Or, should you spend your hard-earned money on Iceland’s lagoons?
Spoiler alert: yes. Are they basically tourist traps? Yes. Should you still do it? Yes. Why? Because it’s truly a fantastic experience.
Whilst planning this trip, I wasn’t sure either. The prices are high, and I kept wondering if this was one of those experiences almost made for social media. However, the thought of soaking in warm mineral water, outdoors, with the cold northern breeze on my face, really sounded appealing. I had done it twice before in Switzerland.
I researched thoroughly, read reviews, scrolled through threads on Reddit… Knowing full well this was on the luxury side of things, which I don’t usually go for… So instead of continuing to read and research, and feeling guilty about it, I decided to ask myself: what do I want to do? And the answer was clear to me – I wanted to go.
Looking at pictures of the Blue Lagoon, it’s impossible not to immediately feel relaxed. How could I pass up the opportunity to soak in its warm waters, steam clearing my senses, the minerals working their magic on my skin… And then I learned about the Sky Lagoon. Just ten minutes outside the city, famous for its infinity lagoon overlooking the ocean.
Oh well. I guess I’m doing both then!
See how quickly I went from not even knowing if I’d do one to deciding to visit two?
The Blue Lagoon
One thing to bear in mind is that there are budget, mid-range and luxury options when visiting the Blue Lagoon. Depending on your goals and priorities, you can choose from different packages. I simply wanted to soak in those waters. I didn’t care about extra silica masks, bringing skincare products home, or having a robe instead of a towel.
I went for the basic package and also booked transport to and from Reykjavik. Overall, this experience, with transport included, cost me about £150. Different times of day also have different prices, but as you can see, definitely not a cheap experience.
This package – which is called Comfort – includes a mud mask and a drink at the bar. There’s a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
I arrived at the Blue Lagoon just before it opened, with a ticket for 8am. It was a clear morning, and a golden light brought out the earthy tones of the dark volcanic rock surrounding me as I walked along the path to the main entrance. It was tranquil, quiet. A benefit of being one of the first to arrive. It was my first morning in Iceland, and I was ready to wash away the stress of life and kick off my holiday in the best possible mood.
The cold air was a shock to my body once I stepped outside the changing rooms, still wet from the shower you must take before entering the lagoon. I made my way to the warm blue waters, shimmering as the sun rose. The light was beautiful. I felt like royalty.
The waters of the Blue Lagoon are packed with silica, sulphur and mineral salts that can benefit your skin. Those with conditions such as psoriasis may find relief in these waters. The face mask – you get one included with the basic ticket – acts as a gentle cleanser and absorbs excess oil, temporarily improving the appearance of pores and fine lines.
I want to believe my skin was glowing after my time at the Blue Lagoon – but I could already feel the relaxing effects on my muscles, and that was all I could hope for as someone recovering from chronic stress and burnout.
I had a fresh lemonade, which tasted divine as my body had become so warm. Only my head remained cool, with the icy breeze caressing my cheeks, a gentle reminder that this was Iceland, and autumn was starting.
Going early was the best decision I could have made. After an hour and a half of soaking, I was overheating and it was time to leave. The atmosphere was already different – a lot busier and noisier, with the sense of relaxation slowly fading away.
The Sky Lagoon
My experience at the Sky Lagoon was not as relaxing, precisely because I visited at a different time of day. Initially, I had also booked it for the morning. However, I then decided I wanted to do a whale-watching boat tour (which ended up being cancelled due to weather conditions), so I moved my ticket to the evening, at 6pm.
The atmosphere was completely different. Lively, it felt like a party. The bar was buzzing. Not what I wanted, to be fair. The lagoon is also smaller, but I was able to find a few quieter spots where I could just close my eyes and relax.
There are two things that make this experience different – instead of a silica mask, you get to do the seven-step Skjól Ritual and, of course, there’s the view over the ocean.
The ritual was very interesting – I had done something similar in Switzerland before, just not in a specific, predetermined order. First, you’re meant to take a dip in cold water. I had also experienced this before, but after the sauna. I confess I skipped this step. It was busy, with groups of people doing it and filming, making me feel self-conscious.
I found solitude in the sauna. I’m not someone who can endure heat for a long time, but the silence was just so nice. Until I started feeling as if I was suffocating. There was no air. I couldn’t breathe.
However, there was a huge difference here – the sauna has a glass wall, so you’re facing the ocean the whole time. There was a strange psychological element to it that translated into a physical sensation – I could almost feel the coolness of those North Atlantic waters, and the heat took longer to truly bother me. My imagination was keeping my body temperature down. Fascinating, the power of our minds.
After that, there’s a steam bath, followed by a body exfoliation, a few more showers… And this is when I got annoyed.
I don’t think phones should be allowed inside this facility. Some groups of tourists were filming each other in the showers. I’m sorry if I don’t want to appear half-naked in some strangers’ travel videos.
There are free lockers where you can leave your belongings before starting this ritual – in fact, I don’t even think it’s safe to take your phone into a sauna. I took advantage of them, so I didn’t have to worry about my belongings. But also, I can’t imagine those videos were any good, with all that steam around us.
One huge benefit of being there in the evening was the sunset. The skies had cleared, and I was able to enjoy the beautiful golden light reflecting off the ocean and the clouds. This was when I started feeling hopeful that I would be able to see the Northern Lights that night… I’ll write about that next.
Sky Lagoon is very close to the city centre, about a 10–15-minute drive away. I booked my ticket (again, the basic package) with transport included, and it cost me £115. Slightly cheaper than the Blue Lagoon, but still an investment.
So which lagoon is better?
I had a better experience at the Blue Lagoon, but this was only because the Sky Lagoon was simply too loud and crowded for my taste. Both are beautiful in their own way, and in the end, it all comes down to personal preference.
Now… Do Icelanders actually come here? Not really, it’s too expensive! It’s more of a treat, isn’t it? Icelanders tend to go to local swimming pools instead, which are equipped with saunas and hot tubs and are seen as places to spend time with friends and family. Especially in winter, when it’s dark and cold outside, I can definitely understand the appeal.
If you’re currently researching whether you should do it, and you have the budget for it, my answer is yes. Try to go early for a more relaxing experience, and definitely book in advance, as tickets sell out quickly, particularly during busy periods.
Are they expensive? Absolutely. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
Sometimes it’s okay to spend money on something simply because you want to experience it.
Love,
Nic
Where I styed in Reykjavik (and recommend): Oddsson Downtown
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