There’s a new lagoon in Iceland that’s only been open since October 2025, and it’s already causing quite a stir. It’s called Laugarás Lagoon.
Naturally, I had to try it out for myself, and now I get to tell you all about it!
Other than the chance to relax in geothermal waters… (we never need an excuse for that, do we?)… ☺️ there’s also an on-site restaurant run by one of Iceland’s most famous chefs.
But is it worth adding to your itinerary? Here’s my verdict and a full breakdown of my visit.
Let’s get into it!
Where is Laugarás Lagoon Located?
This lagoon is located in the town of Laugarás in South Iceland. The area is known for its geothermal activity and lush forests, making it the perfect home for this hot spring.
If you’re doing the Golden Circle route already, this is the perfect add-on because it’s right along the route.
It’s only a short distance from major spots like Kerid Crater, Selfoss, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park.
The exact Laugarás Lagoon Location is Skálholtsvegur 1, 806, Selfoss.
Laugarás Lagoon Prices & What’s Included?
There are three access levels to Laugarás Lagoon ranging from 8,900 ISK to 22,900 ISK ($77-$188). Each one adds a little more to your visit.
The Birki package: You’ll have access to the outdoor wellness area and changing room with a personal locker. The shampoo, shower gel, and conditioner are complimentary. This ticket doesn’t include a towel.
Lerki package: Access to everything in the basic package, but this one includes a towel and one drink at the swim-up bar.
Björk package: Includes everything in the Lerki package plus a four-course meal at the Laugarás restaurant.
I found the pricing to be quite reasonable for what you get, seeing as other geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon charge between 11,900 ISK to 230,000 ISK.
👉 Good news if you love savings:
When you book at Laugarás Lagoon with the code: ICELANDWITHAVIEW, you’ll get 10% OFF your visit!
How Much Time Do You Need for the Laugarás Lagoon?
Once you’re in, you can stay at the lagoon as long as you like. When booking, you’ll choose an entry time slot. Just keep in mind that the lagoon closes an hour and a half after the last slot of the day.
If you’re coming from Reykjavik, it’s about an hour and twenty minutes by car.
I planned for two hours in the water and left completely relaxed, though I could easily have stayed all afternoon.
If your itinerary allows, you could totally extend your stay, drifting between the pools and enjoying the swim-up bars and steam room.
Either way, I’d still leave extra time at the end for the restaurant. You won’t want to miss it!
First Impressions of Laugarás Lagoon, Iceland
Outside, Laugarás has stunning views and is surrounded by these huge birch trees. It also looks out onto the Hvita River.
As I walked up to the entrance, it struck me just how modern and beautiful the design is. The attention to detail is incredible.
Inside, everything feels luxurious and modern, yet you always sense nature coming through, which keeps it from feeling cold and sterile.
After checking in, I was given a wristband that I used to get into the shower area, buy drinks at the bar, and lock up my things in a locker. It’s super convenient having it on you so you don’t have to be fumbling around for your wallet or keys.
What Facilities Do They Have?
There are two levels of geothermal pools, a waterfall, the ‘quiet zone’ (a secluded grotto), the secret hot tub in the forest, a sauna, a steam room, two swim-up bars, a cold pool, and the restaurant.
Showers and changing rooms: You can change in the locker area or changing rooms for a bit more privacy. There are private stalls and communal showers available. But one thing is certain, EVERYONE needs to scrub down without their swimsuit before entering the lagoon. Before you panic, this is a totally normal thing at all the geothermal pools and spas in Iceland.
I have an entire post on the reasoning behind the Iceland naked shower rule, plus extra tips on pool etiquette in Iceland if you’re curious!
The hot pools and swim-up bar: After you leave the changing room, you walk out to the upper lagoon. Something I noticed right off the bat is how BIG the hot pools are and how much seating there is! You can easily find a quiet, comfortable spot to enjoy the views. The two-level layout of the lagoon is such a clever touch because you don’t need to be bouncing back and forth between them when getting drinks.
They have two swim up bars, which is pretty unique! Some of the other lagoons only have one, so it can get crowded. If you’re not keen on alcohol, they also serve non-alcoholic drinks. You can even get their speciality formulated cocktail, in alcoholic OR non-alcoholic form.
A small detail that made a big difference is that in various spots around the lagoon, fresh, cold water pours out of spouts. It’s incredibly handy because you don’t have to go to the bar to get water!
The main pool is an infinity pool that blends into the surroundings. And trust me when I say the scenery was UNREAL! There’s a set of stairs that connects the upper and lower lagoons and you can exit through the waterfall. If you’d rather skip the waterfall and avoid getting fully wet, there’s another set of stairs that bypasses it.
Private grotto: If you want even more peace and quiet, you can slip away into the private area of the lagoon hidden by rocks. Ah, I just loved sinking into the warm waters and listening to the flowing river nearby!
Sauna, steam room and cold pools: Both the sauna and steam room have these big windows that look out into the natural surroundings. When I visited everything was still snow-kissed, which made it even lovelier.
With the cold pools close by, you can alternate between hot and cold. It’s great for circulation!
