So many people have heard of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland that it’s become something of a cliche. Why am I writing about it? Because I am a sheep. baaaa.
No, seriously, it seemed to be the only place that everyone wanted to talk about in my when I wrote about our family’s tour around the natural hot springs of Iceland. You should know that these other hot springs of Iceland are much cheaper than visiting the Blue Lagoon if you are concerned about allocating your Iceland budget wisely.
Yet, of the approximately half a million visitors that go to Iceland every year, approximately 80% visit The Blue Lagoon. So, if you are going to go, and it seems like most of you are, I’m happy to contribute my two krona to the Blue Lagoon Iceland reviews available.
Contents
What Is The Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal pool, spa and hotel located in a lava field in Iceland. It is Iceland’s most visited tourist site.
Some Fun Blue Lagoon Facts
Know before you goo. These facts about Blue Lagoon Iceland will impress your friends and family.
How warm is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon’s temperature water averages a gloriously warm 100°F (38°C).
The Blue Lagoon’s water temperature is so nice that you can enjoy it in freezing air temperatures and not even notice how cold the air temperature really is. Honestly, your body is so warm from the water that you can even run across the outside of the thermal pool (quickly on a cold day!) and not be in shock.
Note that underground the water temperature starts off at an incredible 464°F (240°C). Thank goodness it cools down before it gets to you!
How is the Blue Lagoon Heated?
Another one of the amazing facts about the Blue Lagoon is that the 6 million litres of geothermal seawater in the Blue Lagoon comes from 6,500 feet/1981 metres below the surface.
The water you are soaking in at The Blue Lagoon is technically waste water from the geothermal power plant that you can see from the Lagoon itself.
Surplus mineral-rich water from the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station fills up the Blue Lagoon.
Yes, the water is natural but there wasn’t a pool here before some marketing geniuses decided to create one. Technically the Blue Lagoon is not one of the natural hot springs in Iceland.
Moreover, the lava field surrounding the Blue Lagoon is 800 years old. I personally think having both the water and the lava be natural phenomenon more than makes up for the fact that the thermal pool itself was recently created.
How Big is The Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is a fairly big complex if you include the hotel, spa, lagoon and restaurant area. All 6 million litres of the Blue Lagoon water though are changed over every 48 hours – one of the more random Blue Lagoon facts.
How Deep is The Blue Lagoon?
The deepest the Blue Lagoon gets is 1.6 metres so for adults its standing height.
My children refused to wear armbands which were beneath their dignity. They managed fine with a mixture of paddling about and hanging onto our neck like monkeys.
The floor is natural rock but not slimy like parts of the floor at other hot springs in Iceland, such as the Myvatn Nature Baths.
The Blue Lagoon Silica
The seawater contains algae, silica and minerals. On one side of the geothermal pool is a bucket of silica mud mask. You apply to your skin, leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse. Sure it was nice but I can’t say it was anything as special as a proper facial.
This silica and other minerals forms the basis of the skincare range from the Blue Lagoon. There is a skincare store at the Blue Lagoon itself as well as other outlets, including Keflavik Airport.
Myvatn vs Blue Lagoon
We have been to both Myvatn and Blue Lagoon. Myvatn Nature Baths is a geothermal spring in the north of Iceland about 65 miles south of the Arctic Circle. If you are doing a Ring Road Iceland trip, it is worth stopping by Myvatn which lies between Akureyri and Egilsstadir (approximately 53 miles and 101 miles away, respectively). After Myvatn make sure to stop by the charming artsy town of Seydisfjordur as well.
We preferred the Blue Lagoon. As mentioned, the rocks at the bottom of Myvatn had natural growth on it which led to a slippery underfoot experience. Myvatn also had lots of flies circling around which doesn’t make it feel as luxurious or relaxing.
On the other hand, the Myvatn scenery is spectacular. Located in a less densely populated area, Myvatn feels more away from it all. There are definitely less tourists.
Whether you visit the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths (or both!) may decide on your Iceland itinerary. Many people choose the Blue Lagoon because they stay in Reyjkavik and the south coast of Iceland. Thanks to its location on the north side of Iceland, Myvatn Nature Baths are much harder to reach than the Blue Lagoon.
