Is Iceland’s Blue Lagoon a complete tourist trap or totally worth it? Find out in this honest Blue Lagoon review.
The outside temperature was 2o C but with the wind chill, it felt more like -6o c.
Every now and then, and without warning, Arctic wind gusts whipped hailstones like mini shards of glass across my exposed face. And here I was, basking in an outdoor pool with the water kept between a balmy 37 and 39o C.
Welcome to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland.
An outdoor pool is to Icelanders what a pub is to the British and a café is to the French. It is a place to meet, chat and pass the time of day.
Whatever the time of year and whatever the outside temperature, Icelanders will congregate in these outdoor pools. To those outside Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is the most well-known of these outdoor pools.
However, it is not a cheap day out and you have to ask if the Blue Lagoon is worth the cost. To help you make your mind up, here’s my guide to the Blue Lagoon, including a review of my experience, what to expect and practical tips to make the most of your visit.
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What is the Blue Lagoon?
First and foremost, the Blue Lagoon is not a natural phenomenon. It is a man-made lava rock pool, fed by water from the adjacent geothermal power plant (Svartsengi).
The water owes its distinctive milky blue colour to its high silica content, which forms soft white mud on the bottom of the pool. In fact, the water itself is milky white but the sun’s reflection gives it its blueish hue.
It is also rich in other minerals and algae which are reported to have therapeutic properties. The Blue Lagoon’s water completely renews itself every 40 hours.
Where is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon sits within a moss-topped black lava field on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland.
It is around a 35-minute drive from central Reykjavik and 15 minutes from Keflavik airport.
The Blue Lagoon’s address is Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík
What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Blue Lagoon, Iceland
How do you get to the Blue Lagoon?
Most visitors visit the Blue Lagoon as a day trip from Reykjavik. If you want to maximise your time in Iceland, visiting the Blue Lagoon en route to/from Keflavik is another good option. Luggage storage facilities are available.
If you are not hiring a car, you will need to book a transfer.
>>> BOOK YOUR RETURN TRANSFER HERE
Alternatively, you can choose a transfer when booking your Blue Lagoon entrance ticket online.
Visiting the Blue Lagoon on a guided tour
If you are only in Iceland for a few days, you can see more and save time – and perhaps money – by combining a visit to the Blue Lagoon with other attractions, including the Golden Circle or the Northern Lights.
Here are a few day tours that I have found that would work well:
- Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik | BOOK HERE
- Golden Circle, Kerid Crater and Blue Lagoon tour from Reykjavik | BOOK HERE
- Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik | BOOK HERE
When is the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is open year-round. Whilst there is no good or bad month to visit, bathing under the midnight sun or whilst gazing at the Northern lights could be something quite special.
I visited in challenging March weather but felt it was all part of an authentic Icelandic experience.
Other online reviews suggest that The Blue Lagoon can suffer from overcrowding. However, this did not reflect my experience and my entry was timed for 2 pm. If you are concerned about overcrowding, time your visit for early in the day or near closing time.
How much does it cost to visit the Blue Lagoon?
Make no mistake. This visit will come at a price and may determine if the Blue Lagoon is worth it.
Three packages are available: Comfort, Premium and Retreat Spa. Prices as of January 2023 are as follows:
- Comfort: From ISK 8,990
- Premium: From ISK 11,490
- Retreat Spa: From ISK 69,000
The price of the Comfort and Premium packages vary according to the time of day (the cheaper prices are available in the evening).
All packages include entry to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, the use of a towel and a drink of your choice.
The Premium package also buys you the use of a bathrobe and slippers, two additional masks of your choice and a glass of sparkling wine if you dine at the Lava restaurant.
Top of the tree, the Retreat Spa is your ticket to the Blue Lagoon’s spa facilities and a more private bathing area.
If you don’t have your own set of wheels, you will also need to factor in the cost of your transfer from Reykjavik. This costs a minimum of ISK 7,000 for the return transfer from your accommodation or Keflavik Airport.
As I said, the Blue Lagoon is not a cheap day out.
Should you buy the Comfort or Premium package at the Blue Lagoon?
I recommend saving yourself some money and skipping the Blue Lagoon’s Premium package.
The main advantage of this over the Comfort package is the use of a towelling bathrobe. Looking at the sea of identical bathrobes hanging together at the pool’s entrance, good luck identifying your robe when you step out of the pool.
If you feel you need a bathrobe, you can hire this separately for ISK 1500.
Should you book a ticket for the Blue Lagoon in advance?
Prebooking a ticket for the Blue Lagoon is essential.
Can you visit the Blue Lagoon at night?
You can visit the Blue Lagoon at night. Opening hours vary based on the season but during the summer months, the Blue Lagoon is open until 10 pm or midnight.
