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Visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland is a must for anyone on a trip to this awesome adventure destination! The Blue Lagoon is the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland — it seems like nearly every traveler who visits Iceland works a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon into their itinerary.
And, being the most popular destination, there are plenty of guides and how-tos for the Blue Lagoon Iceland on the internet. But to be honest, I was surprised by how many things I still didn’t know during my first visit.
This geothermal spa is a lot more than meets the eye. Between the warm waters and convivial atmosphere, this might be one of the most memorable stops on your Iceland trip, so you want to do it right.
I’ve visited the Iceland Blue Lagoon several times, in all different kinds of weather. As you can see by my photos below, I’ve seen the Blue Lagoon on a gorgeous day in May and I’ve also visited the Blue Lagoon on a cold and rainy August day.
It wasn’t ideal, but it was still worth visiting the Blue Lagoon in the rain. In fact, the Blue Lagoon has only closed three times over the last decade due to weather, so don’t let a little rain or snow stop you from enjoying a soak!
Volcanic eruptions over the last few years have caused the Blue Lagoon to close temporarily from time to time. But as of January 2025, the Blue Lagoon is open with regular operating hours. Seismic activity, air quality and weather continue to be closely monitored to prioritize your safety.
Before you go to the Blue Lagoon, here’s what you need to know — so you can kick back and have an unforgettable experience.
This post was last updated in January 2025.
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Blue Lagoon Iceland FAQ
The Blue Lagoon strongly recommends advance reservations, as tickets are often sold out. But you can book at the door if there are spots available.
The temperature of the Blue Lagoon is 37-40 Celsius (98-104 Fahrenheit) and feels like a warm bath.
The minimum age to visit the Blue Lagoon is two years old. Children under 13 are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult; children under 8 must wear floaties (which are available at the entrance and free of charge).
The Blue Lagoon advises not wearing contact lenses. If you wear prescription glasses, you can wear them, but don’t get them wet, as the geothermal water from the Blue Lagoon could damage them.
It actually isn’t! Many hot springs in Iceland are natural, but the Blue Lagoon is not one of them.
Trust me, you want to try and avoid getting your hair wet at the Blue Lagoon, because the results aren’t pretty.
Is the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik?
The Blue Lagoon is not in Reykjavik. It’s in the town of Grindavík, close to Keflavík International Airport and about 45 minutes from Reykjavik.
Two-thirds of Iceland’s population may live in Reykjavik, but the Blue Lagoon is quite a distance away. If you haven’t rented a car, you’ll need to book a transfer with a tour company. You can book Blue Lagoon tickets with optional hotel pick-up or transportation to/from the airport here.
That said, Reykjavik is a fabulous city and being based there is the best option for visiting the Blue Lagoon and exploring the nearby region. See below for where to stay in Reykjavik.
Is the Blue Lagoon a natural spring?
No, the Iceland Blue Lagoon is not a natural spring. While Iceland is a country brimming with natural hot springs, the Blue Lagoon actually isn’t one of them. The land is natural, as is the lava that shapes the pool, but the hot water is actually the result of runoff from the geothermal power plant next door.
The geothermal plant was built first, and it uses Iceland’s volcanic landscape to produce heat power. The runoff of geothermal seawater is filtered straight into the Blue Lagoon.
That doesn’t mean the water is dangerous or toxic — far from it! It’s still a geothermal pool with mineral-rich water that is constantly monitored for quality.
The Blue Lagoon is simply not the natural phenomenon that many people believe it to be. It’s a man-made pool filled with geothermal seawater.
Is the Blue Lagoon accessible?
Yes, the Blue Lagoon is accessible with services and facilities for guests with special needs or disabilities. If you have any concerns or questions, contact the Blue Lagoon directly.
These services and facilities include disabled parking, wheelchairs available to borrow, wheelchair access through the lagoon and main complex, accessible changing rooms, a shower chair, and complimentary admission for a personal assistant if one is needed.
Note that the lagoon is a maximum of 1.7 meters (4.7 feet) deep with a natural uneven floor, which may impact accessibility.
Best time to go to Blue Lagoon
When is the best time to go to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland? The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular attractions to visit in Iceland, so I recommend planning your trip carefully to avoid crowds.
If you want to have the space mostly to yourself, I recommend going as soon as it opens, first thing in the morning. If you’re waiting at the Blue Lagoon right as they open and you rush into the locker room, you could be the first person in the water!
(This is also the best option if you want to avoid a long line, or get photos without other people in them.)
If you want to be a bit of an overachiever, you could check the flight schedule at Reykjavík airport and plan your trip for when the fewest flights are arriving and departing. Personally, I think this is a bit overkill, but some people who live for data enjoy doing this.
In terms of the best time to visit Iceland, you have options.
How long should you plan to spend at the Blue Lagoon?
Most people spend about two hours in the water at the Blue Lagoon, which includes time to enjoy your complimentary drink at the in-water bar and silica mask at the Mask Bar.
Plan to spend another hour or two at the Blue Lagoon to account for showering and changing before and after using the pool, relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms, and maybe grabbing a bite at one of the cafes or restaurants. If you’ve booked The Retreat Spa, your spa experience will take five hours.
However, your entry ticket to the Blue Lagoon does not have a time limit — meaning you could spend all day soaking in the soothing waters if you really wanted to! Well, almost all day, as you have to exit the water 30 minutes before closing.
Can you bring your phone/camera into the Blue Lagoon?
Yes, cameras, phones and tablets are allowed at the Blue Lagoon. This is different from many spas and public pools in Iceland where cameras/phones are NOT allowed.
Personal photography is permitted in the lagoon itself but not in the locker rooms. If you’re using your phone or camera out in the lagoon, remember to be respectful of other guests and try not to disturb the relaxing atmosphere.
