Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland: Getting There, Timing It Right, and What to Expect

Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland was a last-minute decision for us. Now looking back, it was one of our top Iceland highlights, one that really helped make Iceland a memorable destination.

We wanted to add a trip to one of the geothermal spas made famous in Iceland. Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are the two most popular. We had a tight schedule and did not plan on using a rental car during our stay in Reykjavik.

Why We Chose Sky Lagoon

At first, we assumed that logistics wouldn’t work without a rental car. But what we quickly discovered was that getting to Sky Lagoon without a car is very doable and affordable. Sky Lagoon is only 15 minutes from the heart of Reykjavik. That distance eliminated the need for a rental car or expensive taxi ride to the destination.

Convenience was the main reason we chose Sky Lagoon, but there were other factors too worth considering: specifically the type of water and fewer children.

Sky Lagoon is a freshwater geo-thermal spa with natural minerals and clear water. That means that the water will not damage your hair or your swimming suit. In our research, we found out that Blue Lagoon’s water is composed of 70% ocean water and 30% fresh water. The Blue Lagoon water is full of silica, algae, and minerals. This gives the water its milky-blue, opaque color. The high silica content can dry out or stiffen hair, so visitors are advised to keep it out of the water.

Our research also indicated smaller crowds at Sky Lagoon, along with no children. What we envisioned was a peaceful, tranquil, low-key spa day.

What to Expect: The Seven-Step Ritual

Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland offers you a chance to experience their famed seven-step ritual, Skjól. During your visit, you’ll move through each step at your own pace. While you’re doing it, some of the steps might feel a little like torture but in the end we loved it.

Laug

The first step is simply entering the warm lagoon, where you get to experience the geo-thermal waters which are about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can soak in the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean from the infinity edge.

We were impressed with the size of the lagoon. There are a large number of little coves seemingly secluded spots where you can be by yourself throughout the experience. Even on days when there is a large crowd, you can find some quiet space.

Kuldi

Admittedly, this was not our favorite part of the seven-step ritual and not everyone fully embraced it. This is the cold plunge where you walk out of the warming embrace of the lagoon into a small pool that’s set around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a shock to your body, and not a place we wanted to linger. But it is a part of the Icelandic tradition and so we gave it a try.

Ylur

The Sky Lagoon seven-step ritual rewards your cold plunge with the next step. Not only do you next move into a warm sauna, you also get an amazing view. Inside the sauna you get to experience a one-of-a-kind ocean view that in itself is breathtaking.

You have two paths to choose for this portion. One is device-free, so you can go in and quietly soak in the majestic views of the ocean. We chose the path where we could have a device so we could capture that amazing view.

Súld

The seven-step ritual is about contrasts. After the sauna’s warmth, it’s time for cold again — this time a crisp mist falling from above, framed with the same soothing calm as every other step.”

Mýkt

Our favorite part was the body scrub. Entering the room, you’re given Sky Lagoon’s signature body scrub to exfoliate your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed as you continue through the ritual.

Gufa

Now it is time to sweat. You head into the steam room to open up your skin’s pores. The warm blanket of steam is the perfect next step.

Saft

Finally, it is time for a reward. The seven-step ritual ends with a refreshing drink of their traditional Icelandic crowberry elixir. This non-alcoholic drink is made from the crowberry, which is abundant on the island. If you like the taste of it, you can also experience an alcoholic version of it at the swim-up bar inside the lagoon.

You are given a band to wear around your wrist which gives you entry into the ritual once. Upon completion, you can go back into the main lagoon. Beyond the ritual, Sky Lagoon also has waterfalls and the infinity ledge, where you might spot a whale offshore. That was not the case for us, though one had been spotted the week before, according to an employee we met.

Be sure to also experience the swim-up bar during your time in the lagoon. You have a band around your wrist that allows you to charge items at the bar. They have a variety of beers and cocktails. The drinks are a little pricey, but worth the splurge to help round out the experience at Sky Lagoon.

Best Time for Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland

People will tell you that the best time to visit Sky Lagoon is at sunset. No doubt, witnessing a Sky Lagoon sunset would be fabulous, as well as crowded. Our recommendation is to go early and experience Sky Lagoon with fewer people.

