Iceland is among the top destinations in the world right now, and you simply can’t think of Iceland without picturing the beauty of the Blue Lagoon. The man-made, mineral-rich, geothermal spa opened it’s doors to visitors in 1992. The water in the lagoon is actually run-off from a nearby geothermal power plant, but with ingredients like silica and sulfur, it’s said to help people that suffer from skin diseases like psoriasis.

We visited Iceland in May 2018 and Blue Lagoon was at the top of my list. Touristy or not, I knew it was an experience we couldn’t miss. I searched online for some of the best tips, but after experiencing it first-hand, I pulled together everything you need to know before you visit Blue Lagoon!

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. Find out everything you need to know before you go!Click To Tweet

Make a Reservation

Blue Lagoon’s popularity is no secret. As a top tourist destination in Iceland, you’ll want to be sure you book a reservation before you arrive! Booking directly through the Blue Lagoon website is easiest, but there are plenty of packages available from company’s that provide transportation and additional tourist stops.

When is the Best Time to Go?

We chose to make the Blue Lagoon our first stop after the red-eye flight. We landed around 5:00am, grabbed some duty-free snacks and wine, got our rental car, and had a light breakfast (meaning a donut and coffee from a gas station). Blue Lagoon is about a 20 minute drive from the Keflavik airport and about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. We arrived at 7:45am (they opened at 8:00am) and there was already a line inside of people checking in. It was less than a 5-minute wait, but it continued to quickly fill up and the line got longer after us.

We were among the first crowd to enter into the Blue Lagoon. I was worried that it would be filled with tourists, but it’s so large that it never felt crowded to us! We were thrilled to have so many photo opportunities, a short line at the bar, and no wait for mud masks. The later it got, the more crowded it became, but nothing crazy. (I am used to Disney crowds, though!)

How Long Can I Stay?

Because the Blue Lagoon does not have a time limit on how long you can stay, getting there earlier is the best choice. I know many people have added that the late evening has even fewer people, but that greatly limits the amount of leisure time you have at Blue Lagoon. I strongly suggest you go upon arrival in Iceland. Blue Lagoon will probably be the most relaxing part of your entire trip, so soak it all in!

Packages

Oh, the controversy of which package to purchase! It truly depends on your budget and desires, but here’s a quick breakdown:

Comfort Package

For ISK 6,990 (check your conversion rate), you receive access to Blue Lagoon, a towel, Silica mud mask, and first drink of your choice. This is what I originally booked for us and what the majority of visitors will tell you to do. It’s practical, budget-friendly, and offers everything you really need for the day.

But then we arrived. I was freezing and decided I needed a robe! So we upgraded, on the spot, to Premium.

Premium Package

For ISK 9,990, you receive everything in Comfort plus an additional (algae) mask, slippers, a robe, table reservation at Lava Restaurant, and sparkling wine at the restaurant. Personally, I was not disappointed at all in upgrading. Every second I was out of the water, I was snuggled up in my robe. We even wore the robes to lunch at Lava Restaurant. If I had known I was upgrading to Premium, I would have never packed flip flops for my trip to Iceland, so that would have saved a little space in our suitcase.

You are welcome to bring your own robe, towel, and slippers, but the convenience of using theirs and then leaving it there was nice for us international visitors with limited packing space.

Retreat Spa Package

If you’re feeling like Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you may want to splurge on the Retreat Spa package! This is the only package with a fixed 4-hour time slot, so be sure to arrive on time. Included in the package is a 4-hour exclusive entry into the Retreat Spa and Blue Lagoon. You’ll also get perks like private changing rooms, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, and skin care amenities. This VIP experience is ISK 35,500.

Don’t forget you can also splurge on an in-water massage or spend the night at the Silica or Retreat Hotel!

You Do Not Need Your Wallet

Blue Lagoon provides a bracelet that is connected to your credit card. It’s also how you lock and unlock the locker. However, we did choose to leave our wallets in the locker instead of our car.

Facilities

I was pleasantly surprised by the large locker and shower facilities. When you head into the locker area, you’ll pick a locker to store your jewelry and items. The lockers are big, you’ll have access to some private changing areas, and then you head to the showers. Everyone is required to shower (without swimsuit) before entering the Blue Lagoon. I wore just my robe over to the showers and brought my swimsuit with me.

