The entrance to Sky Lagoon in Iceland welcomes guests with a stunning turf wall.

Iceland has been on my travel bucket list for many years, so when I had the opportunity to visit back in November, I couldn’t have been more excited.

In addition to exploring parts of the capital, Reykjavík, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Sky Lagoon, one of Iceland’s newer luxury wellness destinations. During my trip, I visited Sky Lagoon twice—once during the day and once at night, which allowed me to enjoy two different but equally incredible experiences.

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Located on the oceanfront at the edge of Iceland’s largest town, Kópavogur, Sky Lagoon is less than 15 minutes from Reykjavík, making it an easy destination to get to when you’re looking to relax and unwind after a long, adventure-filled day.

When we arrived at Sky Lagoon, we were greeted by a beautiful turf wall at the entrance. An ancient building technique that dates back to the settlement of Iceland, the turf wall style of building was recreated by Sky Lagoon’s turf layer specialist Guðjón S. Kristinsson and his team, who cut heavy pieces of turf into tiles and layered them into a herringbone pattern inside a wooden frame.

Throughout the various spaces at Sky Lagoon, the materials and design elements feature a combination of modern and traditional/historic details. It feels very cozy yet upscale and luxurious at the same time, offering guests the perfect setting for relaxation.

Inspiring words for the beginning of one’s wellness journey at Sky Lagoon.

Here’s what you’ll love about Sky Lagoon:

It’s located less than 15 minutes from Reykjavík, making it an easy destination to get to and from.
The luxury wellness destination is right on the oceanfront and surrounded by immense natural beauty including rock formations, lava cliffs, and water views.
Sky Lagoon honors Iceland’s bathing traditions, heritage, and history; among its unique features are a recreated traditional turf house where many of the wellness amenities are located and a turf wall at the entrance.
The popular Skjól Ritual is a seven-step healing journey combining various cold and warm elements including a cold plunge, saunas, steam room, and more.
Guests can choose between a Saman Pass or Sér Pass for the Skjól Ritual, depending on the experience they want.
There are two saunas, both with panoramic water views, and one is a device-free space.
Three different dining options are available including a cafe that serves coffee and pastries, a snack bar that offers platters highlighting unique Icelandic dishes, and a bar that serves beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol) in the lagoon.
Open both during the day and at night, Sky Lagoon offers the perfect setting for a variety of experiences including group and family outings, birthday celebrations, solo self-care days, and romantic date nights for couples.
The minimum age for guests is 12 years old, making it a family-friendly activity that can be enjoyed together.
During the colder months, guests can see the Northern Lights from the lagoon.

Guests have the option of choosing between a Saman Pass (public changing facilities) or Sér Pass (private changing facilities).

Iceland is renowned for its abundance of geothermal pools and natural hot springs, and Sky Lagoon is home to healing geothermal waters that offer various relaxation and healing benefits. People travel from near and far to experience its Skjol Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey that guides you through a series of rejuvenating steps that are part of traditional Icelandic bathing culture.

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Guests can purchase Saman or Sér passes for the Skjol Ritual, depending on the type of experience they want. The Saman pass offers shared changing rooms that are split into male and female sections, while the Sér is a more elevated offering that provides private changing rooms with individual showers for additional comfort and privacy.

The Sér Pass offers an elevated experience that includes private changing facilities with showers.

I had a Sér pass for both of my visits and I was very impressed with the sleek, modern changing facilities. After checking in at the front desk I was given a waterproof wristband that I could use to open and close my locker. I was also able to connect my credit card to the wristband so that when I ordered drinks at the Gelmir Bar (located in the lagoon), all I had to do was swipe my wristband to pay—super easy and convenient!

The private changing rooms came with showers so guests could rinse off before and after the Skjol Ritual. There were hooks for hanging clothes while changing, as well as a mirror, sink, a blow-dryer, and samples of Sky Lagoon’s Body Lotion.

If you’re debating between the Saman or Sér pass, I highly recommend upgrading to the Sér. You’re only paying around $23 more to enjoy a private changing area instead of shared, which is totally worth it in my opinion!

Each private changing room comes with a shower and features the seven-step ritual on the wall.

After changing into my swimsuit and rinsing off in the shower, I was ready to begin the Skjol Ritual! Off to the side of the changing area was the entrance to the lagoon, along with shelves where guests could leave their sandals.

Stacks of fresh towels were readily available in the changing area, as well as at the entrance to the lagoon and sauna/steam room, making it easy to dry off in-between the various hydrotherapy experiences.

Sky Lagoon’s seven-step journey (Skjól Ritual) begins at the entrance to the lagoon.

To kick off the Skjol Ritual, I made my way down the steps into the lagoon (Laug), immediately feeling relaxed and at ease in the warm water, which is kept at a temperature between 100 to 104 degrees. At its deepest, the lagoon reaches 3 feet and 11 inches, so I was able to wade in the water with my feet touching the ground, although at various points I opted to swim around as well.