Secret forest hot pool: Please don’t forget about this secluded little spot. It’s quite hidden and some people miss it. The private grotto is connected to the lagoon but to get to this secret forest hot pool, you need to walk out of the lagoon and past the sauna area. The water here is also warmer.
Their fragrance and skin care line was developed with this forest surrounding the Laugarás hot pool in mind and made with birch and moss. When you use it and close your eyes, it brings you right back to how you feel when soaking in the secret outdoor hot tub. You’re surrounded again by the sounds of the forest and relaxing water.
They have the same body wash and shampoo in the changing rooms. It smells divine!
Ylja Restaurant
Okay, so at this point I was already thoroughly impressed, but I needed to check out the restaurant and see what all the fuss was about.
Each dish is beautifully presented. I opted for the Cod, and it was cooked to perfection!
Of course, I wasn’t about to leave without trying dessert. 😉
When I asked the waiter which one he recommended, he said the Milk Chocolate Mousse with Arctic thyme granita, mushroom foam & meringue…
Wait… what? Mushrooms?! In dessert?!
I decided to trust his advice, and I’m so glad I did because it was crazy good!
(I’m secretly planning my return trip just to have it again! 😂)
This restaurant is no run-of-the-mill place. The chef, Gísli Matt, is renowned in Iceland, and dining here really completes the whole spa experience
He sources local ingredients and is a real artist when it comes to combining flavors and textures.
I highly recommend adding this to your spa experience and if you opt for the Björk package, it includes a four-course meal.
Totally worth it in my books because the meal was incredible!
If you don’t have time for a full dinner service, they have a soup board with delicious soups. The chef sources local ingredients, which is always a plus in my books.
Ylja also has a separate day, brunch, evening, and Christmas menu.
Christmas Menu
If you’re traveling to Iceland over Christmas, a lot of places will close in the days around the holiday.
Laugarás’ restaurant stays open on Christmas Day, and they serve a special Christmas menu.
But make sure you 👉 Book your table at Ylja restaurant in advance!
If you’d like dinner built into your visit, the Ösp package includes a two-course meal, and the code ICELANDWITHAVIEW takes 10% off the whole booking.
Ylja Opening Hours
Autumn 15th August – 1st November: Daily 11:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Winter 2nd November – 30th April: Mon – Wed 11:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. / Thurs – Sun 11:30 A.M. – 9:30 P.M
Christmas: 21st Dec – 3rd Jan: Daily 10:00 A.M. – 21:30 P.M. / 24th Dec: CLOSED / 31st Dec: 11:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
FAQs
I know you have questions, here are the answers:
Who is Laugarás Lagoon For?
This is a great stop for couples, travelers focused on wellness, and anyone interested in hot spring culture in Iceland.
When I was leaving I also saw families with older kids.
They allow children between 5 – 15 if they’re accompanied by an adult. You can tell that they take great care in keeping the ambiance quiet and peaceful.
That said, everyone is welcome at the Laugarás restaurant.
What Makes Laugarás Lagoon Stand Out From the Other Lagoons in Iceland?
Having visited every lagoon in Iceland, I can say Laugarás stands out for its setting and overall atmosphere.
From the design of the spaces to the scent of the shampoo in the shower, every detail feels intentional, giving the whole place a peaceful, cohesive feel that not every lagoon has.
Since it’s easy to build a day around, I’ve marked Laugarás Lagoon on my Iceland Travel Map alongside nearby hidden gems, places to eat, and accommodation, so you can plan the stops around it.
What Are the Operating Hours at Laugarás Lagoon?
Autumn 15th August – 1st November: Daily 10:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Winter 2nd November – 30th April: Daily 10:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Christmas: 10:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M. / 24th Dec: 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. / 31st Dec: 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
The Verdict: Is Laugarás Lagoon, Iceland Worth It?
Yes! Laugarás Lagoon is 1000% worth it. I can truthfully say I was blown away by this place. The setting is incredible, it’s so quiet and peaceful.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was getting quite emotional about how beautiful it was. It exceeded my expectations. As someone who’s been to dozens of hot springs and lagoons in Iceland, I have high ones!
Everything feels intentional… not touristy… not crowded.
There’s so much space to find a quiet little corner, relax, enjoy your drink, and take in the scenery.
I was there for two hours, and this mamma did NOT want to leave!
My advice is to book ahead, because this is not going to be a hidden gem for long.
Get Your Discount at Laugarás Lagoon
If my Laugarás Lagoon review has convinced you to add it to your itinerary, here’s a way to save a little money while you’re at it.
💥 Book your spot at Laugarás Lagoon using my VIP code: ICELANDWITHAVIEW at checkout for 10% OFF your visit!
I’d book as soon as you know your dates. And if you want the full experience, reserve a table at Ylja too!
Happy Planning!
Jeannie is the founder of Iceland with a View, an Iceland trip planning resource she launched in 2015 after moving to Iceland. Having lived in Iceland for nearly 11 years, she shares firsthand travel advice through in-depth articles, guidebooks, maps, itineraries, and a YouTube channel with over 110,000 subscribers. Her mission is to help travelers confidently plan unforgettable Iceland trips with practical, experience-based guidance.
