After visiting the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon, I left feeling that the Blue Lagoon simply didn’t justify its high price tag. While it’s the most famous of the three, it ended up being my least favorite—and not for lack of comparison. To start, both the Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon were significantly more affordable, yet offered nearly the same level of amenities. All three locations provided free showers, changing rooms, and lockers, and both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon included free towels, with the Secret Lagoon being the only one that didn’t. What surprised me most was that the water at the Blue Lagoon wasn’t as hot as at the other two sites, which made the experience feel less relaxing despite the higher cost. The iconic blue water is really the only unique feature of the Blue Lagoon, but even that came with a downside: the milky color made it hard to see underwater, so I kept bumping my legs against the seats because they were nearly invisible. In contrast, the Secret Lagoon’s natural hot spring setting, with its large black pebbles, felt soothing underfoot, and I actually preferred that to the smooth rock bottoms of both the Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. As for amenities, the Sky Lagoon easily outshone the Blue Lagoon. Both offered saunas and steam rooms, but the Sky Lagoon’s infinity pool and the included seven-step ritual made the experience feel far more special and immersive. At the Blue Lagoon, all you get is a single silica mask included in the basic admission, which felt underwhelming given the price. The only feature that stood out at the Blue Lagoon was the bathing suit–drying machine—convenient, yes, but certainly not worth the extra cost on its own. Accessibility was another major drawback. The Blue Lagoon required a long walk to reach the actual pool area, which isn’t ideal for anyone with mobility issues. In comparison, both the Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon were located just a short, easy walk from their entrances—within about 20 feet. While all three lagoons had seating in the water and offered basic toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and soap, the overall value just wasn’t there for the Blue Lagoon. In the end, its fame and blue water felt like its only real distinguishing features, and for the price, I expected a lot more. If you’re choosing between the three, I’d highly recommend the Sky Lagoon for its experience and value, or the Secret Lagoon for its natural charm and affordability—both offered a better, more relaxing time than the Blue Lagoon ever did.

Secret Lagoon is a geothermal spa on the golden circle. It's relatively easy to get to with a good amount of parking. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended beforehand. Inside, they have a nice locker room and little sitting area with a tiny shop to buy some snacks and drinks. The highlight here is, of course, the lagoon itself. It's lined with tiny black rocks on the floor, making it enjoyable to walk around. The temperature is amazing and they have floaties for kids. It's a smaller lagoon, but I agree with others saying this was a much better experience than the Blue Lagoon. The staff here were very friendly, and prices were much less than other lagoons that we visited. Overall, this is a solid place to go of you have a chance or want to break up the drive of the golden circle.

The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin). Easy to access with a free car park. On arrival there is a pleasant lounge area offering beverages and simple food such as hot dogs, sandwiches, and noodles. Towels can be rented on the spot. The changing rooms are clean and well organised, with lockers operated by a wristband, and showering is required before entering the lagoon. The pool is beautifully warm, with areas of slightly different temperatures, and wooden walkways allow you to walk around the lagoon, where you can also see the hidden people houses and take photos. The atmosphere is very calm and relaxing — this is exactly what you come here for. The staff are very helpful and friendly, making it a really nice, relaxing, and enjoyable day out.

Secret Lagoon was one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland. We went right when it opened on a January morning and got to see the sky illuminate with the sunrise while relaxing in the thermal pool. It was not too crowded and we loved the authentic and private feel of the property. We did a lot of the hidden gem sights on this trip and not the main tourist attractions and this fit in well with that theme. Free parking, great price (~$35 USD per person), and overall enjoyable visit. I would come again on a future trip!

I absolutely loved this hot spring lagoon. I arrived around 4 PM, and it wasn’t crowded at all — very peaceful and quiet. The natural surroundings are breathtaking. The smooth pebbles in the main tub feel amazing on your feet, almost like a gentle acupuncture massage. They also have a cold plunge, which makes the experience even better. It’s the perfect place to relax after chasing waterfalls in cold and windy weather before heading back to the city. Highly recommended for a calming and rejuvenating experience.