Sky Lagoon’s geothermal pool spans approximately 50,000 square feet and offers abundant space for guests to spread out and relax. Even at its busiest, the lagoon never felt too crowded and I had plenty of personal space.

One of my favorite features was the infinity-edge of the lagoon that disappears into the landscape with expansive views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Icelandic president’s residence far off in the distance!

The warm lagoon (Laug) helps to calm and relax the body and mind.

From the lagoon, we enjoyed stunning views of the ocean and natural landscape (and the Icelandic president’s residence).

The second step of the Skjol Ritual is the cold plunge (Kuldi), which is on one end of the lagoon in front of the entrance to the traditional turf house, where the other wellness amenities are located. The temperature of the cold plunge pool is between 50 to 53 degrees and it offers numerous health benefits such as increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and stimulation of the immune system.

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Since we were visiting in November, temperatures in Reykjavík averaged in the low 30s to mid-40s, and I was initially nervous about going into the cold plunge, but after spending time in the lagoon’s warm waters, I began to feel hot. I spent about a minute and a half in the cold plunge, and found the contrast between the lagoon and cold plunge to be quite refreshing.

Many guests were going back and forth between the two, and there is no limit to how many times you can go in the lagoon, cold plunge or other amenities during your visit. The recommended time to spend in the lagoon is up to two hours and it is recommended that you stay hydrated while enjoying the warm water.

The next step of the journey was the cold plunge (Kuldi), which also features beautiful views of the ocean and lagoon.

Another unique feature is the Gelmir Bar, which is built beneath the cave-wall canopy in the lagoon and has a variety of beverages available for purchase including champagne, wine, cocktails, and Icelandic beers.

Alcohol-free drinks are also available such as lemonade, juice, non-alcoholic sparkling white tea, and non-alcoholic rosé and wheat ale as well. Drinks are charged to guests’ wristbands, which are connected to their credit cards.

Sky Lagoon has an in-water bar that serves a variety of beverages including wine, beer, and cocktails.

Phones are also allowed in the lagoon and throughout the various amenities at Sky Lagoon (except for the phone-free sauna); some guests put their phones in waterproof cases and carry those around; or if you choose to do as I did, go in and capture all your photo and video content first, then put your phone back in your locker and enjoy. But when we saw the Northern Lights one evening, everyone had their phones out!

After enjoying the lagoon and cold plunge, I headed into the turf house to experience the rest of the Skjol Ritual. Fun fact: turf was used to build homes dating back to 870 in Iceland and offered protection from the intense weather conditions!

As I stepped inside the building, I was immediately taken by its natural splendor—it’s truly impressive how Sky Lagoon honors the country’s history and tradition with such beautiful attention to detail.

Other wellness amenities such as the sauna and steam room are located inside a traditional Icelandic turf house.

The third step in the Skjol Ritual was the sauna (Ylur), which felt especially comforting after the cold plunge. There are two saunas in the turf house (one is device-free and the other allows guests to bring in their phones to take pictures), and both feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the vast ocean.

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It was such a calm and meditative experience sitting in the warm sauna while gazing out at the clear blue water—it was one of my favorite steps of the ritual and I could have stayed there all day.

Sky Lagoon has two saunas including a device-free sauna.

Both of the saunas feature incredible panoramic views of the ocean.

After I had warmed up in the sauna, I was ready for the cold mist room (Súld). The exposed ceiling allows the fresh air to circulate, which feels refreshing accompanied by a drizzling mist of cold water. There are benches where one can sit down or you can opt to stand directly under the mist as it gently sprinkles down.

The Cold Mist room (Súld) is a refreshing place to cool off after working up a sweat in the sauna.

Next, I headed into the center of the turf house for the Sky Lagoon scrub (Mýkt), which was displayed in mini bowls for guests to grab on their way in. I applied the scrub on my skin from the neck down in gentle circular motions. It is recommended to leave it on when going into the steam room (Gufa) for the next step, which I did.

The scrub is made with natural oils (almond and sesame seed) that contain hints of flora from around the lagoon mixed with sea salt. It removes dead skin cells to rejuvenate skin while improving circulation. The body scrub is also available for purchase in the retail shop by the cafe.

Prior to entering the steam room, we applied the Sky Lagoon Scrub (Mýkt) to our skin.

The scrub is made with natural oils that feature hints of the flora around the lagoon mixed with sea salt.

The steam room opens pores, allowing skin to absorb the scrub and the hydrating benefits of its oils while being immersed in the thick steam. I hung out for about 10 minutes then headed out to rinse off under the open showers before completing the final step of the Skjol Ritual.

With the scrub still on, we relaxed in the steam room (Gufa) so the oils could absorb into our skin.

After the steam room, we rinsed off under the open showers.

To conclude the journey, we were served small shots of crowberry juice mixed with Icelandic herbal tea—a healthy and refreshing treat. We learned that crowberries can be found all around Iceland include in the lava fields, and the tart berries are often used to make jams and juice.

Known for their health benefits, crowberries are rich in vitamin C, folate, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. I loved the sweet taste of the crowberry elixir and made sure to buy a jar of crowberry jam in the retail store to enjoy back home where crowberries are next to impossible to find.