I would recommend bringing your phone/camera with you to the lagoon to snap a few photos, and then putting it back in your locker in the change room. If you want to keep it with you the whole time, I’d suggest using a waterproof case as the geothermal waters may not mix well with your tech.
The only exception is in the Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon where NO electronic devices or cameras are permitted. If you want to take photos or use your phone, you can head out to the Blue Lagoon pool area.
Blue Lagoon at night
Can you visit the Blue Lagoon at night? Yes — but the opening hours vary based on the time of year.
From June through mid-August, the Blue Lagoon is open until midnight. From mid August to end of May, it’s open until 10:00 PM. During the summer months, the midnight sun ensures that you always have a bit of light out.
One advantage of visiting the Iceland Blue Lagoon at night is that it has a peaceful, dusky, almost spooky atmosphere. Plus, most of the visiting children will have left by night.
However, don’t plan to get images of the Blue Lagoon underneath a dark sky. If you visit during the summer months, midnight in July will only be a bit dusky. Frankly, it will be a lot darker in late December at 5:00 PM.
Is it possible to see the Northern Lights at the Blue Lagoon Iceland? Technically, it’s possible, but it’s very unlikely.
Most of the images you’ve seen of the Northern Lights are taken in places with little to no light pollution. The Blue Lagoon is full of light. Proper Northern Lights tours — like this Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon tour — will take you far outside the city for the best chance of seeing them.
Iceland Blue Lagoon hours
The Blue Lagoon is open every day of the year for the following hours:
- June 1-August 20: 7:00 AM-12:00 AM
- August 21-May 31: 8:00 AM-10:00 PM
- Christmas Eve: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
- New Years Eve: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
How deep is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is a maximum of 1.7 meters (4.7 feet) deep. This can vary slightly, as the ground underneath is naturally uneven.
For this reason, all children under 13 are required to have a guardian with them while in the Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon temperature
The Blue Lagoon has wonderfully warm water. It has a water temperature ranging between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius (98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
It feels like a nice, warm bath. However, keep in mind that the outdoor temperature and weather mean that the water temperature can fluctuate a bit higher or lower.
But I still found that the temperature of the Blue Lagoon is warm enough to keep you toasty on a cold day.
Are there medicinal benefits to the Blue Lagoon?
You might notice that geothermal spas around the world, including the Blue Lagoon, like to infer that their pools can help medical conditions, especially skin diseases. The Blue Lagoon’s medical benefits were first discovered by Valur Margeirsson, a young man from Keflavík looking for treatment for psoriasis.
Margeirsson reportedly cured his psoriasis from frequent soaks in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. Of course, tales like this must always be taken with a grain of salt. Even so, many people with skin conditions enjoy spending time in a geothermal environment like this.
As always, if you have medical concerns, talk to a medical professional.
Do you have to shower before going into the Blue Lagoon?
Like most spas in Europe and around the world, you must take a shower before going into the pool. The Iceland Blue Lagoon goes one step further and requires you to shower naked.
This is an absolute requirement at every swimming pool and geothermal spa in Iceland. You must be naked. It is the height of rudeness, and actually prohibited, to shower in your bathing suit. Icelanders take cleanliness in pools very seriously.
Don’t worry if you don’t want to be naked in public! While most Iceland locker rooms have communal showers out in the open, there are now several private shower stalls at the Blue Lagoon where you can wash in private.
If you’re interested in more privacy, you get access to private changing rooms with Retreat Spa tickets. More on that below.
Once you’re rinsed and your hair is conditioned, you can put your bathing suit on and head on into the Blue Lagoon.
Timing your Blue Lagoon visit with your flight to/from Iceland
Since the Blue Lagoon is located closer to Keflavík International Airport than Reykjavik, try to time your visit to the Blue Lagoon with your flight to/from Iceland. The Blue Lagoon Iceland is the perfect place to chill out for a bit before your departing flight or get over jet lag and relax into your Iceland vacation after your arriving flight.
If you have super early flights to/from Iceland, you may not be able to do this — but if you have a morning or afternoon arrival or an afternoon or evening departure, you should take advantage of hitting up Iceland’s Blue Lagoon on the way to or from the airport.
If the timing works with your flights, I recommend booking Blue Lagoon tickets and adding an airport transfer. This means you can enjoy the lagoon on your way to/from Keflavík Airport, and not make a separate trip from Reykjavik, giving yourself more time to do other things in Iceland.
If you’re visiting Iceland as a stopover between North America and Europe, you’ll find much more convenient times for visiting the Blue Lagoon from North America to Iceland to Europe rather than when you’re flying home from Europe to Iceland to North America.
Should you combine a Blue Lagoon visit with another tour in Iceland?
If you’re only visiting Iceland for a few days, you can save time and money by booking day tours that include multiple activities in one day. Not a bad way to combine a Blue Lagoon tour with another activity!
Here are some suggestions:
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and tour the Golden Circle, including Kerid Crater (easy).
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and tour Reykjanes Geopark (easy).
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and hike to Merdalir Volcano (moderate to hard).
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and go on a Northern Lights safari afterward (September through April only).
- Visit the Blue Lagoon and go on an ATV Adventure on the Reykjanes Peninsula (moderate).
Personally, I think combining the Blue Lagoon with the Golden Circle is a great way to spend a day in Iceland.
Warning: Your hair will get DESTROYED at the Blue Lagoon!
The silica in the water at the Blue Lagoon can leave your hair dry, matted and straw-like for DAYS. While silica isn’t harmful for your hair, it sure feels like it is!
To avoid stiff hair, everyone told me to use lots of conditioner. The locker rooms at the Iceland Blue Lagoon offer complimentary conditioner, so that made it easy.
