Sky lagoon Iceland Review
Everyone knows that a must stop on every Icelandic vacation is the absolutely incredible Blue Lagoon. It’s super popular. It’s popularity is making it more and more expensive, and harder and harder to get into.
So what do you do if you can’t get in or don’t want to spend the money? There is an Icelandic alternative that is stunning in different ways. Read on to see how it compares to the Blue Lagoon!
The Sky Lagoon is also a gigantic natural hot tub is being heated by waters bubbling up from the center of the earth. While the Blue Lagoon experience is unreal, it isn’t the only awesome geothermal hot tub experience available in Iceland.
The Sky Lagoon is a relatively new offering. Rather than milky blue waters and face masks, you get infinity ocean views and a full body scrub.
What to Expect Once you Arrive at Sky Lagoon
The hot water and stunning views are almost immediate once you get into the Sky Lagoon. The entire area is quite large, so there are plenty of places to soak after a long day of hiking around the island.
I loved plunging into the hot waters and then sipping on a cool drink from the bar. We watched the sun set on the infinity views and absolutely loved the experience!
How to get to the Sky Lagoon if you didn’t rent a car
There are a few ways you can get to the Sky Lagoon if you don’t have a car or don’t want to bother navigating. One option is to buy a ticket that includes round trip transfers.
For example, if you purchase your Sky Lagoon Admission Ticket with Transfer included you will get picked up and dropped off.
What we did was just drive ourselves. It is located in the middle of Reykjavik, so there is a chance that it is already close to your hotel!
Booking In Advance and Checking In
When you get to the lagoon you check-in at an information desk. There are two lines, one for walk-ins and the other for pre-purchased tickets.
The line may be a little long when you get there, but don’t worry since it moves fast.
Tip – If you want to skip the line, the pre-purchased ticket line is shorter.
Walk In Vs Pre Purchase
You will definitely want to purchase your tickets ahead of time. While it doesn’t sell out months in advance like the Blue Lagoon, they assign times and the best times of day sell out (i.e. sunset).
I’ve been there twice and neither time was actually sold out, there were just a few entrance times that were limited. While it can sell out, a huge perk of the Sky Lagoon over the Blue Lagoon is that there is generally much more availability.
I recommend getting your tickets ahead of time just to be safe.
Sky Lagoon Prices
There are a few pricing options when booking the Sky Lagoon.
Pre Lite Pass – $48 Includes Sky Lagoon admission, public changing facilities, and a towel.
Pure Package – $68 Includes everything in Pure-Lite Plus one journey through the seven step ritual. Read more about that here. In general the seven-step process is an enhanced spa experience. Book the Sky Lagoon Pure Pass with Transfer included here.
Sky package – $95 Includes everything in pure plus private changing facilities, showers, and sky lagoon amenities. (This is the one we choose.)
If you did not rent a car and want transportation included in your package you are able to book ticket that here.
If you would like a tour to do all of the access and transportation for you, I recommend this one here.
Sky Lagoon Tickets: Tiers of Tickets Broken Down
The Sky Lagoon is a lot cheaper than the Blue Lagoon. If you do the most basic package, it is about one-half the cost (about $55 USD).
There are two main decisions you need to make when deciding which package to get.
- Do you want your own private changing room and shower?
- Do you want to do the full 7-step spa process that includes the sauna, cold mist, body scrub, and steam room?
The packages are called different things, but know that those are the decisions you are really making.
What the Basic Package Includes
- Access to the main pool with views
- Access to the pool bar
- Access to the Cold Plunge
- General Group Men’s/Women’s Changing Rooms
- Cafe and lounge access after your swim
For a lot of people the basic package is sufficient. You get way more than I expected.
What you don’t get access to without the 7 step ritual ticket
- Sauna
- Cold Mist
- Body Scrub
- Steam Room
- Showers to use after the steam room
Access To The Big Main Pool With The Views
Simply looking to soak in the hot water while taking in views? You get full access to large geothermal pool. There are no parts of it that are blocked off.
Access To The Pool Bar
You get full access to the swim up pool bar with a basic pass. You have to purchase drinks regardless of what pass you get.
Pay with your wrist band
I love being able to pay for drinks with a wristband.
When checking in they ask you if you want to pre-authorize a credit card for drinks so you don’t have to worry about paying while in the water or after.
You just scan at the bar and then leave when you are done. No other checkouts required.
Side note: there is a restroom next to the bar so you don’t have to swim all the way back to the locker room.
General Group Men’s/Women’s Changing Rooms
If you are content with a normal locker room and showers then you likely won’t have any problems here.
They do request that everyone shower before entering the geothermal pool. This helps keep the Sky Lagoon waters amazingly clean.
Access To The Cold Plunge Tub
There is one cold plunge tub. They said it’s about 10 degrees Celsius/50 Fahrenheit but when you get in it feels so much colder.
The longest we saw anyone be able to stay in was 5 minutes, while most people are only about 30 seconds.
I really enjoyed going back and forth between the cold plunge and the hot spring.
What The More Expensive Packages Gets You
The more expensive packages give you everything listed above plus a few other perks.
I thought that I would be content with the basic package, but after experiencing once of the nicer ones I recommend one that at least includes the 7 Step Spa Ritual like this one here.