The Skjol Ritual concludes with a shot of Saft, a healthy juice made from crowberries mixed with Icelandic herbal tea—delicious!

Nothing works up my appetite like a long spa day and I was ready to enjoy some Icelandic cuisine at Sky Lagoon’s Smakk Bar, which serves an assortment of platters that can be shared amongst a group or enjoyed alone.

They offer a variety of different platters that highlight different local delights including traditional pickled herring, pork and goose wild game pâté, home-made mustard sauce, organic jam, a selection of cheeses, chocolate, and freshly baked bread. A vegan platter is also available, and the adjacent Keimur Café serves sandwiches, soups, pastries, and coffee as well.

Hungry guests can indulge in a variety of tasty offerings at Sky Lagoon’s Smakk Bar and Keimur Café.

The cafe has cozy fireplaces with plenty of comfortable seating and tables.

We enjoyed a tasty platter that featured an assortment of Icelandic cheeses, bread with fresh ham, pickled herring, and pork and goose wild game pâté.

Both cafes offer plenty of tables with comfortable seating, including a bar area and a fireplace. The entire space felt very cozy, as if we were in the living room at someone’s home.

There is also a large retail boutique with Sky Lagoon skincare products along with local Icelandic gift items including clothing, jewelry, cards, magnets, chocolates, and other souvenirs if you’re looking for gifts for yourself and others.

They also had beautiful carved wood Icelandic horses and I couldn’t resisting bringing one home, which I have on display in the living room to remind me of my incredible trip to Iceland and Sky Lagoon.

Sky Lagoon’s large retail boutique carries a wide variety of items including local gift items, clothing, snacks, and skin care products.

Sky Lagoon’s Body Scrub is available for purchase in the retail boutique to continue the self-care ritual at home.

The next day, we returned in the evening to spend more time at Sky Lagoon and witness the Northern Lights, one of the world’s seven natural wonders and a common occurrence in Iceland, especially during its winter months when the nights are long and dark.

The best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are from late September to early April, and I was there in mid-November, so the timing was perfect.

After witnessing a beautiful sunset, the sky darkened and I could hear whispers of excitement around me in the lagoon as people were looking up towards the sky with their phones in their hands, ready to snap pictures of the lights once they were visible.

It wasn’t long before the Northern Lights appeared in the sky, and everyone was eagerly snapping photos and recording videos with their phones. The lights appeared even more intense and dramatic in photos, and it was such a special experience to be able to witness the natural phenomenon while in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

To make the experience even more memorable, one of the guests proposed to his girlfriend in the lagoon under the Northern Lights. Talk about a moment that couple will remember for the rest of their lives (and I’m grateful that I got to witness it!)

If you want to take things a step further during your next visit to Iceland, Reykjavik Excursions offers a special Sky Lagoon and Northern Lights Package that offers the best of both worlds—a visit to Sky Lagoon followed by a tour led by a professional guide that takes participants on a Northern Lights hunt for the ultimate adventure!

At night we witnessed the Northern Lights, one of the natural wonders of the world.,

The Northern Lights were truly stunning and a magical experience at Sky Lagoon.

My visit to Sky Lagoon was an experience that I will never forget and it’s a must for anyone visiting Iceland. If you have the chance to go more than once, I highly recommend coming once during the day and once at night. And if you plan your trip during the time of year when Northern Lights are visible, you’ll be extra glad that you did!

I definitely want to come back to Iceland again, and when I do, one of the first things I will do is purchase another pass to Sky Lagoon. Not only is it a great place to start your day, but it’s also the perfect place to end your day. You’ll feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to conquer another adventure-filled day in Iceland.

I felt relaxed and content at the end of my wellness journey—I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Sky Lagoon!

Cost: Skjol Ritual (From ISK 15,990 ($119 USD) per adult for the Sér Pass; From ISK 12,990 ($96 USD) for the Saman Pass)

Insider Tips:

Bring a swimsuit to wear in the lagoon and various amenities.
Access to the Lagoon ends 30 minutes prior to closing time. The Skjól Ritual and Gelmir Bar close an hour before.
For a premium experience, purchase the Sér pass, which includes access to private changing facilities.
If you’re visiting with someone, book the Sky Lagoon for Two Package, which includes two Sér or Saman passes, one drink per guest, and a sky platter from Smakk Bar.
The minimum age for guests is 12; visitors ages 12 to 14 must be accompanied by a guardian 18 years or older.

Address: Vesturvör 44, 200 Kópavogur, Iceland

Phone: (+354) 527-6800

Email: info@skylagoon.is

Hours:

Nov 1 - May 31: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Mon-Fri); 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sat & Sun)
June 1 - June 30: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Daily)
July 1 - Aug 31: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Daily)
Sept 1 - Sept 30: 9 a.m to 11 p.m. (Daily)
Oct 1 - Oct 31: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Daily)

For more information about Sky Lagoon, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @skylagooniceland

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[Photos by Kamala Kirk]