The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. Bathing there is considered to have regenerative qualities because the water is rich in silica and sulphur. The lagoon is surrounded by a stunning volcanic landscape offering beautiful views while soaking in the milky blue waters.
The beneficial powers of geothermal seawater were first discovered in the early 1980s when local residents began to bathe in the serene blue lagoon that had formed in the lava field beside the Svartsengi Geothermal Resource Park. The Blue Lagoon’s water isn’t merely the power plant’s backwash as it is rich in minerals and runs at a constant temperature ideal for bathing.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is often described as in Reykjavik but it is actually located a good 45 minute drive from the capital just outside of Grindavík. The Blue Lagoon is nearer to the airport, being just a 20 minute drive from Keflavik. Given its close proximity to the airport, I would recommend planning a visit to the Blue Lagoon either at the start or at the end of your Iceland itinerary. If you’re staying in Reykjavik, the best way to get to the Blue Lagoon is by rental car or by taking one of the shuttle buses such as the official transport partner, Destination Blue Lagoon.
Since the nearby volcanic eruption in November 2024 the main access road has been closed with a short diversion in operation due to the lava flows. During our visit in January 2025 the car park was still only partially open but there was ample parking available.
When to visit:
The Blue Lagoon is open all year round and as the water is maintained at a constant temperature of between 37-40 degrees centigrade regardless of the time of year the only difference will be the length of day and amount of sunlight. The water’s milky blue colour is a result of the way that silica reflects the sunlight.
Luggage Storage:
As the Blue Lagoon is situated quite close to the airport and many visitors choose to visit as a pre or post flight excursion, luggage storage for large items is available within the main car park for a small charge ISK550 (approximately £3 per bag).
Tickets
Access to the Blue Lagoon is only available with a pre-booked ticket and I recommend booking well in advance because of the limited daily capacity. We had selected an 11.00 a.m. arrival slot on a Sunday morning which allowed entry for one hour. Once inside, visitors are permitted to remain at the Blue Lagoon as long as they wish. For this reason, I suggest reserving a morning slot when it is likely to be less crowded. There are three ticket packages available Comfort, Premium and Signature. with Comfort including one drink of your choice, the use of towels and lockers, a face mask and unlimited access to the Blue Lagoon, sauna and steam room.
Our Premium package included all of the above plus a bathrobe, a second drink and two additional face masks. The top level Signature package is similar to the premium offering except that it also includes a selection of Blue Lagoon toiletries to take home. More details can be found here.
The Blue Lagoon experience
After checking in, each guest is provided with a wristband which can be used to secure the lockers, collect the free drinks within the chosen package and pay for any extras. The changing rooms are divided into different sections creating a cosier feel. Lockers are of a generous size enabling medium sized backpacks and clothes to be stored with ease. After closing the locker we just needed to tap with our wristbands to lock and unlock it. Showering is mandatory before entering the lagoon and as our package included bathrobes we popped these over our swimwear when we ventured outdoors.
There are literally only a few steps to walk between the changing rooms and the pool, with wardrobes for storing the bathrobes. Even though we were visiting in January I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn’t feel cold at all before we got into the water as the surrounding area was warmed by the rising steam from the water. For those people who really can’t face the thought of being semi-naked outdoors in winter then it is also possible to gain access to the water directly from inside the building. Some people wore flip flops to go outdoors but as it was such a short distance and there were mats underfoot, I didn’t think this was necessary.
It is recommended to apply conditioner before entering the water and to try not to get your hair wet whilst in the lagoon as the silica has a drying effect leaving the hair feeling like straw for a day or two afterwards. It was also recommended to remove jewellery because it may tarnish but I left my rings on and there were no signs of damage.
On stepping into the lagoon it felt luxuriously warm and comfortable with the water designed for leisurely bathing rather than swimming. The water depth varies in places and although I read a sign that said the maximum depth was 4’7”, I had no difficulty standing up at my petite height of 5’1” anywhere I walked. The water temperature differs slightly around the lagoon but even with my shoulders out of the water I always felt nice and warm.
The pool was much bigger than I had anticipated and apart from the area around the swim-up bar and the face mask kiosk it was very quiet. Our premium tickets enabled us to have two drinks and on offer were beers, wine, soft drinks and smoothies. We both opted for glasses of red wine and moved to the edge of the lagoon to sip them so we could put them down when we wished.
Located on the other side of the lagoon was where we obtained our face mask scoops. We both opted for different ones and left these on for around 10 minutes before rinsing them off in the pool. Lots of people were carrying phones around in the water, most of them without using protective waterproof cases. Rather than risking dropping our own phones into the milky blue water we left them safely in the changing room lockers just getting one out to take some photos from the bank.
After we’d luxuriated for quite awhile in the warm water of the lagoon we decided to make our way round to experience the sauna and steam room facilities which were both of a good size with ample space for everyone. We then showered using the complimentary Blue Lagoon products and when we were ready, checked out with our wristbands. If other purchases had been made, e.g. snacks and additional drinks then these would have needed to be settled before the barrier opened.
How long to spend at the Blue Lagoon
I would suggest allowing between 3 – 4 hours as it’s so relaxing and not a place that you would want to rush through. If you are planning on dining in the restaurant and/or treating yourself to a spa treatment then you would probably need longer than this.
Points of interest nearby
Brimketill
Brimketill is a small, naturally carved pool at the lava shore edge west of the town of Grindavík. The viewing platform overlooking the Brimketill lava field is just a short walk from the car park along a well maintained boardwalk. It’s a great place to witness the huge waves crashing into the shore.
Gunnuhver hot spring
The hot spring is located close to the iconic Reykjanes lighthouse and is home to one of Iceland´s largest mud pools extending to 20m.
This geothermal area of lava fields and active mud pools is extremely interesting to observe as the boiling steam vents are practically beneath your feet.
Bridge between continents
Imagine a place where you can stroll from Europe to North America in just a few steps. The Bridge between Continents at Sandvik offers precisely this experience. This bridge is renowned for its unique geographical significance.
It’s one of the few places where visitors can visually observe and physically experience the separation of Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This bridge spans a fissure, offering a clear view of the diverging plate margin. Walking across this bridge basically means stepping from one continent to the other.
As we strolled across, we noticed plaques marking the border between the two plates welcoming you to “Europe” or “North America.” As this unique structure allows visitors to walk between two continents I consider this short detour to be a ‘must see’ sight if travelling by car on your way back to the airport.
This concluded our lovely weekend in Reykjavik so we then returned the hire car to the airport ahead of our flight back home. I hope you have found my three part travel guide useful in planning a visit yourselves.
Our weekend was supported by Visit Reykjavik and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Love Travelling Blog 
Leave a comment