A little less than an hour from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, lies one of the most beautiful natural sites in the country: the Blue Lagoon. Nestled between the mountains that adorn its horizon, the vivid blue color of the hot springs contrasts with the black of the surrounding dry lava. Recognized worldwide as one of the best spas on the planet, if you travel to Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is an essential stop on your way.
What to see and do at the Blue Lagoon
The history of this spa is peculiar, because it was not at the first place for the relaxation and admiration of the natural environment, but really it was a geothermal plant, converted into a spa when they discovered the purity of its waters and the uniqueness of this enclave.
To enter the complex you have to pay approximately 56 € at the exchange rate (although it varies according to availability) and it is important to book in advance from its website, as its growing popularity made more and more people want to come to enjoy it. In fact, it’s a place frequented by celebrities and members of high society.
The Blue Lagoon is open from 7am (in fact this is the time when the fewest people book their stay) and you can stay as long as you like. Do not worry about finding yourself surrounded by many people, since having a limited capacity, it is always monitored that the place is not crowded and you can enjoy the experience well. In schedule the facilities close at 23h, but in winter at 20h.
Even so, many people take advantage of the start of the day to do other activities around the natural environment of the lagoon, such as horseback riding or snowmobiling, as well as visits to the coast to see the whales.
In addition to bathing in the relaxing and warm waters of the lagoon, in the resort you can also enjoy the spa service. They use the elements such as volcanic mud and vapors emanating from within the earth, to carry out all kinds of revitalizing services.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to see near the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
1. Brimketill, a natural swimming pool to visit in Iceland
A short distance from the spectacular lagoon, there is also a beautiful and unique natural formation to witness that contrasts somewhat with the Blue Lagoon complex.
Brimketill is a unique formation, in which the rocky surfaces of the seashore, have created a natural pool, wrapped in a unique place from which to bathe while witnessing a unique landscape with black cliffs, partly of this color by volcanic action.
That said, the water temperature has nothing to do with it, since it is a pool where the water comes directly from the ocean and is usually quite cold. In the vicinity of Brimketill there is also a viewpoint, which is well worth approaching to contemplate the whole environment from the heights.
2. Reikiavik, the capital of Iceland
If you visit the Blue Lagoon, chances are you’ll also take the opportunity to visit the country’s capital, and if that wasn’t in your plans, we’ll tell you why you should visit the beautiful Reykjavík.
Starting with its center and one of its most emblematic places, you’ll come across the Church of Hallgrímskirkja. It’s a unique temple reminiscent in its design of the basalt formations so common in this country.
This temple is also a perfect place to witness the panoramic view of Reykjavík, full of colorful houses that contrast with the white snow that usually adorns the skyline.
A neighborhood that contrasts with all the more traditional Reykjavik is Laugavegur. The street art forms the essence of the place and leaves us a repertoire of colorful buildings, where also abound the most visited entertainment and catering establishments in the city.
If you visit Reykjavík you can not forget to visit its port. From there you can appreciate more accurately all Faxaflói Bay, which forms the entire route of Reykjavík and leaves a beautiful view of the natural environment surrounding the city.
Where to eat at the Blue Lagoon Iceland
If you want to make the most of your stay and put the cherry on top of this unique experience on earth, we recommend that you go to Restaurante Lava, the restaurant located in the vicinity of the lagoon.
This place is designed with exquisite taste, with the entire room windowed so you can appreciate the beautiful lagoon while tasting all that the restaurant’s menu has to offer (which is not little) .
At Lava Restaurant the Icelandic specialties stand out, paying special attention to the details of the tradition of this gastronomy and using unique components that make it an unrepeatable experience.
The prices for a meal are similar to the entrance fee to the spa. But it is undoubtedly a culinary experience worth paying for, as the menu is carefully selected and presents a great variety, as well as rotating throughout the year, adding new proposals and improving the ones already presented.
Where to stay in the Blue Lagoon
Although many travelers choose to stay in Reykjavík and from there head to the Blue Lagoon for the day, the truth is that it is possible to stay in the vicinity of this beautiful paradise, as there are several places to stay.
One of them is the Hotel Silica, a spectacular hotel located just 10 minutes walk from the lagoon. And there you can also enjoy a part of the lagoon that is private, which you can access almost all day. It is also an excellent option, as it includes a restaurant and facilities with all the comforts.
Another option for lodging is the Retreat Hotel, which opened in 2018 and has its own spa, which takes advantage of the thermal waters of the place to offer treatment and relaxation services to all its guests.
This place is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the environment, since in addition to offering services such as yoga sessions and a fully equipped gym, there are also excursions to visit the entire volcanic environment of the lagoon.
How to get to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a unique spot in Iceland that deserves a must-see and so, we’re going to give you some tips on how to get to this paradise on earth.
The truth is that, given its location and its status as a protected area, there is no other way to get there than with your own private vehicle or hiring a service to take you to the famous lagoon. These services depart from different cities, although we recommend that you travel from Reykjavik.
The reason is clear and is that the Blue Lagoon is only 50 minutes from Reykjavík and about 20 minutes from the airport of Reykjavík Keflavik, so it is one of the best options to get there quickly and safely. From both Reykjavík and its airport you can either rent a private vehicle or opt to hire a shuttle service to get there.
Tips about a trip to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
- The best way to get around the island is by car.
- Read the car rental insurance contract carefully as you will see that it does not cover the vast majority of damages to the vehicle.
- The official currency of Iceland is the Icelandic krona.
- 1 Icelandic króna is equivalent to 0.0072 euro, so 1 euro is approximately 400 kronor.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set out on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens we also do not need a visa to enter the country, the ID card or passport is enough.
- Be covered in case of medical emergencies: travel insured.
- The best time to see northern lights in Iceland is between March and September.
How to organize a trip to the Blue Lagoon
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to the Blue Lagoon
The fastest way to get there is from Reykjavik or its airport, as they are less than an hour from the lagoon.
Given the location of the Blue Lagoon, the fastest and most convenient way to get there is to hire a shuttle service or to drive there yourself.
Yes, to access the Blue Lagoon spa you have to book in advance and pay an entrance fee which costs around 56€, but it varies depending on the capacity availability.
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