"An amazing place, really. Simpler than Blue Lagoon and more natural"
Flúðir · on the Golden Circle route
Secret Lagoon — Iceland's Oldest Pool on the Golden Circle
Iceland's oldest man-made pool — a rustic, steaming natural bath beside a bubbling geothermal field and a small erupting geyser. Cheap, low-key, and right on the Golden Circle.
Booked 7 times yesterday
From
$34
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.7 / 5 2012+ Reviews
- Since 1891 Iceland's Oldest Pool
- From $34 Best-Value Soak
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
Why the Secret Lagoon Is a Local Favourite
Rustic, affordable and unpretentious — the anti-resort soak.
Highlights
- Experience the natural beauty of Iceland
- Enjoy the relaxing warmth of the water coming from the hot springs to the pool
- Take a break from normal life and gaze up at the peaceful sky
What's Included
- Admission to the pool with changing area, lockers and showers
How Your Secret Lagoon Visit Works
Soak on its own, or fold it into a Golden Circle day.
Choose ticket or tour
Book admission on its own (from $34), or a Golden Circle day tour that ends with a soak here and includes hotel pickup in Reykjavík.
Head to Flúðir
The Secret Lagoon is in the village of Flúðir, about 90 minutes from Reykjavík and a short detour off the classic Golden Circle loop.
Shower & step in
Change, shower, and slip into the naturally warm water. A small geyser bubbles and erupts beside the pool every few minutes.
Soak at your own pace
There's no ritual and no queue for a mask bar — just a warm, steaming pool ringed by a geothermal field. That's the whole point.
Photo Gallery
The Secret Lagoon — Through the Lens
Steam over a rustic pool and the geothermal field of Flúðir.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Secret Lagoon vs Other Iceland Lagoons
How Secret Lagoon compares to Iceland's other geothermal soaks. The highlighted column books here; the rest open that lagoon's page.
| Feature | You're Here Secret Lagoon | Blue Lagoon | Sky Lagoon | Hvammsvík |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Flúðir (Golden Circle) | Reykjanes Peninsula | Edge of Reykjavík | Hvalfjörður fjord |
| Adult ticket from | $34 | $130 | $115 | $82 |
| The water & vibe | Small, rustic, locals' pool | Milky silica-blue, polished | Ocean-edge infinity + 7-step ritual | Wild tide-fed sea pools |
| Time from Reykjavík | ~90 min | ~50 min | ~15 min | ~45 min |
| Best for | Golden Circle & budgets | First-timers & airport days | City stays & couples | Nature over resort |
| Book Now | Browse Blue Lagoon | Browse Sky Lagoon | Browse Hvammsvík |
More Options
Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Tours
Pair the soak with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss — most tours include hotel pickup and free cancellation.
MOST POPULARFrom Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour
Embark on a bus tour of Iceland’s legendary Golden Circle and soak in the thermal waters of the Secret Lagoon.
TOP RATEDFrom Reykjavik: Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Guided Tour
Experience Iceland’s Golden Circle on a relaxed bus tour from Reykjavik. Explore the Thingvellir national park, admire the Gullfoss waterfall, and view the Strokkur geyser.
DAY TOURFrom Reykjavik: Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Day Tour
**Please note: This tour will not be operating between the 12th and 22nd of May due to renovations at the Secret Lagoon** Depart Reykjavik and travel in a small group towards the famous Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon of Iceland.
ADVENTUREReykjavík: Glacier Snowmobile and Hot Springs with Pickup
Experience the natural wonders of Iceland as you glide over pristine white snowfields on a snowmobile tour from Reykjavik.
PRIVATEGolden Circle Private Tour from Keflavik or Reykjavik
Begin your Golden Circle adventure with a convenient pickup from either Keflavik Airport or your Reykjavik hotel.
The Full Guide
Everything to know before you visit the Secret Lagoon
Why it's the budget pick, and how to fold it into a Golden Circle day.
If the Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s polished showpiece, the Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) is its unpretentious grandparent. Built in 1891 in the village of Flúðir, it’s the country’s oldest man-made pool — a simple, steaming natural bath ringed by a bubbling geothermal field, with a small geyser that erupts every few minutes beside the water’s edge.
The budget, on-route choice
Two things make the Secret Lagoon a smart pick. First, it’s cheap — admission starts around $34, roughly a quarter of the Blue Lagoon. Second, it sits just off the Golden Circle, the classic day-loop that links Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. That means you can see Iceland’s three most famous inland sights and finish with a warm soak, all in one day.