Well, after covering my hair in conditioner, putting it up in a French twist, leaving the conditioner in, going into the Blue Lagoon, then coming out, rinsing my hair, conditioning it like crazy, and leaving it in again — my hair was still destroyed for the next five days.
Take my advice — even if you condition your hair, don’t let it touch the water. Just put it up in a bun and don’t submerge your head. You’re not missing out on much by keeping your head out of the water.
You can choose to wear a swim cap (bring your own or buy one at the Blue Lagoon) if you’d like, but I think it’s still better to keep your head dry. I would be especially cautious if you have natural Black hair, curly hair, or color-treated hair.
Iceland Blue Lagoon pricing
Admission tickets to the Blue Lagoon are sold in tiers: Comfort, Premium, and Signature. You can also add on in-water treatments or upgrade to the Retreat Spa tier, which gives you access to a private spa and private lagoon.
The Comfort tier includes:
- From 9,990 ISK ($71 USD)
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica mud mask at the Mask Bar
- Use of towel
- 1 drink of choice
The Premium tier includes:
- From 12,990 ISK ($92 USD)
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica mud mask at the Mask Bar
- Use of towel
- 2 drinks of choice
- 2 additional masks at the Mask Bar
- Use of bathrobe
The Signature tier includes:
- From 16,490 ISK ($117 USD)
- Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
- Silica mud mask at the Mask Bar
- Use of towel
- 2 drinks of choice
- 2 additional masks at the Mask Bar
- Use of bathrobe
- Skincare products to take home with a total value of 11,000 ISK ($78 USD)
All Comfort, Premium and Signature admission tickets also include access to the sauna, steam room, steam cave, mask bar, in-water beverage bar, massage waterfall and changing facilities.
You can also upgrade your experience with in-water treatments, like an in-water massage (from 20,900 ISK/$148 USD) or float therapy (from 20,950 ISDK/$148 USD).
Or if you really want to swim in the lap of luxury (pun intended), check out the Retreat Spa.
The Retreat Spa is a five hour experience for two guests, which includes:
- Access to the Retreat Spa and Retreat Lagoon
- Access to the Blue Lagoon
- The Blue Lagoon Ritual (self-pampering with silica masks, algae masks and more)
- Private changing room with towels, bathrobes and flip flops
- Skincare amenities
- A drink of choice
- Access to the Spa Restaurant
- Access to eight experience areas
The Retreat Spa has floor to ceiling windows and is a luxurious experience. In the spa you’ll find a sauna, a steam cave, a fireplace, a refreshment area, a viewing deck, a cold plunge, and more areas to indulge and relax. The Retreat Lagoon is a smaller and way less crowded version of the main Blue Lagoon pool.
Retreat Spa tickets at the Blue Lagoon start at 89,000 ISK ($630 USD) for two people. Guests must be at least 12 years old to access the Retreat Spa and visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Yes, the Retreat Spa is expensive!! But it’s so different. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It feels removed from the busy main lagoon. One of my travel writer friends told me the Retreat Spa was the best spa experience she’s ever had.
Which tier is best at the Iceland Blue Lagoon? Personally, I think that the Comfort package is more than fine — there’s no real point to Premium or Signature unless you’re really into mud masks.
But if you want to go all out and have the cash to spend, go ahead and treat yourself to the Retreat Spa!
Can you walk around the Blue Lagoon?
Certainly! There is a trail around the grounds of the Blue Lagoon. It’s about 1.6 km (one mile), it’s almost entirely flat, and it works out to be around a 30 minute walk.
Dining at the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon has several restaurants and cafes on the property, making it possible to stay there for hours and enjoy all the amenities.
I highly recommend pre-booking for the restaurants, but especially for Moss, as it’s very popular. You want to make sure you can get your time slot.
Moss Restaurant
If you’re looking for something truly special, Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon offers high-end, elegant, beautifully plated cuisine. Moss is the best restaurant at the Blue Lagoon, with views looking down into the surrounding landscape of the lagoon. It’s also one of the only restaurants in Iceland to make the Michelin Guide.
Moss Restaurant serves seven-course tasting menus exclusively, with a regular set menu and a vegan menu, as well as wine pairings. Expect exquisite, modern, Nordic dishes featuring high-end Icelandic produce.
Moss is open for dinner from Wednesdays to Sundays. Diners must be at least 12 years old and abide by the fine casual dress code.
Lava Restaurant
Lava Restaurant features gourmet dining overlooking the shores of the Blue Lagoon. While high-end, it’s not as fancy as Moss, and is open daily for lunch and dinner service.
Lava Restaurant features an a la carte menu, a tasting menu (available for dinner only) and a children’s menu. Here the lava field is brought indoors, and you dine while surrounded by the remains of an 800 year old lava cliff.
Spa Restaurant
The Spa Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon specializes in light, healthy dishes to be enjoyed in a quiet, peaceful environment. The atmosphere here is more relaxed — no reservations are needed and you can dine in your bathrobe.
A good selection of vegetarian, seafood, and meat dishes are on offer, and they have a nice beverage list. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Blue Cafe
For a casual snack or refreshment, you can visit the Blue Cafe which looks out over the Blue Lagoon pool. They also serve up a breakfast box, perfect to take with you if you’re on your way to catch a morning flight!
My Blue Lagoon experience
I enjoyed my time at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Being the kind of girl who loves extreme heat, I thought the water wouldn’t be hot enough for me, but it turns out that there is a super-hot section just for cold-blooded ones like myself!
Right away I got into the soft milky-blue waters filled with algae, silica, salt and natural minerals, and immediately felt ten times more relaxed.
It never gets too hot in Iceland — on my spring and summer trips, temperatures hovered in mid-40s Fahrenheit (about 6-9 C), which made the pool nice and toasty, and not so cold that walking outside was like Nordic torture. It felt just fine.
