Iceland’s world-famous Blue Lagoon is one of the major draws to this volcanic island – and for good reason. Considered one of the 25 Wonders of the World, and truly an otherworldly sight to behold, the Blue Lagoon is regularly top of every tourist’s Iceland bucket list.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Iceland more than 10 times now, and on each and every visit, I’ve managed to include a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Sometimes I’ve just seen the Blue Lagoon as a day visitor, but I’ve also enjoyed several stays at its on-site hotels, Silica and the ultra-luxury Retreat at Blue Lagoon.
This guide will focus on visiting Blue Lagoon for the day and will hopefully cover everything you need to know to plan a trip there!
History and Background of the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon’s unique properties were first discovered in the early 1980s when local residents began to bathe in the warm blue reservoir that had formed in the lava field beside the Svartsengi Resource Park.
But it wasn’t until later in 1987 that a doctor from Reykjavík called Grímur Sæmundsen began an intense scientific study of the water’s properties. He then launched Blue Lagoon Limited in 1992, dedicated to the research of the water’s primary elements: silica, algae, and minerals.
By 1995, he was armed with a wealth of research confirming the healing, nourishing benefits of the geothermal seawater for a variety of skin conditions, particularly psoriasis. He then launched a renowned line of skin care to target these conditions. Then later in 1999 he opened the Blue Lagoon as a modern-day spa facility and, in 2005, a clinic hotel (called Silica Hotel) for the treatment of psoriasis.
If you speak to older locals, they’ll have fond memories of coming to the Blue Lagoon in its early days, when the changing room was simply a hut by the water’s edge!
Essential Information: Planning your visit to Blue Lagoon
Where is the Blue Lagoon?
The famous Blue Lagoon is located in South West Iceland on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is actually closer to Keflavik Airport then Reykjavík, and is located on the edge of a small town called Grindavik. In fact, the Blue Lagoon is around a 45 minute drive (31 miles/50km) from Iceland’s capital city, but just 20 minutes from the airport. So incredibly, visiting the Blue Lagoon on an airport layover is possible and there are lots of tours offering this.
You could also visit the Blue Lagoon with your luggage on your way to the airport too, since there is baggage storage.
How do I get there?
If you’ve hired a car to explore Iceland, then definitely drive to the Blue Lagoon. Parking is free and plentiful.
However, there are also regular scheduled shuttle buses and tours running to Blue Lagoon every day. In fact, and as you’d expect for such a popular attraction, it is very straight-forward to get to the Blue Lagoon.
You can book your one-way transfer from Reykjavík or Keflavik airport here, from USD 31/£23 per person. Or a round-trip bus transfer to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík (from USD 54/£41 per person)
Bus transfers run to and from the airport, as well as Reykjavík city centre. So you could easily land at the airport, bus to the Blue Lagoon and bus onwards to the city (or vice versa).
Otherwise, another way to visit is an organised tour. I’ve popped a few suggestions here:
- From Reykjavík: Blue Lagoon Entry with Round-Trip Transfers (from USD 171/£130 per person)
- From Reykjavík: Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Tour with Transfers (from USD 134/£102 per person)
- From Reykjavík: Volcanoes and Blue Lagoon Day Trip Reykjavík (from USD 241/£184 per person)
- From Reykjavík: Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes Peninsula Tour Reykjavík (from USD 346/£264 per person)
How much is entry?
There are several different entry packages ranging from Comfort to Signature. I’ve summarised these here but do check this page for the very latest, as they do tend to update their offering and prices. The prices also increase slightly depending on which time slot of the day you select.
Comfort (from ISK 11,490/USD 90/£69)
- Includes: Entrance to the Blue Lagoon, use of a towel, a Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar and a 1st drink of choice in the in-water bar
Premium (from ISK 14,490/USD 114/£87)
- Includes: Entrance to the Blue Lagoon, use of a towel and bathrobe, a Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar, plus two additional masks of choice, and two drinks of choice in the in-water bar.
