Looking for Blue Lagoon alternatives now that it is temporarily closed? Iceland has an array of hot geothermal lagoons you can explore.
The top two sites that come to mind apart from Blue Lagoon are the Sky Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon.
These two famous geothermal hot springs give visitors a unique and relaxing experience.
But which one is the best option? Which one is the cheapest? Or can you visit both?
We have answered all your questions in this article. Read on to choose between Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon.
Quick Comparison
| Sky Lagoon | Secret Lagoon |
|---|---|
| It is situated in Reykjanes downtown | It is located next to the village of Flúðir |
| Sky Lagoon is a geothermal spa with a natural setting | While the Secret Lagoon is a swimming pool |
| It is relatively new and modern; opened in 2021 | The lagoon is the oldest Icelandic pool, dating back to 1891 |
| The lagoon offers a more luxurious and immersive experience | It offers a traditional and tranquil environment |
| You get to experience the seven-step ritual here | You can swim while enjoying the beautiful views of the green, fertile valley |
| It is relatively more expensive than Secret Lagoon | It is comparatively cheaper than Sky Lagoon |
| Sky Lagoon can get busy during peak season | The lagoon is often free of crowds |
| Buy Ticket | Buy Ticket |
Sky Lagoon: Overview
⏰ Suggested Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
☀️ Best Time to visit: Early morning or after 5 pm
💜 Must do: Seven-Step Ritual
🎟️ Admission ticket: ISK 13,021 ($99)
🚇 Closest Bus Stop: Hafnarbraut
In southwest Iceland, Sky Lagoon is a gorgeous geothermal spa that blends beautifully with its surroundings.
Carved into Iceland’s black rock, the lagoon includes an infinity pool that drops into the Atlantic Ocean. There is a waterfall, a ritual house and a swim-up bar.
Apart from its unique facilities and interiors, the views from the lagoon genuinely make it worth visiting.
It offers a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, Kársnes Harbour, and, in the distance, Mount Keilir.
Sky Lagoon consists of fresh geothermal water pumped, cleansed, and mixed with cold water.
At the end of the process, you get therapeutic warm water that ranges from 38 to 45 degrees Celsius.
Sky Lagoon offers a pleasant, relaxing, and serene environment for visitors wanting to escape the hub-dub of Blue Lagoon.
Secret Lagoon: Overview
⏰Suggested Duration: 1 to 2 hours
☀️ Best Time to visit: Early morning or evening
💜 Must Do: Take a dip in the swimming pool, visit the restaurant and watch the nearby geyser
🎟️ Admission ticket: ISK3692 ($27)
🚇 Closest Bus Stop: Flúðir
The Secret Lagoon is a stunning thermal pool in the famous Golden Circle of Iceland.
Near the small village of Flúðir, it is nestled in an area with high geothermal activity.
This helps maintain the water at a constant temperature of 38/40 °C, which can be enjoyed anytime during the year.
The pool is the oldest in the country and has a two-doored shack above its northern brim.
This adds an excellent touch to its overall setting, giving the lagoon a natural and tranquil environment.
Moreover, surrounding the pool are little pathways, geothermal hot spots, and geysers that erupt every five minutes.
One can view these exciting additions while relaxing in the lagoon’s warm waters.
You will also find lockers, changing rooms, showers, bars, and a dining area at this hidden gem!
Opening Hours of Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon
Sky Lagoon wins if you want to know which one is open longer.
The Sky Lagoon’s opening hours change according to the changing seasons.
During the winter season (21 November to 20 February), it is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
For the summer (June to August), it is open from 9 am to 11 pm, while for the fall season (September to October), its hours are from 10 am to 11 pm.
But for the spring season (21 February to May), as it is one of the peak seasons, there are different timings for weekdays and weekends.
Five days a week (Monday to Friday), it functions from 11 am to 10 pm; the weekend hours are from 10 am to 10 pm.
The Secret Lagoon also has different timing for different seasons.
For the winter season (October to May), the lagoon opens from 10 am to 7 pm.
The summer season (June to September) is from 10 am to 8 pm.
But the lagoon is open from 10 am to 7 pm for special occasions like Christmas and New Year.
Learn more about Sky Lagoon’s opening hours here.