If you visit the Blue Lagoon in winter, it will be colder, but that just means you should get in the water a bit faster. The water feels nice and cozy year-round.
The Blue Lagoon gives you wristbands that connect to your credit card which you can use for purchases while in the water. This is a brilliant way of paying for items without having to keep an eye on your purse or wallet. Your wristband also acts as your locker key.
The Blue Lagoon has a sauna and steam room. You can get a variety of spa treatments, like face masks, but nothings’s better than a massage on a float right in the Blue Lagoon! There are cocktails and alcoholic beverages at the swim-up bar, but I prefer the smoothies, all of which you can conveniently pay for with your wristband.
On the way out, there’s a gift shop filled with souvenirs and skincare products to take home with you.
Overall, if you’re going to Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is a beautiful place and one of those unique experiences that you just have to try. If only for the social media posts!
But if you can, I recommend you do it on the way to or from the airport — and I beg you, don’t let that water touch your hair!
Once you’ve tried the Blue Lagoon, you may be up for trying more of Iceland’s fantastic hot springs — including the Sky Lagoon.
Alternatives to the Blue Lagoon
Iceland is a fantastic country, rich in geothermal spa experiences! Whether you want another high-end spa day or you want to hit the city pools with the locals, you have plenty of choices both in Reykjavik and around the country.
Below are a few other alternatives to the Blue Lagoon that you may want to visit instead. Or, if you really get into the Icelandic tradition of bathing, maybe you’ll want to visit them all!
Sky Lagoon Iceland
I am a huge fan of the Sky Lagoon, which opened in April 2021. This spa is much closer to Reykjavik (about a 15-minute drive from downtown) and it’s a more luxurious, adult-oriented experience — all gray and misty overlooking the ocean. You can read my full review of the Sky Lagoon here.
I think the Sky Lagoon is a great option if you want a quieter, less kid-filled experience (the minimum age here is 12 and adult supervision is required) without shelling out the sky-high fees for the fancy Retreat Spa at the Blue Lagoon.
You can book the Sky Lagoon here.
Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Hvammsvik, about 45 minutes north of Reykjavík, is known for its unspoiled natural setting which you can appreciate from their eight hot spring pools. Enjoy a soak while you take in the Icelandic wilderness!
Admission starts at 4,900 ISK ($35 USD) and advanced booking is encouraged to secure your spot. There are also hiking trails, dining options and accommodation available on-site.
You can book Hvammsvik Hot Springs here – or book this option with transfers to/from Reykjavik.
Reykjavik public swimming pools
Within Reykjavík there are several public swimming pools that you can enjoy for a low fee. I personally visited the Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, the oldest swimming pool in Reykjavík. This public pool complex has indoor and outdoor pools, a children’s pool, several hot tubs, a cold tub, and saunas.
The cost is a reasonable 1,330 ISK ($9 USD) for adults, 205 ISK ($1 USD) for 16- and 17-year-olds, and free for kids under 16.
Keep in mind that phones and cameras are NOT allowed at public swimming pools in Reykjavík. You also are required to shower without swimwear on before entering the pools.
Other geothermal pools in Iceland
Beyond Reykjavík, there are so many memorable geothermal pools in other parts of the country. I recommend checking out:
- Vök Baths in Egilsstaðir (you can read my full review of the Vök Baths here)
- GeoSea Geothermal Baths in Húsavík
- Forest Lagoon in Akureyri
- Hofsós Sundlaug swimming pool on the Trollaskagi Peninsula
Read More: Is the Sky Lagoon Worth It?
Blue Lagoon Iceland address
Visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland at:
Blue Lagoon Iceland
Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík
+354 420 8800
More things to do in Iceland
Iceland is home to some of the most exciting, once-in-a-lifetime activities you can imagine! This is your chance to go all out with scenery and adventure. It seems like everywhere you go in Iceland, you’re experiencing some of the wonders of the world.
Here are my top recommendations of things to do in Iceland, beyond the Blue Lagoon:
Snorkeling Silfra with Professional Photos — Snorkel the cold, clear, bright blue waters between the European and American tectonic plates, wearing a drysuit to stay warm-ish. A very adventurous activity, unlike anything else in the world, and the best thing I’ve ever done in Iceland.
Horseback Riding in the Lava Fields — Icelandic horses are a unique species — fuzzy, short and adorable. Hop on horseback and explore the lava fields, another truly only-in-Iceland activity.
South Coast of Iceland Tour — The South Coast is the most scenic part of Iceland that you can easily experience on a day trip from Reykjavik. This tour takes in multiple waterfalls, cliffs, and a black sand beach, all seen by jeep with off-roading capabilities.
Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour — Icelandic cuisine isn’t exactly world-famous, so here’s your chance to get to know it better! Taste unique dishes from the sea and the land, including Iceland’s famous street hot dog, with a local expert and new friends.
Northern Lights Hunt and Photo Shoot — Watch the green Aurora Borealis dance across the sky, and learn how to photograph it well, even with your phone. Keep in mind that the Northern Lights are seasonal and never a guarantee, but this tour offers you a SECOND TRY if you don’t see them your first night!
Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour — Head out to three cool bars in Reykjavik, led by a guide and surrounded by new friends, tasting Icelandic beers, schnapps, and spirits you never would have known about otherwise. A fun way to enjoy booze in a pricey country.
And this is just the beginning; the Reykjavík area is only one small part of Iceland. To really get to know the country, head out on a road trip, exploring the Ring Road and seeing even more incredible landscapes at every turn.
READ MORE: 35 Awesome Things to Do in Reykjavík, Iceland
When to visit Iceland: Summer vs Winter
While Iceland is very popular throughout the year, it’s at its busiest and most expensive during the summer months. This is when you have long days (and midnight sun!), the most pleasant weather (though in Iceland the weather can be brutal and ever-changing year-round), and the most activities available.