There’s no seven-step ritual and no swim-up bar here — the appeal is exactly that. The water is naturally warm, the surroundings are raw, and it rarely feels as packed as the big-name spas.
How to do it
You can simply book admission and drive yourself, or take a guided Golden Circle day tour that ends at the lagoon and includes hotel pickup in Reykjavík — the easiest option if you’re not renting a car. More adventurous combos pair the soak with a glacier snowmobile ride or run as a private tour.
Weighing it against the alternatives? The Secret Lagoon wins on price and Golden Circle convenience, but for the iconic silica-blue water you’ll want the Blue Lagoon, and for an ocean-edge city soak, the Sky Lagoon. See all six compared on our homepage.
Guest Reviews
What Secret Lagoon Guests Say
5/5
from 2012 verified GetYourGuide guests
"Secret Lagoon was our favorite hot spring of the trip! It’s more laid back than blue lagoon and was perfect with our two kids. They loved the main pool, the hot pools, and the cold plunge pool. We would absolutely go again!"
"Wry nice soaking pool. Staff was good and place was clean."
"Great experience, we got a rainy day, but it was even better to be in the warm water with drops of summer rain. Very nice and friendly staff. If I am ever back to Iceland this will be one of our top spots to visit again."
"This was absolutely lovely, and a great thing to do for a bit of "down time" especially if the rest of your time in Iceland is packed with activity. We'd heard that the Blue Lagoon is a tourist trap and overrated, and that the Secret Lagoon is more genuine, and low key, so we thought we'd give it a try. Turned out to be a great decision. It's a bit of drive, and there were no places to get anything to eat nearby, but that didn't matter."
"It was wonderful. We arrived mid afternoon after a long day of driving and sightseeing. Was a terrific way to unwind before reaching our hotel."
"We really enjoyed Secret Lagoon. The water was very warm and relaxing. After about an hour we actually had enough because they kept adding very hot water, so it got extremely warm 😅 But overall it was a great experience and we would definitely recommend it!"
"hidden away from the road you can understand why it is the secret lagoon. travelling in April the contrast of the cold air and warm water is an experience we were not ready for and really had an impact. Relaxing in the warm water with hail stones and sleet coming down it was a truly fabulous experience. There were quite a few travellers there but not too many so you could really enjoy your time there."
Read all 2012 verified reviews
See All ReviewsBook the Secret Lagoon
Admission from $34, or a full Golden Circle day with hotel pickup. Reserve now with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from $34 per person.
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Secret Lagoon & Golden Circle — FAQ
Tickets, tours and what to expect at Iceland's oldest pool.
Admission to the Secret Lagoon starts at around $34 — roughly a quarter of the Blue Lagoon price — making it the most budget-friendly of Iceland's well-known lagoons. Guided Golden Circle day tours that finish with a soak here cost more but include transport and hotel pickup.
Yes. The Secret Lagoon is in the village of Flúðir, a short detour from the classic Golden Circle loop of Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. That's why the most popular way to visit is a Golden Circle day tour that ends with a warm soak.
The Secret Lagoon is small, rustic and natural — Iceland's oldest man-made pool, built in 1891, with a little geyser bubbling beside it. There's no swim-up bar or seven-step ritual. The Blue Lagoon is a large, polished spa with silica-blue water. Secret Lagoon wins on price, authenticity and Golden Circle convenience; the Blue Lagoon on scale and that famous milky-blue colour.
It's more relaxed than the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon and often has same-day space, but booking ahead still guarantees your entry — especially if you're taking a guided Golden Circle tour, which should be reserved in advance. All bookings include free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The Secret Lagoon is about 90 minutes from Reykjavík by car. On a Golden Circle day tour it's the final stop after the main sights, so you'll spend the day sightseeing and end with a soak before heading back to the city.
Yes — it's laid-back and welcomes children, which makes it a friendlier choice for families than the age-restricted Sky Lagoon. The natural, no-frills setting is part of the appeal.
A small geyser erupts every few minutes beside the lagoon, and the surrounding geothermal field steams and bubbles. It's a low-key, scenic spot rather than a designed resort — exactly what regulars love about it.
Still have questions? Email us at info@icelandspalagoon.com