Tips for visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Last Updated on March 18, 2024

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There are certain things every first time visitor to Iceland puts on the itinerary when planning a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. Golden Circle, exploring the South Coast with the famous black beach, seeing Northern Lights ( if you visit in the right season ) and of course the famous Blue Lagoon. This man made geothermal spa attracts visitors with its milky blue water full of good for your skin minerals and a promise of extreme relaxation. Even despite some criticism ( expensive, touristy, not natural ), I think it’s definitely worth a visit once, especially with some good Blue Lagoon tips, to get the most out of your experience.

What is Blue Lagoon ?

Even though volcanic Iceland has many natural hot springs to be found all over the country, Blue Lagoon is not one of them. It all started back in 1976, when a power plant was built in Svartsengi, some 20 minutes away from Keflavik. The water found underground was used to generate electricity. After it was done providing heat for the water system, the excess water ended up in a big pool we know today as the Blue Lagoon. I don’t think anyone predicted back then, that one day the waste water from the plant will turn into a big money making business.

Blue Lagoon is described by many as overpriced and touristy. No argument there, it’s definitely both. A visit even with the cheapest entry option and transfer will set you back about $100, and the place is mostly frequented by tourists. This doesn’t mean, that you shouldn’t put it on your Iceland itinerary. So is Blue Lagoon worth a visit? Yes, it is. Would I go again on my next trip to Iceland ? Very unlikely. I would probably opt for visiting some of the many natural hot springs around the country.

Blue Lagoon opening hours

Blue Lagoon is open every single day, but opening hours differ depending on time of the year.

• January-May – from 8 am – 8 pm

• June – from 8 am – 10 pm

• July-August – from 8 am – 11 pm

• September-October – from 8 am – 10 pm

• November-14 December – from 8 am – 9 pm

• 15 December-January – from 8 am – 10 pm

Tips for visiting Blue Lagoon

Pre-book your tickets

The steep entry price doesn’t seem to scare the visitors away. Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s top attractions and it’s estimated, that more than one million people visit it these days. Due the popularity of the place, pre-booking your tickets is strongly recommended. If you just show up at the door hoping to get in, you risk being turned away, as it’s often sold out.

Prices vary depending on the season, the day and time you visit, starting at $82 for the basic Comfort ticket. Another one of Blue Lagoon tips is to book far in advance: the earlier you book, the better prices you will find. So I highly recommend making your reservation as soon as you have your travel dates in order.

Book your Blue Lagoon tickets here

Skip the expensive packages

When booking your tickets, you can choose from 3 different packages; Comfort, Premium and Retreat Spa. Unless you plan on spending the entire day at Blue Lagoon and really pamper yourself, the Comfort package is more than enough. For most people ( myself included ) 3-4 hours is enough and I don’t think the extra mud mask, robe and slippers are worth the extra expense.

The basic Comfort ticket comes with a free drink at the swim up bar, a silica mask and a use of a towel. You can purchase additional drinks, but they shut you off at 3. This is easily controlled by charging everything to the electronic bracelet you receive when you arrive. Whatever you charge, you pay at the end before you leave. It’s a great system, as you don’t need to carry your cash/credit card. The same bracelet is used to operate your locker.

Visit first thing in the morning

Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular things to do in Iceland, so it does get crowded. If you’d like to avoid the biggest crowds, your best bet to do that, is to show up first thing in the morning when it opens at 8 am.

Stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way from or to the airport

Blue Lagoon’s location on the way from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik, makes it easy to visit on your way from or to the airport. If your flight arrives in the morning, it makes sense to head to Blue Lagoon first for a few hours before you can even check into your hotel. Your luggage can be stored for a small fee in the locker room.

Another idea is to visit the Blue Lagoon on the day you are leaving Iceland. If you have an afternoon/evening flight, it’s a great and relaxing way to spend the last few hours in Iceland. Especially since you are heading that way anyway.

If you don’t have a rental, Fly Bus Airport shuttle offers frequent transfers from Keflavik to Blue Lagoon. There’s no public transportation that can get you there, so this is your best option. You could take a taxi, but that is pretty pricey. You can book your Keflavik to Blue Lagoon transfer here.

NOTE: This is NOT the same bus that goes from Keflavik to Reykjavik. It’s the same provider, but a different bus. Some people are confused, assuming it’s one bus, that simply makes a stop at the Blue Lagoon.

If your base is Reykjavik and you want to make Blue Lagoon your day trip from there, you can simply book a round trip transfer. The bus leaves from BSI bus terminal and it takes about 50 minutes to get to Blue Lagoon. Book your transfer from Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon here.

For best deals on hotels in Reykjavik look here.

Bring a waterproof case for your phone

Unless your phone is waterproof or you plan on using your GoPro, be sure to use a waterproof case for your phone. Of course, these are available for purchase at Blue Lagoon, but like most things in Iceland, it’s expensive.

Take advantage of the free silica mask

One of the good minerals found in the water at Blue Lagoon is silica. It’s the white stuff, that they scrape from the bottom of the lagoon, and literally fill buckets with it. It’s included in the price of the ticket, so make sure to stop at the Silica mask bar and take advantage of it.

Slather your hair with hair conditioning

The silica in the water does wonders for your skin, but can be tough on your hair. One of the best Blue Lagoon tips I got was to keep your hair out of the water and slather lots of the supplied conditioner. This will help prevent your hair from turning into an unmanageable mess.

Wear a bathing suit you don’t care about

Similar to your hair, your bathing suit might suffer a bit in the silica and sulfur rich water, so leave your favorite bathing suit at home. It’s also suggested, that you rinse your bathing suit with cold water and soap right after.

Do not buy bottled water

Not at Blue Lagoon, nor anywhere else in Iceland. The country is famous for some of the purest water in the world, so there’s no bigger money waster than buying bottled water in Iceland. Bring an empty bottle and fill it with tap water.

Is Blue Lagoon worth a visit ?

Absolutely! It’s an amazing way to spend a few hours and relax in beautiful surroundings. The water is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, that are extremely good for your skin. Especially those suffering from different skin conditions can benefit from a good soak at the Blue Lagoon. Having said that, I think it’s the type of thing you do once. Next time, I definitely want to visit more of the natural hot springs scattered around Iceland, like the one below.

READ MORE:

• Top Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland
• Exploring the South Coast of Iceland
• Golden Circle in Island – all the main stops along the way

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