The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located about 13 miles from the international airport and about 30 miles from the city of Reykjavik. You’ve undoubtedly seen photos of the milky blue water that is supplied by the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station. The high silica content is what gives the water its blue color and makes it beneficial for your skin.
The water temperature in the Blue Lagoon averages between 98° and 104°F, so it’s perfect to spend a few hours soaking here. Read on to learn all about how to book your trip to the Blue Lagoon and what to expect once you arrive.
Enjoy!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: Complete Guide to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland!
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Complete Guide to the Blue Lagoon
Opening Hours for the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon opening hours vary by season and may be subject to change, so ensure you check the site for updates. Currently, the opening hours are as follows:
June 1 – August 20: 07:00-24:00
August 21 – May 31: 08:00-22:00
You should always exit 30 minutes before closing.
Do You Need to Book the Blue Lagoon in Advance?
Yes.
You’ll need to visit the website for the Blue Lagoon to choose a day and time slot for your visit. Time slots are available every hour, on the hour. You’ll also need to pay in advance. You can view all of the package options directly on their website; https://www.bluelagoon.com/explore.
You will have a one-hour window of flexibility. So if you book a visit at 9 am, you’ll need to arrive between 9 am and 10 am to be guaranteed entrance. If you won’t be able to make your appointment time, be sure to contact the Blue Lagoon as early as possible. They may be able to modify your booking.
Once your booking is complete and paid, you will receive an email with an e-ticket. You will not need to print your ticket, an electronic copy is no problem.
Your entry ticket is valid for the entire day, starting from your booking time, and ending when the lagoon closes. If you choose one of the cheaper, later times, you will be limiting the amount of time that you can spend soaking. Most people like to spend at least two hours at the lagoon.
If you really want to treat yourself, book a night at the fabulous onsite hotel!
How Much Does the Blue Lagoon Cost?
You can choose from two different Blue Lagoon packages, info below.
Comfort: Blue Lagoon (price from $72 USD)
Includes:
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica Mud Mask
- Use of towel
- 1st drink of your choice
Premium: Blue Lagoon (price from $94 USD)
Includes:
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica Mud Mask • Use of towel
- 2 drinks of your choice
- Two additional masks of your choice
- Use of bathrobe
Complimentary drinks include fruit smoothies, beer, wine, ciders, and sparkling wine. They also offer a luxury retreat spa option if you want to pamper yourself.
The entrance fee varies depending on the time of day that you choose to arrive (the closer closing time, the cheaper).
Getting to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik and a 20-minute drive from the airport. Many people choose to visit the Blue Lagoon either on their way to Reykjavik from the airport or on their way to the airport to leave the country.
If you choose to rent a car and drive to the Blue Lagoon, free onsite parking is available.
You can also arrange a transfer when booking your ticket for the Blue Lagoon. A return ticket will cost $45 USD per person but you can be picked up and dropped off in different spots. So if you want to be picked up at the airport and then dropped off in Reykjavik after your soak, that’s possible. A one-way transfer is $22.50 USD per person.
What to Expect When you Arrive
When you arrive at the Blue Lagoon you will be provided with a wristband. There are separate changing rooms for men and women and your bracelet will be the key to your personal locker where you’ll want to store your belongings. Your wristband will also allow you to charge any drinks or snacks during your visit so you don’t need to worry about carrying your credit card around with you.
What to Bring to the Blue Lagoon
You’ll be provided with a towel for your visit to the Blue Lagoon. The use of a personal locker is included in your entrance price so you can keep all of your belongings secure while you soak. You can open and close your locker as many times as you would like. Luggage storage is available as well. Shower facilities are equipped with shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner, free of charge.
The water at the Blue Lagoon contains high levels of silica which will cause your hair to be stiff and difficult to manage if it gets wet. It is recommended that you apply conditioner to your hair prior to getting into the lagoon and leave it in while you soak. It is also recommended that you bring a hair tie to keep long hair out of the water. A complimentary conditioner is provided in the shower area.
You’ll want to bring a swimsuit and flip-flops to the Blue Lagoon. Swimsuits are also available for rent and flip-flops are available to buy if you forget to bring your own. You are welcome to bring your own towel, bathrobe, and/or slippers if you want.
Be sure to remove all jewelry before entering the lagoon as the minerals in the water may cause damage.
The Soaking Experience
Before you head from the locker room to the lagoon, you’ll be requested to shower, sans suit. There are several rooms with doors so you can have some privacy if you want it. Be sure to get your hair wet and slather on the conditioner.
The Blue Lagoon is massive, so while there are always a lot of people soaking, it’s easy enough to find your own corner. You can walk out the doors to the lagoon, or use the inner pool entrance ramp if you don’t want to face the freezing cold.
When facing the lagoon, off to the left is a small waterfall, two steam rooms, a sauna, and an outdoor shower. Further toward the center is the mask station where you can get your free mud mask or purchase any others with your wristband. The station can be accessed easily from inside the lagoon.
Toward the back of the lagoon is the massage bar. It’s roped off so you can only enter if you have paid extra. And to the right of that is the bar with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. For your first complimentary drink, you can choose anything from the list. If you buy any other drinks, plan on spending $8 USD for a smoothie and $11-14 for an alcoholic beverage.
You can spend some time soaking, hit the sauna for a few minutes, then take a cold shower before getting back in the lagoon. Or you can get out and enjoy the lounge area upstairs. You’ll probably want at least two hours soaking in the pools and probably closer to four hours enjoying the facility.
Rules
- Nudity is not allowed at the Blue Lagoon. Swimwear is available for rent if you forget to bring your own suit.
- Guests are requested to shower naked, prior to entering the Blue Lagoon (in the sex-specific locker rooms).
- Children under the age of 2 are not allowed to swim in the Blue Lagoon.
- Children aged 2-8 years are required to wear floaties which are provided.
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed.
And lastly, no PDA. Okay, this one is my own rule, but seriously, the Blue Lagoon is full of kids and just regular people who don’t want to see your make-out session. What is it about hot water that makes people get all frisky? Please, just don’t.
Our Recommendations
In order to make the most of your trip to the Blue Lagoon, we would recommend booking the earliest time slot possible. We arrived at 8 am and had about two hours before it felt really crowded. We’d also recommend taking advantage of that complimentary glass of wine since booze in Iceland is pricey.
And keep in mind that food at the Blue Lagoon is very expensive. Even a simple salad out of the pre-prepared case will run you close to $20 USD. So while outside food and drinks are technically not allowed, you may want to throw a few granola bars in your bag in case you get hungry.
And lastly, be sure to drink plenty of water during your soak! You don’t need to buy bottled water, there are several fountains around the lagoon with fresh, ice-cold drinking water. Just bring a reusable water bottle or save your cup from your free wine!
Enjoy your visit to the Blue Lagoon!
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Wishing to visit Iceland for the first time
I cannot wear flip flops. Can’t stand anything between my toes. What can I wear outside of the water? Water shoes?