The Secret Lagoon is the bee’s knees to the people of Iceland. As wondrous as it sounds, the thermal pool is a hotspot of geothermal activity, with steam coming out from natural hot springs. Its idyllic placement on the Golden Circle route has garnered more appreciation and visitors for the place. An action-packed day culminating with a relaxing bath in heated thermal waters seems like a dream come true!
The Secret Lagoon is situated in the rural region of Fluoir in South Iceland. It is about 97.5 kilometers from Reykjavik and 47 kilometers away from Selfoss, acting as a cherry on top of the amazing Golden Circle.
Other amazing places to visit while on a tour of the Secret Lagoon are the Frioheimar Tomato and Horse Farm at Reykholt and the Skalholt Historical Church Site.
Snuggled in the small village of Fluoi, the Secret Lagoon has a thermal pool which is a sheer delight, especially during the freezing months of winter.
The quaint pathways, geothermal hotspot and a tiny geyser erupting every now and then are some of the added bonuses on a trip to Secret Lagoon.
If vintage is of interest to you, the Secret Lagoon has something nice for you. There is a small two-doored shack standing above the northern brim to add a historical tinge to the unique setting. The changing room that it was has now been modernized. Here you will find lockers changing spaces, showers, bars and eating outlets. Overall, a must-visit, it is supplied with all that a guest needs.
Locally named as “Gamla Laugin,” the Secret Lagoon is something that Icelanders hold very dearly. Given that it is the Oldest Pool and also how it is named in the regional language and dialect, Secret Lagoon was once a hidden gem of the country. With the expansion of the tourism sector and the internet, the place attracted more visitors and admirers and came to be known as the Secret Lagoon.
Back in the years 1891 and 1909, Icelandic civilization created their first pool and a place to teach swimming. No wonder the natives of the country went gaga over the pool and took it as a respite during the chilling climates of the year.
The year 1947 marked the formation of a new swimming pool in Fluoir and a dip in the popularity of the earliest pool. However, during the 2000s the oldest pool once again gained ground. The Gamla Laugin or Secret Lagoon stands firm as a top-rated attraction and gives tough competition to others on the list.
The Icelandic management has been trying to revive the pool and bring it back to its original condition. No doubt, their hard work has paid off and the place seems like it's the springtime of its life!
The best part about undertaking a Secret Lagoon tour is that it's available in various options. Whether you want to drive on your own by hiring a rental vehicle or visit the place by joining one of Secret Lagoon Tours, you can do so without thinking twice!
The Secret Lagoon is an hour and a half ride from Reykjavik. While enroute you will pass Norðlingaholt and continue along road 1 over Hellisheiði heath and into Hveragerði.
As you approach Selfoss, you can either take a left turn toward Laugarvatn and continue on road 35, passing Kerio Volcanic Crater and Reykholt. After that, you can make a right turn to road 359, ultimately taking you to your destination.
The other option is continuing through Selfoss for around 10 minutes and then taking road 30, passing through the scenic countryside and Fluoir to reach the Secret Lagoon.
When driving from Vik, take road 1 past Skogafoss and Seljanlandsfoss waterfalls. Then, pass through the town of Hvolsvollur and Hella before taking a right to take road 30. Finally, continue on the way to Fluoir and you’ll arrive at Secret Lagoon.
There are some Icelandic customs and traditions that might be very surprising but if you have a thing for culture, you are definitely going to learn some new things! Below are a few points that one needs to know before heading to the Secret Lagoon.
Summer 1st of May to the 30th of September: 10 am to 10 pm.
Winter 1st of October to the 31st of May: 11 am to 8 pm.
Hotels
Flúðir Camping Ground is the most famous camping site near the Secret Lagoon. It is well equipped with facilities like running hot and cold water. WIFI (500 ISK -75 hours), toilets, showers, electricity (100 ISK per day), washers (300 ISK) and dryers (300 ISK), waste disposals, a restaurant, a sports area, a swimming pool, a hot tub, a golf course, a playground and numerous walking paths.
Price: 1,750 ISK per adult per night.
Open: 15th of May to the 15th of September.