Signature (from ISK 17,990/USD 141/£108)
- Includes: Entrance to the Blue Lagoon, use of a towel and bathrobe, a Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar, plus two additional masks of choice, and two drinks of choice in the in-water bar. This package also includes two 30ml masks to take home – the Silica Mud Mask and the Mineral Mud Mask).
Pre-booking is essential. Don’t arrive on the day and expect to get in.
Also, worth nothing that children 13 and under can enter for free!
How long should I visit for?
I think at a minimum, you should plan for 2-3 hours of soaking and exploring the corners of the lagoon. However, I would definitely maximise my stay with a meal and a treatment, and therefore, I could easily spend upwards of 6-7 hours at the Blue Lagoon.
Tickets don’t have a time limit, so if you visit independently, you can spend as long as you like.
What is there to do inside the Blue Lagoon?
Other than luxuriating in the magical, milky waters, there is also a sauna, steam room, steam cave, massage waterfall and the mask bar.
The lagoon itself is split into different settings, including a quiet zone with a no phone rule.
And then of course, there’s the option to upgrade your visit with one of the in-water massage experiences, or group floating where you can experience complete relaxation (ISK 5,900/USD 46/£35).
When is the best time to visit?
Honestly, there’s something beautiful in each and every season.
Summer means warmer weather and even the chance to enjoy the midnight sun if you visit in June.
Winter means far cooler temperatures, and unpredictable weather conditions, but also the chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) whilst bathing in the lagoon.
I’ve visited in almost every month. The only time it was less enjoyable was during a February visit when it was bitterly cold, with a strong sharp wind that whipped my face. I found a cosy corner within the lagoon and still made the most of it.
In terms of timing, again, it really offers something different depending on what you’re looking for.
Going in the early morning will mean a more tranquil experience and less crowds. And since there’s no limit on how long you spend in the water, you could luxuriate for hours. However, going in the evening can be very soothing after a long day exploring, and you can experience the Blue Lagoon in both light and darkness.
What should I take?
For entering the water, you need swimwear. All ticket types include a towel, and some packages also include a bathrobe and flip flops.
If you visit in the summer months, I strongly recommend sunscreen and sunglasses. And if you visit in the winter, I recommend a woolly headband or a woolly hat. If the wind picks up, your ears will get very cold!
Otherwise, everything else can be stored in one of the Blue Lagoon lockers.
You’re also given a wristband on arrival which acts as a your locker key and your form of payment for buying drinks in the lagoon. There are also freshwater drinking taps throughout the lagoon so you can stay hydrated too.
I also recommend putting your phone in a waterproof cover if you plan on taking it in the lagoon. There aren’t many safe places to put it down and the surrounding lava rock is very wet and slippery.
Can I arrange spa treatments?
So as just mentioned above, you can definitely upgrade your visit with a treatment. I’ve personally enjoyed both the in-water massage and solo float therapy – both of which were incredible and unlike anything I’ve experienced before. There are few weightless therapies such as this in the world. I completely embraced this experience surrounded by the magical lava rock and being suspended in the silica-rich waters. Magical!
These treatments take place in a separate, sealed off lagoon area to the side of the main lagoon. It is reserved just for those enjoying treatments.
To give you an idea of prices, a 30 minute in-water massage is ISK 20,900/USD 164/£125 and 60 minutes is ISK 28,900/USD 227/£173.
Solo float therapy is a 45 minute experience and is ISK 25,900/USD 203/£155. Find out more on all the options here.
Other useful tips
- Water temperature: The milky waters of the Blue Lagoon are around 98-104°F (37-40°C). If you swim near certain areas (especially near the vents), you’ll definitely find hot patches too.
- Depth: The Blue Lagoon is around 4ft (1.2m) deep throughout, so most people can walk around comfortably.
