I went to a less-touristy Blue Lagoon alternative recommended by locals in Iceland. It was the most awkward experience of my trip.

The skylight above the pool at Árbæjarlaug.Talia Lakritz/Insider

• I asked Icelandic locals for their favorite non-touristy alternatives to the Blue Lagoon.
• They recommended visiting one of Reykjavík's public swimming pools.

With over 700,000 visitors every year, Iceland's Blue Lagoon is one of the country's most recognizable and iconic attractions.

When I visited the lagoon earlier this year, parts of it were crowded, but I felt it lived up to the hype. However, I also wanted to experience a less-touristy side of Iceland and see how local residents lived.

I asked two Icelandic locals what they would recommend as a more under-the-radar alternative to the Blue Lagoon and followed their advice. Here's how it went.