In
2012, the Blue Lagoon was named one of the 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.
The Blue Lagoon (Isl.: Bláa Lónið) is a geothermal SPA on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. It is perhaps the most popular attraction in Iceland, drawing people from all over the world.
History of Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon’s origins are inextricably linked to a certain Icelander – Valur Margeirsson. When, during the construction of a geothermal plant near Mount Svartsengi on the Rykjanes Peninsula, a small lake with azure water appeared in the nearby lava, he was the one who decided to bathe in it first. Importantly, the man suffered from psoriasis. So he saw in the geothermal bath a chance not only to relax, but also to help cure his ailment.
Soon both Valur and other residents of the area began to notice the extraordinary healing properties of the azure waters. News of them spread very quickly. In 1987, the first bathing facilities were officially opened. Today, Blue Lagoon is a luxury spa with the impressive Silica and Retreat hotels, the magnificent Lava Restaurant and the Blue Café. There are also saunas, steam rooms and a small waterfall on site.
In
2012, the Blue Lagoon was named one of the 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.
Healing water in Blue Lagoon
The water in the lagoon is rich in silica, sulfur, algae and mineral salts. The silica combines with geothermal seawater in volcanic aquifers deep underground. When the superheated water reaches the surface and cools, the silica particles are released, becoming white mud – one of Blue Lagoon’s signature features.
Bláa Lónið algae are microorganisms characteristic of geothermal seawater. Patented in 2006, they are cultivated and harvested using sustainable methods at the research center. Mineral salt and a range of other minerals complement the water’s unique composition and contribute to its amazing effectiveness as a source of healing and rejuvenation.
B
lue Lagoon’s silica lye is available for free … on the sides of the pool. Guests usually make therapeutic facial and full-body masks from it. The temperature in the bathing area is very pleasant, averaging 37-39 ºC / 99-102 ºF.
Scenic surroundings of the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is famous not only for the healing properties of its waters, but also for its exceptionally picturesque surroundings. Surrounded by an abundance of fantastic volcanic landscapes, it provides a romantic atmosphere conducive to relaxation.
Also noteworthy is the architecture of the buildings, reminiscent of Icelandic nature. Winding corridors reminiscent of lava formations, walkways built into the natural landscape, basalt high windows and minimalist austere forms complete the effect of uniqueness and emphasize respect for the earth.
Blue Lagoon – practical information
- Blue Lagoon is open all year round.
- Because of the limited number of guests it can accommodate, it’s worth booking tickets even a few months in advance during peak season.
- The Blue Lagoon is just a 10-minute drive from Grindavik town, 15 minutes from Keflavík airport and about 30 minutes by car from Reykjavík. Access – a bus transfer from Reykjavík or Keflavík – can also be arranged by purchasing entrance tickets online: at Blue Lagoon – admission and transfers
- Before entering, for a fee, you can rent flip-flops and a bathrobe; towel rental is included in the ticket price.
- On the resort grounds you can also buy cosmetics based on specific minerals from the Blue Lagoon.
- Children under the age of 2 are not allowed into the pools
To avoid the commute, you can spend the night at one of the resort’s hotels. Both are top quality and offer many additional benefits (including self-admission to the main part of the Blue Lagoon and to the separate ‘private’ lagoons).
Prices for a stay at the hotel Silica in the off-season start at around $600 for a double room (26 m2, breakfast included 🙂 👏), and at the hotel Retreat at around $1,500 (40 m2 suite, 2 people) per night.
Please remember that the prices – however high – include not only the accommodation in a beautiful place, but also premium packages of treatments and services unavailable to other Blue Lagoon customers.
