Trip to The
Blue Lagoon in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland – Arguably the most popular destination for every traveler that visits the land of Fire and Ice…

While nothing may be more ‘popular’ than the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, I’d say it would be a shame not to miss it. However, that is exactly what I did… on my first trip to Iceland nearly 4 years ago. Why you ask? Well, having already planned on seeing Iceland’s other, popular geothermal pool at Lake Myvatn, I decided the Blue Lagoon may be just too crowded and too overpriced. Could this be true? Am I crazy?

Trip to The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon entrance… Sophisticated, modern architecture surrounding the lagoon area.

Amazingly, when people think of Iceland and traveling to this amazing country, somehow, nearly everyone first conjures up images of the Blue Lagoon. They have it at the top of their list on places they want to travel to. Sometimes, it’s the only thing they even know about Iceland and what it has to offer (yes, I know… that’s bordering on pure craziness). But could you blame them for wanting this to be their main tourist destination? If you only had one or two days in Iceland, I’d say this place should be at the top of your list! For someone who very candidly boycotted the experience on my first trip to Iceland, I decided to give the Blue Lagoon a second chance on this last trip… and here’s why…

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland was essentially formed over the years after construction for a power plant began back in the 1970’s. After having noticed the beneficial effects on the skin of those who decided to bathe in its waters, it started to catch up with locals as a normal part of their weekly routine to swim there. As the years past and word spread of its healing powers and relaxing effects, it starting to bring in tourists. This was especially due to the fact that the Blue Lagoon is only about a 20 minute drive to the international airport in Keflavik. In fact, it’s only a 50 minute drive to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and only true city. So it’s extremely close and accessible to travelers on a short Iceland stay-over.

 One of many bridges within the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool area

Today the Blue Lagoon stands as the one place more tourists have decided to visit than any other while in Iceland. And, after having finally gone myself, I couldn’t blame them… Simply put, this place is awesome! As a word of advice, I’d highly recommend booking your tickets in advance and also trying to go as soon as it opens in the early morning hours. This is exactly what we did and I was very glad to have done so. We arrived right at 10am when it first opened (Spring time hours). Though in the Summer months, you can beat even more crowds by arriving as early as 8am. And trust me, after about the first or second hour of its opening, it will be shoulder to shoulder in many areas. So why not arrive early and have the place to yourself… it’ll add to the experience tremendously!

I give the owners and staff credit too as they have really learned how to organize the place to handle the influx of thousands of tourists everyday. After you check in at the front, you’ll be given a bracelet that has an electronic device to your locker. Most will slip right off your wrist so having a handy pocket or something to help tie it to will help since the waters of the Blue Lagoon are way too murky to retrieve anything that comes off while swimming.

So while the locker and shower areas are very coordinated, so is the area to enter the pool…. For those not wanting to brave the cold, windy weather, you can simply enter the indoor pool then pass through a small doorway that leads to the outer pool. You can also conveniently leave your robe or towel on the dozens of hooks nearby. However, good luck trying to find yours once the rest of the crowds arrive!

Highlighting a few of the things we really enjoyed while in the Blue Lagoon: This included swimming through the small grotto area, covering our face with silica mud (they sell it too in their spa shop), spending time in the ‘hot tub’ area and swimming underneath the fountain/waterfall areas. If you want even more of a unique experience, swim over to the volcanic rocks on the far end of the Blue Lagoon… it can be a great place to chill and escape the crowds.

The Blue Lagoon’s ‘grotto’

The Blue Lagoon’s hot tub and waterfall area

And if all that isn’t enough to keep you occupied, there’s even a swim up bar for those wanting to indulge in a cold one while enjoying the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. After all, at what other time could you ever say you drank a beer while swimming in volcanic, geothermal water? But this wasn’t an experience we wanted that day, after already feeling a bit dehydrated while swimming in 37–39 °C (99–102 °F) degree water, I didn’t need anything else contributing to my light headedness that morning! Usually you’ll want to take a break from the water every 15-30 minutes to cool down.

Would you be one of those crowding the bar? This is the Blue Lagoon’s ‘swim up bar’ off to the left. Within an hour of taking this photo, there was a huge cue of people lined up waiting for their next drink! Nothing like having to stand in a 20 minute line for a cold beer at 11am!

So after having experienced both the geothermal pools in both Lake Myvatn and now in the Blue Lagoon, would I say that one is far superior than the other? There’s no question that the Blue Lagoon has much more to offer to add to your experience. But keep in mind of course, it will always be very very crowded. That being said, I would definitely say it is not a place to miss while in Iceland and everyone should at least experience it at least once. Especially since it is so quick and easy to reach from the city and airport. And yes, it is entirely worth the fee charged to enter the lagoon… you will leave feeling relaxed and fulfilled for the rest of your Iceland travels… I can’t wait to go back!

On a side note, I was privy to some inside information about a special, secret place close to there. It was told to me by one of the locals in Grindavik, the town close by to the Blue Lagoon. If you’ve made it this far in the article and want to know about it, you’ve earned the right to know so send me a message!

For more information on opening hours, directions and entrance fees, check out the Blue Lagoon’s website

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