Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon in Iceland?

When we traveled to Iceland on a 24-hour Icelandair stopover, we knew we couldn't visit without stopping at one of the local geothermal pools. The first one that comes to mind is of course Blue Lagoon. It's the oldest and definitely the most well-known, but after doing some research we found that there was a new kid on the block and it was getting some good reviews. I probably was overthinking our decision, but in case you have to make the same decision and choose a visit to Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, here are the factors we used to decide.

Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon in Iceland? Which Should You Visit?

Having to decide between the two lagoons, is a bit like having to pick a favorite child, but there are a few things to keep in mind in order to make the best decision for your visit.
*note: I only visited Sky Lagoon. I have not been to Blue Lagoon, but these are the things that I used to make my decision.

Don't miss this post: Making the Most of a 24 Hour Stopover in Iceland

About Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is a man-made geothermal spa located in a lava field 20 minutes from Keflavik International Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavik. It opened in 1987 and has been a part of Icelandic tourism and was named as one of National Geographic's 25 Wonders of the World in 2012.
The water is actually geothermal runoff from a power plant next door to the lagoon. Yep, it's wastewater, but it's definitely not going to waste!
The water has unique properties including silica, algae, and minerals, all of which are good for the skin. In fact, Icelanders who suffer from skin conditions like psoriasis can actually visit Blue Lagoon at no cost. 

About Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon is a man-made geothermal spa located on the outskirts of Reykjavik. The infinity pool and sauna overlook the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 and is the new kid on the block giving Blue Lagoon a run for their money with an updated facility and the popular 7-step ritual. 

Something to Consider:

The silica at Blue Lagoon is great for skin, but one of the downsides is that it's not great for hair. It will dry out your hair and some reviews I've read talk about finding clumps of hair around the lagoon as guests' hair becomes brittle. It's very much advised to use conditioner {and a lot of it!} in hair before entering the pool.

Something to Consider:

Children 2-13 are allowed {and free!} at Blue Lagoon, the minimum age for admission at Sky Lagoon is 12.

Something to Consider:

Blue Lagoon is quite a bit larger than Sky Lagoon, though, with 700,000 visitors annually to Blue Lagoon, it can feel a bit crowded at times. There were several areas at Sky Lagoon where we were the only people in the water, though with time, Sky Lagoon may become more popular and will feel more crowded.

Something to Consider:

Blue Lagoon is definitely more popular than the lesser-known new kid, Sky Lagoon. However, while you'll find locals at Blue Lagoon, they are few and far between, mostly because Blue Lagoon is so close to the airport and not much else. On the contrary, the locals love splurging on a spa day at Sky Lagoon so the vibe is a bit less touristy and a little more authentic.

Get Naked!

Don't let the fact that you have to communally shower naked at both lagoons before bathing deter you! You are bathing in natural water without many chemicals and in an effort to keep the water as clean as possible, it's important that you shower naked before entering.

Something to Consider:

That said, Sky Lagoon has updated facilities and has separated private stalls for showering. You can easily and comfortably change into your bathing suit after washing. Though for an extra fee, both facilities also offer private changing rooms to make you more comfortable.

Something to Consider:

For both Sky and Blue Lagoon, it's recommended to select the mid-range package. 
For Blue Lagoon select the Premium Package which includes a silica face mask and two additional masks of your choice, a towel, a bathrobe, slippers, a drink of your choice, and one glass of sparkling wine if dining at the local restaurant. 
For Sky Lagoon select the Pure Pass which includes a towel, a drink of your choice, and a journey through the 7-step ritual. 

Something to Consider:

Admission prices are a flat rate at Sky Lagoon, whereas the prices fluctuate at Blue Lagoon depending on the time of day and time of year you are visiting. They are both similarly priced, and while it's a bit of a splurge for a few-hour visit, it is worth visiting one or both of the lagoons.
We loved our time at Sky Lagoon and it capped off a beautiful day with a private guide. There are a lot of things to consider when making your decision. Personally, I read a lot of reviews and the reviews often spoke for themselves. We were very happy with our decision to experience Sky Lagoon. 
Which would you choose?

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