In a small private shower (they do have group shower facilities if you aren’t shy), I rinsed off and added conditioner to my hair. I put it in a top knot and then slipped into my swimsuit before getting out and wrapping the robe around me again. I met my husband out at the entrance to the lagoon where we left our robes and slippers on hangers.

They also provide blow dryers and vanity areas to freshen up after your experience.

Cameras & Phones

We decided to leave our “nice” camera in the locker, but I had no problem bringing our GoPro and iPhone X. Blue Lagoon sells a waterproof protector for your phone, but I didn’t use one at all. The splashes of water did not have any effect on the water-resistant iPhone X. I wasn’t sure what the silica and other ingredients would do to my unprotected phone, so it never went underwater.

You need photos at Blue Lagoon so simply decide the best option for you before arrival.

 

Swim-Up Bar & Mud Masks

If there’s one thing that gets my husband excited about vacations, it’s a swim-up bar. Little did he know he’d be getting exactly that at Blue Lagoon! The swim-up bar allowed us to sip on prosecco and beer before 9:00am and to me, that’s vacation. The first drink is included (they also have juices and non-alcoholic beverages) and after that, you just use your wristband to pay for any additional drinks. Like most things in Iceland, the drinks were not cheap. If you’re trying to get tipsy in the famous blue waters, expect to pay.

The thick, white silica mud mask is included with all reservations. Similar to the swim-up bar, you swim up to a small building with ladies handing out the silica mud. It’s a Blue Lagoon must-do, and all you have to do is rinse it off in the water. We followed up with the algae mask, which was smoother and silkier. While I didn’t have any noticeable changes right away, the silica should provide a deep cleansing feeling and strengthen your skin over time. You can also purchase the masks in the shop at Blue Lagoon! It’s a fun little gift for friends or family back home.

Lava Restaurant – Is It Worth It?

We decided to maximize our time at the Blue Lagoon and happily took the reservation at Lava Restaurant when we upgraded to the Premium package. The Lava Restaurant, like the rest of Blue Lagoon, is beautiful, contemporary, clean, and comfortable. The best part was wearing our robes at an upscale restaurant. Being served sparkling wine while relaxing in the robes felt like true luxury.

Lava Restaurant was our first experience with Icelandic food so we went all out. We started with the smoked haddock, which was delicious and full of flavor. I ordered the lamb fillet and shoulder of lamb while my husband got the grilled beef tenderloin. Everything was absolutely amazing. Our server was wonderful, the atmosphere was perfect, and the food was incredible. It ended up being over $100USD for our lunch, but as one of the best meals of our trip, I’d say it was worth it to us.

If you’re spending several hours at Blue Lagoon, you should consider this splurge. If not, Blue Lagoon also has a café area with small bites and refreshments.

Blue Lagoon Tips & Notes

• We visited in early May. The outside weather was around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and the water ranged from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. I hate being cold, but I was never cold once in the water.
• Go rain or shine. The weather in Iceland can be totally unpredictable. We experienced sunshine, rain, snow, and strong winds during the 5 hours we were there. We never got discouraged when the weather turned bad because it would be gorgeous again in 10 minutes or so.
• Don’t forget your sunglasses. When it is sunny, the reflection on the water can be really bright. Protect your eyes and make the whole experience more enjoyable.
• They made a reservation at Lava Restaurant for us when we upgraded to Premium. However, I don’t see this as a perk to the Premium because anyone can make reservations for the restaurant prior to arrival.
• Blue Lagoon recommends you do not wear any jewelry because the ingredients in the water can damage it. I did not wear my wedding rings, but I did leave in all of my single stud earrings and didn’t have any issues.
• Use the conditioner in your hair before entering the Blue Lagoon. I’ve heard mixed reviews, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I added the conditioner to my hair and it stayed in a top knot, but my husband went under water. He used the conditioner afterward and didn’t have any issues. I’ve read other reviews where someone’s hair was dry and unmanageable for the rest of their trip due to avoiding the conditioner.

Planning your trip to Iceland? Add snorkeling to your Iceland Bucket List!

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