Location: Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon
Sky Lagoon address: Vesturvör 44-48, 200 Kópavogur, Iceland
Secret Lagoon address: Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland
Sky Lagoon is located at Kársnes Harbour, just seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from Reykjavik.
It is the only lagoon in the country close to the capital and is easily accessible by public transport.
If you stay in a hotel in the city center, you can reach the site for a long, warm water soak in just 20 minutes.
Learn other ways to reach Sky Lagoon here.
Secret Lagoon is located in Hverahólmi, a geothermal area next to the village of Flúðir in south Iceland.
It is about 98 km (61 miles) from Reykjavik and is nestled in the heart of the Golden Circle.
You can combine it with a guided Golden Circle tour and eliminate all the tiredness with a visit to Secret Lagoon.
When it comes to location and easy accessibility through public transport, Sky Lagoon wins.
But visiting the Secret Lagoon will be convenient if you are a big fan of the Golden Circle in Iceland.
Rituals of Secret Lagoon vs Sky Lagoon
Apart from its luxurious and modern interiors and its gorgeous views, Sky Lagoon is famous for its seven-step ritual.
The steps are simple and will help you get the most out of your experience at the lagoon.
Here’s a brief about the rituals:
- Relax in Lagoon: Enter Sky Lagoon and embrace the refreshing ocean air.
- The Cold Plunge: The next step will be to dip into cold water to awaken your senses.
- Sauna: Enter the sauna and allow it to open your pores.
- Cold Mist: After a hot sauna bath, balance the temperature by steeping in the cold mist.
- Scrub: Cleanse your body with a Sky Lagoon unique sea salt scrub.
- Steam: With the scrub, enter the steam shower to open your pores and allow your skin to soak up the scrub’s hydrating benefits.
- Shower: End the ritual with a relaxing shower to feel re-energized.
This ritual is an excellent way for visitors to take this therapeutic experience to the next level.
Remember, this ritual is exclusive and is only available at Sky Lagoon.
On the other side, Secret Lagoon has no specific ritual, but there are inflatable noodles for children and adults that can make your swim exciting.
We know it doesn’t sound as relaxing as the seven-step ritual, but a touchdown with your childhood with floats can be a fun experience.
Moreover, a geyser near the lagoon goes off every five minutes, which is quite amusing to watch.
Crowd: Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon
Regarding crowds, the Secret Lagoon is cozier and less crowded, making your visit more peaceful.
Only hundreds of people visit the site daily, but the pool’s small size can make a small crowd look big.
If you visit during busy hours, you will still find the attraction relatively quieter than other lagoons in Iceland.
The Sky Lagoon is comparatively busier than the Secret Lagoon.
It is visited by about 350 visitors daily and has a maximum capacity of around 500.
Due to its size, it can hold an enormous number of people without obstructing one’s visit and offering maximum relaxation.
Furthermore, its proximity to the center of Reykjavik makes it more accessible for tourists staying in the capital.
But in the end, these two lagoons are still less busy than the famous Blue Lagoon of Iceland.
Read our article to find out the best time to visit Sky Lagoon.
Ticket Price: Which Lagoon is Cheaper?
The lagoons are popular tourist attractions, and visitors must purchase an admission ticket.
However, the introductory admission ticket price of the Secret Lagoon is about ⅓ of the cost of the Sky Lagoon.
A basic entry ticket for the Secret Lagoon is about ISK 3692 ($27) for adults, while the admission ticket for the Sky Lagoon costs ISK 15672 ($114).
Sky Lagoon has several amenities like an infinity pool, a steam and sauna room, the seven-step ritual, a swim-up bar, and more.
The secret lagoon hosts only a giant pool with warm geothermal water, geysers and beautiful, fertile surroundings.
Thus, although Sky Lagoon is more expensive, it justifies its price by offering unique facilities to its visitors.
Moreover, Sky Lagoon entry tickets come in three packages: Pure Lite Pass, Pure Pass, and Sky Pass.
Learn more about these ticket packages here.
Dining at Secret Lagoon vs Sky Lagoon
Dining at Sky Lagoon is an experience.
You can enjoy drinks or snacks while swimming in its infinity pool at the swim-up bar and even try out delicious snacks at the Smakk Bar and Sky Cafe.
