The Blue Lagoon is one of the most notable tourist attractions in Iceland so we wanted to make time to visit while there to see if the hype was worth it. In this post we’ll share info on getting tickets for the Blue Lagoon Iceland, how to get there, what the dining & accommodation options are and how the overall experience is!
Tickets for the Blue Lagoon Iceland
There are different packages you can purchase for the Blue Lagoon but we highly recommend booking in advance, as some days can sell out. There are 3 tickets for the Blue Lagoon Iceland available when you book a day visit. We purchased the Comfort Ticket, which is the most basic. You can also choose Premium or even Luxury (if you’re looking for more spa treatments). Check out the link here to reserve your tickets: Visiting the Blue Lagoon.
Comfort Ticket: $53
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica Mud Mask
- Use of towel
- 1 included drink of choice
Premium Ticket: $68
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica Mud Mask
- 2 Additional masks of choice
- Use of towel
- 1 included drink of choice
- Slippers & bathrobe
- Glass of sparkling wine (if dining at Lava Restaurant)
Luxury Retreat Spa: $448
- Five hours at the Retreat Spa
- Private changing suite
- Unlimited access to both the Retreat Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is actually closer to the Keflavik Airport than it is to downtown Reykjavik. It is not accessible by public transportation so we recommend using your rental car to get there or booking bus tickets in advance. The company Airport Direct offers one way or round trip transfers from the airport or the city center to the Blue Lagoon. It costs ~$54 for a round trip ticket. There is free parking onsite at the Blue Lagoon if you have a rental car. It’s about 40 minutes from Reykjavik, and only 20 minutes from the airport. We found it personally easiest to make the Blue Lagoon the last stop of our trip due to its proximity to the airport.
Locker Rooms at the Blue Lagoon
The locker rooms at the Blue Lagoon were extremely clean! The wristband you get when you check in allows you to keep things safely locked away in a locker of your choosing. Unlike other thermal baths in Iceland, the shower area is very private with stalls where you can bathe before & after soaking. It’s important to note that it is custom to bathe completely naked before entering any hot spring to avoid contaminating it. They have all the Blue Lagoon products, including shampoo, conditioner & lotions available for you to use (so take advantage of it). There were also large vanity mirrors & hair dryers to use after your visit. They make it super easy when visiting the Blue Lagoon!
Blue Lagoon Experience
After you lock your belongings away and shower, you can make your way out to the open air thermal baths. The day we visited, it was raining slightly and probably around ~45 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam rolling off the hot water made the experience magical. Besides simply finding a nice spot to sit & relax, we recommend walking around the hot springs to explore the different areas. There is a waterfall of hot water that can help massage your back, a steam room and even some hidden caves to discover.
Besides soaking, there are two main activities to do while in the Blue Lagoon. All tickets include one drink at the bar, which can be beer, wine or a smoothie. The bar is a swim up bar so you don’t have to get out of the warm water on a chilly day! There are containers located around the baths where you can return or recycle your cups.
After enjoying a drink, you’ll want to try the included Silica Mud Mask that is said to contain healing properties! You also don’t need to get out of the water but simply swim up to the stand and they’ll scoop the mask into your hands. This is included in the Comfort Ticket, but you may even be able to try more masks if you’ve upgraded to the Premium ticket. You only need to leave the Silica Mud Mask on for 20 minutes before washing it off. They have water fountains throughout the lagoon, so I highly recommend using clean water and not the water from the Blue Lagoon to clean the mask off your face.
Dining at the Blue Lagoon
There are a variety of dining options at the Blue Lagoon for convenience. The most budget friendly option is called the Cafe, where you can find pre-made sandwiches, fresh fruit & snacks. The next option, if you’re looking for more of a sit down meal, would be at the Lava Restaurant. It’s got great views of the Lagoon and if you bought a Premium ticket, it includes a glass of sparkling wine with your meal. The last two options are more high end, called the Moss Restaurant & the Spa Restaurant (the Spa Restaurant is only available to those using the Spa). We didn’t have time to dine at any of the options but did make an effort to walk around and scope out the Cafe & Lava Restaurant, which looked very nice.
Blue Lagoon Iceland Hotel
There are two hotels on site at the Blue Lagoon: The Silica Hotel & the Retreat Hotel. The Silica Hotel ranges from $500-$800 per night, where the Retreat Hotel ranges from $1,300-$2,600 per night. One of our guides informed us the Retreat Hotel was the first 5 star hotel in Iceland! Based on the photos online, they look very high end and luxurious.
Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland
- DRINK WATER: You can easily get dehydrated from soaking in thermal baths so it’s important to drink water & take breaks to allow your body to cool!
- PUT CONDITIONER IN YOUR HAIR: The water at the Blue Lagoon – while healthy for your skin – can often damage your hair. It’s recommended that you apply loads of conditioner to your wet hair before going into the Lagoon.
- BE CAREFUL WITH CONTACT LENSES OR GLASSES: Both can be damaged or ruined in the Lagoon so be extremely careful not to get them wet. I wore my contacts in and was very careful to not touch my eyes or allow much water to get on my face and was fine.
- THE BLUE LAGOON IS MAN-MADE: It’s important to note that the Blue Lagoon is not a natural hot spring, it’s actually man-made. Technically, the water is run-off from the power plant nearby and comes rich with Silica (the reason the water has a cloudy white color to it). The water is warmed by geothermal energy beneath the earth still!
- BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE: Tickets for the Blue Lagoon Iceland can sell out, so be sure to pre-order your tickets online about a month in advance to ensure you’re able to go on the day you prefer.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth it?
A question I wondered before going myself: Is the Blue Lagoon worth it? We had seen photos all over our Instagram of other travelers visiting and were curious to try ourselves. If you are looking to relax sore muscles after a long flight or vacation of hiking – it is worth it.
We were very content with the Comfort Ticket but I don’t think you could go wrong with either Comfort or Premium. While I’m sure the spa services, hotels and upscale restaurants onsite are exceptional – I would draw the line at a simple day visit. Iceland has a lot to offer a curious traveler so the Blue Lagoon should not be your only stop. There are many other natural or local hot springs that will give you a more authentic experience. Overall, we enjoyed our morning spent at the Blue Lagoon and felt refreshed before flying home after a busy 2-week trip!
Skál, Amanda
