At the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, you will experience more than a man-made natural spa. Here, world-unique species of algae just so happen to create the ultimate formula to make your skin healthier. You can, of course, choose to stay for a short while in the main lagoon. Or, maybe, take your Iceland holiday to new heights with world-renowned spa facilities and facilities literally built into several centuries-old lava cliffs.
Have you ever wondered what the deal with this blue lagoon is? The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the most visited attractions in the country, and it’s easy to see why. This magic pool of sludge, slime, and mesmerizing water is a work of wonders, and we explain exactly why in this article.
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
If you are feeling blue, there is one place in Iceland that will help you wash away the negativity: The Blue Lagoon in Iceland. This man-made natural spa, located near Grindavík, is a renowned outdoor spa in Iceland. This unique attraction captivates both visitors and scientists from all over the world. It is one of the best and most popular things to do in Iceland, and National Geographic even went so far as to claim that it is one of the 25 wonders of the world!
History
The Blue Lagoon is a man-made wonder, fed by water from Svartsengi geothermal power plant, which heats water vented from beneath a lava field to generate electricity. Originating in 1976 alongside the geothermal plant, the Blue Lagoon was formed from the plant's surplus water, used for extracting steam and hot water, heating the lagoon through natural filtration.
The nearby geothermal plant was using superheated water to power its turbines and provide the region with electricity and heat. The geothermal water source that they were using was huge and contained water that is around 240 °C warm.
When the water had been used for various purposes (power turbines, freshwater heating), it was at a mellow 40 °C and was dispatched some ways from the plant. This dispatched mix of fresh and salty water from the earth’s crust became the Blue Lagoon in Iceland as we know it today.
Research and Wellness
At first, Icelanders viewed this as an ecological crime, but since no nature seemed to be harmed in the process, the power plant was allowed to continue its operation. After a brave man in the neighborhood took a dip in the azure blue waters, he realized that his skin felt better. His friends joined in. Before you knew it, scientists were setting up a lab, running tests and trying to figure out the whole Blue Lagoon Iceland skin care phenomena.
A research- and leisure company was opened in 1992, and at the end of the 90s, the spa was established.
What’s in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland?
Obviously, the water is a striking azure blue, and the contents of the lagoon are somehow good for you. Normally, industrial runoff doesn’t exactly scream “healthy”, but in this case, the runoff water contains plenty of interesting things that are not at all harmful to anyone.
What Makes the Blue Lagoon Blue? The Blueness
In short, the mix of sulfur and silica is the main reason why the water in the lagoon is blue. A nice Blue Lagoon in Iceland fact is that the lagoon is a remarkable ecosystem of algae and microorganisms. These produce the sludge that gives the water a milky look. The color of the minerals and the milkiness from the sludge are the reasons why the Blue Lagoon in Iceland has its characteristic blue, magic color.
The Most Natural Man-Made Facial
It’s well established that the lagoon itself is a man-made pool. The algae and microorganisms in the pool are not, however. These have developed over time and are entirely unique to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. These are also the things behind the miracle creams, scrubs, and masks at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
Facilities at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The miracle body of water is surrounded by the Blue Lagoon Iceland hotels and spas. Many hot springs in Iceland are either parts of a larger bathing facility or in nature, with only simple changing rooms nearby. The Iceland hot springs in Blue Lagoon are in a league of their own with all the luxury amenities around them.
Pools
Even though the restaurants and hotels are nice to visit, the main attraction is the lagoon itself. The Blue Lagoon main pool is where most people will go on a day out to the Iceland Blue Lagoon resort.
This is where you pay for a dip in the fantastic pool, get a world-class facial, and a drink from the in-pool bar. The Blue Lagoon's maximum depth reaches 1.4 meters (4.7 feet), while its shallowest points are less than 0.8 meters (2.6 feet) deep, so you don’t need to know how to swim to use it. Obviously, non-alcoholic for the youngsters and non-drinking visitors.