If you choose to visit Iceland during the summer, be sure to book accommodation, tours, and car rental as soon as possible. Many hotels, flights, cars, and activities sell out in advance.
Winter is the slowest time of year for tourism in Iceland. If you want to experience a quieter Iceland, I highly recommend visiting during the winter. Keep in mind that it’s a cheaper time to visit, flights will likely be less expensive, daylight hours will be limited, and fewer tours and activities will be available.
Are you interested in seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland? The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are most likely to be seen during the winter months and around the vernal and autumnal equinoxes (March 21 and September 21). You are extremely unlikely to see them in the summer.
However, the Northern Lights are finicky and unpredictable. Despite your best efforts, you might not get to see them. Many an Iceland tourist has been disappointed at missing their chance.
My advice? Don’t make your trip all about the Northern Lights. (Frankly, there are places much more reliable than Iceland to see the Northern Lights, like parts of Alaska and northern Norway.) Go in with cautious optimism.
If you see the Northern Lights, great! If you don’t, you’ve still had a fun trip to Iceland.
Where to stay In Iceland
Where’s the best place to stay in Iceland? If you’re only staying in Iceland for a few days, Reykjavik makes an excellent base for exploring western Iceland – including the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle.
Here are my top recommendations for Reykjavik accommodation, whether you prefer hotels, hostels, or apartments.
Best Reykjavik hotels
All of the following hotels are located within Reykjavik’s city center or a short walk away.
Best Luxury Hotel: Sand Hotel — Immaculate, gorgeous, and brimming with textured amenities, all set in the heart of downtown Reykjavik and steps from everything. Artsy Icelandic touches in all the right places. Truly outstanding.
Best Mid-range Hotel: Hotel Ódinsvé — Classy, clean, black and white modern hotel rooms, all in a perfect central location. Feels special without breaking the bank. Has a Danish restaurant with an elegant bar on-site.
Best Budget Hotel: Igdlo Guesthouse — A warm and welcoming family-run guesthouse with both private rooms and dorms available, plus access to a kitchen, barbecue, and laundry to keep costs down even further.
Best Hostel: KEX Hostel — One of the coolest and hippest hostels in the Nordics, featuring a gorgeous lounge area, a nice restaurant, and both dorms and private rooms.
Find deals on Reykjavík hotels here.
Best Reykjavik apartments
All of the following apartments are located within Reykjavik’s city center or a short walk away.
Best Luxury Apartments: House of the Snowbird — Two gorgeous apartments in a cheery red house that feels like a piece of art. Filled with hand-carved furnishings, comfy robes, and pieces of Icelandic artwork. Almost like a retreat hotel. Unforgettable!
Best Mid-range Apartments: Island Apartments — A minimalist Scandinavian paradise in the absolute heart of downtown Reykjavik. Everything you need in a very convenient spot.
Best Budget Apartments: Stay Apartments Einholt — Simple, clean, high quality apartments at a low price (by Reykjavik standards). Simple kitchen facilities and access to laundry machines.
Find deals on Reykjavik apartments here.
Iceland & Blue Lagoon essential info
The Blue Lagoon has several different tiers of pricing: Comfort, Premium, Signature and Retreat Spa, with entry starting at $71 USD. Ticket prices vary based on the date/time of your visit and booking in advance is highly recommended.
Book tickets to the Blue Lagoon including optional transfers from the airport or Reykjavík here. Alternatively, book the much fancier and pricier Retreat Spa at the Blue Lagoon here.
For flights to Iceland, I find the best rates on Skyscanner. Double-check to make sure you got a good rate.
Would you like to experience Iceland on a fun group tour? G Adventures has several Iceland tours, all with small groups.
The best way to get from the airport to downtown Reykjavík and back, or to and from the Blue Lagoon, is the Flybus. It’s cheap, easy, and runs frequently.
While Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, it’s vital to get travel insurance before your trip. If you get seriously injured and require an air ambulance home, it could save you literally hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don’t travel anywhere without insurance. Check out World Nomads, a company I’ve used before, to see if they’re right for you.
Plan Your Trip to Iceland:
- What My Actual Iceland Trip Cost: Detailed Budget Breakdown
- Iceland Packing List: What to Pack and What to Leave at Home
- What NOT to Do in Iceland
More Hot Springs in Iceland:
- Sky Lagoon: An Upscale Geothermal Spa Close to Reykjavík
- Are the Vök Baths Iceland’s Best Geothermal Spa?
More on Reykjavík:
- 35 Awesome Things To Do in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Sail Through the Sky with FlyOver Iceland
- Snorkeling Silfra: The Cold Neon Waters of Iceland
Cool Places to Visit in Iceland:
- Kvernufoss, My Favorite Waterfall in Iceland
- Studlagil Canyon, East Iceland’s Spectacular Wonder
- A Guide to the Gorgeous Tröllaskagi Peninsula of North Iceland
- Visiting Stokksnes and Vestrahorn Mountain, Iceland
More than a decade ago in 2012, the Iceland Tourism Board hosted my first Blue Lagoon visit. I’ve since returned, paying my own way. All opinions, as always, are my own.
My boyfriend is dying to go to Iceland, this post made me want to go, too!! : )
Great post! I had no idea the Blue Lagoon wasn’t entirely natural.
And well, the getting naked part… that seems pretty popular in Europe. Canada may be different than the US, but we do not like to go around butt naked either!!! So that would require a bit of adjustment on my part. But I guess in the end it’s worth it!
Well if you are planing to go somewhere a bit of research is expected, there one can realise that this is not a natural phenomenon.
As per walking around butt naked being a common sight in Europe!!!!!! I can safely say that you have never been to Europe, you may have never left your street but you should try it sometimes but drop the assumptions and please oh please don’t walk around butt naked you may get yourself in a lot of troubles, on many levels.
