Chances are if you happen to’ve met anybody that has gone to Iceland, they’ve gone to the Blue Lagoon. It is THE place that each one vacationers have heard of and go to, whether or not it’s on a brief layover or an extended keep. And if you happen to learn Blue Lagoon Iceland critiques, most of them are fairly constructive.
After all, it does seem to be a reasonably mystical place with steam rising from its milky blue water in a setting surrounded by volcanic rocks. You could have seen footage of vacationers coated in white silica mud masks stress-free within the naturally heat waters whereas sipping a chilly beverage. It looks as if the best place to calm down, unwind and luxuriate in Iceland’s geothermally heated waters.
Other Blue Lagoon critiques will discuss concerning the crowds. The draw back of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is that it’s so widespread that it will probably additionally get actually crowded. There are a variety of locations on the planet which might be widespread with vacationers that I attempt to keep away from just like the plague as a result of I’m not a fan of crowds. Times Square in New York City is one in every of them.
Now that I’ve visited the Blue Lagoon in Iceland twice, as soon as in June throughout prime vacationer season and as soon as in November when it was slightly quieter, I’ve some ideas that I wish to share. I’ll admit that I favored it even much less the second time round, each as a result of it misplaced that new expertise shine and since it was chilly and windy with freezing rain that brought about my hair to show into icicles.
Is the Blue Lagoon Worth It?
The backside line is that it’s price experiencing the Blue Lagoon not less than as soon as, in any other case, you would possibly expertise a little bit of FOMO. So if you’re visiting for the primary time, or with somebody that has by no means been to the Blue Lagoon, go forward and e book a go to. But hold studying so that you’ve the best expectations.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon
Note: This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
The Blue Lagoon is positioned about half-hour from Keflavik International Airport. Since Iceland Air provides a free stopover program, many guests will merely take a bus from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, spend a while, and return to the airport.
Also, since most flights from the United States arrive very early within the morning (round 6-7 am) and except you e book a resort or Airbnb for the evening earlier than to make sure an early check-in, you’ve got a variety of time to kill earlier than you may check-in. This isn’t as a lot of an issue with inns the place you may drop your baggage and discover town, however it’s a greater drawback for trip leases (though there are storage lockers on the bus station.) For this cause, many individuals select to go to the Blue Lagoon on their arrival day on the best way from the airport.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik will be costly if you happen to take a cab. The best option could be to lease a automotive in your travels and drive your self to the Blue Lagoon. However, if you’re staying in Reykjavik with out renting a automotive, you may prepare bus transfers both to and from Reykjavik or from the airport to the Blue Lagoon after which on to Reykjavik.
Of course, now that the Blue Lagoon has two inns (the Silica Hotel and the delicate Retreat Hotel), you too can select to remain on property and take a full day to expertise the wonders of the Blue Lagoon.
What makes the Blue Lagoon Special?
Visitors have been captivated by the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, contrasted with the dramatic panorama of a black lava discipline. While there are numerous pure scorching springs in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is definitely man-made.
I all the time shock individuals by telling them that the nice and cozy water really comes from the runoff of the geothermal energy plant close by. The shade is from the combo of silica, salt, and algae within the water. So a part of what makes the Blue Lagoon particular is the colour of the water, however largely it’s the in depth advertising and marketing that has made the Blue Lagoon so widespread.
There are definitely loads of different scorching springs or public swimming pools in Iceland together with the Sky Lagoon exterior Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews
Both occasions that I went, we had pre-booked our reservations, which is required as a result of it does promote out, and signed up for the Premium bundle. A inexpensive Comfort Package can be accessible.
This bundle consists of entrance to the lagoon, use of a towel and bathrobe, a silica mud masks and two further masks of your alternative, one drink of your alternative on the Blue Lagoon swim up bar, and one glass of glowing wine on the Lava restaurant for a hefty $76 per grownup (kids below 13 had been free.)
Arriving on the Blue Lagoon
When you arrive, you queue up within the applicable line relying in your bundle. On our first go to, we didn’t arrive on the prime of the hour, so it wasn’t very clear which line we must be in, however we had been shortly sorted out and given our robes, towels, and wristbands and directed to the female and male locker rooms.
The wristbands are important as they function your locker key, cost methodology, and exit methodology — after they work, however extra on that later.
On our first go to, we had been scheduled for a 2 pm lunch reservation at Lava and since we didn’t know if it will be applicable to eat in our robes (the reply is sure, it’s high-quality, however most individuals are in avenue garments), we stowed our stuff and went to lunch.
