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Minutes from the bustling streets of downtown Reykjavík lies a serene geothermal oasis called the Sky Lagoon. This luxurious spa encapsulates the essence of Icelandic relaxation and bathing culture while offering a modern twist to the traditional hot spring experience.
Whether you’re a local in need of a tranquil escape or a traveller looking to immerse yourself in Iceland’s geothermal wonders, the Sky Lagoon provides an unforgettable backdrop to relax and recharge.
The Sky Lagoon Experience
The main attraction at the spa is the large geothermal lagoon. The water is warm and inviting, maintained at a constant temperature that feels like a warm bath, perfect for the chilly Icelandic weather. The lagoon's infinity edge gives the illusion that it merges directly into the ocean, offering an endless view that captivates and relaxes you.
The lagoon is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. Its minimalist yet elegant style emphasizes the rocky cliffs and ocean views. The facility's entrance sets a tranquil tone, with pathways leading through rugged terrain to the main lagoon area.
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Getting to the Sky Lagoon
Located a mere 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavík, the Sky Lagoon is incredibly accessible. Visitors can drive themselves or take advantage of the frequent public transport options. For those preferring a hassle-free experience, we offer packages that include transportation, entry, and sometimes even additional tours of nearby attractions.
The Best Time to Visit
The Sky Lagoon is a year-round destination, each season offering its own unique charm. Summer boasts extended daylight hours, allowing guests to bask in the midnight sun’s glow while soaking in warm, soothing waters.
On the other hand, winter offers the magical possibility of experiencing the northern lights during an evening visit while you relax in the warmth of the lagoon. Weekday mornings are ideal for those seeking a quieter experience, regardless of the season, as weekends and holidays can draw more visitors.
The Sky Lagoon’s Signature 7-Step Ritual
A highlight of the Sky Lagoon experience is its unique 7-step ritual based on traditional Icelandic wellness practices. This immersive ritual is designed to cleanse and rejuvenate both body and mind.
Step 1: The Warm Embrace of the Lagoon
Your journey begins in the geothermal waters of Sky Lagoon, where you’re invited to let the warmth envelop you as you take in stunning views of the surrounding landscape. This initial soak is designed to relax your muscles and prepare your body for the ritual to come, setting a serene tone for the experience.
Step 2: The Invigorating Cold Plunge
After warming up, the next step involves a plunge into colder waters. This practice, rooted in Nordic tradition, is known to enhance blood circulation and invigorate the senses. It may be a bit of a shock at first, but it leaves you feeling refreshed and energised.
Step 3: The Sky Sauna Experience
One of the highlights of the ritual is the time spent in Sky Lagoon’s expansive sauna, which boasts a large window offering panoramic views of the ocean. The sauna’s heat helps open pores and release toxins, while the breathtaking view ensures a deep, meditative state. This combination of heat and visual awe helps to deepen your relaxation.
Step 4: A Refreshing Cold Mist
Following the intense heat of the sauna, you’ll step into a refreshing cold mist. This step helps to cool down your body and tighten the skin, enhancing the detoxification process that starts in the sauna. The mist also prepares the body for the next step of exfoliation.
Step 5: The Nourishing Sky Scrub
Now comes a genuinely pampering part of the ritual—the Sky Scrub. Using a scrub crafted from Icelandic herbs and volcanic salt, this step exfoliates and nourishes the skin, leaving it soft and rejuvenated. The scrub removes dead skin cells and stimulates new cell growth.
Step 6: The Soothing Steam Room
After rinsing off the scrub, you’ll enter the steam room, where a gentle steam envelops you. This step is designed to open your respiratory system and further relax your muscles. The steam room is infused with soothing aromatics, which enhance the sensory experience and promote deeper breathing and relaxation.
Step 7: The Final Rinse and Relaxation
The final step of the ritual involves a gentle shower to rinse away any remaining impurities, followed by a period of relaxation in a comfortable lounge area. This is the moment to reflect on the experience, hydrate, and allow your body to absorb all the benefits of the ritual. The relaxation area is designed to provide peace and tranquillity, allowing you to transition back to the outside world slowly.
Why the 7-Step Ritual is a Must-Try
The 7-step ritual at Sky Lagoon isn’t just about relaxation—it’s a full-body experience that benefits physical and mental health. It incorporates hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, and aromatherapy, all known to help reduce stress, improve circulation, and enhance overall well-being.
It offers a unique way to experience Icelandic culture and landscape, providing a moment of tranquillity in the rush of modern life. Whether you’re seeking a moment of solitude or a new way to experience nature, the 7-step ritual promises a memorable and transformative experience.
