Blue Lagoon vs. Sky Lagoon: Which Iceland Lagoon Is Worth It?

Visitors relaxing in the milky blue water at Blue Lagoon, Iceland

BLUE LAGOON

The iconic Iceland experience.

Woman enjoying the ocean view from Sky Lagoon’s infinity pool at sunset

SKY LAGOON

The one I would personally revisit.

MOST PHOTOGENIC

Blue Lagoon

MOST RELAXING

Sky Lagoon

BETTER VALUE

Sky Lagoon

BEST FIRST VISIT

Blue Lagoon

The Quick Comparison

Blue Lagoon

  • Admission: Premium package, $154
  • Booking: Book ahead. Popular entry times can sell out.
  • Transportation: ~ $67 for airport → Blue Lagoon → Reykjavik
  • Included: Towel, robe, silica mask, and one drink
  • Atmosphere: Iconic, spacious, and busy without feeling unbearable
  • Hair warning: Keep it up and use plenty of conditioner

Sky Lagoon

  • Admission: Seven-step ritual package, currently $142.80. Mine was included with my G Adventures tour.
  • Booking: Book ahead. Evening and sunset times can sell out.
  • Transportation: Approximately 15 minutes from Reykjavík
  • Included: Lagoon access and the seven-step ritual
  • Atmosphere: Calmer, moodier, with ocean and sunset views
  • Hair advantage: You can safely get it wet

What Is the Seven-Step Sky Lagoon Ritual?

The ritual is a guided hot-and-cold circuit that you complete once during your visit. After the final step, you can return to the lagoon and keep relaxing.

01 · WARM LAGOON
Settle into the geothermal water.

02 · COLD PLUNGE
A quick and extremely cold reset.

03 · SAUNA
Warm up while facing the ocean.

04 · COLD MIST
Cool down beneath a fine fog.

05 · BODY SCRUB
Apply the signature Sky scrub.

06 · STEAM ROOM
Let the scrub soften in the steam.

07 · SHOWER
Rinse off, then return to the lagoon.

What It Was Actually Like

Blue Lagoon

ARRIVAL
Check-in was easy, but the locker and shower area felt chaotic. The Premium package included a towel, robe, silica mask, and one drink.

IN THE WATER
The water really is that blue, and it was comfortably warm. My 10 a.m. time slot was busy, but the lagoon was spacious enough to find quieter areas.

GOOD TO KNOW
Keep your hair up and use the provided conditioner to protect it from the silica. I stayed for about three and a half hours. The café was convenient, although the food was nothing memorable.

Sky Lagoon

ARRIVAL
The changing process was similar, but the locker area felt more spacious and the darker showers were calmer and less overstimulating.

IN THE WATER
I arrived after 7 p.m. and stayed until closing. The infinity edge, ocean views, and sunset made the entire experience feel more peaceful.

WHY IT WON ME OVER
The seven-step ritual gave the visit more structure and made it feel like a complete experience. Sky Lagoon was the more relaxing of the two, and it is the one I would personally revisit.

So, Which Iceland Lagoon Should You Choose?

Honestly, I think there is value in visiting both. They offer completely different experiences, so it will not feel like you paid twice to do the same thing.

If your budget only has room for one, I would choose Blue Lagoon. The shockingly blue water is unlike anything else, it photographs beautifully, and it delivers the iconic Iceland experience most first-time visitors are hoping for.

If the famous blue water is not what excites you, choose Sky Lagoon. It is the better option for relaxation, ocean views, the seven-step ritual, and that gorgeous infinity-pool feeling.

My first-time pick: Blue Lagoon. The one I would personally revisit: Sky Lagoon.