What a snide response…she never said walking around naked was a common site in Europe. In the US it is not common in most places to bathe naked in public, fact and in Europe it is, fact. I’ve soaked all over the world! The only nude bathing places I’ve been to in the US were in Northern Cali.
You don’t have to get naked anymore. The changing rooms are wide opened, but in the men’s they have at least one changing room with a door. If you go when it’s busy I’m sure it’s impossible to get, but there is that option. Also they now have multiple shower stalls with doors as long as you don’t mind being one of the few waiting to use them… and honestly there is absolutely nothing forcing you to shower without a bathing suit on. There’s a sign…. but that’s all.
Thanks for the update Mike. I have a group going to the Blue Lagoon soon and they’ll be happy to know they can change and shower privately. 🙂
Thanks for the tips, Kate !
The part about getting naked to shower seems to be common to all the thermal pools in Iceland. In addition to the Blue Lagoon, I also had to strip to shower before using the pools at Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik. (For the record, I had to use Google Maps to get the spelling for that one.) The signs that graphically depict which body parts require soap are rather amusing.
I agree about enjoying the Blue Lagoon after arriving or before departing Keflavik. I did it before departing. It was a great way to relax before the onward flight. And even my short hair was destroyed.
2 things i tell everyone, including my readers, about the blue lagoon is leave your modesty at home and wear a not so cute shower cap. i have dreadlocks and my poor hair sucked up so much of that devil water that i considered chopping them off. after two weeks of deep conditioning they felt like hair again. that stuff is no jokeni
I have never gotten dreadlock specific advise before in a blog thanks! Know any web site selling waterproof tams?
Thanks!
It really is horrible for your hair! I was warned ahead of time, and made sure not to get my head wet!
I did get to go to the Lagoon before my flight home (as I had a 5 p.m. flight), and it was PERFECT. A great way to relax before the stresses of air travel kick in.
I was surprised by the fact that it wasn’t natural, too. But one of the biggest surprises I had was that there was a lot, and I mean a LOT, of “action” going on in the murky waters of the Blue Lagoon. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
All that notwithstanding, I did have a great time!
Yikes, runoff?? I think I’d rather bathe in volcanically heated pools. Risk level might be similar, actually.
Geothermal runoff — it’s just heat. No chemicals or anything like that!
Thanks for this information! After hearing all this, I might consider skipping the Blue Lagoon on my next trip to Iceland. Though you said that you ultimately enjoyed your time there, it does seem like there are some negatives. Just the fact that you have to get naked is enough to scare me away!
Oh, it’s only for a minute, and it’s Scandinavia — nobody looks or cares! Please don’t skip it for that reason. It’s a cool place.
Last time I checked Iceland wasn’t in Scandinavia 🙂
Picky, picky. I think these traditions can be considered Scandinavian, but yes, Iceland is a Nordic country, not technically part of Scandinavia. Look up the Kalmar Union for more information on the ambiguity if you would like and don’t be a know-it-all!
Lol I guess your last time checking was right about now ?
Iceland is most assuredly Scandinavian, my friend. Culturally at the very least.
Getting naked in the shower is normal in Finland too and propaply everywhere in the norden countries. We also sit in the sauna naked, at home or in bublic saunas, but every woman has seen a naked woman before, so nobody cares! I’ve heard that in germany they have same changing rooms together with women and men. THAT is something I would’t do..
Me neither. 🙂
Well, getting naked in the shower is normal everywhere but in US for whatever reason. And yes in Germany and other german leaning/speaking countries people getting to the saunas in a birthday suites. It’s kind of difficult to understand when someone puts a polyester or neylon swim suites on and then enters 150F steam room, sort of defeats the purpose.
In all the swimming pools I visited in Iceland, you had to shower naked before going in (and wash thoroughly – there are pictures in the showers showing you which parts you have to wash exactly. Kind of funny). Doesn’t matter – everybody else is naked too, nobody will notice you. And if I remember correctly, at the Blue Lagoon you have smaller shower stalls, not (only) one big open space, so there is some degree of privacy.
The Blue Lagoon is a wonderful and one of a kind experience – don’t let the little inconveniences deter you. Even the hair recovers after a few days…
Perfect timing…this was on my agenda for Wednesday!
Will not get hair wet, will not get hair wet, will not get hair wet!
what’s in there that destroys your hair, what kind of minerals?
I believe zinc is one — not sure otherwise…
Damn it! I didn’t know that you have to shower naked before going into any of the thermal pools in Iceland! Now I’ll think twice before going! That’s such a bummer 🙁
(Yes, as an Egyptian I am not used to showering naked infront of anyone, even in sports classes in school we had private bathroom stalls :D)
I agree! I went before my flight and loved it because I was so relaxed. Also, the other thing? There is A LOT of gross hair in the lagoon.
Ugh, I really don’t want to think about that now!!!
I hadn’t heard of this particular Blue Lagoon before but Iceland is a place I’d be interested to visit in the future so it’s good to know of it!
Have you heard of the Blue Lagoon in Malta? Not heated I’m afraid, but completely natural … It’s so clear it’s like a massive swimming pool but in the sea 🙂
I haven’t heard of the one in Malta! I know there’s a Blue Lagoon in Fiji, one in Croatia, and one on the island of Capri in Italy that I unfortunately didn’t get to see because the waves were too rough during my visit….
Been to the blue lagoon in Fiji… there’s also a blue hole in Belize… but the place on Capri is the blue GROTTO. Sorry you couldn’t make it. Usually tourists are taken in by small (very small) boats. One day I was there with family, the boatmen went on strike, the weather was perfect, and we jumped off a cliff and swam into the grotto to see the magical projected blue light. As it happened, a local guy was with us, and he told us stories about the place, and showed us where an ancient Roman tunnel into the gotto was used by Partisan during WWII.
