Should you visit the Blue Lagoon Iceland? – Reviews + Tips (e.g. hair)

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Not far from the capital city Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon (Icelandic: Bláa lónið) geothermal spa is the most touristic place in Iceland. This man-made lagoon is fed by the water output of the geothermal power plant nearby. This geothermal seawater is known for its healing effect and active ingredients such as minerals, silica and algae.

Origin of the water at the Blue Lagoon Iceland

The geothermal seawater comes from 2,000 meters beneath the surface and travels through porous lava. The superheated water is vented near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. Then the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.

Health and Blue Lagoon water

The Blue lagoon holds six million liters of geothermal seawater, which is renewed every 40 hours. “Common” bacteria do not thrive in this ecosystem, thus additional cleansers such as chlorine are not needed.

The waters, whose temperature reaches 37–39 °C (98–102 °F), are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur. The silicate minerals are the primary cause of that water’s milky blue color. It is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis.

Should you visit ? Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews

For those wondering if they should really spend that much money on it, let me summarize the Blue Lagoon Reviews   for you (TripAdvisor has more than 4000 at the moment I am writing this)

"BEST DAY EVER" REVIEW

Most reviews (70%) just rave about the place. Maybe because of the weather, everyone really enjoys the warm bath. All find the Blue lagoon very relaxing. Some book a premium package with massages that they find weird as they are floating but definitively a unique experience

"WORTHY TOURIST TRAP" REVIEW

25% of the reviews acknowledge the many tourists and high prices issues of the Blue Lagoon Iceland, but still recommends a stop there as a unique experience. Complaints include: high price of entry, high price of extra towel, prices at the bar, queue at the entrance, number of tourists.

"THIS IS SO OVERRATED" REVIEW

For 5% of people the blue water experience do not compensate the huge number of tourists, the high prices and the proximity to the power plant. They find it a stressful expensive warm bath.

And my personal experience and review...

A stop at the Blue Lagoon was included at the end of my Photography tour. The quantity of tourist really did not please me. I decided to let the other go and watch the place from the terrace. I also went outside to have a look around blue colored water. All my co-travellers really enjoyed the experience and felt relaxed.

I did try the same concept at the Myvatn Nature Baths in North Iceland as it was a lot less touristy. It was great to relax all my muscles after a long day of walking but I was not a fan of the oily impression you get on the skin while in the water.

PLANNING TIPS - the BLUE LAGOON Iceland

How to get to the Blue Lagoon Iceland

• It is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula,
• 20 km (12 miles, 20 min drive) from the Keflavík International Airport
• 39 km (24 miles, 40 min drive) from the capital city of Reykjavík.
• Many companies offer tours with a stop at the Blue Lagoon.
• If you don't want to drive, you can book a transfer + ticket from Reykjavik - Check out options 
• But if you want to drive, the Blue Lagoon (with its GPS coordinates), is included in my eBook to help you plan your road trip:

Visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland

• See my section further below with all my advice and tips for your visit: jewelry, hair, equipment...
• You can also check out the Official website of the Blue Lagoon
• Blue Lagoon Hotel: There are many hotels nearby (5 to 12km away) in Grindavik and Keflavik

"Blue Lagoon Hair" - Taking care of your Hair at the Blue Lagoon

• Shower is required before and after bathing
• There is shampoo and conditionner in the showers, haidryers and all in the changing rooms
• If you plan to wet your hair in the Blue Lagoon water, be aware that they are going to be hard for a few days even if you wash.
• 1st option to counteract: do not wet your hair, of course 🙂
• 2nd option: place and leave conditioner on your hair before going in the Blue Lagoon water and condition after washing when going out

Tips and things to do at the Blue Lagoon Spa Iceland

Behavior and Activities

• Shower is required before and after bathing
• Do not keep jewelry except gold (silver will turn black)
• There were pots with silica mud to rub on your face or body that we used free of charge.
• Temperatures differed in various areas. Be careful it can be very hot in some spots
• There is a spot with a hot waterfall
• There is a bar in the middle of the pool where you can buy a drink
• The Blue Lagoon Iceland is a spa - you can book massages and other spa treatments

Equipment

• Towels and bathrobes can be rented while purchasing your entry. However once there are all aligned on the racks, people get mix up and might take yours… You are allowed to brng in your own.
• Everything is managed with a wrist band with a chip – the open/close lockers, the recording when you purchase a drink etc. You pay extras upon getting out.
• There were decent hairdryers and a ‘vanity’ area in the ladies changing room.

Other

• Apparently there is one thing to be aware of with the “Premium Package”. The advertised included meal at the Lava Restaurant is actually a credit towards a meal and it is quite an expensive restaurant.

Walking around the Blue Lagoon Iceland

You can watch the blue water without paying for the entry (even when not bathing, there is a cost to enter the complex). But just before entering the building, on your left, you can go for a short walk along some milky blue water.

The water is not as hot and you cannot bath but I really enjoyed the contrast of the blue with the natural surrounding rocks.

Alternative to the Blue Lagoon Iceland

If the touristic aspect and prices are not for you, you can:

• Enjoy a similar yet more intimate experience at the Myvatn Nature Baths in North Iceland
• Enjoy the hot waters of the Secret Lagoon on a tour of the Golden Circle Iceland
• Head in the Central Highlands for a dip in the hot spring of Landmannalaugar

Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?

Discover more things to do and places to see in Iceland in my online Iceland Destination Guide.

I hope you find this Guide to the Blue Lagoon useful to decide if you want to stop and to plan your visit.