Quick FactsOverview
About Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon, Iceland is an oceanfront geothermal spa at Kársnes Harbour in Kópavogur, just south of Reykjavík, featuring a 70-metre infinity-edge lagoon whose outer rim meets the North Atlantic at the cliff edge. The lagoon is maintained at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius year-round by geothermal water drawn from deep below the earth's surface, and on clear days visitors can see Snæfellsjökull glacier, Keilir mountain, and the open ocean from the water. Construction began in early 2020 and the facility opened on 30 April 2021, making it one of the newest major geothermal spas in the Reykjavík area. A 2024 expansion added an enlarged Ritual area.
The centrepiece of the Sky Lagoon experience is the Seven-Step Skjól bathing ritual, included in all admission tickets. The seven steps are: a geothermal lagoon soak, a cold plunge pool, a sauna featuring Iceland's largest single-pane glass window overlooking the ocean, a cold mist chamber, a sea salt body scrub, a steam bath, and a final relaxation stage with a crowberry elixir. The turfhouse structure containing the ritual steps is designed to echo traditional Icelandic turf architecture and blends into the cliff setting. The ritual is completed at each guest's own pace and can be repeated in part during a visit. Sky Lagoon was developed by Pursuit, an international hospitality company, in partnership with the local Icelandic firm Nature Resort ehf, at an investment of approximately 11 million USD.
For visitors looking for a geothermal pool in Iceland with city convenience and an ocean setting, Sky Lagoon occupies a distinct position: it is close enough to central Reykjavík to visit without a long drive or transfer, yet set on the coast with views that feel far removed from the city. The on-site Gelmir Bar is accessible from the water via a swim-up counter, the Smakk Bar restaurant offers Icelandic tasting platters, and Sky Café provides casual refreshments. The experience is not suited to young children, as the minimum age for entry is 12 years old.
Location & Access
Getting to Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is located at Vesturvör 44-48, 200 Kópavogur, at Kársnes Harbour on the coast south of central Reykjavík. By car from the city centre, the drive takes approximately 13 to 15 minutes via Route 40 south toward Kópavogur and then onto Kársnesbraut, following signs to Vesturvör. Free parking is available on site for all guests. The lagoon is approximately 7 kilometres from the city centre and 45 to 50 minutes from Keflavík International Airport. All walkways from the car park to the main building are paved and wheelchair accessible.
Sky Lagoon is accessible by public bus from Reykjavík: take Strætó Bus 4 from Hlemmur Square to Hamraborg in Kópavogur, then transfer to Bus 35 and follow the wayfinding signs to the lagoon. The journey takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes total. Shuttle transfers from Reykjavík hotels are also available through Sky Lagoon and various tour operators, and these can be booked alongside admission tickets. For visitors who prefer to walk, the route from Hlemmur Square along the coast to Vesturvör is approximately 6 kilometres.
Advance booking is strongly recommended. Entry is managed by timed slots and tickets can sell out on busy weekends and during summer. Walk-in availability varies and is not guaranteed. Two main ticket tiers are available: the Saman Pass includes public changing facilities and the full Seven-Step Ritual, while the Sér Pass includes private changing rooms at a higher price point. Both include towel use and access to the lagoon and all ritual steps. Seasonal and time-of-day pricing applies, with earlier and later slots typically cheaper. The hot springs near Reykjavík at Sky Lagoon offer the most direct ocean access of any geothermal spa in the capital area.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon suits adults and older teenagers looking for a quieter geothermal spa setting with ocean views and a structured wellness ritual. Children under 12 are not permitted. Guests aged 12 to 14 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or older, and staff may request identification to confirm age. The facility is therefore not a family venue in the way that Reykjavík's municipal pools are, and visitors travelling with young children should plan a different bathing destination. The atmosphere tends toward calm and adult-focused.
The facility is fully wheelchair accessible. The official Sky Lagoon accessibility page confirms accessible changing rooms and showers, a chair lift for entering and exiting the lagoon, lifts for the cold plunge pool and the turfhouse, and an on-site wheelchair available for guests who need assistance navigating the ritual route. Sky Lagoon also provides gender-neutral changing rooms on request; guests can ask staff at check-in. The accessible geothermal pool infrastructure at Sky Lagoon is among the most complete at any single commercial lagoon site in Iceland.
Solo travellers, couples, and small groups who want a more contained and design-led experience than the Blue Lagoon, with the convenience of Reykjavík proximity, are the primary audience. The infinity-edge view, the ocean-facing sauna, and the structured seven-step sequence make it particularly suited to visitors who want a planned experience with a natural setting. Advance booking controls the number of guests in the lagoon at any time, keeping it quieter than many other commercial venues, particularly if you book early-morning or late-evening slots.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is generally safe as a fully staffed commercial spa with trained personnel throughout the facility. Water depth throughout the lagoon allows guests to touch the bottom at all times, making it a soaking and floating environment rather than a swimming pool. The temperature of 38 to 40 degrees Celsius is within the standard comfortable soaking range for most healthy adults. Visitors who are pregnant, have cardiovascular conditions, or are sensitive to heat should consult a doctor before visiting and should be particularly careful during the cold plunge and sauna stages of the ritual.
A mandatory naked shower before entering the lagoon is required, in line with standard Icelandic pool practice, and is enforced by staff. Swimwear is required in all pool areas. Photography in changing rooms and showers is strictly prohibited. The body scrub used in the ritual contains almond and sesame seed oil; guests with nut allergies or skin sensitivities should check the ingredients with staff before the scrub step. The cold plunge pool is a short-duration immersion step; guests with circulatory conditions should approach it with caution and leave immediately if they feel unwell.
The lagoon is set on an exposed section of coastline and can be windy, particularly around the infinity edge and the cold mist chamber. Wearing sandals with grip is advised, as surfaces can be slippery when wet. During the ritual, follow the sequence at your own pace; there is no rush or time pressure from staff. The Gelmir Bar serves alcohol; drink in moderation, as the combination of alcohol and prolonged warm water immersion increases the risk of dehydration and feeling unwell. Water is available throughout the facility. The facility operates year-round and the lagoon experience is generally considered better in poor weather, as steam rises more visibly and the contrast between cold air and warm water is more pronounced.
