Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour: honest review
Reykjavik: From Reykjavik Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon day tour
What this combined tour covers
The Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour adds a natural hot spring soak to Iceland’s most popular day-trip circuit. The standard route covers:
- Þingvellir National Park — tectonic rift valley, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iceland’s historic parliament site
- Geysir geothermal area — Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes to 15–30 m
- Gullfoss waterfall — Iceland’s most famous double-cascade
- Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin), Flúðir — natural geothermal pool, 38–40 °C
Some tour variants also add:
- Kerið volcanic crater (ISK 700 entry, often charged separately)
- Friðheimar greenhouse (lunch, paid separately, ISK 4,500–6,500)
- Brúarfoss waterfall — a less-visited turquoise waterfall near Flúðir
The full day with all stops runs 9–11 hours from Reykjavik.
The Secret Lagoon: what you get for ISK 3,200
Gamla Laugin (Old Pool) in Flúðir has been operating since 1891 — it was a communal bathing pool long before Iceland’s commercial geothermal tourism industry existed. The pool itself is approximately 20 m × 10 m, naturally fed, and maintained at a consistent 38–40 °C by geothermal activity below.
Around the pool, a small trail loops past boiling mud pots, steam vents, and a geyser that erupts approximately every 5–6 minutes (to about 1 m height — small, but it erupts reliably in front of you). In summer (June–July), the surrounding grass is dotted with wildflowers.
The changing facilities are modest but clean. No cocktail bar. No silica masks. No marble flooring. A small café serves coffee and light snacks.
Honest comparison with the Blue Lagoon: The Blue Lagoon is a polished commercial resort offering a carefully designed experience. The Secret Lagoon is a natural geothermal pool that has been here for over a century. They serve different emotional purposes. If you want a glamorous, Instagram-ready setting with a cocktail in hand, go to the Blue Lagoon. If you want a genuine Icelandic bathing experience in a natural landscape for one-seventh of the price, go to the Secret Lagoon.
The crowds difference is significant: even in summer, the Secret Lagoon rarely exceeds 30–50 bathers at once. The Blue Lagoon can have 400+ people.
Pricing breakdown
| Tour type | Typical price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Golden Circle | ISK 12,000–15,000 | No hot spring included |
| Golden Circle + Secret Lagoon | ISK 17,000–22,000 | Lagoon admission included |
| Golden Circle + Secret Lagoon + Kerið | ISK 18,000–24,000 | Crater entry included |
| Golden Circle + Friðheimar + Secret Lagoon | ISK 22,000–28,000 | Lunch paid separately |
Self-drive equivalent cost: Car rental for the day: ISK 8,000–12,000. Secret Lagoon admission: ISK 3,200 per person. Fuel: ISK 2,500. Total for two people: approximately ISK 16,000–20,000 split between two (~ISK 8,000–10,000 per person). Self-drive is notably cheaper for groups.
The Friðheimar option: is it worth it?
Friðheimar is a working geothermal greenhouse near Reykholt (on the Golden Circle route) that has become famous for its restaurant. The menu is entirely tomato-based: tomato soup (excellent, cream-based, served with rye bread), tomato-based pasta, tomato salsa platters. Beer brewed with tomatoes is also available.
Lunch runs ISK 4,500–7,000 per person depending on what you order. The greenhouse environment — eating lunch surrounded by tomato vines under a glass roof — is genuinely distinctive.
Should you include it? If you enjoy unusual food experiences and the price does not strain your budget, yes. The tomato soup is legitimately good. If you are focused on seeing as many sites as possible and prefer a quick cafeteria lunch, skip it.
Note: Friðheimar requires a reservation for the restaurant portion. Some tour operators include a reservation as part of the package; others do not. Confirm before booking.
What to bring for the Secret Lagoon
- Swimsuit (can be rented on-site for ISK 800–1,200)
- Towel (rental available for ISK 600–800, or bring your own)
- Flip-flops or sandals for the changing room area
- Card or ISK 3,200 cash if admission is not pre-included in your tour
The water temperature is comfortable for most people year-round. Unlike open-air hot pools that cool down in heavy rain, the geothermal water maintains its temperature regardless of weather.
Self-drive versus guided tour for this route
If you are self-driving: The Secret Lagoon is at Hveravellir in Flúðir, approximately 10 km southwest of the Geysir area on Route 30. It adds 20 km and 20 minutes to the Golden Circle circuit. Bring a swimsuit and show up — no advance booking required outside peak summer (though a reservation is advisable in July–August when tour groups can fill the pool for short windows).
The golden circle self-drive guide covers the full route in detail. See also the secret lagoon guide for specific timing and the adjacent geothermal features.
If you prefer a guided tour: Book a Golden Circle with Secret Lagoon combination tour. This handles transport, parking, and logistical decisions. The guide usually discusses the geothermal geology at the lagoon, which adds context.