Now, heading off to Iceland and thinking about Laugarvata Fontana, a different hot springs off in the countyside.
What about the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Awesome post, Kate! I think I’d melt in the lagoon – just a wee bit hairy – but glad you had a great time. That’s insane about your hair, though – 5 DAYS?!?
I’m happy to report my hair is back to (its version of) normal and even got complimented by a few of the girls on the boat in Croatia. 🙂
Haha, I agree on all counts! I try to warn everyone about the hair thing but it seems you have to experience it for yourself to believe it! It’s still a great experience though, and very relaxing…
All good points. I went to the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport. I didn’t wash my hair afterwards and it REEKED on the plane. But it was still one of my best travel adventures ever.
agree, it’s a great way to relax on your travel.
in my opinion, all public places should require naked showers with a soap.
Wow thanks for the tips Kate – still trying to get over the naked bit!! Will remember this for when I eventually go to Iceland.
By take a shower naked in public, do you mean in the open in front of children (and opposite sex)? Or nude inside the lockers of the same-sex. I’m amazed others haven’t asked this question.
I’m going to the Blue Lagoon this afternoon. Glad you warned us about the naked showering part. At least we don’t have to go in the water naked, like the onsens in Japan.
I’m also slightly turned off after reading Sandra’s comment about the amount of hanky-panky going on underwater.
I was a bit scared the first time I went swimming in Iceland, but I got over it pretty quickly when I just did what I saw the locals doing. I realized pretty quickly that they weren’t staring at me or judging me.
I completely regret going to the Blue Lagoon because of the things no one told me. Everyone talks about how beautiful it is, and how ONLY Americans are going to ignore the washing rules.
After visiting other local pools during the week, I had embraced the preswim ritual so much so, that I felt superior to those that felt they could just ignore the instructions. I wanted to tell people that they had to shower, but I couldn’t….you know why? They didn’t speak English, which means they weren’t Americans! That made me feel better about the stereotypes…until I got in the pool….
It was crowded and on the verge of being filled with trash. People in groups really forget who and where they are. Probably everyone in that pool would deny that they skipped their shower or left their beer cups on the side of the pool, to fall in and ruin things for everyone. Then there was the creepy guy that took up the whole waterfall for a half hour.
After a week, taking in the natural wonder and beauty of Iceland, without bumping into many other tourists or crowds at all, the crowded Blue Lagoon left a bad taste in our mouths. I will suggest that people visit the Blue Lagoon as soon as they get off the plane, and before they see anything else in the country.
Try to find a natural hot spring, rather than this overpriced spa.
Oh, yeah, wash your junk thoroughly, and don’t be embarrassed.
Nice article – I find it funny how many people are horrified by the showering naked part. As a Scandinavian living in the US I was horrified for a long time at the fact that people are *not* required to shower naked at US pools – I found it (and still kind of do, but learned to live with it) incredibly gross that people can walk straight from the street into crowded public pools *without* washing their private parts – just passing through the shower for a second with your grubby swimsuit on…
It’s funny how cultures differ in what we find offensive 🙂
We were just there in November on a cold and rainy day. The shower thing is no big deal. No one is interested in your bits and pieces. One thing I didn’t realize is that u don’t have to get in and out of pool. You can enter through an adjoining door in the bottom of the indoor pool. There are steam rooms and saunas carved into the rock caves and a cave with music playing. It’s an awesome experience – don’t not go if its raining – it almost makes it better.
I’m going to Iceland on Sunday, stopping on a long layover on my way to Italy! I was considering not going to the Blue Lagoon anymore because it’s supposed to be rainy this entire next week. Glad I saw this though! Are there places to keep luggage (I’m bringing a 65L hiking backpack) while at the Blue Lagoon? I know a lot of people also plan to go on their way to or from the airport!
They do offer luggage storage! The current price is 550 ISK ($5.25 USD) per bag.
For goodness sake — there is LOTS of privacy — you don not have to shower in front of everyone. Lots of private stalls. Yes, shower naked but you do it privately, don’t listen to those silly posts. Apr 2013
I visited the Blue Lagoon in august of 2012, It was a beautiful experience.
I was also quite nervous about the showering-bit. Yes, it is true that you have to shower naked. But as stated here before, there are lots of private stalls, so don’t worry about being naked in front of strangers if you don’t wan’t to. You have te be prepared that most visitors aren’t very prudish though, so don’t be shocked by other guests’ nakedness..
it is a fact that Blue Lagoon is natural phenomenon they just built more stuff around it.
im from iceland and i know all about blue lagoon i went there first when i was 5 yers old and im now 33 🙂
I am so glad somebody else wrote about this and mentioned it is not natural, I thought I was the only one! They do a very good marketing campaign and the pictures look brilliant so everybody wants to go. If they told you it was just a spa resort (where you had to show your bits) then I wouldn’t have any problem. Going on the way to or from the airport is a good idea as it is a good bit away.
Well, I came here hoping I could swim naked in the pools. Oh well. Try swimming naked in the Ocean or even just a pool. It’s a feeling like no other. I don’t get why everyone is so uptight and I’m an American.
My work social club just offered up a group trip to Iceland and was looking for information as I may end up travelling mostly alone for the trip. Great insight and I’m even more excited to go. Beautiful pictures as well!
We just came back from there this weekend….and we didn’t have to get naked? Who told you that?! FAIL. Plus it’s only 15 minutes from the airport…maybe less!
Went to the Blue Lagoon April 2013. There are different showers for men and women, and there are private stalls, but you may have to queue for them. For the record, some people were showering naked, but as I didn’t see any shower police around, I kept my swimming trunks on. There again I am British. We invaded Iceland in WW2, therefore we can do what we want. (and the Yanks as well, as they also invaded)
So, if not The Blue Lagoon, could someone recommend another geothermal spa, that might be entirely natural? I’m looking forward to my visit to the B.L., all things considered…except the hair part….someone ought to be able to filter it out and skim on a regular basis. gross!