Integrating Tradition with Modern Wellness
This ritual draws heavily from Icelandic and broader Nordic traditions of wellness, which emphasise the power of nature and the elements. By blending these ancient practices with contemporary spa amenities, the Sky Lagoon offers a healing experience that resonates deeply with both locals and travellers.
Planning Your Visit
When planning your visit to Sky Lagoon, consider booking in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak tourist seasons. The entire ritual takes about 1 to 2 hours, but you’ll likely want to spend additional time at the lagoon soaking up the atmosphere and exploring the surroundings.
Also, as the Blue Lagoon has been closed on and off during volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Sky Lagoon has become a popular alternative.
Sky Lagoon Ticket Options
The Sky Lagoon offers several ticket tiers, from the basic entry, including the 7-step ritual, to premium packages that add extra luxuries, such as private changing rooms, complimentary drinks, and exclusive lounge access. This tiered system ensures guests can customise their visit according to their preferences and budget.
The Pure admission includes access to the lagoon and the 7-step ritual. This pass includes a flexible return transfer from downtown Reykjavík.
The more luxurious option, Sky admission, gives guests access to the lagoon, the 7-step ritual and private changing facilities. This pass includes a flexible return transfer from downtown Reykjavík.
If you have already purchased your admission, you can book a return transfer separately.
The Golden Circle and Sky Lagoon package is a perfect combination for those who want to spend a compact, meaningful day visiting Iceland's greatest highlights and have a relaxing bath afterwards.
Architectural Wonder
The Sky Lagoon was meticulously designed to harmonise with the natural landscape. Using elements like wood, stone, and glass, the architecture blurs the lines between the built environment and nature, creating a seamless transition.
The design of Sky Lagoon is a testament to Icelandic architecture’s ability to harmonise with nature. Built to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, the lagoon’s facilities feature natural materials such as wood and stone, providing a rustic yet modern aesthetic. The panoramic lagoon edge is a particularly stunning architectural feat, offering unobstructed views of the dramatic Icelandic coastline and, on certain days, the sight of volcanic smoke rising in the distance.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
The Sky Lagoon is committed to inclusivity and accessibility, with facilities that accommodate everyone. Wheelchair access is available throughout, and the staff are trained to assist guests with special needs to ensure everyone can enjoy their visit without hindrance. Furthermore, the lagoon embraces gender inclusivity, offering non-gendered changing areas and respecting the privacy and comfort of all guests.
Facilities and Amenities: Comfort and Luxury
The Sky Lagoon is equipped with a range of facilities to enhance your visit. These include a spa, a bar, and an in-water beverage service, allowing guests to sip on cocktails while soaking in the thermal waters. The lagoon also boasts several dining options, from casual bites to fine dining experiences, catering to all tastes and dietary preferences.
Age Limit and Safety
The spa has an age limit to maintain a serene and safe environment; children under 12 are not permitted, and those aged 12 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This policy helps ensure the atmosphere remains tranquil and enjoyable for all guests.
Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon: Visitor Reviews: Real Experiences
Visitors often compare the Sky Lagoon to the Blue Lagoon, appreciating Sky Lagoon’s easy accessibility from Reykjavík, its less crowded spaces, and the immersive 7-step ritual that defines its experience.
While the Blue Lagoon is renowned for its unique mineral-rich waters and the stark, raw landscapes surrounding it, the Sky Lagoon offers a different charm with its panoramic views and a more intimate setting. Each provides a unique experience; the Blue Lagoon impresses with its natural wonders, while Sky Lagoon offers a serene retreat right in the city.
Both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon should ideally be experienced to fully appreciate the spectrum of what Icelandic geothermal spas can offer. When the Blue Lagoon closed due to volcanic activity, the choice for visitors is straightforward—Sky Lagoon not only offers an accessible luxury but also a profound connection to Icelandic culture through its modern amenities and inclusive atmosphere.
A visit to Sky Lagoon is more than just a dip in a hot pool; it’s a holistic experience that nurtures the body and soothes the soul. The combination of natural beauty, traditional Icelandic wellness practices, and modern luxury makes it a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Iceland. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, a romantic getaway, or a cultural experience, Sky Lagoon offers an unforgettable escape into Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes.
Questions and Answers about the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík
As the Sky Lagoon remains warm no matter the weather, you can visit come rain or shine. When it is snowing, there is something magical about being submerged in bath-warm water as a blizzard swirls around you. In the rainy weather, you can watch the dramatic grey clouds gather out at sea while keeping toasty warm in the lagoon, sauna and steam room.
