Located on a rugged lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa known for its milky-blue, mineral-rich waters. There are many geothermal spas in Iceland, but the Blue Lagoon remains the most famous.
Iceland’s geothermal activity
Iceland is well-known for its geothermal energy, and currently holds the title for being the world’s most eco-friendly country. In fact, geothermal water is used to heat around 90% of Iceland’s homes and it also manages to keep the main pedestrian streets snow-free in the winter. Needless to say, the Blue Lagoon in Grindavík, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland, is just one of many attractions in Iceland that take advantage of the country’s geothermal goodness.
The pool itself is the bio-product of a geothermal power plant, (sorry if that shatters any illusion of a magical, natural Lagoon!). But after a few hours of soaking, you’ll certainly feel magical. The waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur so your skin will feel softer than it’s felt in years.
Arrival at the Blue Lagoon
Once you’ve weaved your way through the incredible lava fields to the entrance, you’ll receive your wristbands for proof of entry. You can then dump all your stuff in the storage lockers (they respond electronically to the swipe of your wristband).
At this point you’ll see naked bodies everywhere. Boobs, bums, tums – nobody cares, no matter the size. Well… although I say nobody cares, it didn’t stop me dashing to the few available cubicles that have doors – call me a British prude! Otherwise, you’ll have to undress in an open area, but nobody seems to be bothered about it apart from me. After all, we all have the same bits and bobs!
Finding the hotspots!
Upon entering the milky blue water, you’ll soon discover there are hotspots scattered everywhere, and frequent sounds of “Oooh” and “Aaah” and words such as ‘oooh, I’ve found one, I’m staying put!’ can be heard all around. With an average water temperature of between 37-40°C, you are sure to stay warm and toasty whatever the weather!
Scoop down amongst the rocks or use the wooden boxes provided to gather a natural silica mud mask and apply it to your face and body. If you already thought Iceland felt like another planet, just wait until you see a mass of stark white-coloured faces slowly emerging from heavy clouds of steam! Surreal would be an understatement…
Just look at all the silica and sulphur in the Blue Lagoon. Get scooping and applying! You can also buy a proper packaged silica mask, but I was on a budget and this stuff was fine enough!
Therapeutic facilities in the Blue Lagoon
As well as the waters, there are other therapeutic facilities within the Blue Lagoon such as a massage waterfall, treatment rooms, saunas and steam rooms. Combine them all, and your skin will never have felt so good!
Two and a half weeks after, and I’m convinced I can still tell the difference.
The Blue Lagoon Bar
Who doesn’t fancy sipping a cold beer or glass of wine whilst bathing in a haze of steaming blue waters, surrounded by mountains coloured in hues of every green, whilst watching the sun set overhead?
There’s also a restaurant if you fancy indulging further afterwards.
When finally leaving the Blue Lagoon, make sure to shower and use plenty of the complimentary conditioner provided for your hair. Otherwise, you’ll it’ll be coated with a year’s supply of salt and somewhat resembling Albert Einstein!
Things to consider before visiting the Blue Lagoon
Try and plan: The Blue Lagoon is only a 20-minute drive away from the Airport so it’s a great place to either start or end your trip.
Accommodation: I ended my holiday there whilst staying in the Northern Light Inn, I highly recommend staying there. Not only is it a quality hotel which ranks consistently high and offers free airport transfers, it’s only a 15-minute walk away from the Blue Lagoon. It’s also plonked in the middle of a lava field so the view from your room window is pretty cool to say the least.
Breakfast and dinner is served at Max’s Restaurant, affectedly named after the owner’s dog who sadly has now passed away. This gives you an insight into the personal touches that you’ll experiences staying in this lovely family-owned hotel.
Save money: You have to pay for using towels and dressing gowns. If you want to save a some money, bring your own.
Brittle hair: Nobody wants their hair to feel like a bundle of straw, so either apply masses of conditioner (there’s lots of free conditioner there), or avoid putting your head under the water.
Avoid the crowds: The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s biggest tourist attraction so it can get really busy. It’s opened 10am-8pm from Sept to May and 9am-9pm from June to August so arrive there in the morning, or late afternoon. I went at around 5pm and it wasn’t too busy, plus I was able to float back, and watch the sunset. Belissimo!
Book your tickets in advance
If you’re not hiring a car, it can be a hassle to get to the Blue Lagoon. However, there are several tours that can take you to from Reykjavik. These yours include transfers, entrance fees and a few other perks like silica mud masks, drinks and towels.
You can even combine a visit with other attractions like the Golden Circle tour. For more information, browse these Blue Lagoon tour options.
Address: Blue Lagoon Iceland Nordurljosavegur 9. Grindavík 240, Iceland
Nearby: 23km/20 min from Keflavík Airport to Blue Lagoon. 47km/45 min from Reykjavík to Blue Lagoon
>>You might also like: Floating in the Dead Sea in Jordan
Want more Icelandic inspiration?
Have a read through my Iceland archives for more tips and recommendation. These Iceland travel blogs and guides are a good place to start:
- 2 weeks in Iceland – roadtrip itinerary and tips
- 20 awesome things to do in South Iceland
- 20 awesome things to do in North Iceland
- What can you see on Iceland’s Golden Circle tour?