By this time I used to be slightly confused from looking for two lockers collectively for my daughter and I after which having my locker malfunction with all the pieces locked inside. I made a decision to type out my wristband concern after lunch so we wouldn’t be late for our reservation.
On our second go to, we arrived immediately from the airport as quickly because the Blue Lagoon opened, and getting checked in and into the locker room was a a lot smoother course of. However, I’d nonetheless counsel getting there both proper earlier than opening or earlier than your scheduled reservation to attempt to keep away from arriving similtaneously the massive tour busses full of tourists.
Lunch at Lava Restaurant
There are actually 4 eating choices on the Blue Lagoon: Lava Restaurant, the Michelin-recommended Moss Restaurant, the Spa Restaurant, and the extra informal Cafe.
The lunch at Lava was the spotlight of our first go to. We began off with the glass of glowing Cava wine that was included in our bundle. The restaurant did supply a really good kids’s menu, however all of us determined to order off the usual menu anyway.
My husband began with the langoustine soup with seaweed and white chocolate, which tasted like lobster bisque with a touch of chocolate sweetness. He then continued with the rack of lamb, whereas Hannah tried the fish of the day and I sampled the meat ribs. All of our meals had been scrumptious and among the many finest that we had in Iceland.
The two-story setting with glass partitions overlooking the volcanic rock with glimpses of the lagoon was a sublime and fashionable design. As you would possibly anticipate, it was a really costly lunch — as all meals will be dear in Iceland, particularly fancy ones at a highly-touristic attraction.
As a lot as we loved our lunch at Lava, we had been additionally desperate to get out into the lagoon.
What to Expect When Visiting the Blue Lagoon Iceland
Before we may get into the Lagoon, I first needed to get into my locker. Now the best way it ought to work is that you simply put your belongings into the locker shut the door after which have a number of seconds to scan your wristband in entrance of the closest scanner. I should have missed my few-second window as a result of my locker locked and wouldn’t reopen (which shouldn’t occur.)
To get into the locker and to my much-needed swimsuit, I went again out to the entrance desk and waited in line to pose my query. They instructed me to seek out an attendant within the locker room so I returned. Unfortunately, I couldn’t discover anybody so I went again out to the desk and so they known as somebody.
By the time I acquired again to my locker, somebody was there to assist me out, my belongings had been retrieved and subsequent, we had to determine one of the best ways to undress, bathe, and put our swimsuits on (you might be presupposed to bathe bare earlier than getting into the pool.)
On my second go to to the Blue Lagoon, I understood the method a bit higher and issues within the locker room went far more easily. When the locker room is overcrowded, it will probably really feel a bit chaotic and complicated, which is one more reason to attempt to keep away from arriving similtaneously tour busses.
After we undressed and wrapped ourselves in our equipped towels and robes, we then went right down to the showers. After discovering a free bathe stall, we rinsed off, dried off, and went again to unlock our lockers and placed on our swimsuits. By the time we lastly made it exterior, Glenn was beginning to surprise what occurred to us.
It was overcast on the day we visited in June and the temperatures had been in all probability solely within the excessive 40s or low 50s, so we shortly scampered into the lagoon to heat up. I used to be stunned that the water temperature wasn’t slightly hotter. When I visited in November, it was even colder and I used to be very comfortable for the equipped towel.
I anticipated temperatures similar to a scorching tub, however discovered it extra like a extremely heated pool. We moved round, crouching or kneeling within the lagoon to maintain our our bodies within the water, on the lookout for heat spots. As we had been leaving the lagoon acquired extra crowded however throughout most of our go to, we may transfer about fairly freely with out operating into anybody — definitely no worse than swimming at a pool membership in the summertime.
On the second go to, it was raining and even colder, so I stayed crouched down within the water to remain heat. Of course on each visits I attempted to keep away from getting my hair moist within the milky blue water as a result of the silica and minerals within the water will severely dry out your hair.
We noticed many individuals coated within the white silica mud masks that the Blue Lagoon is known for and we headed over to the Mask Bar to obtain our included samples and provides them a attempt. We ladled out the mud and unfold it over our our bodies, the place it dried and hardened for about 5-10 minutes earlier than we washed it off. It did depart my pores and skin smooth and clean.
Afterward, we had been capable of “swim” as much as the lagoon bar to say our free drinks (smoothie, sodas, beer, or wine) utilizing our wristbands. I wouldn’t suggest having too a lot of these whereas within the heat water.
