Going to Iceland and thinking about visiting the famous Blue Lagoon but wondering if it’s worth it? This post will review the Blue Lagoon based on my experience and will also provide some useful tips so you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the rejuvenating waters of the Blue Lagoon.
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Intro
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions and is a must-visit spa pool regardless of the popularity it has gained. This geothermal spa offers a unique relaxation and rejuvenation experience that makes it a must-visit destination for travelers. Here’s a review of the Blue Lagoon when I visited, along with some essential tips to make the most out of your visit.
Blue Lagoon Tickets
Blue Lagoon requires pre-purchased ticket to enter, which can be purchased here (or at the widget below). They have a few packages that you can choose from that ranges in inclusion:
- Comfort package: includes entry, mud mask, towel, and a drink
- Premium package: same inclusions as Comfort but adds 2 additional masks, a bathrobe, and a glass of sparking wine if dining
When you purchase, you will have to specify a date and time entry of your visit, however once you enter, you can spend as much time inside as you’d like.
Purchase your Blue Lagoon tickets using one of the widgets below:
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Blue Lagoon Experience
Facilities and Services
The Blue Lagoon has several amenities: a spa, facilities, several dining options, and two hotels. I was not able to experience all the Blue Lagoon amenities so my review won’t include everything they offer unfortunately. Regardless, I really enjoyed the experience where the lagoon access and all the inclusions in my ticket made it well worth the price. Also you can easily spend 2 to 4 hours here, so be sure to allocate time to enjoy the Blue Lagoon.
Facilities
The Blue Lagoon’s facilities include lockers and a changing and shower room, which is a single-sex communal shower where people will shower fully nude. However, I was on the shyer side so I was looking to shower privately. Luckily, I found some curtained showered stalls so I just brought my bathing suit and towel and got ready to go into the lagoon.
Before dipping into the lagoon, it is expected that you rinse your body and hair. (I also felt obligated to shower after my day in the pool too). It’s expected to rinse before going into the room because thoroughly rinsing will prevent too much unwanted body oils and dirt from getting into the pool. The showers include complimentary shower gel and hair conditioner so I didn’t have to bring my own.
Also, if you have longer hair, put it in a high bun to prevent from shedding and from getting it wet. If you do get your hair wet, the silica in the pool will make it feel stiff for a bit. To combat our hair from drying out in case it did get wet from the lagoon waters, we were also advised to keep hair conditioner in our hair from when we were in the shower room. Sorta like leave-in conditioner to protect your hair and prevent it from stiffening too much.
Then once we were ready to get into the lagoon, it was a bit hard to find a spot to put our towels. Right before entering the lagoon there are a couple large towels racks they can hang on if there was room. However when I went it was full already so I left mine on a hook within the facilities.
The Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon’s blue water was immediately noticeable once we stepped out of the Main Complex facilities. Its steamy milky blue waters and otherworldly atmosphere really make this magical lagoon a one-of-a-kind in Iceland! It really was like stepping into a whole other planet or some other serene dimension.
The spa pool is quite large where you won’t feel too crowded despite its popularity. When I went in September, there were lots of empty space in the waters and it didn’t feel crowded at all! I admit I was a bit worried about it being too busy or crowded but I think because I visited in an offseason (in September), it was the perfect amount of people where it wasn’t too busy nor too empty. I can imagine if we visited in the high season months of summer that it would probably be pretty packed.
The therapeutic waters are at a very nice warm temperature where you can relax comfortably in them and not be too cold or overly hot. The water is also not deep with about an average depth of ~4 ft (1.2 m), with the shallowest at ~2.6 ft (0.8 m) and deepest at 4.7 ft (1.4 m). However, there are life vests available if needed as well, especially for younger children. I am on the shorter side, so there were definitely pockets where I needed to tippy toe to keep my head above water or piggy-back a friend to pass through the deepest part haha. But I am under 4 feet, so if you are at least 5 feet tall, then you will have no issues.
We tried to explore the whole pool and we found cave tunnels to wade through, waterfalls to soak in, and smaller hangout areas where we just relaxed, chatted, and simply enjoyed the warm waters and atmosphere. It really was such an amazing and relaxing experience!
Restroom Situation
There are restrooms right next to a pool entry/exit so you don’t have to walk in the open air for too long. There are also showers you can rinse off in right in front of them. Also, please do not relieve yourself in the lagoon.
Swim-Up Bar
There are swim-up bars where we redeemed our free drink, which includes beer, cider, wine, sparkling wine, and smoothies. Since the Blue Lagoon was our first stop arriving in Iceland, we opted for a celebratory sparkling wine! A perfect way to cheers our introduction to Iceland.
