Our first-hand visit to Laugarás Lagoon in South Iceland, including its two-level geothermal lagoon, waterfall, sauna, hot-and-cold experience and a standout meal at Ylja Restaurant.
Laugarás, South Iceland, South IcelandExperienced October 20262 Hours
Quick take
4.7 / 5Our verdict
A polished geothermal lagoon experience with enough variety to keep the visit interesting, even in rough weather. The two-level layout, waterfall, sauna and quieter areas worked very well, while our meal at Ylja was a genuine highlight.
Would we do it again?Yes, absolutely.Best for:Couples, relaxation, food lovers and travellers exploring the Golden Circle or South Iceland
We left Reykjavík on a very Icelandic day — wind, rain and grey skies. But hey, this is Iceland.
Our destination was Laugarás Lagoon, but our experience actually started with dinner.
We had booked a package that included a two-course meal followed by admission to the lagoon. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were welcomed by a cheerful member of staff who showed us to our table.
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Visit this place
Laugarás Lagoon
Geothermal lagoon on the Golden Circle with two bathing levels, a waterfall, grotto, saunas, cold pool and Ylja Restaurant.
Explore more — waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs and more.
From
ISK 9,900
For the starter, we could choose between two soups, served with bread. Then came the difficult part — choosing the main course. We went for the Arctic char and lamb so we could try both.
And the verdict?
10 out of 10.
The food, service and surroundings were excellent. Both dishes were seriously good, and it turned out to be a great way to begin the experience before heading into the lagoon.
Then it was time for the lagoon
After dinner, we received our towels and wristbands and headed towards the changing rooms.
This was where I first noticed how much thought had gone into the atmosphere. Calm music was playing, the changing room felt comfortable and relaxing, and the experience seemed to begin before we had even reached the water.
Instead of simply walking outside and jumping into a pool, you enter the lagoon from inside.
I walked down the steps into the warm water and then continued outside onto the upper level of the lagoon.
Even with the wind and rain, it felt fantastic.
There is a bar that you can use without leaving the water, so you can order a drink while relaxing in the lagoon. The water was beautifully warm, and after our drive and dinner, this was exactly where we wanted to be.
And then we discovered the second level
This was probably one of my favourite parts.
From the upper lagoon, I walked down towards the lower level and passed through a waterfall to reach it.
That immediately made the lagoon feel different from a normal geothermal pool. You're not just sitting in one large body of water — there are different areas to discover.
Downstairs, the atmosphere becomes even calmer.
There is a relaxation or quiet area with a beautiful view towards the river and bridge. With the rain coming down and the Icelandic landscape outside, the bad weather actually became part of the experience rather than ruining it.
And there was still more.
We found steam facilities, a hot pool and a cold pool, giving you plenty to move between rather than staying in the same part of the lagoon for the entire visit.
Would we recommend Laugarás Lagoon?
100%.
We arrived in wind and rain and still had a fantastic experience.
The combination of a really good meal, warm geothermal water, the two-level lagoon, waterfall, bar, quiet areas and views made this much more than simply stopping somewhere for a soak.
In fact, the Icelandic weather somehow made it even more memorable.
If you're driving through the Golden Circle area and want somewhere to slow down for a few hours, Laugarás Lagoon is absolutely worth considering.
Our verdict
Would we do it again?
Yes, absolutely.
Pros
Two-level geothermal lagoon with waterfall
Sauna and hot-and-cold experience
Quiet areas and a swim-up bar
Excellent meal and service at Ylja Restaurant
Enjoyable even in rainy and windy weather
Best for
Couples, relaxation, food lovers and travellers exploring the Golden Circle or South Iceland