Why I Recommend the 7 Step Ritual
So I’m not normally into spa treatments. I feel like I generally can do a spa treatment at home and get the same effect. That being said, there is something different about the experience here. I think anyone could enjoy it, men and women included.
What’s included in the 7 Step Spa Ritual?
- Lagoon
- Cold Plunge
- Sauna
- Cold Mist (OMG this was incredible after the sauna)
- Body Scrub
- Steam Room
I love the temperature changes. Aside from proven health benefits the temperature changes from hot to cold are incredible refreshing.
Step 1 – Soak in the Lagoon
Obviously.
Step 2 – Cold Plunge
Tip – Once you enter the door (to the right of the cold plunge on photo below) for the seven step ritual you will not be able to access each of the steps more than once. Make sure to take full advantage of each and use them as much as possible before moving on.
Step 3 – Enter the best Sauna in Reykjavik
Pretty sure this is one of the best saunas in Reykjavik.
The sauna is amazing! Even if you aren’t a sauna person warming up in there after a cold plunge is awesome. I’ve never seen a sauna with such a view before. Even when there are lots of people on the sauna it doesn’t feel crowded.
Attendants ask you to whisper in the 7 Steps area, which helped me to relax further.
Step 4 – Cold Mist Room
After the sauna you go into the cold misting room. Cooling off after the sauna feels incredible.
Step 5 – Body Scrub
After the cold misters you are given a bowl of the body scrub to run onto yourself.
The body scrub is very mild, but ultimately makes your skin feel so soft. I have no idea how it works, but over and over again you would hear people being shocked at the results.
Step 6 – Steam room
You then enter the hot steam room with the scrub still on your body so it can set in.
Once again, the transition into the hot steam room is amazing.
Step 7 – Shower & Lagoon
After you are done in the steam room, you can shower and then get back in the big pool.
Private Shower And Locker Room
If you value your privacy or want a more comfortable showering experience then you might want to pay extra for the private locker room and shower. It was worth it in my opinion.
Cafe and Lounge Access After Your Swim
After your swim you can spend time in the cafe and lounge. We didn’t expect to hang around, but the cozy fireplace feel made us relax a while longer, though we resisted the urge to pay for an overpriced cheese board!
Would I recommend the 7 Step Ritual Ticket?
Yes! Absolutely.
In fact, I would say your experience won’t be the same if you don’t go for it. At first I only wanted the basic ticket. After my husband told me it was only $9 more for the ritual I decided to give it a try; I am so glad I did. (Prices change depending on the season)
In general, you can stay in each step however long you like. This is great if you like a sauna but don’t like the cold mist (or vice versa).
I legitimately found the experience refreshing and recommend you add it onto your package.
Side Note: while you start and ultimately finish the 7 Step Process in the big geothermal pool, other than the cold plunge you can only do the other steps once.
What The Geothermal Pool Is Like
Hot But Not Too Hot
Somehow they’ve struck a balance of the water being hot but not too hot. I’ve been in hot tubs where I’ve ultimately felt cold, and others where I felt like I needed to get out immediately to cool off. Thankfully that wasn’t the case here.
Bigger Than You Think
It was hard to gauge the size from pictures, but it was much bigger than I expected.
There are lots of rock nooks and crannies including inlayed seating for groups to spread out in.
Even at the busiest time we had no problem finding our own space.
Waterfall
I didn’t realize there was a waterfall that you can hang out beneath if you like as well.
Sky Lagoon Location
One perk of the Sky Lagoon is its location.
It is located in Reykjavik rather than 45 minutes away like Blue Lagoon is. It’s on the south end of the city and easily accessible by rental car.
Sky Lagoon Address: Vesturvör 44-48 200, 200 Kópavogur, Iceland
Sky Lagoon Hours
Open from 12pm to 10pm Monday through Friday. 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday. If you are there during a holiday make sure to check open times in advance.
Scooter Access
For those that didn’t rent a car, a super easy way to get to the lagoon is with one of the scooters that are ubiquitous around the city.
You can read more about them here.
Drive Through An Industrial Park
The final part of the drive makes it feel like you are in the wrong location. You have to pass through an industrial park. Don’t worry, you are heading in the right direction.
The lagoon is at the end of a peninsula and is surrounded by a small park and beautiful coastal walkway.
Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon
Read our full guide to visiting Blue Lagoon here.
Pros
- cheaper than Blue Lagoon
- much easier to get a reservation, and generally walk-ins are welcome
- gorgeous views
- 7 Step process is actually refreshing
- located in Reykjavik
Cons
- cheaper than Blue Lagoon, but still expensive
- not as big as Blue Lagoon
- don’t get the milky blue waters and as much lava rock
- while still being heated by geothermal waters, it doesn’t feel as natural as the Blue Lagoon.
What to bring to the Sky Lagoon?
All that you really need to bring is a swimsuit. They offer free towels there and they also have shampoo and shower gel.
Conclusion
Overall the experience is great and highly recommended. It is perfect for a soak after a full day of hiking!
Ways to tour Iceland
Book these experiences for a close-up look at the Sky Lagoon & Blue Lagoon