If you want to purchase additional beverages, you use an electronic bracelet that you receive at check-in. The bracelet is used as a means to charge any purchases to while you’re enjoying the Blue Lagoon. After you’re done with your day, you’ll then pay for all the charges that were made to the bracelet at check out. This was such a smart concept so that you can leave all your belongings at the facilities and not need to bring anything into the lagoon with you.
Silica Mud Masks
The Blue Lagoon offers complimentary silica mud face masks so you can exfoliate while enjoying your soak in the warm mineral-rich waters. We got the mud clay at a swim-up mask bar where a staff member is occupying and they scan your electronic bracelet. The first mud mask is complimentary, but subsequent ones will be charged. The masks are a beneficial skincare treatment and after about 5-10 minutes, we simply used the lagoon water to wash and clear the mud from our face. Afterwards, my skin felt so soft and rejuvenated! I sorta wish I did get another mud mask lol.
Sauna and Steam Rooms
The lagoon area also includes saunas and steam rooms carved into the lava rock that offers an additional relaxation option. I didn’t go into one of these since I don’t really like being in hot rooms like these, but my friend did and he said he felt so nice and relaxed afterwards. If you’re into sauna rooms, then you should definitely try it out!
Dining Options
If you get hungry, the Blue Lagoon complex has a few dining options: Blue Café, Lava Restaurant, Spa Restaurant, and Moss Restaurant. The Blue Café has cheaper food options with sandwiches, salads, etc.
The other restaurants are more pricey and you can reserve a table if you want guaranteed seating. Lava Restaurant offers a gourmet dining experience with stunning views of the lagoon, and the Moss Restaurant is a Michelin Star restaurant with quality and prices reflecting that of one.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Blue Lagoon Visit
1. Book in Advance
The Blue Lagoon is super popular so slots can fill up quickly especially during peak tourist seasons in the summer months. To guarantee your entry and your preferred time slot, buy your tickets in advance.
2. Bring the Essentials
The Blue Lagoon does provide towels, robes, shampoo and conditioner, and even a swimsuit (at cost). However if you want to enhance your comfort then you can bring your own hair essentials and towel, and of course don’t forget to bring a swimsuit if you don’t want to purchase one.
3. Leave the Valuables
With any water activity, it’s possible you can drop and lose things in the water. Leave your jewelry and any valuable items in the lockers to avoid the hassle of carrying things and potentially losing them.
4. Waterproof Phone Case or Carrier
If you want to bring your phone into the lagoon, have a waterproof phone case/carrier preferably one with a lanyard to hang around your neck. I have a waterproof “fanny pack” that buckles around my waste and keeps small items dry.
5. Protect Your Hair
The silica in the water can be harsh on your hair. If you get it wet, you’ll find it stiff and hard to manage. To prevent this, put hair conditioner in your hair and leave it in while you go into the lagoon. Also try to avoid getting your hair wet by tying long hair into a high bun. As mentioned, the showers provide conditioner but you can also bring your own to use if you’d like.
6. Stay Hydrated
Being in warm waters for an extended period of time can be dehydrating. So drink water before and after your dip. You can also get water at the Blue Lagoon as well.
7. Use Provided Skincare Products
Definitely take advantage of the complimentary silica mud masks! It’s a fun experience to do in the lagoon and it’s also beneficial for your skin. You’ll feel great after doing it.
8. Plan for Extra Time
As mentioned, you can easily spend 2 to 4 hours here. If you want to fully unwind and relax, as well as explore the facilities, then consider planning in extra time. If you also want to enjoy the restaurant or booked a special spa treatment, then plan in extra time for those as well.
9. Combine with Nearby Attractions
The Blue Lagoon is conveniently located near the Keflavík International Airport (KEF) where most travelers will land into. Because of its close location to the airport, stopping at the Blue Lagoon right after landing in or right before your flight out is a convenient addition to your itinerary. I had visited right after landing at KEF and it worked out perfectly before heading into Reykjavík to check-in and finish the day in the city.
Purchase your Blue Lagoon tickets using one of the widgets below:
Final Words: Absolutely Worth It!
The Blue Lagoon is a serene oasis where you can experience the rejuvenating powers of a geothermal pool. The surreal landscape and top-notch facilities make it a highlight in any Iceland itinerary. Hopefully my review will encourage you to visit the Blue Lagoon and experience its warm therapeutic waters and otherworldly atmosphere. Bon Voyage!
Have you been to the Blue Lagoon?
What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
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