Along the sting of the Blue Lagoon, you too can discover sauna and steam rooms, in addition to a man-made waterfall for pounding out stiff shoulders. Since I like steam rooms, I used to be actually bummed after I went to make use of it and it wasn’t heating up correctly.
While visiting the Blue Lagoon, there are add-on providers that you could e book together with in-water therapeutic massage and float remedy. For a real splurge you too can e book the Retreat Spa, which incorporates 5 hours within the Retreat Lagoon, Retreat Spa, non-public altering room, skincare facilities, a drink, and different upgrades and facilities.
Why I didn’t love the Blue Lagoon
First of all, let me say that I didn’t dislike my time on the Blue Lagoon — I simply didn’t take pleasure in it as a lot as I anticipated to. I even went again a second time to offer it one other attempt!
I wouldn’t inform individuals to not go, however I’d warning that if in case you have restricted time to spend in Reykjavik or Iceland, I’d counsel that your time (and cash) will be higher spent elsewhere. There are many different public swimming pools or spas all through the nation that may present the same expertise, though none fairly so distinctive because the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Here is what I didn’t like concerning the Blue Lagoon:
- Lines — regardless of marked queues at check-in, the method was nonetheless a bit disorganized with clerks redirecting you to completely different strains
- Wristbands — I used to be the one one which had an issue utilizing my wristband with my locker, however all of us saved shedding our wristbands as they simply slip open. We additionally all had hassle getting them to scan with a purpose to exit the Blue Lagoon — and we weren’t the one ones with this hassle. It created fairly a backup and added to the general frustration.
- Locker rooms — there have been only a few loos inside the locker room contemplating the variety of lockers and company. Waiting for one wasted extra of the restricted time we needed to spend on the lagoon. After making an attempt to squeeze our means over to our lockers to alter after showering, we moved over to the vanities to complete preparing. I had our two units of flip-flops that had been offered (to maintain) with our bundle sitting proper subsequent to my backpack at my ft. While I used to be brushing my hair, a lady walked up, took one in every of my units of flip-flops from literal inches from my ft, and walked away with them. I stood there with my mouth open like “what just happened?”
- Showers — I’m by no means a fan of public showers so that is extra my concern than the Blue Lagoon’s however the trouble of getting to bathe twice exacerbated the scenario of looking for an open bathe, retaining your towel dry, juggling your shampoo/conditioner, and making an attempt to keep up some semblance of privateness in a crowded locker room.
- Bus teams — busses make common journeys from the airport and Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon dropping off a great deal of vacationers. Many of those are usually not the standard Iceland vacationer, however slightly tour teams spending a layover on the Blue Lagoon. Dealing with busloads of vacationers isn’t enjoyable.
- Unclear directions — once we checked in we got our wristbands, towels, and robes and despatched on our means with little or no instruction. We wanted to determine how the lockers/wristband labored utilizing the few indicators across the locker room. Same take care of the showers. I additionally would have beloved in the event that they offered a handout once we checked in with these fundamental directions, together with a map of the property and providers. Then I’d have recognized concerning the steam and sauna rooms to hunt them out sooner — to not point out the small leisure space on the second ground!
Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon
If you propose on visiting the Blue Lagoon, be sure you observe the following tips:
- Make certain you prebook your reservation on the Blue Lagoon and if you’re visiting through the busy season, you might have to e book this as much as a month or extra upfront to get your most popular time slot.
- Keep in thoughts that early within the day will probably be crowded with these coming immediately from the airport.
- If you don’t buy a Premium Package, you might wish to deliver your personal cowl up or additional towel.
- Bring flip-flops/sandals as these are now not included within the premium bundle.
- Put your hair as much as hold it out of the water because the water will dry it out severely. You also can use a bathe cap if you happen to actually wish to defend your hair.
- Don’t overlook your bathing go well with!
- If you might be coming immediately from the airport, put your bathing go well with, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning soap, flip flops and a contemporary change of garments in your carry-on bag or private merchandise in order that it’s simple to deliver into the Blue Lagoon and slot in your locker.
- Plan to spend a minimal of two to 3 hours on the Blue Lagoon to permit time to alter. You will wish to allot extra time if you’re consuming on the Blue Lagoon or if you wish to take pleasure in any of the upgrades resembling an in-water therapeutic massage.
- Bring a water-proof digicam resembling a GoPro or a water-proof cellphone (or cellphone case) to seize footage. Just take into account that between the water and the steam, it’s really fairly onerous to get nice pictures (and you may see right here, climate additionally performs fairly a job.)
Looking for More Activities in Iceland?
PIN THIS
