and then pay any balance on the credit card machine. You keep your band until you then leave through the turnstiles, by dropping the band into the turnstile which proves whether you’ve paid and can be let out! 

On site too in the main reception building is both a café and restaurant, and a shop selling spa products and other things too.

Perfect Escape: Ideal Times to Visit Sky Lagoon

I had booked a time slot of 1pm, with this being Culture Day (as I found out after having booked the weekend to Iceland) I thought it might be quite a quiet time. It wasn’t, I suspect this will be busy throughout the day. I think if I was coming back, depending on time of year and sunset, it might be good to come later in the day.

Things to Know Before Your Visit

There were a few things that I wondered about, that I didn’t necessarily see the answers to online:

• If you book the private changing rooms, they’re definitely worth that bit extra for the privacy. Each suite has a decent sized changing area and large walk-in shower, with body/hair wash and conditioner. In the changing area there is body lotion and a hairdryer.

• It was easy enough to take your phone into the lagoon, you’ll see lots of people doing this but a waterproof case would be a good idea. I actually have one at home, which I’ve never used, but you can also buy them from the bar, if you’re nervous about dropping it.

• If we’re in a spa as a couple, I generally rely on being with my husband so I can see where to go if I take off my glasses. Wearing them in the lagoon wasn’t an issue, the water is warm and there’s a bit of steam, but a lot of folks wore sunglasses anyway. In the turf house, it would be hard to wear glasses in the sauna and steam, but there are other small lockers there (again locked with your same wristband) 

• Pay attention to the sequence of the ritual, I got the cold plunge the wrong way round, and showered off the salt scrub before going into the steam! 

Sky Lagoon: The Highlights

This spa experience offered numerous memorable moments, but here are some of the standout features—a concise summary I hope you'll find useful.

• Location - easy to get from the centre of Reykjavik, and good have the inclusive transport option as part of the package.  Stunning too on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

• This was operated by Reykjavik Excursions and the driver was excellent. The transfer was a bit disrupted with all the delays for Culture Day, but I was taken directly there without having to change minibus, which I think might be the norm at the bus station once everyone has been collected from the various pick-up points.

• Changing facilities - worth the extra for more privacy.

• Cleanliness and organisation - all very clean through and well organised from start to finish.

• The ritual - well organised, but as below the Steam Room was incredibly busy and not everyone could get a seat. 

Opportunities for Enhancement

Whenever I stay at a property or visit a spa, I focus on highlighting the positives of the experience. However, there are times when I notice areas that could be improved to create an even better spa experience or stay. While these observations are subjective, they reflect what could enhance the overall experience.

• Really not sure there is anything I would add here. I should have asked when checking in when the times were for the return (as transport was included in the package I booked) but I forgot and when I asked a couple of the changing attendants, they didn’t know. Turns out it’s on the half hour, every hour, for mine which was by Reykjavik Excursions.

• The Steam Room seemed too small for the amount of people, and not everyone got a seat. It also wasn’t the most ‘steamy’ as the door opened directly onto the exit path outside, and so many people just came in for a few seconds then walked out again, so the door seemed to be open more than it was closed. I think the ice mist room was new, and so much bigger, seems like they maybe need to upgrade the steam too.

Final thoughts on the Sky Lagoon

I had a really good visit, and I would love to go back, with ‘Mrs’ TPT, probably as above at dusk/evening/night-time for a different experience. Had I completed this review before I had tried out The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, I wouldn’t have then said that The Retreat experience blew the Sky Lagoon out of the water, but they are different experiences at different price points, and I still maintain that I would love to go back to the Sky Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon (because of its location nearer the seismic activity) can be much more prone to last minute closures, so the Sky Lagoon is a safer bet if you’re limited for time in Iceland, and it’s much more accessible from a location point of view from Reykjavik.

Have you been to Iceland and visited either the Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon? I’d love to hear your own thoughts and opinions on it as well as your impression of Reykjavik or Iceland as a holiday destination.

Comment below to share your thoughts and opinions. 

Let me know which spa or hotel I should review next!