HOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT BLUE LAGOON EXPERIENCE

The Blue Lagoon is typically busiest during the day, roughly between 11am and 3pm. That’s why, at Icelandia, many of our combination tours visit the spa during the evening. This way, you’ll experience its magic with much fewer people.

The Blue Lagoon fully deserves its reputation as one of the most incredible experiences in Iceland. With its sumptuous, therapeutic waters set in the heart of a volcanic landscape, it’s a completely unique experience.

Relax, unwind, and take in the magic of Iceland’s spa traditions. After a busy break full of sightseeing—or straight off the plane from your day job—you’ll leave feeling like a different person.

It’s easy to reach the Blue Lagoon from downtown Reykjavik without a car. Buses for the Blue Lagoon leave seven times a day from the BSI bus station in Reykjavik. The journey takes about 40 minutes.

Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi. But you’ll pay much more and the journey will take just as long.

It’s always recommended to book the Blue Lagoon in advance. It helps you plan your trip and ensures there’ll be enough space for you whenever you want to come. After all, it is one of the most popular sights in Iceland—and you don’t want to be disappointed.

Most visitors to the Blue Lagoon will spend about two hours in the waters of the Blue Lagoon. However, there’s no minimum or maximum stay—just whatever suits you.

With Icelandia, a transfer to Reykjavik runs every hour from the Blue Lagoon, so you can relax for as long as you want.

The Blue Lagoon offers three standard admission types:

Comfort Package: This package provides guests with admission to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, a towel, and a drink.

Premium Package: In addition to the features of the Comfort package, the Premium admission offers two extra masks, a bathrobe, and a glass of sparkling wine when dining at the lagoon's restaurant.

Retreat Spa: This is the most luxurious package. With the Retreat Spa admission, guests not only get access to the Blue Lagoon but also to the Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon. They receive a private changing room, Ritual Skincare amenities, a drink of their choice, and access to the Spa Restaurant.

The exact cost of these packages fluctuates due to the Blue Lagoon's dynamic pricing model, which varies based on availability and time of day.

Typically, the basic Comfort Package tickets hover around 70-100 EUR, the Premium is between 80-120 EUR, and the Retreat Spa access is approximately 530-600 EUR.

Tours to the Blue Lagoon by Icelandia cover the entrance fee and transfer, with the possibility to incorporate additional activities and experiences.

With Blue Lagoon transfers from Keflavik, it’s easy to visit the geothermal pool directly from the airport. The journey takes only about 20 minutes.

Either jump aboard a bus from Keflavik or book a complete transfer package with Icelandia. This way, you get a transfer to Reykjavik downtown, to make your onward journey even more convenient.

The prices for these packages can vary because of the Blue Lagoon's flexible pricing system, which adjusts based on demand and the time of day.

Generally, the Comfort Package tends to range from 70-100 EUR, the Premium falls between 80-120 EUR, and the Retreat Spa access lies somewhere between 530-600 EUR.

Icelandia Blue Lagoon tours include the cost of entry plus transfer, and there’s an option to add other activities and experiences as well.

The Blue Lagoon is an incredible experience throughout the year. During the summer, you can enjoy the waters of the Blue Lagoon beneath the light of the midnight sun. Meanwhile, in winter, you can even see the northern lights from the site.

The spa is open all year round. And, as the waters are heated, it’s a pleasure no matter how cold it is outside.

The Blue Lagoon makes for a magical experience at any time of day.

However, it tends to be busier during the day. And there’s something particularly special about experiencing the Blue Lagoon during the evening, when it’s possible to see the northern lights or enjoy the midnight sun.

A free drink is included in all Comfort admissions to the Blue Lagoon. And, if you book a Premium experience, you’ll get a glass of sparkling wine in the restaurant too.

There’s no maximum time you can spend at the Blue Lagoon within a day. Relax and enjoy the waters to your heart’s content. Then, if you would like, head to the restaurant or get a drink from the bar.

Just be aware that if you’ve booked a Blue Lagoon tour, you may have other things to see and do!

When visitors come to the Blue Lagoon, it’s very common for them to wet their hair in its waters. You are bathing in a pool after all!

That said, it’s generally recommended to apply conditioner before you get your hair wet. As the waters are rich in silica, it can make your hair quite dry and difficult to manage. Alternatively, tie your hair up in a bun to avoid it getting wet.

