Booking choice: The Secret Lagoon entry ticket, from $33 per person. Check dates Tour details
Picture the walk out: bare feet on the wet path, cold air on your shoulders, steam rolling off the water, and then the old pool takes you in at 38-40°C. The gravel and lava pebbles shift under your toes. Somewhere on the far side Litli Geysir coughs up another burst.
Getting there with the right bag is easy. This guide follows the Secret Lagoon's own FAQ and terms (secretlagoon.is), the packing advice of Visit South Iceland and the what-to-bring lists on the tours here.
The quick answer
Bring a swimsuit and a towel, or rent each at the desk for ISK 1,200. Clothes not made for swimming are not allowed in the water, and showering without a swimsuit before you go in is mandatory, in communal showers separate for men and women. Soap, hair dryers and lockers are provided. Take silver jewelry off, eat before you soak and drink water. The entry ticket starts from $33 and covers the showers, lockers and the pool.
What should I bring to the Secret Lagoon?
A swimsuit, a towel, your e-ticket on your phone and warm clothes for the trip there. Admission covers the showers, lockers and the lagoon, and the lagoon provides soap and hair dryers.
The short list, from the lagoon's FAQ and the ticket listing:
- Swimwear. Your own, or rent a swimsuit at reception for ISK 1,200.
- A towel. Same deal: bring one or rent one for ISK 1,200. You'll take it into the shower room too, since the terms ask you to dry off there before walking back into the changing room.
- Your e-ticket. A printout isn't needed. Show it on your phone at reception, and arrive in your booked time slot.
- A way to pay for extras. The lagoon takes cash in Icelandic krona, US dollars and euros, plus most cards including Apple Pay, Visa, Maestro and American Express.
- Outdoor layers. A hat, gloves and a waterproof jacket for the drive or the Golden Circle stops on the way.
What you can leave at home: shampoo and a hair dryer. The lagoon provides soap for body and hair, and hair dryers in the changing rooms.
Driving the Golden Circle yourself? The entry ticket has no time limit in the water: stay until closing.
Check dates for the Secret Lagoon entry ticketWhat do you wear in the Secret Lagoon?
Swimwear, and only swimwear. The lagoon's FAQ says dresses, shorts, T-shirts and other clothes not made for swimming are not allowed in the water, for hygiene and safety reasons.
The lagoon shows four swimwear outfits on its FAQ page and says each one is fine, regardless of gender. Swim shorts, a bikini, a one-piece: all welcome. What gets turned away is ordinary clothing worn into the water, such as cotton shorts or a T-shirt over a swimsuit.
Forgot yours, or packed light for a day tour? Rent one at reception for ISK 1,200. The tour listings here all ask you to bring swimwear and a towel, so put them in your day bag the night before.
For the rest of the day, dress for Iceland. Visit South Iceland recommends layers in every season: a thin wool base layer, a fleece or wool sweater, then a windproof and waterproof shell.
Do you have to shower naked at the Secret Lagoon?
Yes. Showering without a swimsuit before you enter the lagoon is mandatory. The showers are communal in the Icelandic style, separate for men and women, with no private cubicles or family room.
The lagoon's FAQ answers this one with "YES. YES. YES!". The reasons it gives:
- No chemicals. The lagoon uses no chemicals in the water, so a proper wash is what keeps it clean for everyone.
- Local custom. It is part of Icelandic culture, and skipping it is seen as disrespectful.
How it works in practice. Take your shoes off before you enter the changing room, as the terms ask. Lock your things away, take your towel and swimsuit to the shower room, wash with the soap provided, then put your swimsuit on and head out. On the way back, dry off in the shower room before you step into the changing area.
Feeling shy? Everyone does it, and it takes a couple of minutes. The warm water is your reward.
Hotel pickup, Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Strokkur, then a soak in the Secret Lagoon to end the day, entry included.
Explore the guided Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour Tour detailsCan you rent towels and swimsuits at the Secret Lagoon, and are there lockers?
Yes. Towels and swimsuits rent at reception for ISK 1,200 each, and the indoor changing rooms have lockers with keys. Lockers come with your admission.
From the lagoon's price list and FAQ:
- Towel rental: ISK 1,200.
- Swimsuit rental: ISK 1,200.
- Lockers: included. When you book, the lagoon reserves a locker for your date and time, and it can give that locker to other guests if you don't show up at your arrival time, per its terms.
On a tour, check what's in the price. The Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon tour includes the lagoon entry but not a towel, which you can rent. The aurora combo lists towel rental as not included, and the private farm market tour leaves out the towel and swimwear. The entry ticket on GetYourGuide covers the pool, changing area, lockers and showers, with rentals extra.
The lagoon says it takes no responsibility for valuables, so lock them up
The most booked tour here, with Kerid, Geysir and Gullfoss on the way and 1.5 hours in the warm water.
Check dates for the Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon tourShould you take off jewelry at the Secret Lagoon, and is the water bad for your hair?
Take jewelry off: silver can change color in the sulfur-rich water, and anything dropped is hard to find in the gravel bottom. Your hair is fine. The lagoon says the water does not damage hair.
The lagoon's FAQ is clear on both:
- Hair. "The water in our lagoon is high in sulphur. It is not damaging to your hair. You can freely put your hair in the water, after thoroughly washing it in the shower of course."