Are you able to see the Northern Lights at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland?
Don’t bet your house on it.
Those amazing images of the Northern Lights that grace many coffee table books have been captured in places with little to no light pollution. The Blue Lagoon does not tick that box.
If it’s your ambition to see the Northern Lights, take a dedicated tour.
How old do you have to be to visit the Blue Lagoon, Iceland?
The minimum age for using the Blue Lagoon is two years old. This is because children younger than two are highly sensitive to the water’s elevated mineral content.
Children aged 13 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Should pregnant women visit the Blue Lagoon?
There are no hard and fast rules and each pregnant woman should evaluate her own physical condition before entering the water. It is important to stay hydrated during the Blue Lagoon experience.
What are the health benefits of the Blue Lagoon?
The water of the Blue Lagoon, a mixture of fresh and seawater infused with algae and a high concentration of silica, is said to have beneficial effects on the skin. There are claims that the anti-bacterial effects of silica improve psoriasis and eczema and that the mineral water prevents premature ageing.
What should you bring with you to the Blue Lagoon?
Forget any stories that you may have heard of naked outdoor bathing. Swimwear is essential in all areas of the Blue Lagoon, including the sauna. If you forget to pack swimwear, you can rent this from reception.
I also recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops for walking around the locker room and to and from the pool. Although the bottom of the pool is uneven, it is smooth because of silica deposits. Therefore, you will not need water shoes.
If you visit the Blue Lagoon on a sunny day, bring a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen.
How long should you spend at the Blue Lagoon?
Most people spend around two hours in the waters of the Blue Lagoon. This reflects my experience.
Do you need to know how to swim to visit the Blue Lagoon?
This is not a place to do vigorous laps. The Blue Lagoon is all about relaxed bathing and you do not need to know how to swim to visit.
The depth of the water varies from three to five feet. If you are a non-swimmer, just be aware that there are deeper spots. Lifeguards are also on duty.
Will the Blue Lagoon destroy your hair?
Although the silica in the Blue Lagoon will not damage your hair, it can make it super crunchy. Therefore, if you intend to get your hair wet, apply conditioner liberally before entering the pool.
When it is time to leave the Blue Lagoon, make sure that you thoroughly wash and condition your hair. I found that my hair was drier than usual for a few days after my visit but, with proper conditioning, it soon recovered.
Taking photos at the Blue Lagoon
It goes without saying that you will want to capture images of your visit to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. However, you will need to keep your gear free from water.
Most people bring a waterproof case for their smartphone. It’s easy to buy inexpensive waterproof cases online for under £10.
What Can You Expect from a Visit to the Blue Lagoon? A Review
A visit to the Blue Lagoon is very slick and processed.
Entering the Blue Lagoon
On entry, you are given an electronic wristband. This serves as an electronic key to your changing room locker and as a payment chip for additional purchases.
The unisex changing rooms and showers are clean and well-maintained, albeit very busy and cramped. Shampoo, conditioner, powerful hairdryers and vanity kits are available. Additional towels are also available if required.
The first step is to locate an empty locker to store your clothes and valuables. Make sure that you memorise your locker’s number.
Like most spas, you are required to shower first. Then it’s time to brave the outside temperature and enter the Blue Lagoon. You now have a choice to make. For a gentle introduction, enter through the indoor pool. Alternatively, brave the Arctic air and enter the pool directly from the outdoors area.
Taking the waters
Acclimatise, letting the balmy water cover you like a warm blanket. Watch as gusts of wind whip the steam from the water into clouds.
Don’t forget to take advantage of your complimentary face mask. Wade over to the mask bar and slather a spoonful over your face, avoiding your eyes. After ten minutes, wash it off in the Blue Lagoon’s water. Looking ten years younger already.
Now it must be beer o’clock. Go across to the swim-up bar and order your complimentary drink of choice. Choices include Icelandic draft beer (recommended), wine and fruit smoothies.
Note that the Blue Lagoon imposes a maximum of three drinks per person. No drunken frivolity here.
For an instant massage, step under the powerful outdoor waterfall shower. Next, check out the adjacent sauna or steam room.
When it’s time to go …
When it’s time to leave, take a shower. Make sure that you wash and condition your hair thoroughly. As your skin may feel a little prune-like after soaking in the Blue Lagoon – a bit like taking a long bath at home – slather on the complimentary body lotion after showering.
Plastic bags to carry your wet swimwear are available in the changing room. Deposit your towel in a bin and then make your way back to the spa’s entrance.
Scan your wristband on the reader. It will alert you if you need to pay for additional purchases. Otherwise, just drop your wristband in the pop-out drawer and you are good to go.
