Sky Lagoon, a few miles outside Reykjavik, was one of our favorite Icelandic spa experiences! It's an ideal spot for relaxation.
Sky Lagoon is a popular Icelandic hot spring lagoon near Reykjavik. This small lagoon overlooks the ocean and has a cozy atmosphere. It's famous for its 7-step ritual.
Every single thing about our visit was phenomenal, and I left feeling incredibly relaxed and refreshed.
We scheduled this trip the day after returning from a six-day backpacking trip of the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuhals trails, and the visit was just absolute perfection.
It's about a 15-minute drive from the center of Reykjavik, but there are also buses that will bring you to within a reasonable walking distance of the lagoon, or a shuttle service you can book at the time you choose your package.
How Far in Advance Should I Book Tickets?
Book tickets as soon as possible, especially if you’re visiting during Iceland's busy summer tourism season.
We spoke to other backpackers who wanted to visit but didn't have a chance after the lagoon was sold out.
Which Package Should I Choose?
When we booked our time slots, there were several different options.
We opted for the Pure package.
Make sure your package includes the 7-step ritual, which you don't want to miss! When we booked there was a “Pure Lite” option that only included lagoon access.
As for the higher-end packages: you can pay extra for a private changing room if you prefer. (Either way, you have access to a private shower stall.)
Arriving at Sky Lagoon
As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I could tell this was going to be a smaller, less hectic experience than we had at Blue Lagoon. The lot is smallish, and I didn't feel amusement park vibes.
The person who checked us in walked us into the café area and showed us which way to go and how to access changing rooms, the lagoon, the 7-step ritual and how to get our Sky Platter. He also checked to see if we had any questions.
Soaking in Sky Lagoon
The lagoon itself is beautiful, with rock features and hidden benches to relax on.
The lagoon features an infinity pool along the outer edge, so you can enjoy views of the ocean and of Reykjavik in the distance. There’s also a waterfall on one end.
7-Step Ritual
The 7-step ritual was amazing, and includes (in order) the geothermal pool, cold plunge, sauna (a phone-free zone is available), cold mist shower, salt body scrub, steam room, and hot shower.
You go through the entire process only once, so be sure to take your time with it.
The sauna room was especially pretty, since it had a large window overlooking the ocean.
You add the salt scrub after the sauna and just before the steam room, and I think the combination of sauna, salt and steam made the scrub work better than any salt scrub I’ve used previously.
Food and Drink at Sky Lagoon
Some package options include food at the indoor Smakk Bar, but food can also be purchased there separately.
We opted to try the Sky Platter, which is meant for sharing. We were happy we did because it was absolutely delicious. It had a beautiful variety of cheese, bilberry jam, wild game pate, gravlax, rhubarb pie, and fresh bread.
There’s also the indoor Keimur Café with baked goods, sandwiches, soup and coffee.
While you're in the lagoon, Gelmir Bar has some drink options, and you can use your wristband as if it was a credit card to purchase drinks right at the edge of the pool.
Wondering what else is nearby to do? About a 10-minute drive away is Eimverk Distillery, Iceland's first (and so far only!) whiskey producer. Tours are available.
Was Sky Lagoon Relaxing?
A million times yes! We actually ended up staying for most of the day because it was just so wonderful.
I’d highly recommend stopping here, and if you can do it when you’re not in a hurry, that’s ideal.
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