Iceland is known as the “Land of Ice and Fire” and has a great deal of geothermal activity thanks to its location on a hot spot. This leads to geysers and is also the reason why the northern country has so many hot springs and lagoons. The best known is probably the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes peninsula. Last year, the tourism company Pursuit opened the Sky Lagoon, a wellness facility the likes of which have never been seen before. It combines the centuries-old Icelandic spa tradition with state-of-the-art luxury. Not to mention the spectacular view.
Thermal water and northern lights
The Sky Lagoon is essentially a 70-metre-long pool above the ocean. Thanks to its infinity edge, it gives the impression of being part of the Atlantic . Like the various saunas available here, the pool is heated by geothermal water that flows naturally from the ground. There is also a bar in a cave in the pool itself, where drinks are served to make the bath even more relaxing.
The surrounding area is designed in the style of traditional Icelandic turf houses with moss-covered roofs. How cute is that?
But the highlight of the lagoon is undoubtedly the views: of the sunsets, the ocean and the Northern Lights. These are not really visible in the polar summer, so you should travel here in winter from October to March to catch the flickering lights.
7 steps through the lagoon
The stay at Sky Lagoon revolves around 7 steps, which are said to be an important part of Icelandic bathing culture:
- Bathing in the warm geothermal waters of the lagoon
- Short immersion in cold water
- Visiting the sauna for 5 to 10 minutes
- Slowly walking through a cold mist room
- Body scrub
- A second steam bath
- Final cleansing in a gentle shower
In addition to this comprehensive spa experience, guests can also enjoy Icelandic cuisine in the Sky Café and Smakk Bar. Sky Lagoon is located in Kársnes Harbor, in Kópavogur, very close to Reykjavik. The prices for the stay are more than moderate: they start at 7999 ISK (approx. 57 €) and range up to 30000 ISK (215 €). In other words: be sure to include it in your plans when you visit Iceland.
Still in the mood for a relaxing spa experience? Check out our list of the best wellness hotels in Germany.
The original article was written by Max Hailer for Secret Munich.