Blue Lagoon admission costs (2023)
To enjoy the benefits of the Blue Lagoon, you must purchase one of two packages. Admission to the Blue Lagoon has become quite expensive in 2023, and the costs of the respective packages are as follows:
- The Comfort Package includes:
– entrance to the Blue Lagoon,
– silica mud mask,
– towel use,
– free drink,
– bus transfer from/to the BSI Terminal in central Reykjavik (or directly from your hotel for a small surcharge);
-> book your Blue Lagoon Comfort Package with transfer ($145 pp) - The Premium Package includes:
– everything as the Comfort Package,
– another mask of your choice,
– bathrobe use,
– table reservation at Lava Restaurant,
– 1 glass of sparkling wine when dining at Lava Restaurant,
– bus transfer from/to the BSI Terminal in central Reykjavik (or directly from your hotel for a small surcharge);
-> book your Blue Lagoon Premium Package ($160 pp)
Photos from the Blue Lagoon
Other attractions near Bláa Lónið
The Blue Lagoon complex lies on the very seismically active Reykjanes peninsula. As a result, we can see several other very interesting places near it. I described them in more detail in an article about the nearby town – Grindavik. Here they are:
- the Krýsuvík geothermal zone and Skátalaug hot spring, located on Route 42 leading to Reykjavik;
- Keilir volcano and the beautiful Lambafellsgjá rift, which can be reached via a smaller road off road 41;
- the Hafnarberg cliffs and the “Bridge between Europe and America” lying on road 425;
Alternative hot springs and pools in southern Iceland
The healing properties of the water and minerals from the Blue Lagoon are exceptional – there’s no other place like it.
But there is a plethora of hot pools, springs and SPAs all around the island. You won’t find a larger complex, but the choices for places more down-to-earth or more posh, focused more on swimming vs those that focus on skin treatments and relaxation – or are just fun for kids are near-endless. There’s also a wide selection of natural hot pools that offer only the hot water and wild landscapes… See all of them in our complete guide here: ALL the Hot Pools, SPAs and Swimming Pools of Iceland [a Complete Guide with a Top 10 List].
But you don’t have to travel all around the island to find interesting alternatives to Blue Lagoon. In close proximity to Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon you can find some really noteworthy alternatives to this resort. The ones certainly worth visiting include:
- Hot River Reykjadalur
is an absolutely unique place, although in a different way than Blaktina Lagoon. The river, or rather, the large mountain stream Reykjadalur flows in a suspended mountain valley, and “just” all of it is hot… Platforms have been built here, there is plenty of grass, the whole place is absolutely worth a visit – perhaps even more unique on a global scale than the Blue Lagoon itself. You can read more in this description: Reykjadalur – hot bath in a mountain stream. - Krauma SPA
This spa is a bit farther from Reykjavik – about 100 km north – but is located in an area with many attractions. It’s worth going there for a full day, visiting the largest cave in Iceland, seeing some unique waterfalls and the highest hot spring that supplies energy to the entire area. And we can end such a trip right in Krauma – it’s a cheaper and smaller, but very elegant spa in the Reykholt region You can read more about Krauma here: Krauma – natural geothermal spa. - Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is the latest exclusive spa to open in spring 2021 in southern Reykjavik (formally just outside the city limits). Beautifully located and designed, it is aimed at those seeking an elegant and tranquil spa, even if the price of admission is rather high. - Laugarvatn Fontana on Road 37
is an intimate but very nice hot pool center that also offers a demonstration of a traditional form of hot earth bread baking (see a broader description of this place in this article: Laugarvatn Fontana – hot pools, baths and bakery in one. - The Secret Lagoon (Isl.: Gamla Laugin; literally: Old Lagoon) in Fludir
is a fairly simple hot pool, but surrounded by a garland of interesting hot vents with temperatures of 100 ºC; you can find my description of Gamla Laugin here: Secret lagoon in Fludir – the oldest pool in Iceland. - Skatalaug
is a very simple hot spring just off Highway 42; it’s no spa, there aren’t even changing rooms, but it offers raw contact with Iceland’s magnificent nature completely free of charge; you can read about it in the article on Grindavik: Grindavik – a charming town near the Blue Lagoon. - Reykjavik pools
primarily Nautholsvik beach and Laugardalslaug and Sundhollin pools. At Nautholsvik, you’ll find a rather unusual pond right on the ocean’s edge and next to a beautiful city beach. Laugardalslaug, on the other hand, is perhaps the most family-oriented of the pools on this short list – offering multiple slides and a mini playground for children. See wider descriptions in the article Reykjavik Pools.
