Authentic Iceland: Take a Dip in the Secret Lagoon

Over the centuries, hot springs have become an integral part of Iceland’s social culture. These geothermal pools provide places to gather, chat, and relax year-round, even when outside temperatures drop below freezing. But while many of these hot springs and lagoons have become bustling tourist spots, there are still a few quieter retreats that offer a more authentic taste of life in Iceland, like the Secret Lagoon.

The Secret Lagoon is actually Iceland’s oldest swimming pool! Built in the late 1800s right by three active geysers that feed into the pool, the Secret Lagoon stays at a toasty 100 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it a perfect stop on any Iceland adventure.

View of the secret lagoon from the lobby — *Secret Lagoon lobby*

However, this authentic experience may not be quite what you’d expect, so today, I want to give you a full rundown of the Secret Lagoon, from location and cost to what your visit will be like!

How to Visit the Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon is located about 2 hours east of Reykjavik, just outside of a town called Flúðir. You can easily drive there and back in a day. But if you’re going that route, you might as well just do the Golden Circle tour!

The Golden Circle includes three of Iceland’s biggest highlights: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. The Secret Lagoon is just 30 minutes south of the Gullfoss Waterfall and just a few minutes’ detour from the established Golden Circle route, so it’s super-easy to tag it on at the end of your day.

Secret Lagoon Address: Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland

How Much Does the Secret Lagoon Cost?

If you’ve looked into many hot springs experiences in Iceland, you’ve probably noticed that they can be pretty pricey. The Blue Lagoon costs about $100 USD for a day pass, while the up-and-coming Sky Lagoon starts at $50. However, part of the reason these tourist-centric lagoons are so expensive is that they provide more of an “experience.” Those pricey tickets often include extra bells and whistles that aren’t typically part of an authentic Iceland hot spring visit, but they are a lot of fun. (For an idea of what a visit to the Sky Lagoon is like, check out my full review here.)

However, because the Secret Lagoon keeps things as authentic and natural as possible, tickets cost less than $35 (USD) per person. Adult tickets are currently $34.95, senior tickets are $21.03, and children’s tickets are $1.43. It makes it super-easy to bring the family without breaking the bank!

What Does Admission Include?

As mentioned, the Secret Lagoon keeps things pretty simple. Your admission includes access to the locker rooms, showers, and soaking in the lagoon. There’s also a small path you can walk that leads past the three geysers; it only takes a few minutes, but it’s cool to see the geysers in action.

*A short path lets you see all three of the on-site geysers hard at work!*

You’ll need to bring your own towel and swimsuit, or you can rent both on-site for an additional 1100 ISK ($7.84 USD) each.

What’s a Visit to the Secret Lagoon Like?

*Steam from the geysers behind the Secret Lagoon*

When you arrive at the Secret Lagoon, you’ll need to check in at the front desk. Advanced reservations are heavily recommended since spots are limited, but you can buy them on-site if they have availability.

Prepping for the Lagoon

Once you’re checked in, they’ll direct you to a small room where you’ll remove your shoes and place them on one of the many racks before entering the locker room. They have separate men’s and women’s locker rooms, but that’s about the extent of the privacy.

Now, here’s where things might get a bit uncomfortable for some people. The locker rooms are in a traditional European style with an open concept, lots of benches, and two private restroom stalls. There aren’t any private places to change, so be prepared for that. Each guest can select an available locker to secure their items while they swim, but be careful not to lose the key while you swim!

Before putting on your swimsuit, you must thoroughly shower using the provided shampoo and body wash. The showers are in a long line along one wall, so there isn’t any privacy here either. A lot of the women in my group were not happy about this, and I definitely understand why. However, from what I understand, this is very common in Europe.

After showering, you can put on your swimsuit and head directly to the lagoon, which is located just a few steps away from the back door of the locker room.

Enjoying the Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon, Iceland — *The Secret Lagoon*

The Secret Lagoon consists of one large pool, which is fed by the three geysers directly behind it. They’ve kept it natural with a smooth rocky floor and unfiltered water. It’s super-clear, but you can also see little bits of algae floating around. Don’t worry, though, because algae is just as much of the hot springs “healing” experience as the silica and other minerals in the geothermal waters!

If you want some help floating, you can grab a pool noodle, but the pool also has varying depths, so you can be as deep or shallow as you like. You’ll also notice that different lagoon areas are warmer than others. Depending on where you stand, you can feel the fresh rounds of hot water rush in as the geysers go off, replenishing the pool to that toasty 100 degrees! But if that’s too much, you can just move a few steps away.

*If you want to float around, grab a pool noodle!*

After the Lagoon

*Relax and enjoy a snack at the on-site Bistro*

Once you’re done enjoying the lagoon’s waters, you can head right back to the locker room. You’ll want to rinse off again (with your swimsuit this time, if you choose) to remove any algae bits and wash your hair. While the mineral-rich water is great for your skin, it’s not good for your hair, so you’ll want to wash that as soon as possible.

After you towel off, you’ll retrieve your items from the locker, get dressed, and leave the locker key in the door for the next person to use. There are a couple of swimsuit dryers in the locker rooms if you want to remove any extra water before stowing it in your bag. I believe there are also some hair dryers, but be sure to bring your hairbrush to remove the tangles.

When you exit the locker room, grab your shoes, return any rented towels or swimsuits, and you’re good to go! If you’re hungry, you can also grab a cold snack or drink from the Bistro before you leave.

See More About the Secret Lagoon on YouTube

Closing Thoughts on the Secret Lagoon

We visited the Secret Lagoon at the end of our Golden Circle tour, and it was such a perfect way to wrap things up! After a busy morning and afternoon of exploration, we loved the hour spent soaking in the warm waters, especially since it was April and there was still snow everywhere.

It was also so different from our bustling Sky Lagoon experience, and I enjoyed the simplicity and quiet of the Secret Lagoon.

If you’re doing a Golden Circle tour, I definitely recommend adding this stop to your itinerary for the day! If you’re not already on this route, you might want to find something a little closer to where you’re staying, but I still think it’s worth a bit of a drive for that authentic touch.

What do you think? Let me know in the comment section below, and don’t be shy about dropping your questions there, too! I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Looking for more Iceland resources? You’re in the right place! I have a ton of great posts about our week in Iceland, covering everything from packing and chasing the Northern Lights to road trip itineraries and activity guides. So be sure to keep exploring those posts before you go!