Secret Lagoon or Laugarás?

What is Laugarás Lagoon?

A geothermal lagoon in the village of Laugarás, on the Hvítá river on the Golden Circle, which opened on 15 October 2025, per the Reykjavik Grapevine.

GetYourGuide calls it the newest attraction on the Golden Circle. The lagoon describes a two-story lagoon with a cold pool, two saunas, relaxation spaces, swim-up bars, a secluded grotto and a waterfall. The water comes from the geothermal area in Laugarás and is cooled with glacial water from the Hvítá, filtered naturally, so it is chlorine-free.

Food is a big part of the visit. The Ylja restaurant is led by the Icelandic chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson, known as Gísli Matt, with a day menu, an evening menu and a soup and bread board. You cannot go into the restaurant in swimwear, so plan your meal for before or after the soak.

Which is better, the Secret Lagoon or Laugarás Lagoon?

Neither wins outright. The Secret Lagoon is the older, simpler, natural pool and costs less at the door; Laugarás is the designed spa with saunas, swim-up bars and a restaurant.

The Secret Lagoon is Gamla Laugin, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi. Hot springs right beside it, Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir, supply all of its water, and the bottom is gravel. You can walk the path around the boiling springs and watch the little geyser spout every few minutes. Iceland's first swimming lessons were held here in 1909.

Laugarás is about comfort and design: premium shampoo in the showers, a wristband to pay for drinks, saunas at the forest edge. It also has strong accessibility, with a wheelchair lift and private changing rooms, per its FAQ. If you only have time for one, go by mood. History and steam: the Secret Lagoon. A long spa afternoon with dinner: Laugarás.

How much is Laugarás Lagoon?

Birki (standard) entry is from ISK 6,900-9,900 and Lerki (premium) from ISK 9,400-12,400, varying with the date and time, per the lagoon. On GetYourGuide the ticket is from $54.

There are four admission levels. Every one includes the lagoon, the saunas, the cold pool and the forest pool, plus a changing room with a personal locker. Lerki adds a towel and a drink at the swim-up bar. Ösp adds a two-course meal at Ylja, and Björk a four-course dinner. Birki guests can rent a towel at the desk or bring their own.

The Laugarás Lagoon ticket on this site is rated 4.8 from 97 reviews, plans 2.5 to 4 hours, includes on-site parking and cancels free up to 24 hours before. Children under 5 cannot go in the lagoon.

Laurie, on Laugarás Lagoon (Oct 2026): “worth the stop. go for sunset, the lagoon faces west with beautiful mountain views.”

A second soak on the Golden Circle: warm pools, a cold pool, two saunas and the Ylja restaurant, in four admission levels.

★ 4.8 · 2.5 to 4 hours · from $54

Explore the Laugarás Lagoon ticket → Tour details

Can you do the Secret Lagoon and Laugarás Lagoon in one day?

Yes, with a car. Book a morning slot at the Secret Lagoon, which opens at 10:00, then drive on to Laugarás for the afternoon or evening.

Both lagoons are about 1 hour 20 minutes from Reykjavik by car: the Secret Lagoon per its ticket listing, Laugarás per its own site. Laugarás publishes its seasonal hours on laugaraslagoon.is, and in winter they run later into the evening than the Secret Lagoon's 7pm close. That makes the old pool first, the spa second, the easy order.

The Secret Lagoon's café has snacks and sandwiches but no hot food, so lunch or dinner at Ylja fits the gap well. Both lagoons ask you to shower without a swimsuit before you go in. Both have parking for guests. Two soaks in a day is a lot of hot water: drink plenty, as the Secret Lagoon advises.

Ilaria, on Laugarás Lagoon (Oct 2026): “A very nice, modern spa; we spent 3 hours in relaxation and tranquility. Not very crowded and a perfect view.”

Which Golden Circle tours go to Laugarás Lagoon?

The Golden Circle tours on this site stop at the Secret Lagoon, not Laugarás. Laugarás lists its own partner day tours from Reykjavik on its Ways to visit page.

If you want Laugarás without driving, start there: the lagoon names partner tours from BSÍ in Reykjavik, small-group tours and private ones. If you are happy to drive, the Laugarás ticket on this site covers the entry.

For the Secret Lagoon by bus, the Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon tour is the most booked, with 1.5 hours in the water and the ticket included. The day trip gives you 2 hours there. Every one of them pairs the lagoon with Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir. See our Reykjavik guide for the full list.

Secret Lagoon or Laugarás: which should you choose?

Choose the Secret Lagoon for the natural old pool, the geyser and the lower price; choose Laugarás for saunas, swim-up bars and a meal. With a car and a free day, do both.

Families with small children should note the age rules. The Secret Lagoon takes children of any age with an adult, at ISK 260 for 14 and under; Laugarás starts at 5. On a tight budget, the Secret Lagoon's ISK 4,500 entry is the lower of the two door prices. For a slow afternoon with food, Laugarás has the restaurant.

Our picks are below. For the bigger picture, including the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon, read our lagoon comparison guide, and for this year's numbers, the 2026 prices post.

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