Even more important than time of day is where you slot the visit into your trip. In our case, we did this as we were leaving Reykjavik. We had hectic travel plans that afternoon, heading to our cruise, and having the ultimate relaxation just prior to that worked wonderfully.

Another excellent choice would be to do it first on your visit. The scenery, the ritual, and the atmosphere of Sky Lagoon will relax you. After the stress of a long-haul flight, getting through customs and the rigorous airport arrival process, visiting Sky Lagoon from Keflavik Airport would go a long way in melting away all that travel stress.

Sky Lagoon Tickets: What We Booked and Why

Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland, you need to decide which package is right for you. You have two ticket tiers to choose from: Saman vs Sér. The packages are largely the same, but there are a few key differences worth noting.

Sér includes a few more options than Saman. Most notably, you will have a private shower and changing area, both before and after. Everyone is required to take a shower prior to entering the lagoon. With the Sér package, you also get the signature Sky body lotion as well as a waterproof bag to store your bathing suit after the experience. Sér is roughly $30 more than the Saman package.

We booked the Sér package for the convenience of having our own shower and privacy. Both packages include a private locker, activated by the band you use to pay for drinks at the bar or food at the snack bar in the lobby.

Getting to Sky Lagoon: Every Way to Get There

We thought we could not comfortably get to Sky Lagoon during our initial planning. But visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland is easier than you might think.

Without a rental car, you might think that visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland is out of reach, but that is not the case. “How to get to sky lagoon from Reykjavik?” There are three primary ways of visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland.

There are plenty of private transfers that will get you to Sky Lagoon. Those options are available both from the city center of Reykjavik as well as from the main airport in Keflavik. Depending on your budget and specific needs, this can work well.

During our time in Reykjavik, we did not use public transportation. But it is an option to get you to Sky Lagoon if you prefer. In Reykjavik, they have bus routes throughout the region that you can tap into. The public Strætó bus option to Sky Lagoon would be to take route 4 then connect with route 35. This route is largely avoided by tourists because it isn’t the most convenient, and depending on your visit’s timing, you may end up managing your luggage on public transit.

For us, we relied on one of the two shuttles that operate in town with specific transportation options for Sky Lagoon. Reykjavik Excursions offers a number of tours, including ones to both popular lagoons. Visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland was pretty straightforward for us, once we figured out the process.

Reykjavik Excursions utilizes bus stops throughout the downtown area as pickup points for their tours. In our case, we had multiple stops available all within a five-minute walk of our hotel. When you book, you will have the option of selecting which bus stop is most convenient for you as your embarkation point for the tour. The Gray Line tours also offer services to and from Sky Lagoon, if you wish to compare options for your visit.

For Reykjavik Excursions, all of the buses converge at the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavik, where you will transfer to the bus that will take you to Sky Lagoon. You have the option of bringing all of your luggage with you, if you are checking out of your hotel. You can take it with you to Sky Lagoon, where they will store luggage that doesn’t fit into your personal locker for a small fee. At the main BSÍ terminal, there is also a company that stores luggage for tourists on one of the many day trips offered.

The smarter play is to do what we did. Check out of your hotel and ask them to store your luggage, which most will do for free. After our roughly two hours at Sky Lagoon, we followed the bus transportation in reverse and ended back at our hotel. We then grabbed our things and were off to our next adventure.

Is Sky Lagoon Worth It? Our Take

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, we loved our time visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland. “Definitely” is our answer to the question of “Is Sky Lagoon worth it?” It ranked among the highlights of our time in Reykjavik. We tend to pack as much as we can into our trips, so having an experience where the only goal is to relax and rejuvenate was an amazing treat.

Sky Lagoon’s warmth, ritual, and calming atmosphere make for an experience you should work into your itinerary. If it works out for your schedule, we strongly recommend booking the experience at the beginning or at the end of your time in Reykjavik. We can think of no better way to recover from or prepare for the jet lag of a long-haul flight than visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland for a couple hours of pampering.

If you’re visiting Sky Lagoon in Iceland or anywhere on this magnificent island, be sure to check out our travel tips for first-time European travelers. Learn from our past mistakes so you have a relaxing and fun trip.