Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon?

What is the difference between Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon?

Sky Lagoon is an oceanfront infinity pool with a hot and cold ritual near Reykjavík. The Blue Lagoon is a mineral-rich lagoon in a lava field near the airport, known for its silica mud mask.

The key differences at a glance:

Blue Lagoon temperature and hours are from Guide to Iceland; its prices and age rules are from the rate card.

Which is cheaper, Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon's entry ticket starts lower, at ISK 11,990 against ISK 14,990. Like for like, with spa extras, the two cost about the same.

What each entry ticket buys:

Blue Lagoon prices are dynamic: the rate card says individual prices "will vary accordingly" with supply and demand, so a summer afternoon costs more than the from-price. Sky Lagoon keeps one price per day, adding ISK 2,000 at the weekend. Transport changes the sum too: from Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon is a short taxi; the Blue Lagoon is a 45-minute drive each way.

Children change it most. The Blue Lagoon charges ISK 2,000 for ages 2 to 11. Sky Lagoon doesn't let them in. Prices for Sky Lagoon in full: Sky Lagoon tickets and prices.

Can children go to Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon?

Only the Blue Lagoon takes young children: from age 2, with armbands for ages 2 to 8. Sky Lagoon's minimum age is 12, with no exceptions.

At the Blue Lagoon, children are ages 2 to 11 and pay ISK 2,000; anyone under 15 must be with an adult, says Blue Lagoon's 2026 rate card. Guide to Iceland adds that children aged 2 to 8 must wear inflatable armbands, provided free.

At Sky Lagoon, a child must be turning 12 this year at least, and ages 12 to 14 need a guardian aged 18 or over. Staff may ask for ID. For a family with a 9-year-old, the decision is made for you. With teenagers it works well, and the lagoon itself recommends the Sér pass for families.

Is the Sky Lagoon ritual better than the Blue Lagoon silica mask?

They are different things. The ritual is a 30-minute hot and cold circuit with a sauna; the mask is a white silica mud you smooth on while you float.

Sky Lagoon's seven steps take you from the lagoon to a 5°C plunge, an 80-90°C sauna with an ocean window, a cold mist, a body scrub, a 46°C steam room and a crowberry elixir. It is active and structured. The Blue Lagoon's Comfort ticket includes the silica mud mask, smoothed on while you float, and access to a steam bath and sauna. Premium adds two more masks.

If you want a proper Nordic sauna session, Sky Lagoon is stronger. If you want to float in famous blue water with a face mask, that is what the Blue Lagoon does.

Which lagoon has the better view?

Sky Lagoon, for most people: the infinity edge drops away to the open North Atlantic. The Blue Lagoon is framed by black lava and steam.

From Sky Lagoon you look over Faxaflói towards Bessastaðir, the cone of Keilir and, on a clear day, Snæfellsjökull. In winter the lagoon faces the right way for sunset and for the northern lights on dark, clear nights; they are never guaranteed, and our northern lights post covers the odds. The Blue Lagoon's look is the water itself, pale blue against black rock.

Guests who know both often say the same. One wrote: "Better than the Blue Lagoon as much more scenic and less busy." Not everyone agrees: "I did prefer the Blue Lagoon over the Sky Lagoon, but the views and the ritual definitely made this a unique experience."

A long day on the Golden Circle that ends in the warm water at Sky Lagoon, with the ticket in the price.

★ 5.0 · 10 hours · from $249

Explore the Golden Circle and Sky Lagoon day → Tour details

Is the Blue Lagoon affected by volcanic eruptions?

Yes. It has closed temporarily several times since 2023 as eruptions on the Sundhnúkur crater row, close by, forced evacuations. Sky Lagoon is outside that zone.

The Reykjavík Grapevine counted nine eruptions in the series since 2023 by July 2025; the Blue Lagoon was evacuated for the July 2025 one and reopened the next day. Guide to Iceland notes the lagoon may shut temporarily for volcanic activity. If your only free day falls on a closure, your plans change.

Sky Lagoon is in Kópavogur, in the capital area, far from the Grindavík eruption zone. Its own risk is the weather: wind off the sea can make the edge cold. A guest who chose it on a stormy day found it "has places to hide at behind rock walls while still in the warm water".

Should I do Sky Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon after a flight?

The Blue Lagoon, if you land and leave from Keflavík with a car or transfer: it sits 20 minutes away. Sky Lagoon, if you are staying in Reykjavík.

The Blue Lagoon is a short detour from the airport road, which is its biggest practical advantage. Sky Lagoon is 40 to 45 minutes from Keflavík, on the far side of the capital from the airport. Many guests still go straight there after a red-eye. One landed early, came in at 9:00 and wrote: "We debated between blue lagoon and sky Lagoon and ended up picking sky Lagoon and are very happy with our choice."

Getting from the airport to Sky Lagoon, including the transfer-only private cars, is covered in how to get to Sky Lagoon.

Which lagoon should you choose?

Sky Lagoon for couples, friends and teens who want views, a sauna circuit and a short ride. The Blue Lagoon for young families, mask lovers and airport-day plans.

• Choose Sky Lagoon if you are staying in Reykjavík, everyone is 12 or over, and you want a sunset over the sea and a real sauna.
• Choose the Blue Lagoon if you have children under 12, you want the famous blue water and silica mask, or your only free hours are on the way to the airport.
• Do both only if you love bathing. They feel different enough that guests who did both rarely call it a waste.

If Sky Lagoon wins, the next decision is Saman or Sér.

Frequently asked questions