How do I dress for my travel to the Blue Lagoon? We are going there around the 17th of September.
Just bring a bathing suit and you’ll be fine.
I have to say that my experience to the blue lagoon was extraordinary. It’s not lame like some people say. I paid 80 dollars round trip bus fare and entrance. Had a bus pick us up from our hostel and dropped us off to our hostel. What’s the big deal about showering naked! Ughhh! Separate showers for women n men. Please it’s the 21st century, there’s worst things than that! Get a grip! No one is making sure you wash your genitals. Use a lot of conditioner, your hair will deffo be a bit dry, you will survive, your hair will survive, just have a good time, that’s what’s all about!
I just came back from here. I did NOT get naked and no one told me I had to. Showered before and after with my bathing suit on as did many other women. Others undressed if they chose to. We all have the same body parts so don’t see what the big deal is either way or why it was mentioned here. Not like it’s coed. It’s really not that far from Reykjavik and I didn’t go before or after my flight. Honestly this post was not helpful or that informative. This as well as other geothermal spas in iceland are not to be missed.
Hi!
My concern is this: We will be visiting the Blue Lagoon on our way to the airport heading for Germany. What do you do with your wet bathing suit when you leave? Just pack it up in your suitcase and carry it with you? I want to avoid the stink and the mildew if at all possible! I guess I could towel dry it as much as possible? Any advice?
Thanks!
Wring it out as well as you can and put it in a plastic bag. It starts to get into mildew territory if it’s more than 12 hours — it will be much less for you!
Kate!!
I went to the Blue Lagoon two days ago and my hair looks Like a mix between hay and cotton since I did not know it was so bad for your hair
Get yourself a nice deep conditioning treatment!
My hair actually felt AMAZINGLY after my trip to the Blue Lagoon. That conditioner is awesome. It’s true that I did not get my hair that wet while in the lagoon, but to me it’s not really a place for swimming. It’s more like the greatest hot tub you could ever imagine. Go on a weekday morning and avoid the crowds (in the winter anyway…not sure about the summer.)
I gave been twice to the Blue Lagoon and both times I had the shower before going in it was an enclosed shower with a frosted door and I kept my costume on both times too.
Also, I didn’t think it affected my hair.
It was a fantastic trip both times and would highly recommend
Great post! I had NO idea about the hair issues, and I was trying to figure out why so many tours offer a pickup or dropoff at the Blue Lagoon before the airport. Now I know it’s because it’s just a more convenient way to see them. I, too, am familiar with the shower-naked-before-you-get-in-the-pool scenario from the hot pots at Laugardalslaug. It’s not really a big deal in the end, but I don’t see why these other commenters are getting all bent out of shape one way or another about it. It’s just the rule, and you should follow it whether someone is policing you or not… It’s that simple.
I am confused about the hair issue. I plan on taking a shower and not washing my hair or getting it wet. And then going into the Blue Lagoon and not putting my head in the water or getting my hair would, much as in a hot tub. So I won’t have any wet hair issues. Is this a correct assumption? If so, why is impossible hair such an issue. Do most people dunk their head under the Blue Lagoon water?
Thanks much for any info you can offer.
Sheryl
Don’t dunk your head. But you might end up accidentally getting a bit of Blue Lagoon water on the bottom of your hairline even if you’re careful, so I recommend the conditioner route.
Been to The Netherlands and Germany and visited saunas where nudity is the norm, but never been swimming in the nude………from your own experience would you say it was quite
exhillerating(sorry bout the spelling no dictionary to hand)?
Are you by any chance Scottish? Just going by your name!
Heard two ladies in the Blue Lagoon 3 hours ago – discussing this exact page
You don’t have to get naked anymore. The changing rooms are wide opened, but in the men’s they have at least one changing room with a door. Also there are multiple changing rooms for both sexes so I assume each one of them has at least one closed changing room. If you go when it’s busy I’m sure it’s impossible to get, but there is that option.
Also they now have multiple shower stalls with doors as long as you don’t mind being one of the few waiting to use them… and honestly there is absolutely nothing forcing you to shower without a bathing suit on. There’s a sign…. but that’s all. Just clean under it if you’re really that freaked out about being naked no one is going to say anything to you.
It was a truly amazing experience, but next time I do want to find some of the more secluded natural pools. But don’t skip the blue lagoon if you’ve never been I spent like three hours there going back and forth between the pool, the waterfall and the steam room (stream room #1 is much cooler than the others). It was incredible. I did go in May so there was plenty of room not sure what you should expect if you go later.
Hello Kate,
Thanks for the info. I am planning a trip to Iceland for next month. You have provided some good info for me to plan my visit. Can you tell me how much time that I should allow for my visit? This would be just for visiting the lagoon without any spa services. Also, should I book now before I get there or is it better to book locally? Happy Travels
Wow. We were thinking of going to the blue lagoon, but you make it seem like crap. Thanks for the warning
For all the warning about the lagoon water ruining and destroying your hair, I loved what it did to my hair. It gave it body which I never have. I wanted to bottle that water so I could keep my hair full of body.
And Kate, relax about being naked. The lockers are separate and nobody cares! Just shower and get into that beautiful milky blue water. You’ll forget you wee ever naked.
Going there in two weeks and had to do my research. Dammit I want to dunk my hair ! Didn’t know about the showering naked part either…totally cool with that lol
Do people wear water shoes in the Blue Lagoon? Not sure how far you have to walk from the showers to the Lagoon and is it easy to do without any type of shoes…..same for the Lagoon itself or anywhere else in Iceland. Packing light and don’t want to bring something not needed.