Blue Lagoon vs. Sky Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, located in a lava field near Grindavik. It’s one of Iceland’s most popular attractions featuring in many of our wellness tours, and is well-known worldwide. It’s the most famous lagoon in Iceland. Blue Lagoon is also a great choice to get your strengths back after a whole day of touring the area.

Blue Lagoon is not a natural spring. The water, minerals, green algae, white silica mud, lagoon’s color, steam, and moss-covered lava are all-natural. The way water rises from the ground and moves to the lagoon, the temperature of the water—none of this is natural. All of this comes from the geothermal power plant that is nearby. 

The water contains no harmful chemicals and is completely safe and always clean as it is being renewed every 48 hours. The temperature of the Blue Lagoon ranges from 37°C to 40°C (98-104°F). The water at the Blue Lagoon remains warm and relaxing all year round. It feels just like a warm bath.

The Blue Lagoon water is a combination of fresh and salt water. The unique algae plants and high concentration of silica mud directly benefit the skin. It is said that it prevents skin from aging. The silica has anti-bacterial effects that improve skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.

You must shower before entering the pool. The Iceland Blue Lagoon takes it further by requiring its visitors to shower naked. The showering area has several shower stalls that lock for privacy. After you have washed and conditioned your hair, you can put on your bathing suit and enter the Blue Lagoon. 

The Blue Lagoon’s deepest point is 1.4m/4.7ft, and its shallowest point is less than 0.8m/2.6ft.

The geothermal seawater at the Blue Lagoon will not ruin your swimsuit or leave any permanent stains. It is recommended to rinse your swimsuit with cold water and soap after a visit. If you have forgotten your swimsuit, you can rent one for ISK 800 or buy one at Blue Lagoon’s shop.

Unlike the Blue Lagoon, the Sky Lagoon is a new attraction that opened in the late spring of 2021, so everything is brand new. It is a lot smaller than the Blue Lagoon, but its location gives its visitors much more beautiful views, and the lagoon is based between the rocks, creating a much more calming atmosphere. You can enjoy great ocean views from the infinity pool.

The fantastic man-made Sky Lagoon, which prioritizes sustainability, uses geothermal energy as its primary energy source to keep the lagoon warm. The water temperature is approximately 38–40°C (100–104° F).

The deepest point of the Sky Lagoon is 120 cm (4’9” ft.).

Spending time in warm waters is good for humans inside and outside. Bathing in these waters is beneficial to the mind, body, and soul. Sky Lagoon’s waters contain minerals that can detoxify the body. Soaking can be helpful to your skin and is highly relaxing. The warmth of hot water can help to relieve pain and stress. Being in hot water has been shown in studies to block pain receptors in bones and muscles. If you combine it with minerals, it effectively relieves nasal and lung congestion.

Prices at the Blue Lagoon starts from €50 to €400, and even the most basic package includes a silica mask, a towel, and a drink at the bar.

Prices at the Sky Lagoon start from €50 to €170. The cheapest package includes a primary entrance to the geothermal lagoon but excludes the option of using a ritual (scrubbing, sauna, cold misty shower).

The ritual is a thrilling cycle of well-being based on the Blue Lagoon’s natural trinity of silica, algae, and minerals. The ritual in Blue Lagoon has three steps:

1. Silica to cleanse and strengthen your skin
   
   
2. Algae to renew, nourish, and moisturize your skin
   
   
3. Minerals to exfoliate your skin and stimulate your circulation
   
   

Sky Lagoon uses traditional integrations of natural elements to promote well-being inside and out. The ritual in Sky Lagoon has seven steps:

1. Relaxing in the lagoon with a calming ocean view
   
   
2. Cold therapy in a glacier-pool
   
   
3. Sauna to open pores, remove toxins, and cleanse your skin
   
   
4. Walking through cold fog-mist
   
   
5. Exfoliation with a cleansing scrub
   
   
6. Warming in a blanket of steam
   
   
7. Cleansing in a gentle shower
   
   

Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon offers a tasteful dinner with views of the lagoon landscape. Be ready to taste high-quality dishes with Icelandic ingredients. Both a regular and vegan menu are available at this restaurant.

The Lava Restaurant provides both lunch and dinner. The restaurant serves an Icelandic menu, a seafood menu, and a vegetarian menu. You can enjoy your meal by looking at Blue lagoon’s lava cliff!

The Blue Lagoon’s Spa Restaurant offers healthy dishes in a peaceful and reserved atmosphere. You are sure to find something for yourself as this restaurant provides plenty of meat dishes, vegetarian food, and seafood is available.

Sky Lagoon does not have a good dining restaurant compared to Blue Lagoon. At Sky Lagoon’s, you can find a rustic, simple café that feels more like a bar with snacks. Hearty and light meals are served in traditional Icelandic style.

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland and is located in a lava field near Grindavik. The geothermal lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport and about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The Blue Lagoon is much closer to the airport.

By car

The Blue Lagoon is easily accessible from Keflavik and Reykjavik’s main highway. Follow the signs to Blue Lagoon from Highway 41 to Highway 43. The parking is entirely free.

The Sky Lagoon is located in Kársnes Harbor, Kópavogur. The Sky Lagoon is a bit closer to Reykjavik downtown. It takes about 15 minutes to drive there in a rental car.

By car

Take Kringlumrabraut from Hlemmur square (route 40). Continue to Kársnesbraut and then to Vesturvör. The parking is free outside Sky Lagoon.

By bus

Take bus no. 4 from Hlemmur square and stop in Hamraborg (it will take about 15 minutes). From Hamraborg take bus no. 35 until you stop at Hafnarbraut (4 min). This is the nearest bus stop to your destination for the Sky Lagoon. From Hafnarbraut, follow the signs that will lead you to the lagoon (it will take you for a few minutes).

Walking or biking from central Reykjavík

Take Rauðarárstígur for 5.9 km from Hlemmur square. Then take the Suðurhlíð to Vesturvör. It will be 6 kilometers which will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As you can see, both of Iceland's lagoons are worth a visit. Do you want to pay for a visit to the world-famous lagoon, or do you want to visit a brand-new, less crowded place? This is up to your preferences.