On the other hand, Secret Lagoon has fewer options when it comes to dining.
One bistro inside the attraction offers light snacks and beverages at a reasonable price.
You can enjoy them while relaxing in the pool but you must venture out for a proper meal.
Can I Visit the Two Lagoons in a Day?
Although challenging, you can visit Secret Lagoon and Sky Lagoon in a day.
The distance between the two attractions is about 103 km and can be completed in about one hour and 22 minutes.
Here’s an itinerary to help you visit both lagoons in a day:
Start your day by arriving at Secret Lagoon at 9 am
↓
Spend two hours enjoying the relaxing waters
↓
Exit the lagoon
↓
Start driving to Sky Lagoon by following GPS directions
↓
Arrive at Sky Lagoon at approximately 12:30
↓
Spend another two hours here (or more, depending on your schedule)
↓
Exit the lagoon and drive back to your hotel by 5 pm
This idea is to tour two of the best Blue Lagoon alternatives and get the best out of Iceland in a day.
To save time, you can reserve your visit in advance by purchasing Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon tickets online.
Blue Lagoon vs Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon
This is the ultimate face-off among the three famous destinations in Iceland.
Which lagoon is the best choice?
Blue Lagoon is the largest and most expensive site, but it is worth the price.
It is iconic and has so many amenities and facilities that a day will be too short for you to explore this majestic place.
But there’s a con: its far-off location.
This is where the Sky Lagoon comes in—just seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from Reykjanes, it is very convenient for visitors.
Sky Lagoon also has a lot of unique facilities, like the infinity pool, a bar in the pool, and an authentic seven-step ritual.
All of this makes your trip more exciting and luxurious.
Moreover, after a tiring day of sightseeing, you can head towards the lagoon 20 minutes from your hotel in the city center.
You can relax in the warm waters and head back rejuvenated!
Lastly, it is an excellent alternative for people who want the Blue Lagoon experience but want to escape its heavy crowds.
If you want to escape the crowds entirely and are okay with missing the seven-step ritual, then the Secret Lagoon is for you.
The small swimming pool with warm therapeutic water enjoys a great location at the Golden Circle.
The lagoon is quiet and peaceful throughout the day and comes at an affordable price.
Now that Blue Lagoon is temporarily closed, its alternatives are ideal for you.
But which one should you choose between the two? More on that below.
Sky Lagoon vs Secret Lagoon
The Icelandic lagoons are the epitome of geothermal hot springs.
The Sky Lagoon is a newly opened spring that is so luxurious and modern that it paves the way for rejuvenation in a unique way.
Sky Lagoon is the best option for visitors who love to experience a traditional geothermal spa with an authentic and relaxing ritual.
Moreover, the lagoon is your ultimate choice if you want to visit a place with more facilities and dining options.
On the other hand, Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool and has a historical significance that intrigues most visitors.
If you wish to visit a less crowded place, this lagoon is for you.
Furthermore, the Secret Lagoon is the best place for a peaceful visit, with the thrill of a geyser going off near you every five minutes.
If it is up to us, we suggest visiting both lagoons to get the best out of Iceland’s hot spring culture.
FAQs
Is Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon the same?
No, Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are two completely different attractions.
The latter is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, and the former is the newest addition to Icelandic geothermal lagoons.
Which is better: Sky Lagoon or Secret Lagoon?
Whether you wish to visit Sky Lagoon or Secret Lagoon depends on your choice.
If you want a more immersive and luxurious infinity pool experience, visit the Sky Lagoon.
But if you want a peaceful and relaxing experience, Secret Lagoon is for you.
Is Secret Lagoon worth going to?
People looking for a Blue Lagoon alternative can visit Secret Lagoon, which can be a peaceful and crowd-free experience for them.
This lagoon is not less than the others, but not many people know about it, making it a secret gem spa in Iceland.
What is the seven-step ritual?
The seven-step ritual is an exclusive specialty of Sky Lagoon.
It includes:
Relax in the lagoon
Cool down with a cold plunge
Relax in the sauna views
Refresh yourself in the fog and mist
Use the sky body scrub
Enjoy the steam room
Shower and end your trip at Sky Lagoon
Featured Image: Facebook.com(SkyLagoonIceland), Facebook.com(Secretlagoon)