You do have to rinse off in the showers (without your bathing suit) before getting in the Blue Lagoon, but fully washing your hair beforehand is not a specific rule. However, washing your hair beforehand and leaving conditioner on it while soaking in the lagoon (but avoiding submerging it in the water while bathing) can help stop the silica from drying out your hair.

Since locals began bathing here nearly 50 years ago, they noticed the mineral-rich water left their skin feeling soft and rejuvenated and even helped ease skin conditions like psoriasis. The silica content of the water not only acts as a natural beauty treatment, but it’s also what creates the milky-blue colour of the water that makes the Blue Lagoon so distinctive.

The deepest point is 1.4 metres (4.7 feet), swimming in the Blue Lagoon is possible. You can take a few leisurely breaststrokes in the middle of the lagoon, but as the water is so warm and the depth of a hot tub in most places, the idea is to sit back and soak rather than swim simply.

Even the most basic entrance package includes a free drink at the Blue Lagoon. Alongside entrance, use of a towel and a silica mud mask, the comfort package includes a free fruit smoothie, beer, wine, cider or glass of sparkling wine to enjoy as you soak.

Three hours is ideal at the Blue Lagoon. This gives you time to change, shower, enjoy a drink from the swim-up bar and sample a silica mask before showering and changing again.

You might even have time for a quick meal in the casual café. If you want a more indulgent lunch at Lava or Moss restaurants, you must allow another hour or so.

There are plenty of dining options at the Blue Lagoon and a swim-up bar for drinks in the lagoon. For food, you can choose between the casual café for a quick bite or the more formal Lava and Moss restaurants, the latter being recommended in the Michelin guide.

The Blue Lagoon complex has been designed with disabled users in mind. There is disabled parking in the car park, a five-minute walk from the entrance.

Wheelchairs are available at reception, and the building is equipped with electronic door openers and lifts throughout. The lagoon itself can be directly accessed by special wheelchairs, and there are larger changing rooms available for those who require an assistant (assistants will not need to pay the entrance fee).

People like to take pictures of the ethereal blue water of the Blue Lagoon, so you’ll see lots of people with their phones by the lagoon’s side. There are lockers in the changing rooms to store your belongings, and you can always snap a few photos and return your phone to your locker if you’re worried about dropping it in the water.

Some people even bring waterproof bags or cases to take photos while immersed in the milky-blue water. However, phones are not permitted at the Retreat Spa to ensure you’re fully immersed in the experience, away from the nag of the modern world.

Booking in advance at the Blue Lagoon is not essential – you can buy entry tickets on arrival. However, this is Iceland’s number one attraction, so making a Blue Lagoon booking online in advance is advised to avoid disappointment as entry tickets can sell out, especially in peak season.

Blue Lagoon hours vary by season. Summer sees the longest opening hours, between 08.00 and 23.00 in July and August and between 08.00 and 22.00 in June. January to May sees the shortest opening hours, between 09.00 and 21.00 and with the lagoon open between 08.00 and 21.00 from October to December, you’ve got a chance of spotting the Northern Light before closing.

There is something dramatic about slipping into the constantly warm water of the Blue Lagoon as snow falls around you. Those that wish to see the landscape around the lagoon blanketed in white or perhaps catch the Northern Lights dancing overhead should visit in winter.

Alternatively, the heart of summer sees the best weather in Iceland, paired with almost 24 hours of sunlight, so the Blue Lagoon stays open longer in the summer months.

The short answer is, yes, you must wear a bathing suit in the Blue Lagoon. If you forget to pack one, there are bathing suits for sale at the Blue Lagoon’s shop.

With a full spa, a Michelin-recommended restaurant with a full-tasting menu and shops to stock up on silica-enriched products, you can quite easily spend all day at the Blue Lagoon. If you only want to experience the lagoon's warm water, then a few hours is plenty of time.

You are required to shower before and after using the Blue Lagoon and there are plenty of private, lockable showers and public showers in the changing rooms for this purpose. There are also complementary shampoos and soaps available.

The effects of the Blue Lagoon’s silica on hair are not permanent – you may leave with slightly dry, stiff hair after a soak, but this can usually be fixed with a thorough shampoo and condition in the showers after.

If you want to avoid this from happening entirely, it is recommended that you use a leave-in conditioner while bathing in the lagoon, use a swim cap or tie your hair up.