- Jewelry. Take it off before you go in. The bottom is a deep layer of gravel stone, so belongings lost in the water are very hard to get back, and silver may change color from the sulfur.
Leave rings, chains and watches in your locker, or better, at the hotel. If something does go missing, email the lagoon with a detailed description: lost and found items are kept for 3 weeks, and the lagoon can post them to you for a shipping fee.
Hair dryers and soap are in the changing rooms, so a comb is about all you need for afterward.
Can you bring food and drinks to the Secret Lagoon?
No. The terms say guests may not bring food or drinks to consume on the premises or in the lagoon, and outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. The café sells drinks, snacks, sandwiches and cup noodles.
What the café has, per the FAQ: hot drinks, soft drinks and alcohol, snacks, cup noodles and sandwiches, plus ice cream or hot dogs in season. There is no kitchen for hot food.
The lagoon's own advice is worth following. Stay hydrated and keep your blood sugar up: drink water before, during and after your visit, and eat before you get in, especially in the evening. Being hungry or thirsty in hot water can cause dizziness and fainting. Limit the alcohol, and take regular breaks from the 38-40°C water.
On a tour, food is mostly yours to sort out:
- The guided tour: bring cash for lunch; there are stops where you can buy food.
- The small-group day tour and the small-group tour: bring your lunch.
- The Kerid tour: lunch is a stop at extra cost.
A smaller group with Kerid crater and the lagoon ticket included, back in Reykjavik around 7pm.
Explore the small-group day tour Tour detailsWhat do children need at the Secret Lagoon?
An adult with them, swimwear and, for children 8 or younger, inflatable swim armbands, which the terms require. Children 16 and under must be with an adult, and one adult can bring up to 3 children.
The family rules, from the lagoon's FAQ, price list and terms:
- Supervision. Children 16 or younger need an adult with them, and children cannot go into the pool on their own. One adult can accompany up to 3 children.
- Armbands. Children 8 years old or younger need to wear inflatable swim armbands. Pack a pair.
- No running, jumping or diving. The paths and floors can be wet and slippery.
- Price. Children 14 and under pay ISK 260 at the lagoon; adults (15+) pay ISK 4,500.
The hot paddling pool suits little ones well. The hot springs along the path are 100°C and not for bathing, so hold hands on the walk around.
On a tour, check the age limit: the Kerid tour is not suitable for children under 2, and the small-group day tour has a minimum age of 5.
Family day with a car? Children 14 and under pay ISK 260 at the lagoon, and the entry ticket lets you stay until closing.
Check dates for the Secret Lagoon entry ticketWhat should you pack for the Secret Lagoon in summer and winter?
The pool kit stays the same all year. In winter, add a warm hat, gloves and shoes with grip; in summer, a light layer and sunglasses. The table sorts it out.
A packing list for a visit, from the lagoon's rules and Visit South Iceland's seasonal advice. Visit South Iceland also suggests ice grips or anti-slip soles in winter and good sunglasses, as the low winter sun reflects off snow and wet roads.
| Item | Summer (June to September) | Winter (October to May) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimsuit | Yes | Yes | Only swimwear in the water; rent for ISK 1,200 |
| Towel | Yes | Yes | Take it to the shower room; rent for ISK 1,200 |
| E-ticket on your phone | Yes | Yes | No printout needed |
| Flip-flops | Optional | Optional | Paths and floors can be wet and slippery |
| Swim armbands | For kids 8 and under | For kids 8 and under | Required by the lagoon's terms |
| Wool hat and gloves | Handy for windy evenings | Yes | Visit South Iceland lists both for every season |
| Waterproof jacket | Yes | Yes | For the Golden Circle stops on a tour |
| Shoes with grip | Walking shoes | Add ice grips | Visit South Iceland suggests ice grips in winter |
| Sunglasses | Yes | Yes | Low winter sun when driving |
| Leave at home | Jewelry, outside food and drink | Jewelry, outside food and drink | Sulfur and the house rules |
Every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before. Still choosing a day? The best time guide covers the seasons and opening hours, and the tickets and prices guide sets out what each option costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need flip-flops at the Secret Lagoon?
They aren't required. The lagoon asks you to take your shoes off before the changing rooms and warns that floors, walkways and paths can be wet and slippery, so a pair of flip-flops is a handy option for the walk around the pools.
Can I wear a T-shirt in the Secret Lagoon?
No. The lagoon's FAQ says dresses, shorts, T-shirts and other clothes not made for swimming are not allowed, for hygiene and safety reasons. Any swimwear is fine, regardless of gender.
Does the Secret Lagoon have hair dryers and shampoo?
Yes. The lagoon provides soap for body and hair, and hair dryers, so you don't need to pack your own.
Do I need to print my Secret Lagoon ticket?
No. Show the e-ticket on your phone at reception. The ticket is valid for the date and time you booked, so arrive on time.
Ready to book
Choose your soak
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Secret Lagoon Admission Ticket
- Entry to the Secret Lagoon
- Changing rooms, lockers, showers
- Stay until closing time
Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon Tour
- Full-day Golden Circle by bus
- Secret Lagoon entry
- Kerid crater entry
Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Guided Tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver-guide
- Secret Lagoon entry