- Kids: The minimum age to visit the Blue Lagoon is two years old, and all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Visiting pregnant: It is considered safe to bathe in the Blue Lagoon’s waters if you’re pregnant as the temperature is like a warm bathe, but if you’re unsure, you should consult your doctor.
- Hair: Keep your hair out of the water, if you can. The silica content in the water will be dry out and damage hair. They also provide tons of BL conditioner so you can lather your hair in that too ahead of entering the water. But the silica water is not for swimming in or for submerging. It’s just for bathing! After my first visit to Blue Lagoon (where I did allow my hair to get wet), I rescued it with an overnight coconut oil mask and it was all good again.
- Luggage storage: As mentioned above, you can store luggage at the specific bag storage area.
- Food and drink: There are several options, from the casual Blue Cafe to the fine dining restaurant, Lava restaurant. If budget and time permits, I 100% recommend planning to eat at Lava.
Dining at Lava Restaurant
If I can make one recommendation, I would definitely suggest planning a visit to the Lava Restaurant as part of your day at the Blue Lagoon.
Not only is its setting absolutely incredible, surrounded by towering lava cliffs on two sides and the milky geothermal waters, but the menu is excellent. The food is here is absolutely delicious.
The arctic char starter is one of the most best things I’ve ever eaten, and the lamb fillet main is always excellent.
To add to the experience, guests are welcome to dine in here in their Blue Lagoon gowns until 3pm too. After this, you will have to change.
Retreat Spa
If all of the above sounded great, but you wanted something really special, why not consider a spa day in the Retreat Spa? This is the private spa area within the ultra-luxury Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Whilst an overnight stay at this incredible hotel is rather expensive (starting from £1,300 per night), a day visit to the Retreat Spa could be slightly more feasible.
There are two options here – to have access for 5 hours at ISK 79,000/USD 620/£474 per changing room (good for two people). Or, full-day admission (ISK 159,000/USD 1,248/£954 per changing room), where you can enjoy the Retreat Spa from 8am to 8pm, with flexible arrival and departure times.
Both options include: a private changing room, complimentary Blue Lagoon Skincare amenities, access to the Retreat Lagoon and the Retreat Spa, as well as access to the Blue Lagoon Ritual and the Spa Restaurant. It also includes access to the main lagoon area of the Blue Lagoon – so you can still experience that too.
Make sure to read my complete guide to The Retreat here.
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon?
Since the Sky Lagoon opened in 2021, most travellers have to decide which of the two to visit (unless you do both!)
Whilst both are man-made geothermal baths, they are distinctly different.
Sky Lagoon is closer to Reykjavík, the capital city, and might be easier to squeeze into busy Iceland itineraries. It also has a minimum age of 12+, meaning it is geared more towards adults. It offers a wellness experience, called the Skjól Ritual, but you can only pass through its stages once during your visit. Overall, Sky Lagoon’s entry level package is more expensive than Blue Lagoon’s standard entry.
Blue Lagoon, which has been open a lot longer (since 1992) has continued to upgrade its facilities and offering, and together with its dining and spa treatments, offerings more of a full day out.
I’ve been to both, and although I loved my visit to the Sky Lagoon, I personally prefer the Blue Lagoon overall. Read my detailed guide to the Sky Lagoon here!
Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
So there you have my guide to visiting the incredible Blue Lagoon. Hopefully that’s covered everything you need to know to plan a visit to this incredible attraction. I highly recommend and think it should be included on any trip to Iceland.
If you want to upgrade your visit to the Blue Lagoon, then do make sure to check out my review of the incredible Retreat at Blue Lagoon here.
For other useful Iceland guides, make sure to check out my guide to hiring a car in Iceland here, as well as the best day trips from Reykjavík here.
Feel free to ask any further questions below if there’s something I haven’t covered. I’d love if you shared this post on any of the below links!
Disclaimer: My visits to the Blue Lagoon Iceland are a mixture of independent visits paid for by myself, and some have been hosted visits. However, as always, my reviews are entirely honest and my own.