Your Blue Lagoon Experience
Here I let it all hang out. Sort of like you have to in the communal shower area.
Blue Lagoon Admission
The Blue Lagoon is open daily and requires a reservation for admission.
The line can be long for entry at standard tickets. There are two other levels of tickets though that are much faster.
I would advise that you cough up the extra $30 or so and get the Premium ticket for your Blue Lagoon trip which is a fast entry. Among other things, you also get a bathrobe, slippers and a couple of drinks complimentary.
We didn’t pay for Luxury ticket which seems outrageously expensive considering you only get a separate lounge as an upgrade from the Premium ticket. This lounge though is quite exclusive – no more than 12 people at a time and individual showers/changing rooms. Just call us frugal exhibitionists!
Children are free to enter the Blue Lagoon. Teenagers are about half the price of an adult ticket. On the downside with having children go free is that they don’t get a towel of their own.
You can get a Premium ticket drink at the Lagoon-side bar. I chose a smoothie and my husband had a beer.
A footbridge over the Blue Lagoon Iceland
The Blue Lagoon Lockers
The Blue Lagoon lockers are the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. You wave your wristband over the lock mechanism which isn’t on the locker itself and the mechanism recognises which locker number it is.
Update: We have since seen this locker type at Universal Studios Florida so it may not be as difficult for you to manoeuvre as it was for us!
The Blue Lagoon & Nude Concerns
Like every hot spring in Iceland, you need to have a thorough shower (with soap) before you enter the Blue Lagoon. And, you need to do your shower naked. Not bathing-suit naked but butt-naked. This rule applies for both adults and children, male and female.
We did see a couple of tourists shower while wearing a bathing suit at the Blue Lagoon. In any other geothermal pool in Iceland, these women would have been told off by the strict changing room attendants.
The changing room showers are mainly communal so you will need to get comfortable with being nude in front of other people at the Blue Lagoon changing rooms. Unlike other geothermal pools we found in Iceland though, the Blue Lagoon has some cubicles so that you can have a private shower. You may have to wait for a cubicle though.
In the Blue Lagoon itself, you will need to wear a bathing suit. There is no naked bathing in the geothermal pool.
Blue Lagoon and Your Hair
The water has minerals in it that are supposed to make your skin feel great.
On the other hand, the Blue Lagoon will leave your hair feeling like straw. If you put in lots and lots of conditioner on your hair after soaking in the Blue Lagoon, your hair will return to normal. Eventually.
Alternatively, you can take some preventive treatment to minimize the effects of Blue Lagoon hair. Take leave-in conditioner with you and apply when you are rinsing you hair during the pre-Lagoon shower. After your hot springs experience, you should use deep conditioner. Your hair will still feel icky but the return to normalcy will be a lot faster.
A Blue Lagoon Massage
If you book early you can get a reservation to have a massage in the Blue Lagoon itself. The massages are in a special roped off area adjacent to the main geothermal pool. Your masseuses will knead away your worries as you relax on a floating mat.
We unfortunately did not have a chance to get a massage at the Blue Lagoon because we got given times which didn’t fit in with our schedule. Needless to say, these massages are very popular. You will need to pay extra for them.
If you have older children, you will be able to have your children play nearby as you have your massage because the spa area is so close to the thermal bath.
The Blue Lagoon for Kids
Children under the age of 2 are not allowed in the pool. Children from the ages of 2-8 are required to wear armbands to aid in their flotation. We saw plenty of younger kids who did not abide by this rule.
If your little girl has the usual long hair which is her pride and joy, she may find the dreaded Blue Lagoon hair issue traumatising. If you can’t convince her to wear a swim cap, I would tie it up and use conditioner like for adults.
Want a second opinion on how suitable the Blue Lagoon is for children? This Blue Lagoon Iceland review discusses in detail one family’s experience at this destination.
The Lava Restaurant
We thought the food and service at Lava Restaurant was excellent. There are children’s menus available. With your Premium admission, you get a glass of sparkling wine with your meal.
The restaurant is cool and contemporary with double-height ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Blue Lagoon.
If you choose not to eat at the Lava Restaurant, there is a cafe with casual seating. This area can get crowded and may not be what you want after such a relaxing experience.
Is the Blue Lagoon Worth It?
