The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most popular attraction, with over a million people visiting the bath-warm waters every year. When you first cast your eyes on the ethereal blue water practically glowing against the black rock lava fields, it is easy to see why so many people choose to spend their time here.

On a Blue Lagoon tour, you can experience the healing properties of the mineral-rich water yourself. From which package to book, how to get there and how long to spend soaking in this unique spot, we’ve covered everything on how to plan your perfect Blue Lagoon Experience.

All About the Blue Lagoon

Arriving at the geothermally-heated milky blue water of the Blue Lagoon, you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped onto another planet. The water seems to glow ethereal blue and is surrounded by the lunar landscape of old lava fields. Living up to its “other-worldly” reputation, this geothermal lake is actually man-made.

No, it wasn’t designed to be the spa-like experience you see here today, but is the byproduct of a nearby power plant. Engineers thought that the excess water used for cooling the power plant would seep into the porous rock of the lava field, but the milky-blue water stayed sitting on the surface and the lagoon was born in 1976.

In the 1980s, locals started bathing in the water, warmed naturally by geothermal energy, and found that skin conditions were healed by the silica-rich water. The milky hue is not due to radioactivity or chemicals, it is due to the naturally occurring silica. This is what sets the Blue Lagoon apart from the other hot springs and pools in Iceland.

When locals first started bathing here, there were no facilities and in the late 1980s rudimentary changing rooms were added. After the geothermal power plant relocated in 1999, the lagoon moved with it and the state-of-the-art changing facilities, research centre, spa and even hotel were constructed to create the luxury experience you see today.

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

You’ll find the Blue Lagoon out on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 50 kilometres (around 31 miles) from Reykjavik. Driving here takes around forty-five minutes from the capital and shuttle buses run from the BSI bus terminal every day.

You can book a transfer from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon with admission included and spend the day enjoying the geothermally heated water. The Blue Lagoon is just 25 kilometres (around 15 miles) from Keflavik Airport, so one of the most time-effective ways to visit the lagoon is by including it as a stop during your airport transfer to or from Keflavik Airport.

The ultimate geothermal show-down: the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon?

Bathing amidst the dramatic scenery of an ancient lava field or soaking with a view of the wild North Atlantic Ocean? Discover which geothermal bathing experience is best for you with our blog post about the Blue Lagoon vs Sky Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon Comfort

The most basic entrance package to the Blue Lagoon is still a luxurious experience. The Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission grants you access to the lagoon and changing rooms and includes a silica mud mask from the in-water mud bar as well as a complimentary drink.

You also get a towel to dry off after. Combining comfort admission with a Blue Lagoon transfer from Reykjavik or straight from Keflavik Airport is probably the easiest and most cost-effective way of visiting Iceland’s most famous attraction.

The Blue Lagoon Premium

If you want a slightly more lavish experience, you can opt for the Blue Lagoon Premium admission. On top of the entrance fee to the lagoon itself, a towel and a basic silica mud mask, you can choose an additional two masks so you can emerge from the bath-warm water with baby-fresh skin. You’ll get a complimentary drink to enjoy while soaking in the lagoon, and a free glass of bubbly if you dine at the opulent Lava restaurant.

The Blue Lagoon Premium package is the perfect choice if you want to linger a little longer in the lagoon and really embrace the mineral-rich spa experience on offer.

How to spend your time at the Blue Lagoon

Apart from simply soaking in the atmosphere and mineral-rich water, there are lots of ways to spend your time at the Blue Lagoon. Perhaps embrace the ancient art of sauna or detoxify in the steam room. For a more immersive experience (literally) you can try a float therapy session where a guided meditation in the water alleviates stress and can relieve pain. There are also in-water massages on offer and a swim-up mask bar to keep your skin glowing after a soothing soak.

Once out of the water, you can take a piece of the Blue Lagoon home with you, shopping for skincare products in the shop. Or, indulge in a meal at one of four restaurants. There’s a café for quick snacks and coffees, the Spa Restaurant where you’re invited to dine on healthy fare in your robe, or one of the two more formal restaurants.

Discover Iceland’s hot springs and geothermal pools for a relaxing break

It may be a small island, but there are dozens of natural, geothermal pools in Iceland. From rocky pools resting in rivers to the lavish Sky Lagoon on the edge of Reykjavik, there are outdoor bathing experiences for every style of spa seeker.

Lava sits within a glass space overlooking the lagoon with a wall of solidified lava as your backdrop and serves Icelandic cuisine in gourmet style. Finally, Moss is a Michelin-recommended experience where a tasting menu is presented like a work of art in front of you for each course.
Do’s and Don’ts at the Blue Lagoon

DO wash your hair thoroughly after. The abundance of minerals in the water can build up in your hair as you float serenely on the surface. Don’t worry, the minerals are not harmful to your hair in the long term but can leave it feeling stiff. There is free shampoo and conditioner and showers in the changing rooms so you can wash your hair properly even if you forget to pack your own toiletries.

DON’T wear silver jewellery. The minerals in the water can turn silver black so it is best to leave silver jewellery in your locker. If you forget, the effects don’t last forever, but it is best avoided.

