Perched on the edge of the Kársnes peninsula just south of Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon is the capital area's standout geothermal spa — a 75-metre infinity pool that seems to spill straight into the North Atlantic. It's close enough to the city to reach in about 15 minutes, yet dramatic enough to feel a world away. This guide walks you through everything worth knowing before you go: the passes, the prices, the famous seven-step ritual, opening hours, and the easiest ways to get there.
If you're staying in Reykjavík and deciding where to take your one geothermal soak, this is the page to start with.
What is Sky Lagoon?
Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 as Iceland's newest large-scale geothermal lagoon, and it built its identity around two things: an oceanfront infinity edge and a wellness sequence rooted in Icelandic bathing tradition. The water sits at a comfortable 38–40°C (100–104°F) year-round, so it stays inviting even when the weather outside is doing something dramatic — which, in Iceland, it often is.
The setting is deliberately moody and minimalist: turf-roofed buildings, dark stone, and an uninterrupted horizon over the sea. Unlike a busy public pool, the atmosphere here is calm and adult-leaning, designed for slowing down rather than splashing around.
Where it is: Vesturvör 44–48, 200 Kópavogur — roughly 7 km (about 15 minutes by car) from central Reykjavík.
Sky Lagoon tickets and packages
Sky Lagoon keeps its ticketing refreshingly simple. There are two core passes, and the main difference between them is your changing-room experience — not the lagoon itself. Everyone gets the same water, the same view, and the same ritual.
Saman Pass (the classic)
The Saman Pass is the most popular option and the best value. It includes:
- Admission to the lagoon
- The full seven-step Skjól ritual
- A towel
- Public (shared) changing facilities
This is the pass most visitors choose, and for a single relaxed soak it's all you really need.
Sér Pass (the premium)
The Sér Pass ("Sér" means private in Icelandic) includes everything in the Saman Pass, plus:
- Private changing rooms with your own shower cabin
- Sky Lagoon's signature botanical body products
- A quieter, more sheltered changing experience
The Sér Pass typically costs only around 3,000 ISK more than Saman. If you value privacy while you change, are travelling with valuable gear, or simply want the more indulgent version, it's a modest upgrade for a noticeably more comfortable experience.
Multi-passes and "for two" options
If you expect to return more than once, Sky Lagoon sells multi-passes — the Venja (six Saman visits) and Hefð (six Sér visits) — at a per-visit discount. There are also two-person "date night" style passes that bundle entry with a drink and a bite. These aren't shareable across a group, but they're a genuine saving for repeat visitors or couples.
A note on prices: As a rough guide, Saman passes generally start in the region of 12,000–14,000 ISK, with Sér around 3,000 ISK higher, and transfer-inclusive packages costing more. Sky Lagoon adjusts pricing seasonally and by time slot, so always confirm the current rate when you book. Booking ahead is strongly recommended — popular evening and weekend slots sell out, and the lagoon caps numbers to avoid overcrowding.
The Skjól ritual: all seven steps explained
The heart of a Sky Lagoon visit is Skjól (meaning "shelter"), a seven-step wellness journey included with both passes. You move through it once, at your own pace, and each step has its own Icelandic name. Here's what to expect, in order:
- Laug (Lagoon) — Ease in. Float in the warm geothermal water, drift toward the infinity edge, and take in the ocean. Many people grab a drink from the in-water Gelmir Bar here.
- Kuldi (Cold) — A bracing cold plunge at around 5°C (41°F). Short, sharp, and surprisingly addictive — it boosts circulation and resets the senses.
- Ylur (Warmth) — A panoramic sauna with a floor-to-ceiling window framing the sea. The single most photogenic sauna view in the capital area.
- Súld (Mist) — A cool fog-mist that refreshes the skin after the heat.
- Mýkt (Softness) — Apply the Sky Body Scrub to exfoliate and nourish your skin.
- Gufa (Steam) — A steam room that lets the scrub's therapeutic elements soak in.
- Saft (Elixir) — Finish with a sip of krækiber (crowberry) elixir, a tart Icelandic juice that's been enjoyed here for centuries.
The whole sequence is self-guided — there's no rushing and no schedule. Most visitors do the ritual once and then return to the lagoon to relax for as long as they like. For a deeper walk-through, see our guide to the 7-step Skjól ritual.
Opening hours
Sky Lagoon is open year-round, generally from late morning until late evening (commonly around 11:00 to 22:00), with the on-site Smakk Bar and Keimur Café keeping their own hours. Times shift with the season and on holidays, so check the official opening hours for your travel dates before locking in a slot.
Insider timing tip: The lagoon is at its most atmospheric around sunset — especially in winter, when an early sunset can pair your soak with the chance of catching the northern lights overhead. Early morning slots tend to be the quietest.
How to get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavík
Getting there is easy, and you have several options depending on your budget and whether you have a car. (For a full breakdown of every route, see our dedicated guide: How to Get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavík.)
- By car or taxi: About 15 minutes from the city centre (roughly 7 km). There's free parking on site. A taxi from a downtown hotel runs in the region of €30–35 each way.
- By shuttle transfer: Sky Lagoon's transfer partner runs a round-trip bus from the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavík. You can buy your pass with transfer included in a single booking — the simplest hands-off option.
- By public bus (Strætó): Take bus 4 from Hlemmur to Hamraborg (about 15 minutes), then bus 35 or 36 to Bakkabraut, followed by a short walk to the lagoon along the shore.
- From Keflavík Airport (KEF): Around 45–50 minutes by car. Some travellers stop at Sky Lagoon on the way to or from the airport to bookend their trip with a soak.
What to bring and what's provided
Sky Lagoon keeps things simple:
- Provided: A towel comes with every pass. Sér guests also get botanical shower products in their private cabin.
- Bring: Your swimsuit. A waterproof phone pouch is handy if you want photos at the infinity edge. Glasses-wearers may want to leave them in the locker, as the steam and mist will fog them.
- Good to know: Lockers are included. As at all Icelandic pools, you'll shower without a swimsuit before entering — this is standard local etiquette and there are private shower options if you prefer.
There's a minimum age requirement (Sky Lagoon is designed as a calm, adult-leaning space — generally guests must be 12 or older), so confirm the current age policy if you're travelling with children.
Food and drink
You don't have to leave the water to get a drink — the Gelmir Bar is built into the lagoon itself, serving beer, wine, and soft drinks (your pass includes one drink in some packages; check yours). On dry land, the Smakk Bar offers Icelandic tasting platters of cheeses, cured fish, and other local bites, while Keimur Café handles coffee, soup, and pastries.
Beyond Sky Lagoon: other experiences you might enjoy
A soak pairs naturally with the rest of an Iceland trip, and most visitors build a day or two of sightseeing around it. 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.
Is Sky Lagoon worth it?
For most visitors basing themselves in Reykjavík, yes. It delivers the signature Icelandic geothermal experience without the long drive that some other lagoons require, the oceanfront setting is genuinely spectacular, and the Skjól ritual gives the visit more shape than a simple dip. Budget 2–3 hours to enjoy it without rushing.
If you're weighing it against Iceland's other famous spa, see our comparison on the homepage: Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon: which should you choose?
