Yes, it is touristy and yes, it is expensive. But should you still visit? yes, definitely! I first visited the Blue Lagoon 20 years ago with my now hubby. We were there in the October, snow started to fall over the lagoon, and the experience was truly magical and very romantic. Visiting again in May 2025, I did wonder if I would enjoy the Blue Lagoon as much with 2 pre-teen boys in tow. I’m happy to report that, although it wasn’t quite as relaxing (boys can’t stay still!), we all loved our visit and it was one of the highlights of our trip.
When to go and how to get to the Blue Lagoon
At just a 20 minute easy drive from Keflavik airport, I think its a lovely way to relax and refresh after your flight. Alternatively, the Blue Lagoon makes a memorable last experience on your way home.
If you are hiring a car from the airport, the drive is straightforward and the Blue Lagoon is clearly signposted from the main road. Parking is plentiful and easy (outdoors so no worries about height limits). It’s also free.
So what’s it like?
As well as the pools, the Blue Lagoon features a sauna and steam rooms, a face mask bar, a swim-up drinks bar, and a massage waterfall. We wondered if the waterfall would be cold but its wonderfully hot (and very powerful) water. Stay under as long as you can bear it and feel the tension pummelled out of your shoulders and neck!
The water is a maximum depth of 1.4 metres with a warm-hot bath temperature, with extra hot spots! The furthest part of the pool is a “quiet zone”, Here guests should relax quietly and not use phones. It didn’t seem however that people were respecting the no phones rule and the boys found whispering annoying.
Geothermal seawater fills the pools and gives them their blue colour. The pools are rich in silica, algae, and minerals and will leave your skin feeling beautifully soft! The water will however destroy long-hair…. Make sure you put conditioner in before you enter the pools, tie your hair up, and wash and condition again afterwards. There is shampoo and conditioner in each shower cubicle.
We spent around 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon. To be honest, I could have spent longer but one son was hungry and the hubby was getting a little bored….
The only thing we didn’t like was the floor of the lagoon which felt quite slimy / gritty in places.
How to do it….
Do book in advance as it is very popular. You can book here.
Everyone is given a wristband on arrival. The wristband operates the lockers (so no coins needed). It can also be scanned for your free face mask(s) and drink(s). Be aware that if kids are visiting using the free tickets, they have to share your locker. The lockers are a reasonable size but leave bulky outer layers in the car.
You can also use your wristband to purchase additional drinks and face masks. You then scan your wristband at one of the terminals by the exit to pay for any additions.
Comfort or premium tickets?
We booked the “comfort tickets” which included a towel, one free drink and a silica mud mask. The boys were free (great news!), they still got a towel and mud mask but we had to pay for their drinks (fair enough…). Kids are free up to 13.
You can also buy premium tickets. The only difference is that you get use of a bathrobe, an additional drink and 2 further face masks. To be honest, you would only really use the robe to walk up and down the short flight of steps from the changing room. I’m also not sure any face really needs 3 face masks in one session…. To my mind, therefore, you are better buying the cheaper comfort tickets. You can buy yourself an extra drink at the swim up bar using your wristband if you want to anyway.
You must shower before entering the pool and you need to do this naked (as is the case everywhere in Iceland). The Icelandic take this very seriously as their pools are natural / very low chemical so you need to be properly clean! The good news here is that there are private individual shower cubicles so your teenagers can preserve their modesty!
You exit the changing rooms from beyond the showers to steps down to the pool. You are given a towel when you come back in – towels are not taken out pool-side.
Where should I stay?
Whilst the Blue Lagoon does have 2 hotels, these are not cheap (understatement!). If you have already experienced the Blue Lagoon itself, I’m not sure staying at one of its hotels really adds much to the experience.
We stayed just a few minutes drive away at the Northern Lights Inn and I would definitely recommend this hotel for a cosy and friendly stay, at a much more reasonable price! The food is pretty good as well! Read my review of our stay at the Northern Lights Inn here.
So what next after the Blue Lagoon?
If you are visiting the Blue Lagoon at the start of your trip, you can either make a bee-line to Reykjavik or head out into the wild in your hire car. Head to my Iceland page to find out more about the possibilities!