This Spring, I was in the enviable position of choosing which of Reykjavik’s spa lagoons to try. I was certain I could decide between the iconic Blue Lagoon and the newly opened Sky Lagoon.
Initially, I was drawn to the Sky Lagoon because of its seven-step Ritual and because I was concerned about the Blue Lagoon being overrun by tourists. However, every time I was ready to just choose the Sky Lagoon, a persistent feeling kept lingering: how can I go to Iceland and not visit the Blue Lagoon? I mean, the two have become virtually synonymous.
In the end, we visited both spas and it was definitely the right decision. They offer distinctive enough experiences to make each place very special. How many times would we be in Iceland after all?
The Blue Lagoon
It was an overcast day with biting winds and cool temperatures — probably no more than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Iceland, as we were told several times on our trip, was having one of its coldest early summer seasons. After finding spots for our spa robes and slippers, we walked briskly to the water.
It felt calming and luxurious to feel the lagoon’s warmth and to be immersed in that milky blue water, a color so symbolic of the Blue Lagoon.
We were able to capture really beautiful portraits of Mia and Ethan and the family together in this unique, ethereal setting.
Both the Blue and Sky Lagoons are man-made, drawing their steaming water from geothermal sources deep beneath the Earth’s surface. In the Blue Lagoon, the water flows from 2,000 meters deep into the primal lagoon environment, creating an alchemy of silica, minerals, and blue-green algae. This rich brew has many benefits for your skin.
We floated over to the Mud Bar, where spa staff offered two different mud masks. The white, silica mask is a deep cleaning treatment that helps with skin clarity. The dark algae mask nourishes and moisturizes the skin and helps stimulate collagen production. Applying the masks takes some skill and patience, and some of us were able to get better results than others. It’s also fun to get a drink at the in-water bar where an assortment of smoothies, juices, beer, and wine are served.
We chose the premium experience at the Blue Lagoon based on our sense of how crowded the spa would be. Should the crowds have returned to that of pre-covid years, we would have been tempted to try the Retreat Spa, which includes a private changing room and access to both the Blue Lagoon and the more private and intimate Retreat Spa. However, cameras are prohibited at the Retreat Spa, and we wanted to take our own photos. It was the end of May when we visited, and as there weren’t many visitors, we were happy with our choice of the premium experience.
Tip: Although very healthy, the minerals in the Blue Lagoon do make your hair feel dry and stiff. To help with this, put an ample amount of conditioner through your hair and don’t rinse it out upon entering the lagoon. For women, keep your hair pulled up as much as possible.
Sky Lagoon
Just opened in late March 2021, the Sky Lagoon is an impressive feat of Nordic design that draws inspiration from the rich tradition of Icelandic bathing culture. The entrance of the Sky Lagoon features a traditional turf wall with the earth tiles laid out in a herringbone pattern. The warm wooden interior is inviting and I immediately felt the serenity and calm from being surrounded by good design. Nestled in a cliff, the lagoon features a 70 meter-long infinity pool that seamlessly overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Sky Lagoon is a very easy 15 minute cab ride from the heart of downtown Reykjavik. The Sky Lagoon offers several admission options, but we chose the most premium spa option, the Sky pass, which includes the Sky Lagoon entry, the Seven-step Ritual, and access to the private shower and changing facilities. Unlike the Blue Lagoon, children under the age of 12 are not permitted in the lagoon. Luckily for us, Mia and Ethan made the age cut. But overall, it was nice to experience the mostly adult space. Currently, the Sky Pass costs 12,900 ISK (77 USD) for adults with prices varying for children.
The shower and changing area captured the Scandinavian concept of “hygge”, which can be loosely translated as warmth or coziness. While the design is minimalistic, the richness of the wood and warmth of the metals provides an inviting and luxurious setting.
You enter the lagoon through a cave-like entrance, and once through, the vista opens up with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. There were more locals visiting here than at the Blue Lagoon. The water temperature felt amazing on a day that was quite chilly. It started to rain a bit, but the warmth of the water kept us very comfortable. You can head over to the tucked- away Lagoon Bar and try a Collab seltzer, an intriguing drink of marine collagen and caffeine. Relaxing in the spa lagoon is the first step in the Seven-step ritual.
The second step, if you dare, is a quick cold plunge to wake all the senses. From there, the Ritual activities enfold in a turf house. The third step is experiencing the Sauna, which features a large picture window that shows views of the ocean. You can imagine how beautiful it would be to come back during different seasons and to take in the Northern lights or volcanic activity. Once you’ve absorbed enough heat, you take a refreshing walk through their cold fog-mist to cool your body temperature a bit. (Step 4). The spa attendants pass you the Sky Body scrub, a sea salt scrub to exfoliate and detoxify the skin. (Step 5). With the scrub still on, you enter the steam room for step 6. Afterwards, you shower off the scrub and head back to the inviting, warm geothermal lagoon for the final step. There was a bit of queuing for the Sauna, and while the facilities in the turf house were lovely and intimate, they were a bit on the small side.
Final Thoughts
Both spas are refreshing and rejuvenate the mind and body and offer different luxurious touches to elevate you from the ordinary. I envied the local Icelandic who can incorporate these bathing rituals on a consistent basis and contemplated a time when we could all come back.