Dining at the Blue Lagoon
As the Blue Lagoon is home to a handful of restaurants, why not linger after you have bathed to refuel?
Spa Restaurant
For light, healthy dishes in a relaxed environment with a view, grab a table at The Spa Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon. You can dine in your robe or fully clothed and no reservations are needed.
Lava Restaurant
A few notches up from the Spa Restaurant, dine at the Blue Lagoon’s Lava Restaurant Built into an 800-year-old lava cliff on the west bank of the Blue Lagoon, its menu showcases the best of Icelandic cuisine.
Moss Restaurant
If it’s something special that you are seeking, Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon ticks all the boxes. Recommended by the 2019 Michelin Guide, it offers high-end, set menus with views over the volcanic horizon.
If you are short on time, the Blue Lagoon also has a café.
Hotels Near the Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Most people who visit the Blue Lagoon stay in Reykjavik.
If you want to be in the thick of things, then the downtown area of Reykjavik, close to the Laugavegur shopping street, is your best bet. Here you will find most of the museums, restaurants and bars.
However, if you are a light sleeper be aware that there is a high concentration of a few bars that stay open until late in the weekend. But if you are also out burning the midnight oil, this won’t make any difference!
Mid-range Hotel Frön – I stayed at this 3-star hotel on Laugavegur. A big bonus was the free breakfast. Recommended.
Here are some alternatives that I have found that may suit other budgets:
Splurge Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center – In an unbeatable location, a 2-minute walk from Laugavegur Shopping Street and 500 meters from Harpa Concert & Conference Center, this stylish 4-star hotel features a fitness centre and a bar.
Budget Freyja Guesthouse and Suites – This property, a 3-minute walk from Hallgrímskirkja Church, has excellent online reviews and is a bargain by Icelandic standards.
Visiting Iceland as a Solo Traveller
Not only is Iceland one of the best European destinations for solo travellers, but it is also one of the best places to travel alone in the world.
Safety is important to all travellers and especially for solo female travellers. The crime rate in Iceland approaches zero and there is little chance you will be robbed, attacked or harassed.
It is a staggeringly beautiful country and small enough to be manageable. For example; if you base yourself in Reykjavik, a fabulous destination in its own right, you can take a tour of the Golden Circle.
Meeting other travellers is easy. There’s a vibrant hostel and bar scene and plenty of organised outdoor activities to meet like-minded people.
Whilst it isn’t a cheap country, there are ways for you to cut costs as a solo traveller in Iceland.
Iceland’s public transportation system is limited and many visitors hire a car. But if you don’t fancy driving, excursions are plentiful and easy to book. These are also good opportunities to meet other travellers.
Is the Blue Lagoon, Iceland Worth It?
So is the Blue Lagoon worth it? In my view, the Blue Lagoon is a complete tourist trap. Even in a country as expensive as Iceland, it is scandalously pricey.
Contrary to commonly held perceptions, it is not a natural phenomenon, owing its existence to a geothermal power station. With this same power station looming large next to the Blue Lagoon, some of the views from it are not exactly picture-postcard perfect. This is a far cry from its marketing material.
But, conversely, the Blue Lagoon is a one-of-a-kind experience and has an almost otherworldly feel. The sight of those milky blue waters in a lagoon hewn out of black lava rock, steam rising from the surface, is unforgettable. And let’s not ignore the unique mineral and algae content of the water that is good for the skin.
On balance, if I had to choose whether to revisit the Blue Lagoon I would opt for a more authentic Icelandic bathing experience.
If you like spas and soaking in warm water, Iceland is not short of natural hot springs, perhaps the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, a small village in the Golden Circle area. Reykjavik tour operators offer this bundle with a Golden Circle tour (check here).
And let’s face it. If you want to view the Blue Lagoon, you can visit it without dipping so much as a toe into its balmy waters. Just buy a return transfer and take in the views from the spa’s café.
GETTING THERE
Skyscanner is my go-to platform to search for flights. I like having the ability to filter results by cabin class and to compare the price of flights across an entire month. Skyscanner also supports multi-city options in searching for open-jaw flights.
STAYING THERE
I book 80% of my accommodation with Booking.com. Rates are competitive and many reservations are cancellable without penalty.
Check accommodation reviews, and prices across a range of booking platforms, on TripAdvisor.
KEEPING HEALTHY
Pack the right travel medicines and first aid items to manage minor illnesses and cuts and scrapes like a pro.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Wherever you travel in the world it’s important to have comprehensive travel insurance to protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.
As a mid-life traveller, I get my travel insurance from Staysure. It offers an excellent level of cover, including that against Covid-19, and has garnered 5-star reviews.
OTHER TRAVEL RESOURCES
Check out my Travel Resources page for the companies and other resources I use when planning my trips and whilst I am away.
