Looking for a hot spring stop on the Golden Circle that isn’t full of tour buses? Laugarás Lagoon is one of the newest geothermal lagoons in Iceland.
Our 10% discount code for the Laugaras Lagoon is EPICICELAND. It gives you 10% off admission when you book on LaugarasLagoon.is. We are a partner of Laugaras Lagoon, and Laugaras confirmed the code in October 2026.
The lagoon opened in October 2025 in the small village of Laugarás, right on the bank of the Hvítá river. It has 2 levels connected by a waterfall, a sauna house at the edge of a little forest and a restaurant run by one of Iceland’s best-known chefs.
We’ve tried most of the best hot springs in Iceland, from wild highland pools to the big famous spas. In this guide, we share why Laugarás made it to our list, how to use our promo code and what to expect when you get there.
Why Laugarás Lagoon
So why drive to Laugaras? Well, for us, at least, due to these 4 main features.
Laugarás is an amazing new hot lagoon on the Golden Circle
Right on the Golden Circle
Laugarás is about 94 km from Reykjavík, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Geysir is 33 km away and Gullfoss 43 km, so the lagoon fits naturally into a Golden Circle day trip.
Until now, the nicer lagoons were all quite far from the Golden Circle route. Now you can finish your sightseeing day in warm water instead of going straight back to the car 🙂
2 levels and a waterfall
The lagoon spreads over about 1,000 m² on 2 levels. A 6.6 m long waterfall connects them and, according to the lagoon, it’s the first cascading waterfall in an Icelandic lagoon.
You can walk through it, hide in the grotto on the lower level or lean on the infinity edge and watch the river.
Views from Laugarás Lagoon in Iceland
Natural, chlorine-free water
The hot water comes from the geothermal area right in Laugarás. It’s cooled down with glacial water from the Hvítá river, which goes through natural filtration first.
The result is chlorine-free water at 38-40°C. No chlorine smell in your hair for the rest of the day, which your travel buddies in the car will appreciate too.
Food by Gísli Matt
The on-site restaurant Ylja is led by chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson, known for his restaurant Slippurinn on the Westman Islands (2012-2025).
The menu is built on local ingredients from nearby farms, greenhouses and producers in South Iceland.
Laugarás Lagoon facilities
Sauna in Laugarás Lagoon is a must try 🙂
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- 2-level lagoon with a waterfall, a grotto and an infinity edge
- Forest pool – a calmer warm pool next to the trees
- Sauna house with a dry sauna and a steam bath, both with views over the Hvítá river
- Cold pool next to the saunas for a quick plunge
- 2 swim-up bars
- Changing rooms with personal lockers, vanity stations and Rjóður skincare products (their own line, with birch and larch scents)
- Ylja restaurant with 80 seats inside plus an outdoor area, and a small grab-and-go corner
The lagoon is wheelchair accessible, with a lift and 2 private changing rooms.
There’s no luggage storage, so leave big suitcases in the car.
Tickets and opening hours
Laugarás Lagoon in winter is magical
There are 3 admission types, all named after trees:
- Birki – lagoon access, locker and shower products (towel not included, you can rent one)
- Lerki – the same plus a towel and 1 drink at the swim-up bar
- Ösp – the same as Lerki plus a 2-course meal of the day at Ylja
There’s no time limit once you’re in. The lagoon opens daily at 10:00. In autumn (15 August – 1 November) it closes at 21:00 with last entry at 19:30, and in winter (2 November – 30 April) it closes at 20:30 with last entry at 19:00.
Always check the current opening hours before you go.
Laugarás Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon vs Laugaras Lagoon. We would go for both, but it’s your choice 🙂
Laugarás or the Blue Lagoon? Here’s a quick comparison.
| Laugarás Lagoon | Blue Lagoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Golden Circle, South Iceland | Reykjanes peninsula, near Grindavík |
| From Reykjavík | 94 km (approx. 1 h 20 min) | approx. 50 km (approx. 45 min) |
| Setting | River bank, forest, countryside | Lava field |
| Water | Natural geothermal water, chlorine-free | Milky-blue geothermal seawater rich in silica |
| Temperature | 38-40°C | 37-39°C |
| Minimum age | 5 years | 2 years |
| Sauna, steam, cold pool | Yes, all 3 | Sauna and steam room |
| Signature feature | 2 levels connected by a waterfall | Silica mud mask |
| Drink included | Lerki and Ösp tickets | Comfort ticket and higher |
| Crowds | Calmer, fewer tour groups | Very busy, timed entry |
| Entry from | 6,900 ISK | 11,990 ISK |
| Best for | Golden Circle trips, food lovers, quiet soak | Arrival/departure day near the airport |
Don’t forget you’ll cut the Laugarás price by another 10% with our Laugarás Lagoon coupon code EPICICELAND.
Our take: if you land late and want a soak close to the airport, the Blue Lagoon is the logical choice. If you’re doing the Golden Circle anyway and prefer a calmer place with great food, go for Laugarás.
History
These are the picturesque surroundings Laugaras sits at
Laugarás is a tiny village that exists mostly because of hot water. People started building here around 1946, using the geothermal heat for houses and greenhouses. Some local families have grown vegetables and flowers here for more than 75 years.
