Just outside Reykjavik, right on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, Icelanders opened a new open-air attraction a few years ago that many people had been waiting for: a large complex of hot pools close to downtown Reykjavik.
The new wave of spas in Iceland
Opened in 2021, Sky Lagoon is part of a fairly recent trend in Iceland: exclusive spas set in wild nature. Other places like this include Hvammsvik Hot Springs, Vök Baths, Forest Lagoon and the newest of them all, Laugaras Lagoon.
Sky Lagoon stands out from the rest in three ways:
- Location
Sky Lagoon lies just outside Reykjavik, in the neighboring town of Kópavogur. Walking there from the center would take quite a while, but you can get there by city bus, and driving from downtown takes no more than 15 minutes; - Size
While places like Hvammsvik Hot Springs or Forest Lagoon can take about 100 guests, Sky Lagoon can hold nearly 300 at a time. It’s certainly smaller than the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths, but it can get just as crowded and noisy; - The 7-step ritual
Sky Lagoon’s clear strong point is its signature 7-step ritual. There’s more about it below, but if you like saunas, it’s definitely worth trying.
Sky Lagoon is not only new and modern, but also very stylish: beautifully designed, built from top-quality materials and kept in perfect condition.
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What makes Sky Lagoon exceptional
One of Sky Lagoon’s great advantages is its location in the Reykjavik capital area: in the neighboring town of Kópavogur, on the far shore of Fossvogur Bay, which borders the Icelandic capital to the south. As the crow flies, it’s less than 2 miles (3 km) almost due south of Hallgrimskirkja church, and driving from the center takes no more than 15 minutes. For comparison, the trip to the Blue Lagoon is about 30 miles (50 km) and a 45-minute drive, and the trip to Krauma is about 60 miles (100 km) and an hour and a half. What’s more, you can even get to Sky Lagoon by city bus (with one transfer), so it’s far more accessible for anyone staying in Reykjavik.
This geothermal lagoon is much more than just a hot spring near Reykjavik. Sky Lagoon stands out for its beautiful setting amid Iceland’s volcanic scenery: it’s surrounded by black volcanic rock, and there’s even a small waterfall on site. Together with the steaming water and the ocean beyond, they create a unique, almost magical atmosphere. What’s more, the designers built the pool so that you can’t see its edge. Relaxing in the hot water and gazing at the endless ocean, you feel as if the lagoon merges with it into one.
The 7-step Skjól ritual
Admission to Sky Lagoon isn’t cheap. The basic Saman Pass (formerly the Pure Pass) starts at 14,990 ISK (about $125), while the premium Sér Pass (formerly the Sky Pass) starts at a whopping 17,990 ISK (about $150), although the main difference is access to the elegant private changing rooms.
Guests are free to use all of the spa’s facilities however they like, and the recommended way to enjoy them is a 7-step sequence called the Skjól ritual, included with both passes.
The seven steps of the Skjól ritual are:
- Laug – relax in the lagoon
Enter the warm water of the pool through a cave-like entrance and relax while enjoying beautiful views of Reykjavik and Mount Keilir - Kuldi – cool off in the cold plunge
Once your body has warmed up, it’s a good idea to cool down a bit. Often it’s enough to get out of the water and stroll along the edge, but if that’s not enough, there’s a small pool of ice-cold water - Ylur – visit the sauna
After such a vigorous workout for your body and skin, it’s time for the sauna. Spend 10 minutes there and enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean - Súld – step into the cold mist
Leave the sauna through a corridor filled with a special cold mist. Take your time and let your body enjoy the coolness - Mýkt – Sky Body Scrub
Now it’s time for the signature Sky Body Scrub - Gufa – steam room
With the scrub still on your body (not just your face), move on to the steam room, which helps your skin absorb the scrub’s moisturizing ingredients - Saft – elixir
Finish with a shot of crowberry elixir, rinse off the scrub in the shower and return to the lagoon for some lazy relaxation, or head to the bar for a refreshing drink
Going through the whole ritual leaves you full of strength and energy for exploring Iceland…
Sky Lagoon: getting there, prices, opening hours
Besides the lagoon itself, Sky Lagoon guests can use saunas, a steam room, a cold-water pool, bars and a café serving Icelandic dishes and drinks from local producers. Although admission to this unique place isn’t among the cheapest, the geothermal lagoon is definitely worth the price.
If you want to get to Sky Lagoon by public transportation, take bus 35 or 36 and get off at the Bakkabraut stop, a few minutes’ walk from the lagoon. Unfortunately, buses 35 and 36 only run around Kópavogur, the town bordering Reykjavik to the south. If you’re staying in another part of the city, first take bus 1, 2 or 4 to the Hamraborg stop and change to 35 or 36 there. The whole ride takes 30 to 45 minutes. You can plan your trip in detail on the Straeto website.
Alternatively, you can buy admission to the lagoon together with a transfer from your hotel. With the Saman Pass this costs from 19,489 ISK (about $160) per person, and with the Sér Pass from 22,489 ISK (about $185). You can book it, for example, here: Sky Lagoon Saman Pass or Sér Pass with transfer.
| Sky Lagoon: practical information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Map: driving route from Reykjavik to Sky Lagoon — click to open the interactive map | |||
| address | Vesturvör 44-48, Kópavogur, Iceland | ||
| GPS coordinates | 64.11583138208913, -21.94501811969606 | ||
| opening hours (2026) | August 21 – October 20: 9 a.m.–10 p.m. October 21 – April 30: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. May 1 – June 20: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. June 21 – August 20: 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Guests leave the lagoon 30 minutes before closing; the Skjól ritual closes an hour earlier. | ||
| admission (2026) | Saman Pass: adults from 14,990 ISK (~$125), youth from 7,495 ISK (~$60) Sér Pass: adults from 17,990 ISK (~$150), youth from 8,995 ISK (~$75) | ||
| age limit | no children under 12; ages 12–14 only with an adult (18+) | ||
| parking | free, no time limit; EV charging stations | ||
| tickets and booking | admission only: Saman Pass or Sér Pass; with transfer: Saman Pass or Sér Pass with transfer (Saman from 19,489 ISK (~$160), Sér from 22,489 ISK (~$185)) | ||
Is it worth going to Sky Lagoon
If you’re in Reykjavik, feel like a hot soak and enjoy saunas, Sky Lagoon is definitely the #1 place to head for.
However, if you’re simply looking for a relaxing soak in warm water and don’t need exclusivity or spa rituals, you can choose one of the pools in central Reykjavik or the completely unusual, and completely natural, Nauthólsvík Bay.
Sky Lagoon can get crowded, too: in peak season it may be better to go to Krauma SPA. That trip combines perfectly with a very interesting tour of the Reykholt area. Krauma isn’t set as beautifully among the rocks, but admission is quite a bit cheaper than at Sky Lagoon…
A beautiful fjord-side alternative that is also far more intimate is Hvammsvik Hot Springs.
See our full review of Reykjavik’s pools in this article: Hot Pools in Reykjavik. You may also be interested in our other articles about hot springs in Iceland.