Practical booking notes
Swimsuit policy: The Secret Lagoon requires a swimsuit — nudity is not permitted (unlike some Icelandic natural pools). Showering before entering is required, as with all Icelandic geothermal facilities.
Duration at the lagoon: Tours typically allow 45–75 minutes at the Secret Lagoon. If you want more time, self-drive gives you flexibility.
Year-round operation: The Secret Lagoon is open all year. Winter visits have the added possibility of snowing while you soak — genuinely atmospheric.
Kerið crater timing: If Kerið is included on your tour, it usually comes after the Secret Lagoon on the return leg toward Reykjavik. The crater is 30 minutes from Flúðir on Route 35.
What to know about the geothermal field at Flúðir
The Secret Lagoon sits within a larger geothermal area. The small path around the pool takes you past several active features:
The mini-geyser: Erupts to about 1 m every 5–6 minutes. Not Strokkur — but its consistency is entertaining and you can watch it up close without crowds.
Boiling pools: Several small ponds of 95–100 °C water adjacent to the pool path. Clearly signed and fenced. Do not approach.
Steam vents: Multiple vents emit steam from the ground surface. In cold weather or at dawn, the steam is dramatic.
The archaeology: The pool dates to 1891, when it was used as a community swimming pool. Original stonework is still visible around the pool edge. Iceland’s tradition of communal geothermal bathing (which continues in municipal pools like Vesturbæjarlaug and Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik) is one of the country’s most distinctive social habits.
Allowing 45–60 minutes at the Secret Lagoon includes a soak and a slow walk around the geothermal features. Rush it and you miss the context.
The Reykjadalur alternative (free)
If the Secret Lagoon is fully booked or feels too commercial, Reykjadalur hot river near Hveragerði is a free alternative. It requires a 45-minute uphill hike each way on a marked trail, but the reward is a natural geothermal river you can soak in at temperatures that vary by section.
Hveragerði is on the Golden Circle return route, making it a feasible add-on. The hike limits it to travelers with moderate fitness. In winter, the trail can be icy. Read the complete Reykjadalur guide before attempting in shoulder season.
Frequently asked questions about the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour
Is the Secret Lagoon crowded?
In July and August, it can be busy during the 11 AM–2 PM window when multiple tour groups overlap. Early morning (before 10 AM) and late afternoon (after 4 PM) are considerably quieter. Self-drive visitors have more control over timing.
Can children go in the Secret Lagoon?
Yes — children are welcome and the pool is shallow enough (1.2–1.5 m in most areas) to be accessible. Children under 13 pay a reduced admission of approximately ISK 1,000.
Do I need to pre-book the Secret Lagoon?
For individual visitors, advance booking is recommended in July and August but not strictly required. For groups of 10+, always pre-book.
Is the Secret Lagoon better than the Blue Lagoon?
They are different experiences for different budgets and preferences. The Secret Lagoon wins on price (ISK 3,200 vs. ISK 14,990+), atmosphere (natural and uncrowded), and authenticity. The Blue Lagoon wins on facilities (better changing rooms, cocktail bar, silica treatments) and visual drama. Read the Blue Lagoon guide and Secret Lagoon guide for detailed comparisons.
What if it rains on the day?
Soak in a 38–40 °C pool while it rains around you — this is fine and rather enjoyable. The outdoor sites on the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) are best with a waterproof jacket in any weather.
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Frequently asked questions about Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour
What is the Secret Lagoon?
The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in Flúðir is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, dating to 1891. It is a natural geothermal pool maintained at 38–40 °C, surrounded by active geothermal features including a small geyser that erupts every few minutes. Admission is ISK 3,200 (~€21) — a fraction of the Blue Lagoon price.Is the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour worth the upgrade over a standard Golden Circle tour?
Yes, if you want a hot spring experience. The Secret Lagoon is far less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, significantly cheaper, and genuinely atmospheric. Adding it adds 1.5–2 hours to the day and ISK 3,000–5,000 to the tour price. For the experience difference, it is good value.Can I combine the Secret Lagoon with the Golden Circle self-drive?
Easily — Flúðir is only 10 km off Route 35 at Geysir. Self-drivers can visit the Golden Circle and stop at the Secret Lagoon on the way back. Bring swimwear, a towel, and ISK 3,200 in cash or card.How does the Secret Lagoon compare to the Blue Lagoon?
The Secret Lagoon is smaller, less commercial, and significantly cheaper. It lacks the Blue Lagoon's marble changing rooms, cocktail bar, and silica mask treatments. What it has: genuine natural geothermal atmosphere, a live mini-geyser, wildflowers in summer, and no requirement to book weeks in advance.What is Friðheimar and why do some tours include it?
Friðheimar is a geothermal greenhouse near Reykholt that grows tomatoes year-round using volcanic heat. The on-site restaurant serves a famous tomato soup and tomato-based menu. A lunch stop there adds ISK 4,500–6,500 per person but is a popular addition for food-curious travelers.