DO wear gold jewellery. The Blue Lagoon actually cleans gold jewellery, so leave on your gold rings and necklaces and they should emerge shining like new.

DON’T try to swim laps. Although it is possible to swim a few leisurely breaststrokes, the Blue Lagoon never gets deeper than 1.4 metres (4.7 feet). So, swimming proper laps like in a pool is not really possible. Besides, the experience is all about relaxing and unwinding, and the only place you want to work up a sweat is the sauna and steam room.

DO use the buckets of silica. Scattered around the Blue Lagoon you’ll find buckets of silica-rich mud. These are here so you can scrub yourself with the mud and invigorate your skin. It is especially good to use on your face. You can purchase other types of spa masks at the swim-up mask bar too.

DON’T forget to stay hydrated. Like any hot-tub-like experience, soaking in hot water can leave you dehydrated. It is best to keep sipping water as you soak and drink plenty of water once you have left the lagoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve still got questions, we’ve got the answers. Here are all the details to help you plan your trip to the Blue Lagoon.

How long should I plan for the Blue Lagoon?

Depending on whether or not you want to dine at the Blue Lagoon and how many spa treatments you want to experience, you should stay for between two and four hours. There is actually a luxurious hotel onsite too, so it is possible to stay overnight to truly indulge.

What is a Blue Lagoon experience like?

With naturally heated water between 37°C and 40°C (or 98°F and 104°F), slipping into the Blue Lagoon is rather like immersing yourself in a warm bath. Even in the depths of winter when snow is swirling overhead, the lagoon remains as warm as a hot tub. There’s something magical about reaming toasty warm outside as snow falls around you.

Is two hours enough at the Blue Lagoon?

Two hours is probably the minimum amount of time you should spend at the Blue Lagoon, taking into account walking across the lava fields from the bus park to the lagoon itself, probably snapping some pictures of the milky-blue water against the black rock landscape on the way. You’ll need time to use the changing facilities and rinse your hair in the shower before padding to the lagoon. With a swim-up bar, mask bar and silica mud buckets in the lagoon itself, you could spend a good hour soaking here before showering off (washing your hair thoroughly) and changing to depart.

Is the premium package worth it Blue Lagoon?

The premium package includes everything in the comfort package – entry to the lagoon, use of a towel, a complimentary drink and a silica mud mask – but with a few extras. You get two extra masks from the mask bar, the use of a bathrobe and slippers and a reservation at the Lava restaurant with a free glass of fizzy wine. If you plan on eating at the Blue Lagoon, then the premium package is definitely worth it, but if you are pushed for time and only have a couple of hours to spare, the comfort package is the best option.

Do they give you flip-flops at Blue Lagoon?

Outdoor shoes are not permitted around the Blue Lagoon and in winter when the ground is cold underfoot, some people like to bring flip-flops to travel between the changing rooms and the lagoon. Flip-flops, slippers and water shoes are allowed around the lagoon’s edge and although flip-flops are not provided as standard, the shop does sell them if you forget to pack a pair. Slippers are included with the premium package.

Is three hours enough at Blue Lagoon?

Three hours at the Blue Lagoon is ideal for a more indulgent experience. This is enough time to soak and enjoy a drink and mud mask in the lagoon, try out the sauna and steam room and relax afterwards with a leisurely lunch or dinner in one of the four restaurants.

What is so special about the Blue Lagoon in Iceland?

Apart from its obvious beauty, the Blue Lagoon’s skin-healing properties are what make it unique. The water has even been known to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and research is still being conducted to fully understand the healing properties of the water. Even if you don’t have a skin condition, a soaking session at the Blue Lagoon can leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and glowing, especially if you make use of the buckets of silica mud around the lagoon.

Is the Blue Lagoon’s water safe?

When people hear that the Blue Lagoon was created by the run-off from a nearby power station, they sometimes picture radioactive waste. But the power station is a geothermal power station (not a nuclear or coal power station), so all the minerals in the water are naturally occurring and the water is perfectly safe to bathe in. In terms of personal safety, there are lockers to keep your valuables in and Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world with a very low crime rate.

Is there a time limit for Blue Lagoon?

The only limit to your time at the Blue Lagoon is your personal schedule and the opening hours. A lot of people stop off at the Blue Lagoon on the way to catch their flight home from Keflavik Airport, incorporating it into their airport transfer. Of course, if this is the option you choose, you’ll be limited by your flight time!

__The opening hours at the Blue Lagoon change depending on the season, and based on weather and sunset, and are currently as follows:

January-May from 09:00-21:00 June from 08:00-22:00 July-August from 08:00-23:00 September from 08:00-22:00 October-December from 08:00-21:00

Hopefully, you now have all the information you need to plan your trip to the Blue Lagoon – how long to stay, how to get there and what to do with your time there. A Blue Lagoon tour in Iceland is one of the island’s must-do activities and can easily be incorporated into a day trip from Reykjavik or an airport transfer to Keflavik Airport. It can be a little slice of relaxation and luxury between the outdoor adventures of Iceland.