In my opinion, yes. It is an easy introduction to the culture of Iceland’s hot baths.
Having said that, all you will see are tourists. People from Iceland tend to use the other geothermal pools that are (ahem!) actually naturally-occurring pools. These natural hot springs in Iceland are in every town and relatively cheap because they are provided as a community service. Locals tend to use the thermal pool nearest them.
Check out the Blue Lagoon Iceland TripAdvisor rating! With 4.5 stars most people agreeing that the Blue Lagoon is a delightful destination.
smoke from the factory blends into the landscape
Getting To The Blue Lagoon
As befitting Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, Blue Lagoon trips have been made easy from both Iceland’s Airport or Reyjkavik. If you are driving, there is a big car park available for visitor use.
Where is Blue Lagoon Iceland?
When you visit Blue Lagoon Iceland, it is a super easy destination to find in the southwest corner of Iceland, a mere 15 minutes from the airport and less than an hour from the capital of Reyjkavik.
From Iceland’s Airport to the Blue Lagoon
If you have the time, it’s great way to unwind either after you land or before you leave for the airport. It is open from 8 AM (7 AM during the peak summer tourist months) until anywhere between 10 PM to midnight.
We scheduled a few hours in the afternoon at The Blue Lagoon before boarding our evening flight. It was a 15 minute drive to the airport.
Many flights to Reyjkavik arrive early in the morning before you can check into your hotel. If that happens to you, I suggest you make a reservation at the Blue Lagoon and have a nice soak to wash away any bodily aches and mental stresses before you proceed with the rest of your trip. There is a convenient luggage storage area at the Blue Lagoon.
In addition, Icelandair has terrific connection options where you can stop over in Iceland for up to seven days without any additional charges to your plane ticket. You may even just want to schedule a few hours layover so that you can spend some time unwinding at the Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon Iceland is great for a relaxing soak either before or after your flight into Iceland’s airport.
Hotels Near The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon now also has its own hotel, the 35 room Silica Hotel. If you stay at the hotel, you get premium admission to the Blue Lagoon. In addition, the Silica Hotel has its own bathing pool.
It is a short 23KM (15 mile) drive from Keflavik International Airport (the Iceland Airport) to the Blue Lagoon. The Silica Hotel is effectively an airport hotel. And, one of the nicest ones with the best amenities I have encountered I must add!
Another option, The Retreat at The Blue Lagoon is open as a day spa facility as well as accommodation for overnight guests.
There are other amenities nearby in the town of Keflavik as well though. Keflavik has some cool things to do, including fun attraction about a giantess in a cave related to an Icelandic book series.
Alternatively, you can stay in Reykjavik and visit the Blue Lagoon as a day trip. Having stayed at the Reyjkavik Residence Hotel twice, I know that right near this hotel there is a tour bus stop that takes you from Reyjkavik to the Blue Lagoon. By the way I have been very happy both times I stayed at the Reyjkavik Residence Hotel and would highly recommend it.
It takes about 40 minutes to travel the 47 KM (29 miles) from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon by road.
Join Guided Blue Lagoon Tours
First, you will have to decide if you just want to go to the Blue Lagoon or combine it with other sightseeing.
Alternatively, you can take a combination tour where your visit to the Blue Lagoon will be combined with other popular tourist activities in the area.
For example, most people visit the Golden Circle in Iceland which is the historic site of the first parliament in the world. This tour will have you all relaxed from the Blue Lagoon in the morning and then take you on a tour of the Golden Circle in the afternoon for a full day tour.
If that’s too long a day or too much sedentary activity, you can take a shorter day tour that gives you an opportunity to ride an Icelandic horse for an hour and also to soak away any aching muscles at the Blue Lagoon. We love Icelandic horses and our Icelandic horse trek was one of the highlights of my horse-crazy daughter’s trip to Iceland.
You can also take a jeep tour of the volcanic fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula (where the Blue Lagoon is located), cave down a lava tube and finish off at the Blue Lagoon. Note that on this trip you need to buy your Blue Lagoon admission tickets separately but, on the other hand, you get more choice in what you want to do and how long to stay when you are there.
There is also an option for a 5 day tour that takes care of everything for you and shows the highlights of Iceland. This tour includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and the South Coast as well potentially seeing the Northern Lights in winter.