The Secret tidal pond is situated in one of the most dynamic geothermal regions of Iceland, much like the Blue Lagoon, yet the thing that matters is the environmental factors. The Secret Lagoon is situated in a fruitful green valley. However, the Blue Lagoon is situated in a lava bed.
Owing to the growth of algae and silica, the Blue Lagoon has an extraordinary turquoise blue tone, similar to the ones found in the blue waters of Mývatn Nature Baths. On the other hand, the Secret Lagoon has more clear water. The water in the two spots is around 40°C (104°F).
The two spots can be visited during a day expedition from the capital, Reykjavík. Each of them is novel in their own way and tickle the fancy of tourists as much as any other spot. Given the fact that they are a natural attraction, the cost of visitation is higher as compared to a standard pool in Iceland.
The Blue Lagoon cost is almost double the cost of Secret Lagoon (their beginning cost). However, their evolving offices, saunas, cafés, and steam rooms are definitely worth the price and hype.
The Blue Lagoon receives a multitude of visitors, both natives and tourists alike, because of its renowned ability to cure psoriasis and skin inflammation.
The Blue Lagoon is definitely furnished with more amenities like two inns, saunas, a steam shower, and a couple of various geothermal pools, a cafeteria, an extravagant café, and a gift shop with their own skin line. However, Secret Lagoon is definitely worth a visit and hosts its visitors with immense delight and respect in its cafeteria and pool.
The historical backdrop of the Secret Lagoon dates back to 1891, while the Blue Lagoon was established in 1992, when it was moved away from the Geothermal Energy plant.
It is very difficult to think about these two as they genuinely are not much.
Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are nothing like each other, so paying each of them a visit would be an entirely different experience. While the former is more like a spa, offering medicine, extravagant suppers and lavish lodgings.
The Blue Lagoon is more than a spa. It has offices for you to remain for little while.
The Secret Lagoon is an enchanting little pool, known for its serene and localized appeal. It won’t take you more than 1-3 hours. However, it's surely a stop worth making on the Golden Circle.
While the rest of the world freezes, the Icelandic landscape blooms with warm gushes of springs and chilling arctic winds. Dipping yourself in the naturally heated waters of the springs in the icy-cold weather is counted as a top-rated experience in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland. One minute you are in the arms of frosty Iceland, while in the very next, you are in the thermal waters that feel nothing less than a vacation in a tropical land! Does Iceland have a magic formula? No matter how utopian and mystical it appears, there’s no secret to the unparalleled beauty of Iceland, other than natural geographical and physics phenomena.
A basic thing to keep in mind is that there are travel restrictions during winter, as driving by yourself wouldn’t be a great idea. The Nordic roads in winter are best when left to a professional!
Our Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Tour from Reykjavík is definitely a tour that will tickle the fancy of history and nature lovers, also on the lookout for a hot spring bath! The tour features gems like Þingvellir (Thingvellir) in Þingvellir National Park, the birthplace of the oldest democratic parliaments in the world. You can appreciate the unique geographical marvels of the park here, especially the very famous lure, the point where Eurasian and North American tectonic plates move apart and create a rift valley. How can one forget the popular hot spring area around Geysir? Don’t forget to maintain a safe distance while witnessing the eruption of Strokkur.
The cascading stunner of Gullfoss finds its place in the top 10 by World of Waterfalls, so how can it go unnoticed by us? The final pick in our tour is a leisurely day in the geothermally warmed pool surrounded by the quintessential backdrop of Iceland.
Stepping up on the hitlist of tourists is the Secret Lagoon trip and Jet Boat Ride combo. The USP of the jet boat ride is the Bruarhloo Canyon of the stunning Gullfoss Waterfall. Nothing compares to a splashy joyride against a stream, followed by cozy and relaxing bathing in a thermal pool. It’s the best of both worlds, indeed!
The Secret Lagoon is also a visit on some of our best multi-day tours. You can find those options by scrolling down the page.
The Secret Lagoon is girdled within the Golden Circle, and therefore, lies in close proximity to several picturesque places. Apart from its scenic tourist hotspots, the Fluoir village, where the Secret Lagoon is located, is a hub of adventurous sports and fancy dining options. Below are few of such must-visit spots:
