The thing that sets Sky Lagoon apart from a simple geothermal dip is Skjól — a seven-step wellness ritual woven into every visit. The word Skjól means "shelter" in Icelandic, and the ritual is built to move your body through a rhythm of heat, cold, steam and care that Icelanders have relied on for centuries. Each of the seven steps even has its own Icelandic name.
This guide walks through all seven, in order, with what to expect, how to say each name, and how to get the most out of it. The ritual is included with both the Saman and Sér passes, and you complete it once per visit, at your own pace.
How the ritual works
Skjól is self-guided. There's no instructor, no timer and no queue to keep up with — you simply follow the steps in sequence whenever you're ready, lingering wherever you like. On entry you're given a wristband for the ritual, and most people do the full circuit once, then return to the lagoon to relax for as long as they want.
The whole sequence takes most guests 45 minutes to an hour, though there's no rush. Budget 2–3 hours for your visit overall so you can enjoy the ritual and the lagoon without watching the clock.
The seven steps, in order
1. Laug — "The Lagoon"
Pronounced roughly: "loyg"
You begin where everyone wants to be: the warm geothermal lagoon itself, held at a comfortable 38–40°C. Drift toward the infinity edge, where the water appears to merge with the North Atlantic, and let yourself settle. Many guests grab a drink from the in-water Gelmir Bar here before moving on. This first step is about arriving — mentally as much as physically.
2. Kuldi — "Cold"
Pronounced roughly: "KOOL-dih"
The big contrast. Step into the cold plunge at around 5°C (41°F). It's brief and bracing, and it's the part people are most nervous about — but the rush is the point. Cold immersion is associated with a jolt of alertness, a spike in circulation and that unmistakable post-plunge glow. Breathe slowly, stay in for as long as feels right (even 10–20 seconds counts), and step out invigorated.
3. Ylur — "Warmth"
Pronounced roughly: "EE-loor"
Warm back up in the sauna, which has one of the most striking views of any sauna anywhere — a vast floor-to-ceiling window framing the sea. Let the heat draw out the chill from the plunge and ease your muscles. This is the most contemplative stage; sit, breathe, and watch the waves.
4. Súld — "Mist"
Pronounced roughly: "soolt"
A cool, fine fog-mist that refreshes your skin after the sauna's dry heat. It's a gentle reset — a moment to cool the surface without the shock of the plunge — and it prepares your skin for the step that follows.
5. Mýkt — "Softness"
Pronounced roughly: "meekt"
Apply the Sky Body Scrub, Sky Lagoon's signature exfoliant, to cleanse and soften your skin. Work it in and leave it on — the next step is designed to help it do its job. (Sér Pass guests will recognise the botanical scent from their private changing rooms.)
6. Gufa — "Steam"
Pronounced roughly: "GOO-va"
Settle into the steam room and let the warm vapour wrap around you. The humidity helps your skin absorb the nourishing elements of the scrub and locks in moisture. This is the deep-relaxation stage — many people find it the most calming of the seven.
7. Saft — "Elixir"
Pronounced roughly: "saft"
Finish with a taste of Iceland: a sip of krækiber (crowberry) elixir, a tart, wholesome juice Icelanders have enjoyed for generations. It's a small, grounding ritual to close the circuit — and a reminder that Skjól is as much about culture as it is about wellness.
A simple way to remember it
The ritual follows an intuitive arc — warm, cold, hot, cool, cleanse, steam, taste:
- Laug — warm lagoon
- Kuldi — cold plunge
- Ylur — hot sauna
- Súld — cool mist
- Mýkt — body scrub
- Gufa — steam
- Saft — crowberry elixir
Tips to get the most from Skjól
- Don't skip the cold plunge. It's the heart of the contrast cycle, and the warm-then-cold rhythm is what makes the whole thing feel so good. Ease in and breathe.
- Go at your own pace. There's no schedule. If you want to linger in the sauna or repeat the lagoon between steps, do.
- Hydrate. Heat and cold are dehydrating — drink water through your visit.
- Mind your skin and hair. Leave the scrub on through the steam room for best results. The mineral water can dry hair, so consider a leave-in product afterwards.
- Time it for sunset. Doing the ritual as the light fades — especially in winter, with a chance of the northern lights overhead — is unforgettable.
- You go through it once. Plan to complete the circuit a single time, then relax in the lagoon as long as you like afterwards.
New to Sky Lagoon? Start with our complete Sky Lagoon guide for passes and prices, and how to get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavík to plan your trip there.
Beyond Sky Lagoon: other experiences you might enjoy
The ritual is a perfect wind-down, and it pairs naturally with the rest of an Iceland trip. From Reykjavík you're within easy reach of the Golden Circle (Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall), the South Coast with its waterfalls and black-sand beaches, Northern Lights hunts in winter, whale watching tours from the Old Harbour, glacier hikes and ice caves, and the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Browse the top-rated Reykjavík day tours and activities below.
