Why You Should Visit Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Five years ago today I was landing at Keflavik Airport (KEF), Iceland’s main international airport, to start my mom’s 70th birthday adventure. As it was her big birthday gift, I had planned out our itinerary to include some fun cultural experiences and our first stop, The Blue Lagoon for a little rest and relaxation. Reflecting back on that trip has become one of our favorite things to do and our lagoon layover is definitely a highlight. Here are four reasons for why you should visit Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. 

It’s a great way to wind down after a long flight …

… or decompress after an exciting trip before you have to head home. I am one of those “Go! Go! Go!” people on vacation but after a long flight I need a little time to relax and to be honest, I rarely get it. The Blue Lagoon is an amazing way to get in an experience (so I felt like I was still checking something off my list) while getting in a bit of R&R. When we made our reservation, I booked transportation directly through the Blue Lagoon website from the airport to the lagoon (about a 22 minute drive), and then from the lagoon to a bus stop in Reyjkavik, right outside of our hotel. 

If I had had the time, I would have booked another stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way back to the airport so we could have ended this leg of our adventure as relaxed as we started after a dip in the warm, healing waters. So if you don’t have time to visit the Blue Lagoon right when you arrive, definitely book a slot on your way home. 

Pro Tip: Keep you bathingsuit and anything you feel you may need at The Blue Lagoon in your carryon so it’s easier to access when you arrive. Even the basic package includes a towel so you don’t have to worry about bringing that, although I suggest upgrading to premium which includes a bathrobe rental – so cozy!

The waters are great for the skin – but not color-treated hair

A silica mud mask is included in all of the packages for The Blue Lagoon but you can upgrade to the mask trio. We just did the silica mud mask and between that and the thermal waters, my skin never looked better. My hair was a different story. I had brought a hair cap which a fellow blogger had suggested to keep my locks protected from the heavy minerals in the water, but I decided not to wear it. Big mistake. My hair felt stiff and chalky post dip and it took the entire trip to get it back to normal. But for those who don’t bleach and dye their hair, it might not be a problem. It was all worth it though because the warm water also helped relax my muscles, almost like a massage!

Make unique memories that will last a lifetime

While the plan was to spend just an hour or so at the Blue Lagoon, we ended up spending almost four hours! We had been a little intimidated by the idea of being outside in water in the freezing cold January weather, but as soon as we were up to our shoulders in the warmth, we were in heaven. My mom and I still talk about our time at the Blue Lagoon! We often equate it to taking a swim on the moon because of all of the rocks surrounding the area and how dark the sky was, even when we were leaving around 10:30 a.m. (in January the sun does not rise in Iceland until at least 11 a.m.). 

We took advantage of the caves throughout the lagoon, as well as the swim-up bar with delicious, healthy smoothies and champagne. There was also this swim-up face mask bar and we enjoyed mud masks as we sipped green juice. It was just magical to combine a cultural experience with such luxurious surroundings. To capture this time, I had brought a GoPro but ended up preferring my iPhone that I had wrapped in a waterproof case.

You can stay for as long or as short a time as you’d like

We landed in Iceland around 6 a.m. so we headed straight for the Lagoon after grabbing our suitcases and entered the turnstiles around 7:30 a.m. The earlier you book your reservation, the longer you can stay because there is no time limit. As I said, we ended up staying almost four hours between getting ready, relaxing in the lagoon, and then enjoying an early lunch at the cafe. The cafe and restaurant have Wi-Fi and overlook the lagoon so it really is like an extension to your experience. We also hit the gift shop where we picked up some skincare products. You can also visit the lagoon’s full-service spa. And now there is an on-site hotel where you can stay over at the Blue Lagoon. This might be something I have to do during my next trip!

A few final notes before you go

Pricing starts at around $68 for the comfort package and goes up to just over $600 for the Retreat Spa. As I mentioned, we booked the premium package which included a bathrobe and that ran us about $80. For those of us who really hate being cold, the extra cost was worth it. 

The Blue Lagoon has complimentary WiFi, towels, lockers, toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and lotion, as well as hair dryers. They even provide plastic bags for your wet garments. Attendants will direct you from the locker rooms to the outdoor pool however you must shower before entering the lagoon.

When you arrive, you’ll receive a wristband that is connected to your credit card so you can use it at the swim-up bar, the gift shop, cafe and restaurant. This wristband also serves as your admission to the lagoon. 

Are you planning a trip to Iceland? What else are you hoping to add to your itinerary?