There’s a good chance that The Blue Lagoon is probably one of the first things you think of when you picture Iceland, or at least the first thing people always mention! The iconic milky blue geothermal pool is not only the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland, but also one of the 25 Wonders of the World!
There’s a also a good chance you might have just read, or previously heard about what a big tourist attraction The Blue Lagoon is, but trust me, do not let that deter you from going and experiencing this incredible place! I’m usually not the type of girl to go anywhere touristy, or even relax for that matter, but I literally spent almost three hours in the Blue Lagoon, and would 100% go back in a heart beat!
Here’s what I experienced at the infamous Blue Lagoon, and some facts about it that are pretty interesting!
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What IS The Blue Lagoon?
Obviously it is a lagoon that is blue. Just kidding. Well, it really is blue, but the reason why it’s that milky light blue color (and warm) is because it comes from geothermal seawater that originates 2,000 meters beneath the surface, which then travels through porous lava, and finally becomes a blend of sea and fresh water that undergoes mineral exchange near the surface where concentration occurs.
The concentration process includes sedimentation, which mixes in the active ingredients; silica, minerals, and algae, which is what gives the Blue Lagoon its healing effect. The active elements have been researched and proven to have anti-aging effects, and also to help treat people with psoriasis!
The Blue Lagoon is now not only a famous site to see, but also a luxury resort and spa that you can spend the day at relaxing, or getting a massage!
What To Do at The Blue Lagoon
Besides going there to take awesome pictures and relax my poor painful over-traveled muscles in a geothermal pool, I was delighted to discover several other things that you can do at the Blue Lagoon. First of all, the Blue Lagoon is huge, so even if there are a lot of people in it, there’s still a ton of space for you to swim around, or sit down on one of the many rock ledges.
Swim Up Bar and Wifi
When I started exploring, I first found the in-lagoon swim up bar, which was awesome, because I not only got my cold glass of Chardonnay (I had this dream to drink naturally chilled wine while sitting in a warm pool in Iceland), but also a souvenir waterproof case for my iPhone so I could take pictures and FaceTime people from the lagoon, which was possible because they even had Wifi!
Silica Mud Mask Stations
I ventured further away from the buildings to get a view of the surrounding landscape, and discovered wooden stations with buckets of silica in them that people were putting all over their face and body. I had a field day playing with the mooshy clay-like mud, and was especially intrigued that there were just buckets of it that you can put on your face like a mask!
When I washed it off I watched how it mixed with the water and realized how thickly concentrated the water was with minerals, and how good it really must be for your skin!
Spa Services
I didn’t get to do any spa treatments since I spend all my money on traveling, but one of the main highlights of the Blue Lagoon is that it’s a luxury spa with in-water massages and skin treatments using its very own natural skincare products and ingredients.
There’s even a special area of the Blue Lagoon that’s roped off for the massage area so you don’t have to worry about other people interrupting your session! Although I didn’t get to get a massage, I did get to try some of their Blue Lagoon products which made my face baby-butt soft, and hopefully anti-aged!
When To Go
As fore mentioned…yes, a lot of tourists visit the Blue Lagoon. But that’s because it’s awesome and if you’re thinking of skipping it to skip the tourist crowds, than you’re going to be the one missing out! If you’re staying a few days in Iceland, plan to go on a week day, and later in the evening around 5pm when most of the tour groups have left.
If you only have a layover or a day or two in Iceland you can either take a Blue Lagoon day tour that picks you up from the airport (45minutes from KEF), takes you there, then brings you back, or stay a night at a nearby hotel like Hotel Keilir in Keflavik, and either take a taxi there or rent a car for the day so you can also explore other places.
Either way, visiting the Blue Lagoon is an absolute MUST if you go to Iceland, so make sure to pencil it into your already awesome itinerary!
Going end of September… wanna be my tour guide?
I’m not a tour guide, sorry!
Another great post Alyssa!
I’m heading to Iceland later this year and can’t wait!! Reading this makes me so excited to head to the Blue Lagoon – sometimes places are ‘touristy’ for a reason… They’re awesome 😉 haha
Would you say renting a car is the best way to explore Iceland? Seems to be the best way to avoid the crowds
As always with the butt pics looking for attention… You do love yourself.
Haters gunna hate! I do love myself you’re right, everyone should love themselves…why would you want anyone to not love themselves? That’s insane! Maybe you need to try loving yourself a little more, then you won’t be so negative and angry! SMILE! Life is awesome! <3
Hi Alyssa!
Your pictures look amazing and I can’t wait to go in February! I am a little bummed as we recently found out that all the morning tours are booked out and won’t be available till only 5pm. You mention here that that’s actually the best time to go! Do you see any lights still? Will my pictures still be instagram worthy? Haha!
Hi Natasha! I actually didn’t see any Northern Lights when I went, because I went in summer and it was 24 hours of sunlight!!! I think it might still be relatively dark in February so you might have a chance of seeing the lights…but that would mean not enough light to see the Blue Lagoon lol! Maybe it’ll still be light though, in that case, you’ll hopefully get the place all to yourself!
Love this! Went here 3 years ago and did splurge on the in-water massage. It was my first massage ever and now nothing can ever compare! I have really thick wavy hair that is impossible to brush on a good day, so the blue lagoon definitely did eff it up but it was worth it!
Def worth the hype! 🙂
Haha totally worth the week of bad hair days, right? Missing the Blue Lagoon right now!
TOTALLY WORTH IT right?!!? Glad you loved it as well!
What does the bottom of the lagoon feel like? Mushy? Rocky? Are water shoes a good idea?
Hi Lisa! No need for water shoes because the bottom feels like a smooth rock surface 🙂 It’s a really nice and relaxing experience!
Glad I read this…so many posts that I had read about the Lagoon were convincing me not to go. I’ll be there for a few days solo in October…now also thinking about renting a car for a day…thanks!!
Hi Janet! Yeah a lot of people say not to go because it’s “too touristy”, but obviously something awesome is going to have a lot of people wanting to see it! If you’re going solo I’d definitely suggest renting a car – I had so much fun (and freedom!!!) plus you can make a pitstop to the nearby “bridge between 2 continents!”!
Hi Alyssa!
Headed to Iceland in May and we’re trying to figure out the cheapest way to get to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik. Do you know if there’s a city bus that can take you, or are taxis or the coach busses our only options (outside of renting a car)? I’m having trouble finding a definite answer through online research and thought maybe you would have some advice!
Hi Jordan! There are definitely a ton of tours that take you from the airport to the Blue Lagoon for the day and back! There’s even some that will take you to the “bridge between two continents” that’s close by as well. I had a rental car and did it on my own to avoid the crowds, but it wasn’t too expensive to do that either!
Hey Alyssa! Loving your posts on Iceland. I went a year ago and loved it, and I’m just itching to go back. Your photos are so lovely! Do you use a mount? If so, what kind? Always looking for tips to step up my solo photography game! Thanks!
Thank you!!! Most of the time my “mount” is just my GoPro stick either shoved in some sand, balanced in my purse, or stuck on some other random object haha! I do the same thing with my phone with a timer, or if anything, I just ask someone! I actually did a whole post on best ways to take a solo travel selfie! LOL