Not far from Reykjavik, right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Icelanders have opened a new open sky attraction that many people have been waiting for. Sky Lagoon is an extraordinary place, even by Iceland’s standards. What is its uniqueness in?
Opening in 2021. Sky Lagoon is part of a rather popular recent trend in Iceland – the opening of small but exclusive spa centers.
These facilities are small (3-4 pools for about 50 people), but not only new and modern, but also very sophisticated. They are beautifully designed, made of the best quality materials and kept in perfect technical condition. They all also offer a wide range of spa services and treatments, as well as excellent cuisine. They are also all quite expensive.
This is certainly in response to the growing popularity of earlier generation centers – such as the famous Blue Lagoon or its northern counterpart – Myvatn Nature Baths. These centers are so popular that they are often simply crowded and bustling. It’s difficult to fulfill the basic promise of a spa in such conditions – to provide tranquility, meditative relaxation and a ‘connection with nature.’ Customers expecting great service and top-notch spa rituals will find just that at these small, exclusive spas.
Certainly one of the advantages of Sky Lagoon is that it lies within Reykjavik’s borders (though perhaps on the outskirts) – on the other shore of Fossvogur Bay, which surrounds the Icelandic capital to the south. In a straight line it’s less than 3 kilometers almost directly south of Hallgrimskirkja Church. It will take us no more than 10 minutes to get there from the center. For comparison: the trip to Blue Lagoon is about 50 km and 45′ drive, and the trip to Krauma is already approx. 100 km and 1.5 h driving. Meanwhile, we can even get to Sky Lagoon by city bus (albeit with a transfer), so it’s a much more accessible place for those living in Reykjavik.
This geothermal lagoon is much more than just hot springs near Reykjavik. Sky Lagoon certainly stands out for its beautiful setting in Iceland’s natural volcanic scenery. This is because it is surrounded by black volcanic rocks, and there was even a small waterfall. Combined with the steaming water and the ocean on the other side, they create a unique, almost magical atmosphere. What’s more, the creators of the lagoon created the pool in such a way that you can’t see its edges. Relaxing in the hot water and looking at the boundless ocean, you will have the impression that the lagoon merges with it and is one.
Admission to Sky Lagoon is not cheap. The basic version – the Pure Pass – costs 8500 ISK (about $255), while the premium version – the Sky Pass – is a whopping 13,900 ISK (over $400), though it basically differs only in the right to use the elegant private changing room.
All guests are free to use all of the spa’s amenities in any way they wish, and the recommended way to use them is framed in a 7-step process called the Sky Ritual.
The seven steps of the Sky Ritual are:
Going through the whole ritual perfectly fills you with strength and energy to explore Iceland….
Saunas, steam rooms, a cold-water pool, a bar and a café have also been made available to Sky Lagoon guests. Guests of the restaurant can sample local Icelandic dishes. Although admission to this unique place is not among the cheapest, the geothermal lagoon is certainly worth the price.
If you want to get to Sky Lagoon by public transportation, you’ll need to take bus line 35 or 36 and get off at the Hafnarbraut bus stop (about 1 km from Sky Lagoon). Unfortunately, lines 35 and 36 only run in the southern part of Reykjavik – Kópavogur. If you live in another part of the city, you must first reach the Hamraborg stop by lines 1, 2 or 4 and there change to 35 or 36. Such a ride takes 30 to 45 minutes. You can plan your trip more precisely at Straeto.
Alternatively, you can also buy admission to the lagoon together with a transfer from your hotel. Such a service costs about 450 PLN/person in the Pure Pass version and about 590 PLN with a higher package – the Sky Pass. You can purchase it, for example, here: Sky Lagoon Pure Pass or Sky Pass with transfers.
| SPA Sky Lagoon Reykjavik – practical information | |||
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| address | Vesturvör 44-48, Kópavogur, Iceland | ||
| GPS coordinates | 64.11583138208913, -21.94501811969606 |
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| opening hours (2023) | 1 Oct. – 16 che.: Mon-Fri: 12-22, Sat-Sun: 10-22; 17 che. – 14 sie.: 10-23 (all week); 15 sie. – Sep. 30: Mon-Fri: 11-23, Sat: 10-23 |
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| entry prices (2023) | Pure Pass: 9,990 ISK (approx. £320) Sky Pass: adults 13,900 ISK (approx. £430) |
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| entry and reservations | Book your stay here: – admission alone Pure Pass or Sky Pass (£320/person or £430/person respectively); – Pure Pass or Sky Pass with transfers (£450/person or £590/person) |
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If you’re in Reykjavik and you’re in the mood for a spa visit – surely Sky Lagoon is the #1 place you should head to.
However, if you are simply looking for a relaxing dip in warm water, and exclusivity or spa rituals are not absolutely necessary for you, you can choose one of the pools in the center of Reykjavik or the completely unusual, and completely natural Nauthólsvík Bay.
Sky Lagoon can also be crowded – during peak season, it may be better to go to the Krauma SPA. Such a trip can be perfectly combined with a very interesting tour of the rounds of Reykholt. In addition, Krauma is not so beautifully located among the rocks, but admission is quite a lot cheaper than to Sky Lagoon….
See a full review of Reykjavik’s pools in this article: Hot Pools in Reykjavik. You may also be interested in other articles about hot springs in Iceland: Icelandic hot springs.
