Iceland’s most famous attraction is well worth seeing despite the overload of recent tourists and a waiting list to enter. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is the country’s most famous hot spring and it is easily accessible from Keflavik Airport as well as Reykjavik city center.
But what is the Blue Lagoon? Is it really unnatural as they say? Is it made from volcanic energy? What are the rules for entering the lagoon?
Here’s what we found out.
What is the Blue Lagoon?
In two words, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a Geothermal Spa. Despite its reputation for being ‘natural’, the lagoon is actually man-made.
The water is supplied from nearby geothermal power plant, Svartsengi and contains sulfur and silica giving the lagoon its healing reputation.
The combination of minerals in the water is said to help people with skin ailments such as psoriasis. There are silica pots dotted all over the lagoon offering visitors an all-natural skin mask. The silicate minerals create the lagoon’s milky blue shade.
The temperature of the water lagoon averages 37–39 °C (99–102 °F) making it a steamy dream in Iceland’s cold climate. There are steam vents dotted around allowing visitors to enjoy a sulfuric steam facial.
Where is the Blue Lagoon?
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is located in an area called Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula which is in southwestern Iceland.
Tourists often visit the lagoon while traveling to Keflavík International Airport which is approximately 20km (12 miles) away. Reykjavik City Centre is around 39 km (24 miles) away.
Transport to the Blue Lagoon and Entry Costs
Need to know
- You are given a wrist band on arrival which confirms your entry. This is also a magnetic key for your locker.
- Children under the age of 9 years old are only allowed entry with armbands, which are provided free of charge.
- Children under the age of 2 years old are not permitted to enter.
- The changing rooms are huge with ample room for the amount of visitors.
- Iceland have a strict hygiene code and even have ‘shower police’ to ensure everybody showers before entering public bathing areas.
- Once you are in the lagoon, you are not timed and can stay as long as you wish.
- Like some spas, the mud masks are not at the bottom of the water, there are wooden pots and spoons on the edge of the lagoon containing silica.
- If you have long hair and get it wet, it becomes very tangled!
- There are free bottles of mineral-rich shampoo and conditioner in all showers.
- The restaurant is notoriously expensive
Fun facts
- Icelandic translation is Bláa lónið
- The lagoon has a waterfall.
- To keep the water fresh in the swimming and bathing areas, it is renewed every two days.
- After going through electricity-generating turbines, water heated by a lava flow is used to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. This water is then dropped in to the Blue Lagoon for bathers to enjoy.
- There is a research and development facility at the Blue Lagoon for skin ailments using the mineral-rich water for testing.
Book a Blue Lagoon trip
We booked our Blue Lagoon trip with
- Most external agencies only offer transport while the Lagoon itself charge the entrance fee
- Book Reykjavik Excursions round trip here
- Book Grayline Blue Lagoon and Airport transfers here
- Book with Viator here
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