Spa
Having a dip in the water and applying that magic face mask is already very spa-ish for most of us mere mortals. But if you are looking for more than just a dip in the magic water and a face mask, the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland is the right choice for you. Going for the “real” spa will give you some options:
Retreat Lagoon
Get a more secluded experience and swim in this separate lagoon. Swim in the canyons and corridors framed by lava rock and enjoy the simple serenity of having your own little Blue Lagoon Iceland tour.
Blue Lagoon Ritual
We promise this isn’t some pagan sacrifice thing. Go through three different chambers in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and get up close and personal with the silica, algae, and minerals in the healing water.
Lava Cove
Get the spa within a spa. A completely private lagoon (a small one) and a bunch of different amenities will take your experience to the next level. This might be the one part of the facilities where you can make your own Blue Lagoon Iceland nudity policy. In all other places, you are required to wear the appropriate swimwear.
Restaurants
In terms of eating, you can choose between a few restaurants at the Blue Lagoon. These are: the normal café, Spa restaurant, Moss restaurant, and Lava restaurant. The Moss restaurant is recommended by the Michelin guide in 2020. Furthermore, the Lava restaurant is literally carved into an 800-year-old lava cliff. Both are unbeatable experiences.
Hotels
If you want to stay at the facilities a bit longer, the Blue Lagoon is home to some of the best hotels in Iceland. You can choose to stay at either the Silica Hotel or the Retreat hotel. The Silica hotel is the main hotel that caters to a “normal” hotel stay (as if any of this is of the ordinary). The retreat hotel is aimed towards (you guessed it) a more spa-oriented stay.
Price
The Blue Lagoon Iceland price will depend on what you want to do. The most basic package starts at around ISK 8,500 (~60 USD), and the most luxurious package will go for around ISK 1,270,000 (~9,200 USD)!
All packages allow you to use the spa from the time of your booking until the facilities close. All you need to do is be up from the pool at least 30 minutes before closing.
Comfort. Price from $71 USD.
Premium. Price from $92 USD.
Signature. Price from $117 USD.
The Blue Lagoon Times and Seasons – When to Go and When to Stay
You now know the origin story and what to expect at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. So now it’s time to pick a time to go and enjoy the magic.
Summer
If you are looking for a classic spa visit with some midnight sun, or simply making a day visit out of it as part of an itinerary, then coming during summer in Iceland is for you. The Blue Lagoon summer experience in Iceland is classic and easy-going. This is the time of year when you can enjoy a hotel room and sit outside for a while at night.
Winter
Cozy and still are the impressions you will get from the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in Winter. This is the time of year to delve into the Lava restaurant, cozy up in the spa facilities, and (hopefully) see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. The Icelandic winter is when you’re floating in a warm pool and feeling a chilly wind tickle your neck. Unbeatable.
Shoulder Seasons
For a cheaper option with a little bit of both, fall and spring in Iceland are perfect opportunities to stay a night at the lagoon or book a visit during the day. You will have fewer other visitors, and if you stay the night, you might have a fighting chance to get the Northern Lights at Blue Lagoon in Iceland experience.
Opening Hours
The Blue Lagoon Iceland experience is open at different times depending on the time of the year. See below for a list of times when the lagoon is open:
8:00-22:00 June
8:00-23:00 July – August
8:00-21:00 September – October
8:00-20:00 November – December
9:00-21:00 January – May
You can book a slot at these times, but as you can see, there are limitations. You can only get the Blue Lagoon Iceland at night-experience late at night on any of the winter months. If you want the midnight sun, then only between July and August.
Where is the Blue Lagoon?
Even though many might think so, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland isn’t in a city or town. It is close to Keflavik – the largest airport in Iceland, and it’s only about 35-40 minutes southwest of Reykjavík.
The Blue Lagoon is 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport, the nearest airport, via Reykjanesbraut (Highway 41) to Grindavíkurvegur (Highway 43), with clear signage directing to the lagoon.
It sits on the Reykjanes peninsula and has a couple of stops around it, so if you’re looking for hotels near the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, you can find some that aren’t smack-dab in the middle of the spa.
The Blue Lagoon On-the-go
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is within perfect driving range from the airport and the capital, so check out which car to rent at the Keflavik airport or Reykjavík and begin your wellness adventure once you’ve arrived or on your way back home!