Just a few minutes away is Skálholt, the seat of Icelandic bishops for around 700 years. This quiet corner has seen a lot of history.
The lagoon has a much younger story. The plot was bought in 2016 with a plan for a hotel and a big bathing area. Over time, the idea changed: lagoon and restaurant first, hotel later.
The building was designed by T.ark Architects with lots of glass and local wood. The project cost around 3 billion ISK, is fully owned by Icelandic investors, and the lagoon opened on 15 October 2025, bringing 50 new jobs to the area.
For more places to soak, see our list of all hot springs in Iceland.
Laugarás Lagoon discount code
Our exclusive Laugarás Lagoon discount code is EPICICELAND. It gives you 10% off your booking on the official website.
The best part: this Laugarás Iceland promo code stacks on top of any other discount the lagoon is running, so you can save even more during their seasonal offers.
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Laugarás Lagoon is our official partner. We confirm the Laugarás Lagoon promo code EPICICELAND directly with Laugarás Lagoon and guarantee the code is current and working. We never provide any fake or expired codes. We always negotiate the code personally with Laugarás Lagoon.
How to use the Laugarás Lagoon discount code
- Go to laugaraslagoon.is and click Book now.
- Pick your admission type, date, time slot and number of guests.
- At payment, find the “gift card/promo code” field.
- Type EPICICELAND and click Apply.
- Check that the 10% discount shows in the total before you pay.
That’s it. Booking early usually gets you a better base price, and our code takes another 10% off.
Reviews
Laugaras has recieved amazing traveler reviews (and we confirm that!)
For such a new place, Laugarás has a solid reputation. It holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor.
What guests mention most: the waterfall and the 2 levels, the calm atmosphere, the food at Ylja and the freedom to go to the sauna as many times as you want. Many say they’re glad they picked it over the Blue Lagoon.
The negative reviews mostly mention busy time slots, some construction still going on in the first months and a bar menu with few non-alcoholic drinks.
Our experience with Laugarás Lagoon
We first came to Laugarás at the end of a long Golden Circle day, with Geysir and Gullfoss behind us and pretty tired legs. Here’s what we enjoyed (and what we didn’t).
The waterfall walk. Walking through the waterfall between the 2 levels was more fun than we expected. It somehow makes you feel like a kid again.
The quiet. Compared to the Blue Lagoon, there were far fewer people. We found a spot at the infinity edge with nobody’s elbow in our face.
Sauna and cold pool loop. We did the hot-cold loop several times. The cold pool is properly cold. One of us lasted 10 seconds, the other claims 30 (nobody was counting except him).
Our experience with Laugaras Lagoon. Not empty but worth it.
The drink at the swim-up bar. We had the Lerki ticket and enjoyed our drink in the water. The bar menu is mostly alcohol, so the driver had to choose wisely 🙂
Food at Ylja. This was the biggest surprise. Local ingredients, generous portions, great service. If it fits your budget, go for the Ösp ticket.
Northern lights bonus. In winter, take a late slot, check the aurora forecast and read our aurora guide.
One note: it’s not a wild hot spring. For a natural pool in the middle of nowhere, see our Hveravellir guide or the secret hot spring canyon in the highlands. Laugarás is for days when you want comfort and a good dinner after.
And if you want a more rustic soak nearby, the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is about 20 minutes away and our code EPIC gives you 15% off there.
Laugarás Lagoon FAQ
One of the views from Laugaras
What is the Laugarás Lagoon discount code?
The Laugarás Lagoon discount code is EPICICELAND. It gives you 10% off your booking on laugaraslagoon.is and stacks on top of any other discount the lagoon is running.
How do I use the Laugaras Lagoon promo code?
Book on the official website, and at payment type EPICICELAND into the “gift card/promo code” field, then click Apply. The 10% discount shows in your total before you pay.
Does the 10% Laugarás Lagoon discount code EPICICELAND actually work?
Yes. We verified and confirmed the code with Laugaras directly. We always personally deal with our partners and check the code validity regularly, so you will not find expired or fake codes here. The code was last verified in October 2026.
Is Laugarás Lagoon better than the Blue Lagoon?
It depends on your plans. Laugarás is calmer, cheaper and has better food, and it fits a Golden Circle day. The Blue Lagoon is more iconic and closer to the airport, but also much busier.
How far is Laugarás Lagoon from Reykjavík?
It’s about 94 km, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Buses 72 and 73 go to Laugarás but not on a regular schedule, so a rental car or a day tour is the easiest way. You can save on your car with our car rental discount codes.
Can children visit Laugarás Lagoon?
Yes, kids aged 5 to 15 are welcome with an adult. Children under 5 can’t enter the lagoon, but all ages can eat at Ylja restaurant.
Do I need to book Laugarás Lagoon in advance?
Booking ahead is strongly recommended, and it’s required for the Ösp ticket with the 2-course meal. Prices change with date and time, so earlier booking usually means a better price.
Can you see the northern lights at Laugarás Lagoon?
Yes, in winter it’s possible thanks to the dark countryside location. Last entry in winter is 19:00, so take a late slot. There are no guarantees, so we’d plan it as part of a South Iceland winter itinerary with a few backup nights.
