Blue Lagoon in Iceland - Tickets, Information and How to Visit

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Want to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland? It is one of Iceland’s most talked-about attractions and a place where the powers of geothermal seawater and high-end treatments blend to create a memorable and relaxing spa journey.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Blue Lagoon?

Visitors can choose between three categories of tickets; Comfort, Premium, and Retreat Spa.

Type of Ticket	Adults	Youth (Ages 2 – 13)
Comfort	77€	free
Premium	99€	free
Retreat Spa	569€	Not available

Ticket Info

There are three different categories of tickets available to purchase for the Blue Lagoon. Pre-booking is necessary and it’s recommended that you book your Blue Lagoon tickets well in advance, as soon as you got your dates fixed.

Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of what’s included in each package:

Comfort Ticket:

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
Silica mud mask
Use of towel
1st drink of your choice

Premium Ticket:

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
Silica mud mask
Use of towel
1st drink of your choice
Second mask of choice
Slippers
Use of bathrobe
Table reservation at Lava Restaurant
Sparkling wine if dining

Retreat Spa Ticket:

Retreat Spa
Retreat Lagoon
Private Changing Rooms
The Blue Lagoon Ritual
The Blue Lagoon
Skin Care Amenities
A Drink of Your Choice

Photo: Alla Laurent/Shutterstock

What is the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa that is known for its soothing waters and skin treatments. It’s a man-made lagoon and not a natural hot spring, contrary to what many tourists believe.

The water has a temperature of 39°C (102°F) year-round, making it a very relaxing and nice place to go for a swim. The Blue Lagoon water is especially rich in minerals such as sulfur and silica. But there are also other dissolved minerals such as chloride, natron, and calcium.

In addition to the lagoon, there is also a complete spa-facility with skin treatments as well as therapies and massages. The mineral-rich water is known to help those who have psoriasis.

Opening Hours

1st January – 25th May: 8am – 10pm
26th May – 29th June: 7am – 11pm
30th June – 20 August: 7am – midnight
21st August – 1st October: 8am – 10pm
2nd October – 31st December: 8am – 8pm

Photo: Puripat Lertpunyaroj/Shutterstock

Best time to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

During the summer months (June – August) and wintertime (November – February), the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is late in the evening to enjoy the summer sun and the northern lights.

To avoid the crowds, go early and arrive for opening time. With that said, although it does get crowded at times, especially during high season, it’s still very nice to come here for a relaxing and invigorating experience.

Just make sure that you plan ahead for your visit as it’s such a popular attraction that tickets can be sold out weeks in advance. I recommend that you stay for a couple of hours, at least.

Points of Interest

Mask Bar

Head to the mask bar and apply cleansing silica and algae mask to your face.

In- Water Bar

Float over to the bar and enjoy a drink of your choice (included in your ticket).

Sauna & Steam Room

Hop out of the water and into the sauna and steam room to feel the heat of the earth.

In-Water Massage

Opt for a massage in the pool and take relaxing to a whole new level.

Photo: zulkamalober / Shutterstock.com

Accommodation & Restaurants

Most guests only make a day visit to the geothermal spa, but there is also the possibility to book accommodation on site. Visitors can either book the Silica Hotel (from EUR 500) or the Retreat Hotel (from EUR 1,150).

Silica Hotel is simple yet elegant with modern furnishing while the Retreat Hotel offers a more luxurious stay.

Lava Restaurant

The Lava Restaurant is open during Lunch from 11:30 and later for Dinner between 17:00 and 21:00. It’s a relaxed fine dining experience where you can dine in your robe until 16:00.

There is both a set lunch/dinner menu and A la carte menu with Icelandic food. The Lava Restaurant is built into an 800-year old lava cliff where you get stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Moss Restaurant

The Moss restaurant has been recommended by the Michelin Guide and is known for its modern take on Icelandic Cuisine. You can choose between set menus or book a place at the Chef’s table for an exquisite dining experience.

The Moss Restaurant is open from 18:30 to 21:30 and the dress code is Smart Casual.

History & Info

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa that’s renowned for its healing properties and relaxing qualities. The man-made lagoon was originally built in 1971 as an add-on to the Svartsengi geothermal power plant and is filled by waste-water from the plant.

Though this sounds slightly concerning, the water is completely clean and chemical-free, containing only natural minerals that have been proven over time to be excellent for the skin.

That said, when the lagoon was first built, it wasn’t instantly used as a place to bathe until ten years later when the first person took a dip in the mineral-rich blue waters.

The young man, Valur Margeirsson, was suffering from a skin condition called psoriasis and obtained permission from the plant’s chairman to swim in his waters. It was Margeirsson who named the waters ‘Blue Lagoon’ and the name stuck.

After Margeirsson discovered the healing powers of the Blue Lagoon, public bathing facilities were opened in 1987 and though the facilities were basic, people flocked to the area. Just like that, the geothermal spa quickly became one of the most visited attractions in the country and a popular bathing spot for both locals and tourists alike.

After undergoing constant renewals and developments, and a relocation that took the waters a little further from the power plant, the Blue Lagoon is now considered to be a world-class spa capable of facilitating thousands of guests each year.

New additions to the facilities include a five-star hotel, a Retreat Spa designed for the luxurious spa users, and an onsite restaurant and cafe.

Photo: Blue Planet Studio / Shutterstock.com

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

From Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon is just a 50-minute drive away and can be accessed by car or public transport.

From Keflavik Airport, it is just a 20-minute drive away and can be accessed by car or public transport.

There are hourly bus transfers between Blue Lagoon, Reykjavík, and Keflavík Airport and tickets cost 40€. This price includes return transfers, with pickup and dropoff at your hotel/guesthouse.

All bus transfers are operated by Destination Blue Lagoon. The bus departs every hour and will be based on your pre-selected arrival time at the geothermal spa.

You can use the return bus that suits your needs the best. Please note that transfers to KEF Airport have limited availability and it’s recommended that you check the bus schedule before making your booking.

Nearby Attractions

The Blue Lagoon is fairly isolated and you won’t find many attractions nearby. However, it’s only a short drive from Keflavik International Airport so it’s a great activity to do at the start or end of your trip as you arrive or before you’re leaving Iceland.

Facts about the Blue Lagoon

The 6 million liters of geothermal seawater in the Blue Lagoon comes from 1981 meters/6,500 feet below the surface.
The geothermal spa is not located in Reykjavik, it is actually in Grindavik.
You have to shower without clothes/swimsuit before entering the Blue Lagoon waters.
The water that passes through the geothermal power plant and then flows into the Blue Lagoon is heavily mineralized. It contains high concentrations of silica, which is what gives the water its characteristic milky-blue color.
The Blue Lagoon is situated over an active lava field in Grindavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula on the southwest of Iceland.
The water is technically wastewater from the geothermal power plant that you can see from the Lagoon itself.
The deepest part of the Blue Lagoon is 1.6 meters, so for adults its standing height.