Ever since Sky Lagoon opened its doors in 2021, it’s been giving the iconic and world-famous Blue Lagoon some serious competition. Just a quick drive south of Reykjavík, it quickly became a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Iceland.
Then came the 2023–2024 volcanic eruptions, which caused the Blue Lagoon to shut down on and off, sometimes with almost no warning. Not in any way their fault, of course, but that only seemed to boost Sky Lagoon’s popularity even more. However, the big question is: which one truly comes out on top?
I’ve tried both spas myself, and in this post, I’m breaking them down side by side so you can figure out which one is the best fit for your own trip. So, if Iceland’s on your bucket list, keep reading!
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The pool
Let’s start with the pools, since they’re the main reason you’re visiting and probably what you’re most curious about.
I’ve got to say, Blue Lagoon’s main pool is noticeably bigger than Sky Lagoon’s. That’s a bit of a double-edged sword, though: on the plus side, there’s more room to move around, but it also means it can accommodate more people.
However, the good news is that both spas have a cap on visitors, so once they hit it, they generally don’t allow more people in.
In fact, when we went to Sky Lagoon, there were only three spots left, but we were a group of 4. After a bit of thinking, the staff kindly made an exception and let us all in. But if it had been 5 of us, I doubt that would have happened.
As far as the pool entry/exit point goes, Sky’s were way better. They were located in a man-made cave (each ticket category had its own), tucked away in a cove, so you pretty much didn’t feel the cold at all when you got in or out of the pool.
And that’s something really important in the windy Icelandic weather!
The pool at Blue Lagoon, on the other hand, had two entry/exit points. The first was for the brave: you had to face the wind and cold head-on as you stepped in or out of the pool. It was quite amusing watching people entering and, more so, exiting the pool through here.
The second, off to the left, eased you directly into the water, though you still got to feel the cold pretty well. To top it off, the door there was a bit tricky to open.
Winner: Sky Lagoon
Water temperature
| Spa | Official water temperature range |
|---|---|
| Sky Lagoon | 38 – 40°C (100 – 104°F) |
| Blue Lagoon | 37* – 40°C (98 – 104°F) |
In my experience, Sky Lagoon’s water temperature felt pretty consistent throughout the pool, while Blue Lagoon’s varied a lot depending on where you were.
At Blue Lagoon, you’ll notice these large square structures, covered in wooden planks and jutting out into the water like little peninsulas. These pump the geothermal water into the pool, so around them, the temperature is at its highest: you’ll literally start to sweat if you spend too much time nearby!
The farther you move away, the cooler the water gets as the temperature is influenced by the weather. Since I visited on a windy day, in some spots, it actually didn’t feel warm enough! Though, to be fair, I don’t exactly have the best tolerance for cold either.
Because of that, I personally lean toward Sky Lagoon.
Winner: Sky Lagoon
Color of the water
Sky Lagoon’s water is clear, but the pool’s floor gives it a pretty greenish-blue tint. Still, when it comes to looks, I have to hand the win to Blue Lagoon and its world-famous milky blue waters.
Though this comes at a cost! Blue Lagoon is famous for containing silica, but that same mineral can leave your hair feeling pretty awful. You’re advised to coat your hair in conditioner beforehand and keep it out of the water.
Sky Lagoon doesn’t have this issue, which is one of the reasons I preferred their pool: accidental splashes are sometimes inevitable, and it’s nice not to worry about the aftermath.
Having said that, if the water’s appearance matters most to you, then Blue Lagoon is the better pick.
Winner: Blue Lagoon
Ease of getting there
Sky Lagoon is more convenient for people staying in or around Reykjavik since it sits on the city’s outskirts. We stayed in a nice and spacious 2-bedroom apartment just a few blocks away from Sky Lagoon, so we literally walked there.
Blue Lagoon, on the other hand, is closer to the airport, making it a great option when you’re arriving, leaving, or even on a long layover.
If you’ve got a rental car, as most visitors do, both are easy to reach.
Winner: Tie
Crowds and sitting areas
I experienced both spas at full capacity, and interestingly enough, Sky felt more intimate than Blue, even though it’s smaller. I think that’s because the layout was intentionally designed to give you pockets of privacy with small coves and chairs to sit throughout the pool.
In contrast, Blue Lagoon feels more like one big open pool, with seating mostly along the edges. They do have a smaller side pool marked as a quiet zone, but in my experience, most visitors didn’t really respect that.
There are also a few rock formations near the left entrance, though that area felt a bit cramped, and if I remember right, the water there wasn’t particularly warm either.
Winner: Sky Lagoon
Visiting with children
If you’re planning on visiting with kids, you should know that both spas have an admission policy based on age. Blue Lagoon allows children as small as 2 years old, while Sky Lagoon sets the minimum age much higher, at 12.
Another thing to keep in mind: at Blue Lagoon, kids 13 and under must be accompanied by at least a parent or guardian (with one adult allowed to supervise up to two kids only). At Sky Lagoon, a similar rule applies, but for ages 12 to 14.
Now, with no offence to parents out there, I shall add that if you prefer an adult-only spa experience, then Sky is probably the better choice for you.
👶Winner if visiting with kids: Blue Lagoon
🍷Winner for an adult-only spa vibe: Sky Lagoon
Views
At Blue Lagoon, the view is mostly limited to the pool itself and the surrounding lava rocks. Pretty, but not spectacular.
Sky Lagoon, on the other hand, really shines when it comes to views. The main pool is an infinity-style one overlooking the ocean, and the saunas feature floor-to-ceiling glass with the same ocean panorama. Honestly, that’s hard to top.
Winner: Sky Lagoon
Saunas
Speaking of saunas, Blue Lagoon has several that you can use any time you want. However, that also meant that people were coming in and out all the time, so it was not as hot as it should have been inside.
In contrast, Sky Lagoon has 2 saunas with ocean views (and a steam) that you can use only once, during the Ritual.
Honestly, I preferred the fact that at Blue Lagoon, you could use the sauna as many times as you like; I just wish it had been a bit hotter. Sky definitely wins when it comes to views, though, so it’s a tough call. In terms of practicality, however, I’d still give the edge to Blue.
Winner: Blue Lagoon
Admission price
Blue Lagoon’s admission tickets start around 93 USD, and they vary quite a bit depending on when you visit, how far in advance you book, or what’s included (so it’s a bit of a gamble if you manage to book at this price). As for Sky, the cheapest ticket at Sky is $130.08.
It used to be quite the opposite, with Blue being the more expensive option (Sky used to have a cheaper ticket option that didn’t include the Ritual, but has since retired it).
Winner: Blue Lagoon
Changing facilities, toilets & showers
Both spas had better changing facilities in terms of privacy than I initially expected, but I preferred the private changing rooms at Sky Lagoon (though they come at a higher price tag!), which came with your own en-suite shower.
At Blue Lagoon, each group of lockers had a changing cabin that you could lock. The door was made of matte glass, but it was dark enough inside to still feel private. The showers, however, were a mix: some completely open, others with stalls that had non-lockable matte glass doors.
What I didn’t like was the layout: the showers were right at the intersection between the locker area and the pathway to the pool, so they felt a bit too exposed.
Winner: Sky Lagoon
Conclusion
All in all, I’m really glad I got to experience both spas. While I personally preferred Sky, I don’t regret visiting Blue. It’s famous for a reason, with those gorgeous milky waters and its status as an iconic tourist spot (yes, it’s totally fine to be a tourist sometimes!). Had I not gone, I would have always wondered what I missed.
That said, if I ever return, I’d probably only revisit Sky Lagoon.