- 50 Reasons Why Iceland is the Greatest Country in the World!
20 responses
Oh, love it-
I’ve been in a totally different clime (Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo)- but these are simply fabulous pics.
What do you, show up with a waterproof camera?
Since it comes from a power plant, do you glow green after
Ixtapa/Zihuuatanejo looks beautiful! Central and South America still awaits me… ahem.
I would love a waterproof camera, and it would be far more practical than going in and out of the changing rooms to get my none-waterproof camera!
Haha funnily enough, I read an incident where the Lagoon turned bright green for a while!
Iceland looks to me as an island at the edge of the world.
All that clean power for free!
Like this article.
Thanks Tuscan! Iceland really does look like another planet! It’s not uncommon to look out of your hotel/car window and see plumes of smoke coming out of the ground!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Blue Lagoon! You had great weather and I love the pictures. Now, I’m really convinced my husband didn’t put that silica on long enough to feel the effects. Visiting the Blue Lagoon really was one our trip highlights.
Thanks Mary – reading all your posts really made me get excited for Iceland and the Blue Lagoon!
Hmmm I’m starting to think it was a mixture between the silica and the sauna… they were sooo hot inside! I wish I had one in my house, like all the Finnish do!
It looks soooo good.. and so warm! I would definitely shrivel into a disgusting prune-like state before anyone could drag my (fresh and revitalised) body out of there!
Haha if being a prune means being relaxed and revitalised then I want to always be a prune! 😀
That place looks to be about as therapeutic as it gets, almost makes we want to go live in Iceland. Additional not: I’ve noticed the same in other parts of Scandinavia, people don’t seem phased by naked bodies.
The Scans really are comfortable in their own skin aren’t they? – I applaud it! (she says whilst diverting her eyes to the floor and running to the cubicle)
Yup, just what they’re used to from a young age I guess, Maybe there’s still some of that Puritan thing left over in English and American culture that causes us to be more timid when it comes to that sort of thing.
I have wanted to visit the Blue Lagoon for such a long time…your photo’s are amazing 🙂
Hello Claire! Go, go,go! But make sure you go in there early morning or in the evening – I doubt any experience would be relaxing if you had to nudge a horde of bodies away to make sure you made it into the Blue Laogon!
Thanks for commenting, and nice blog btw! 😀
To avoid the crowds, I can recommend staying at the Blue Lagoon Clinic, where guests have access to their private lagoon in the morning an the evening for a a few hours. We stayed there 2 nights and one morning it was snowing and the sun would shine through the clouds and the the steam from the nearby power plant. WOW, hands down the best bath I’ve ever had in my entire life!
Despite it being off season, when we went to the public Blue Lagoon, there were hundreds if not thousands of British kids! One of the little buggers even stole my bathing shorts when I was in the shower. Well, being over 40, I take it as a compliment for good taste in fashion 😉 Also had one of those 110 minutes long in water treatments with massage and silica treatment. It’s very special but not really on the cheap side and sometimes I was so cold, that I started to shiver. Good thing there’s so much warm water available. Dinner at the Lava Restaurant afterwards was also very nice, very tasty fish and outstanding quality in great setting.
Hi Dan sorry for the late reply! the Blue Lagoon Clinic sounds like that added bit of care and luxury that some people might be looking for so thank you for sharing it with me and others who might be interested. I would love to try one of their treatments! And dinner at Lava Restaurant sounds divine.
Haha, I went off season too, but I was fortunate not to have to bypass a hoard of British kids! Oh yes, you should definitely take it as compliment when you get your shorts pilfered by someone younger than you! 😉
I can’t wait to travel here one day. Though I live in Japan and the onsen is hugely popular here. Long ago I’ve learned shed my insecurities of naked locker room experiences while living here. Onsen baths are all nude!! Though I still walk around with a towel if I’m allowed to.
I would love to try the hot springs of Japan! Well, I would just love to explore Japan – hopefully within the next year I will. I’m surprised the Onsen baths are all nude!! I’d be a prude and parade around with a towel too 😉
I’ve just had a quick look at your blog, and I think your photography is stunning. Thanks for stopping by Stephanie!
Hi Shing, I am heading off to Iceland in two weeks and your post on the blue lagoon and golden circle tour have been extremely useful. As I am heading out there when it is snowing do you think the blue lagoon will still be just as much of an experience? Also do you have any advice for me?
Hi Jane, sorry for the late reply, I completely missed your comment until now! Hopefully you’ll see this before you go.
On the contrary, the Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to go when it’s snowing because the temperature lingers at approx 38 degrees, keeping you all nice and toasty – it’s such a bizarre contrast and one I think you’ll enjoy very much!
In regards to other advice, you might find this post on what to wear useful: https://theculturemap.com/what-to-wear-in-iceland-arctic-regions/
You might like to book yourself onto a Northern Lights tour as well, but if not then it’s possible that you might see them from Reykjavik if you look for the best place without light pollution and clear skies.
If you’re hiring a car, let me know and I can provide you will a few more must-see sites!
Have an awesome trip!
Yes What an amazing place to visit! Did you try a water Massage? It’s hard to get an appointment as they stay booked! I have tried countless of times . Do you know anywhere there to get massages? It’s the best thing to do after being in the Blue Lagoon for a few hours ! 😁