However you chose to get there, I am sure you will enjoy your visit to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland!
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Alternative Icelandic Thermal Pools
Didn’t make a reservation and can’t get into the Blue Lagoon during your visit to Iceland? Or, maybe you are just too frugal to pay the steep admission price.
As I mentioned, there are other geothermal pools in Iceland. In fact, Reyjkavik Iceland hot springs make up 20 of the 175+ in the country. You can rock up to any geothermal pool in any town, pay the admission fee and hang with the locals. Unlike the Blue Lagoon, you don’t need to make reservations ahead of time.
We went to quite a few of Iceland’s thermal pools when we did a 2 week road trip around the Ring Road of Iceland.
Icelandic Thermal Pools in Reyjkavik
In Reyjkavik we went to the Vesterbaejarlaug Thermal Pool. This pool complex is huge – with indoor and outdoor pools, a kids pool, water slides, different temperature hot pots, a steam room and sauna.
My kids had a wonderful time playing on the slides and the pool toys. We shared the pool areas with school children who were getting their P.E. lessons. In Iceland, swim lessons are mandatory for all school kids.
Vesterbaejarlaug reminded me though of community pools in any country. It was not as slick as the operation at the Blue Lagoon. For example, the pool tiles could have done with some serious regrouting. Did my kids care or notice? No. On the flip side, admission to Vesterbaejarlaug is no where as expensive as tickets to the Blue Lagoon.
Geothermal Pools near the Golden Circle
You can leave Reykjavik (and its big city feel) and visit some of the Icelandic hot springs nearby without having to drive the Ring Road.
The Secret Lagoon is a low-key alternative to the Blue Lagoon and is conveniently located for visits to the Golden Circle.
The Secret Lagoon is a small geothermal pool set in natural surroundings. Created in 1891, it was Iceland’s first public swimming pool. The Secret Lagoon has maintained it’s rustic feel and remnants of the old shed and a little geyser are visible. No water slides and different temperature hot pots here.
There are quite a few options for tours from Reyjkavik to the Secret Lagoon. You can visit the Secret Lagoon by itself; take a whole day tour that combines the Secret Lagoon with a visit to the Golden Circle; or follow an evening visit to the Secret Lagoon with an Icelandic country meal and Northern Lights hunt.
Laugarvatyn Fontana is another geothermal pool near the Golden Circle. It’s a very modern pool area (unlike the Secret Lagoon) with cool water sculptures and water jet.
If you are feeling brave, you can go dip in the adjoining Lake Laugarvatyn for which there is an entrance directly from the thermal pools. I dipped in a toe in the Lake and decided it was way too cold for me.
During the day, this geothermal pool also has a demonstration on how you can bake bread with the heat from the underground steam.
You can take a tour from Reyjkavik that takes in the Golden Circle as well as stops for a dip at Laugarvatyn Fontana (with an optional choice of staying on to hunt for Northern Lights at night).
Geothermal Pools in North Iceland
If you did want a cheap community pool that was as amazing (and possibly even more so) than the the Blue Lagoon, I suggest going to the town of Hofsos in Northern Iceland. The Hofsos Geothermal Pool, built by the same architect as the Blue Lagoon, is an infinity pool with views over Skagafjörður bay. It is pretty incredible!! Even in the height of summer when we went, the wind whips in off the Glacier bay tingling your ears until they ring.
Another big attraction in the North of Iceland is the Myvatn Nature Baths in Lake Myvatn, a volcanic lake. Be forewarned, the Myvatn Nature Baths have a strong smell of sulfur. My fussy children were unimpressed but we thought the views made the smell worth it.
Buy your day ticket to the Myvatn Nature Baths ahead of time and save yourself some time.
Iceland is one of the world’s most magical destinations, whatever time of the year you visit.
Probably the most famous attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, and you shouldn’t miss it
for sure. Check out this full guide to the Blue Lagoon, complete with interesting facts and 20
Blue Lagoon tips for your visit.
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the world’s magical destinations and something
you can’t miss when you visit Iceland! Check out this ultimate guide to the Blue
Lagoon, with interesting facts and 20 Blue Lagoon tips for your visit – and feel how
the magic unfolds!!! #BlueLagoon #Iceland #IcelandTravel
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