It has long been a Nordic tradition to plunge into a cold pool of water after an intensely hot sauna or steam room session. One part of the Sky Lagoon’s seven-step ritual involves detoxifying and waking up the blood vessels in a cold pool inspired by mediaeval bathing traditions. The cold plunge pool is around 10°C – a real shock to the system after the warm lagoon.
While outdoor shoes are not allowed beyond the changing rooms of the Sky Lagoon, you can wear flip-flops to make the very short journey to the lagoon water. Unlike Iceland’s other geothermal baths, you enter the Sky Lagoon straight from the changing rooms and the walkway is slightly heated, so most visitors are happy to go barefoot.
Given that Iceland’s geothermally-heated water tends to smell of sulphur, you might expect the Sky Lagoon to smell like eggs. However, the Sky Lagoon doesn’t have a particular smell. You might catch the fresh salty tang of sea air whipping off the Atlantic, or inhale the herbal fragrance of the spa products on offer, but you won’t find the sulphuric smell of eggs here.
The Sky Lagoon is found at Kársnes Harbour, Kópavogur on the outskirts of Reykjavík, just a fifteen-minute drive (8.7km) from the centre. If you’re staying in the capital, the Sky Lagoon is the most conveniently located geothermal bathing experience. It’s on the coast and has a view out over the North Atlantic Ocean.
You can take cameras and phones into the Sky Lagoon. The water is shallow enough to stand up in, so you can hold your phone out of the water if you want to snap some impressive photos of the infinity edge meeting the wild sea beyond. After snapping a few photos, the best way to enjoy your time here is to lock your phone away in your locker in order to fully relax and unwind.
Typically, people tend to spend around one and a half to two hours at the Sky Lagoon if they are simply visiting to enjoy the lagoon, saunas and the seven-step ritual. Those that choose to dine at the restaurant should allow a further hour. You should allow time to change and shower before and after your visit to the lagoon too.
Is the Sky Lagoon warm?
Naturally heated by geothermal activity, the Sky Lagoon is a consistently warm temperature, even in winter. The thermometer tends to hover between 38 and 40°C (100 and 104°F), making it the same temperature as a hot tub or warm bath.
Towels are offered free of charge at the Sky Lagoon, so there is no need to bring your own. There are also hairdryers available to use in the changing rooms should you wish to avoid leaving with wet hair. Bathrobes and slippers are not provided, but since you walk straight from the changing rooms into the lagoon, neither are necessary.
The Sky Lagoon hours are generally between 12 pm (noon) and 10pm in winter (a little earlier on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and between 10am and 11pm during the long summer day. The best time of day to visit is early in the morning, just after opening, or a couple of hours before closing time. If you want to see the Northern Lights as you bathe, you’ll want to visit in the winter months, between October and March. Summer offers the chance to watch the sunset late at night over the ocean and even witness the midnight sun from the Sky Lagoon.
Apart from the bath-warm outdoor lagoon itself, visitors have access to saunas and steam rooms, a cold plunge pool and a cold mist shower. There’s a swim-up bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks within the lagoon and two onsite restaurants should you wish to dine. The Sky Café offers casual dining options like sandwiches and soups, and the Smakk Bar shows off Iceland’s local produce on slate charcuterie boards. There are also private and public changing facilities, showers, hairdryers and lockers for your valuables.
Sky Lagoon is approximately 7 kilometres from the centre of Reykjavík, which takes about 15 minutes to drive.
Whether the Sky Lagoon is better than the Blue Lagoon depends on personal tastes. The Sky Lagoon is newer, has stunning architecture offers the unique 7-step ritual and is closer to downtown Reykjavík. Meanwhile, the Blue Lagoon is larger, more famous, located in a rugged landscape, and has special, mineral-rich, milky-blue waters and offers extensive spa treatments and amenities.
To fully enjoy the experience, especially if you’re participating in the 7-step ritual, plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours at the Sky Lagoon.
The best lagoon in Iceland depends on what you’re looking for: the Sky Lagoon offers modern, luxurious facilities and a cultural experience close to Reykjavík, while the Blue Lagoon is known for its size and range of spa services. Other fantastic lagoons around Iceland include Secret Lagoon, Hvammsvík Hot Springs, or the more remote Vök Baths and GeoSea baths.
Both times have their charms: days offer breathtaking views and natural light, while evenings can be magical, especially if the northern lights are visible (in the winter). It comes down to personal tastes.
During the winter months, it’s possible to see the northern lights from Sky Lagoon if the conditions are right (clear skies and sufficient solar activity).
The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are separate attractions offering unique experiences. The Blue Lagoon is located near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, while the Sky Lagoon is in Reykjavík.
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