The Secret Lagoon in Iceland: Hours, Prices and How to Visit

The Secret Lagoon, known in Icelandic as “Gamla Laugin,” meaning “The Old Pool,” is the oldest geothermal swimming pool in Iceland, built in 1891. Its surrounding hot springs keep the water at a steady 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F) year-round. Located just outside the village of Flúðir in South Iceland, this lagoon is easy to add to your Golden Circle day tour. 

Before you visit, check the opening hours and prices, plan your route from Reykjavík, pack the essentials, and compare the experience with the Blue Lagoon.

The Secret Lagoon in Iceland is a hot lagoon in the Hverahólmi geothermal area beside Flúðir. Water flows directly from the surrounding hot springs, keeping the pool at a steady 38 to 40°C (100–104°F) year-round. This continuous flow replaces the entire water supply every 24 hours, so no added chemicals are needed to keep it clean. After a long day on the Golden Circle, this secret hot spring is one of Iceland’s best recovery spots.

Around the lagoon, there are walking paths to nearby hot springs and a small geyser that erupts every few minutes, the same springs that feed and warm the pool you’re soaking in. 

The Secret Lagoon feels more like a traditional local bathing place than a modern spa. For years it remained a hidden lagoon in Iceland known mainly to locals. The original two-door changing shed still stands beside the water as a reminder of its long history.

The Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Compared with the country’s larger lagoons, it offers a rural, low-key experience in a green valley rather than a purpose-built spa, much as it did when locals came here to bathe and warm up decades ago. Admission also costs a fraction of what the larger spas charge, which is a major part of its appeal.

During a Golden Circle trip, the Secret Lagoon is easy to add to a day of sightseeing. Set aside an extra 1 to 3 hours to swim, wander the paths past hot springs, and watch Litli Geysir (the small geyser) erupt roughly every five minutes, all without changing the rest of your route.

Children are welcome, so it works well for families, as well as couples or solo travelers who want a simple dip without extra facilities. Kids enter at a low rate, and seniors and people with disabilities get a discount, too.

The Secret Lagoon is worth it if you want a simple, relaxing break in naturally heated water between hiking and exploring. Travelers seeking a full spa day with saunas, swim-up bars, steam rooms, and in-water treatments may find the Blue Lagoon a better fit.

The Secret Lagoon's history begins in 1891, when local farmers and villagers in Hverahólmi built the pool, making it the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Icelanders call it Gamla Laugin, meaning “the old pool.” In the early days, locals used it to bathe and warm up, and Flúðir's legislative body held meetings here until 1894.

The pool hosted Iceland’s first official swimming lessons in 1909, with classes held annually until 1947, when a new facility opened in Flúðir and the original fell out of use. Interest in Gamla Laugin grew again after 2000, leading to a careful restoration that preserved its original appearance.

Among Icelanders, the name Gamla Laugin stuck. When visitors began seeking out this quiet, tucked-away pool, they gave it the English name Secret Lagoon, and it reopened under that name in 2014.

The Secret Lagoon’s location in Flúðir places it 97.5 km (60.5 mi) from Reykjavík and 47 km (29.2 mi) from Selfoss. Its position on the Golden Circle makes it easy to combine with other popular stops, including the Geysir geothermal area, Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Kerið crater, and Friðheimar tomato greenhouse and horse farm in Reykholt.

A classic Golden Circle tour takes around 8 hours, leaving enough flexibility to include an extra stop without extending your day too much. On-site parking is available to guests during opening hours, but overnight parking is not permitted.

You can reach the Secret Lagoon from Reykjavík in two ways: join one of our guided tours or rent a car and make your own way there on a self-drive tour.

The drive from Reykjavík takes about 1.5 hours without stops. You can approach the lagoon from the north or south, depending on the other attractions you would like to visit along the way.

For the northern route, take Route 36 toward Thingvellir National Park, where you can stop and explore, before continuing along Routes 365 and 37. When you reach Route 35, you can visit Strokkur Geyser and Gullfoss Waterfall. From this area, Flúðir is around a 30-minute drive south.

The southern route from Reykjavík to the Secret Lagoon follows the Ring Road over the scenic Hellisheiði mountain pass before reaching Hveragerði, a geothermal town known for its steaming hot springs and greenhouses heated by the earth’s natural energy.

From Hveragerði, leave Route 1 and join Route 35, stopping at the striking Kerið volcanic crater along the way, if you have the time. Continue toward Reykholt, with Flúðir and the Secret Lagoon only a short drive beyond.

