Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal spa on the Kársnes peninsula in Kópavogur, about 6 kilometres south of central Reykjavík, sitting on a cliff edge above Faxaflói Bay. Opened in 2021, it is the newest major geothermal bathing attraction near the capital and the closest to the city with direct ocean views. The main feature is a 70-metre infinity-edge lagoon maintained at around 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, where the water appears to merge with the North Atlantic horizon. The spa also offers the Skjól ritual, a seven-stage wellness sequence that moves between the geothermal lagoon, a cold plunge, an oceanview sauna, a mist room, a sea salt scrub, a steam room, and a crowberry elixir. The architecture draws on traditional Icelandic turf house design, with dark volcanic stone and grass-covered rooflines.
A Cliff-Edge Geothermal Infinity Pool Above the North Atlantic, Six Kilometres from Reykjavík
Sky Lagoon opened in May 2021 and quickly established itself as the primary geothermal bathing option for visitors based in Reykjavík who want ocean views rather than inland scenery. The site at Kársnes Harbour in Kópavogur was chosen for its dramatic position directly above the sea, and the infinity-edge design of the main lagoon is built around this view: from inside the water, the edge of the pool appears to dissolve into the Atlantic. On clear days the Reykjanes Peninsula is visible to the south, and Snæfellsjökull glacier can sometimes be seen on the distant Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the north. The architecture draws on Icelandic turf house traditions, using dark volcanic stone and grass-covered rooflines that sit low against the coastal skyline rather than competing with it. The lagoon is heated by geothermal energy and maintained year-round.
The Skjól ritual is the structured wellness experience offered at Sky Lagoon, available as an add-on or included in the premium ticket tier. It moves through seven stages: the geothermal lagoon itself, a cold plunge pool, a dry sauna with a sea-facing window wall, a cold mist shower, a sea salt body scrub, a steam room infused with Icelandic herbs, and a crowberry elixir shot before returning to the lagoon. The sequence takes around 45 minutes and is designed around the traditional Icelandic approach to bathing, which alternates between heat and cold to stimulate circulation. Guests without the ritual pass can still use the lagoon, sauna, and other facilities freely. The mood throughout the complex is calm and unhurried.
Sky Lagoon is about 15 minutes by car from central Reykjavík, with free parking on site. A shuttle bus service runs from the city centre and can be booked alongside tickets. Advance booking is required as capacity is managed to maintain the atmosphere; walk-ins may not always be possible. Two ticket tiers are available, Saman (standard) and Sér (premium), with the Sér pass including private changing facilities and the full Skjól ritual. Dining is available at the Sky Café and the Smakk Bar, which focuses on Icelandic small plates. The lagoon is open year-round and the experience in winter, with geothermal steam rising against dark skies or northern lights, is one of the more memorable versions of the visit.
