Blue Lagoon
- This article is about Icelandic location. For Turkish Mediterranean resort colloquially known as Blue Lagoon, see Ölüdeniz.
Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwest Iceland, located almost mid-way between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavík, close to the town of Grindavik.
It is a by product of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help many people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 40 °C (104 °F) and is enjoyable year round, even in freezing conditions.
Understand
- You receive a bracelet with a chip at the reception which you use to lock your locker and to pay for drinks during the stay.
Adhere to the signs:
- You have to leave your shoes shortly after entering.
- You have to shower fully naked before you enter the water.
- If you go to your locker again, you have to be dry immediately after the shower area.
- Towel rentals are expensive (€10) and your towel is likely to be stolen, so try to find a place to put it away from the main towel racks
Get in
By car
It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive from Keflavik International Airport to the Blue Lagoon and 45 minutes to drive from downtown Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon. There is lots of free car parking.
By bus
There is a scheduled service from the main BSI [1] bus terminal in downtown Reykjavík, as well as a cheaper bus service that includes hotel pickup and Blue Lagoon entrance fee (Netbus, [2]).
By tour
There are lots of tour companies offering all inclusive package deals.
Reykjavík Excursions [3] and Iceland Excursions [4] run all inclusive trips from Reykjavík. There are tickets available that make it possible to call in en-route between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík, or vice versa.
By taxi
Many taxi companies offer trips to the Blue Lagoon, with the taxi waiting while the visitor enjoys the Blue Lagoon and its surroundings. Note that this option can be extremely expensive.
Do
- Swim in the lagoon.
- Put the Silica Mud all over your body.
- Relax and float in the mineral waters.
- Get up close to the wooden boxes as these are the vents where the hot water arrive, thus are the warmest parts of the pool.
- Tuck yourself away in one of the caves, slip under the waterfall or enjoy the busy Steam baths.
A great tourist snap is to drink a 'krap' slushy, especially in freezing conditions!
Buy
Blue Lagoon has its own Skin Care Products, which are very expensive.
There is also a gift shop (also down town and at the international airport in the duty-free section).
Eat
There is a cafeteria and the Lava Restaurant; both are very expensive. Lava books up early, so make reservations ahead of time, especially if visiting around lunch or dinner time, if you wish to visit.
The cafeteria has snacks, soups, sandwiches, and coffee, but they are expensive and poor quality.
Food brought in from outside is forbidden in the Blue Lagoon.
Drink
There are water fountains in various locations to keep you from dehydrating. The Cafeteria has a selection of drinks
Sleep
The Blue Lagoon Clinic has accommodation for both treatment and non-treatment guests.
The Northern Lights Inn is nearest hotel, about 1km from Lagoon. It offers guests free transfers to and from the Blue Lagoon and Keflavík Airport and has a good restaurant.
Accommodation can also be found in the nearby town of Grindavík.
Go next
If you have succumbed to the charms of geothermal spas, another obvious destination would be Mývatn Nature Baths in the northern part of the island.