From the south, you can reach the Secret Lagoon from Vík, the southern coastal town. Follow the Ring Road west past the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, through the towns of Hvolsvöllur and Hella, then turn north onto Route 30 and continue to Flúðir and the Secret Lagoon.

The pool welcomes guests year-round, although opening times change with the seasons. Book your Secret Lagoon tickets in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

* December 24 and 31, the Secret Lagoon is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Plan to arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before closing so you have enough time to change, shower, settle in, and relax without feeling rushed.

The Secret Lagoon is easy to visit on the spur of the moment, but a few items make your swim more comfortable, and a couple of local customs are worth knowing before you arrive.

What to bring to the Secret Lagoon:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Shampoo and conditioner
• A little cash
• Waterproof phone case
• Sandals

You can rent swimsuits and towels at reception if needed. Each rental costs extra, so bring your own if you want to save a little money.

Secret Lagoon rules and practical tips:

Iceland's pool shower rules and a few local habits can catch first-timers off guard. The Secret Lagoon's rules are simple, but important to know before you get in:

• Shower with soap first, without a swimsuit. Showering beforehand is mandatory at every Icelandic pool and lagoon, including the Secret Lagoon. Natural pools like this one use no chlorine, so that rinse is what keeps the water healthy for everyone.
• Drink water before and after you get in. The warm water dehydrates you faster than you'd expect, so arrive well hydrated and drink enough water afterward.
• Leave silver jewelry in your locker. The lagoon's naturally high sulfur tarnishes silver and turns it dark, and anything small dropped on the gravel bottom is very hard to recover.
• Expect hip-to-chest depth throughout. The pool stays roughly the same depth from one end to the other, with no sudden drop-offs

Choosing the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon depends on whether you want a simple Golden Circle swim or a premium spa day with masks, drinks, and optional treatments. In other words, the two lagoons aren’t in competition; they simply offer different experiences.

Deciding which Iceland lagoon is best for you comes down to the experience you want: the Secret Lagoon suits budget-conscious Golden Circle travelers looking for a quiet swim, while the larger resort is better for those who want an extended spa experience.

The Secret Lagoon in Iceland remains open throughout winter, and the water stays at the same 38 to 40°C (100 to 104°F) as it does in summer. What changes are the opening hours and surroundings. At the Secret Lagoon in December, snow may frame the pool while steam rises into the cold air, creating a sharp contrast between the warm water and wintry landscape.

Seeing the Northern Lights from the Secret Lagoon during aurora season, roughly September to April, is possible but unlikely. The lagoon closes at 7:00 PM in winter, while the night sky spectacle usually appears after 10 PM.

If catching this cosmic light show is a priority, you're better off pairing your trip with a guided Northern Lights tour or watching from a dark spot away from town later in the evening.

Driving to and from the Secret Lagoon in winter requires extra care because daylight is limited and roads may be snowy or icy. Before setting out, review the latest road conditions and guidance from SafeTravel, especially if you plan to continue to a dark viewing spot after the pool closes. If you have not driven on winter roads before, consider a guided tour and let an experienced driver handle the route.

For travelers looking for things to do near Flúðir, these five Golden Circle attractions are among the most worthwhile places near the Secret Lagoon and fit easily into the same driving route.

• Faxi waterfall: a wide, low waterfall on the Tungufljót river, with a salmon ladder along one side where you can watch salmon climb upstream in summer. A quieter, scenic stop just off Route 35.
• Friðheimar: a family greenhouse at Reykholt where you eat tomato soup and warm bread among the growing vines. Some days you can also catch an Icelandic horse show and learn about the breed.
• Geysir geothermal area: home to Strokkur, which erupts every 6 to 10 minutes and fires a column of hot water up to about 20 m (66 ft) into the air. It's named after the neighboring Great Geysir, the spring that gave every geyser in the world its name. The water is near boiling, so stay behind the safety ropes.
• Gullfoss waterfall: you'll hear it before you see it. The two-tier falls crash into a canyon on the Hvítá river, throwing up a mist that catches rainbows on a sunny day.
• Kerið crater: The caldera of this sleeping volcano is 55 m (180 ft) deep, 170 m (558 ft) wide, and 270 m (886 ft) long. Its vivid red volcanic rock and aquamarine lake have made it one of Iceland’s best-known natural landmarks. You can walk around the rim in about 15 minutes for the best views from above.