Visiting the Blue Lagoon, Iceland: Top Tips

The Blue Lagoon is probably Iceland’s most visited tourist destination. This thermal bath is located so close to Iceland’s Keflavik airport that it’s easy to fit into almost any Iceland itinerary. With steam rising off of milky blue waters, it definitely is a relaxing place to be. I had a great time on my visit to the Blue Lagoon but there are some things that can help your trip go smoother.

While the Blue Lagoon looks like this perfect natural geothermal pool, it’s actually man-made. The water here is seawater supplied from the geothermal power plant nearby. While it does feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere, it definitely gets quite busy. I was still able to visit and find space in the lagoon to myself. For me, this was one of the highlights of the five days I spent in Iceland.

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Getting to the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is very easy to access with a car as it is only 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport or about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. There is a huge parking lot at the Blue Lagoon with free parking.

If you are traveling without a car or in Reykjavik for a stopover, there is a shuttle bus you can book. Book the shuttle bus at the same time you book your ticket and you can be picked up from the airport or in Reykjavik. You can also just book this combo entry and transfer ticket.

Pre-Booking is Necessary for the Blue Lagoon

Don’t show up to the Blue Lagoon without your entry booked online in advance or you are likely to be disappointed. I booked my entry to the Blue Lagoon as soon as I had my flight booked. It’s a very popular destination and it does fill up. It’s open from 8 am-10 pm You can book your tickets for the Blue Lagoon here.

I recommend trying to visit either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. You will get cheaper prices and fewer people to contend with. It’s also really nice to be in the Blue Lagoon for sunrise or sunset. I ended up spending 3 hours here so budget 2-4 hours at the Blue Lagoon.

You Don’t Need to Enter the Blue Lagoon to Get Photos

If you don’t want to swim in the Blue Lagoon or you missed out on the time slot you want. You do not need to go inside the Blue Lagoon to see the milky blue waters. Just park in the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon and walk around the outside of the resort. There is a trail that takes you around some of the water and the lava landscape so you still can experience a bit of the Blue Lagoon.

Top Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon

1. Go Straight from the Airport

I arrived to Iceland early in the morning so I went to the Blue Lagoon right when it opened. This was a great decision because I got to shower right after a flight and because honestly, I was too tired to be driving. The Blue Lagoon was a great first-day activity because I just got to float around and relax instead of trying to navigate and drive while I was exhausted.

2. Blue Lagoon is Family Friendly

Kids as young as 2 are welcome at the Blue Lagoon. Children aged 13 and under get free admission with a parent. There are shallow areas here but it does go to a depth of 1.4m (4.7ft) so any children under the age of 8 must wear floaties that are available for use free of charge.

3. Basic Entry is Fine

While it might be tempting to splurge and go for more than the basic package, the basic package gets you everything you need. The cheapest package is the comfort package which includes a drink, towel, and a mud mask. I would only upgrade to the next level if you intend on dining in the Lava Restaurant on site.

4. Someone’s Going to Steal Your Towel

Seriously. Someone stole my towel from the change room. The second time I likely misplaced it because there is no good way to keep track of it once you hang it up. It’s just a sea of towels. The good news is you can request a new one from the bar near where people leave their towels of from the change room attendants.

5. There’s a Huge Locker Room

There are seriously so many lockers, definitely remember which one is yours. The bracelet they give you when you sign in acts as the key for whichever locker you choose. Make sure to read the directions on using the lockers carefully and double-check it actually locks. I saw more than a few full lockers with doors ajar because of misusing the bracelets.

6. Don’t Wear Jewelry in the Blue Lagoon

Because of the silica in the water, it could damage your gold jewelry so make sure you remove it before going into the lagoon. If you drop it, the water is so murky you probably are never finding it again. Just leave it in the lockers that are provided.

7. You Have to Shower Before Going in the Blue Lagoon

You’re supposed to shower naked before you go in the Blue Lagoon. There are lots of showers so just choose one and use the soap they provide. The showers are frosted glass but you really can’t see anyone.

8. The Silica in the Blue Lagoon is Hard on Hair

Try to avoid getting your hair totally immersed in the lagoon. I coated my hair in conditioner to protect it and then tied it up in a bun. This seemed to work for me to avoid my hair becoming damaged. Afterward, I just used the provided shampoo and conditioner and my hair was great for the rest of the trip. If you have more particular hair you might want to consider bringing a deep conditioner treatment with you or clarifying shampoo to help get the silica out. There are hairdryers on site to use after your shower.

9. Bring a Waterproof Cover for your Phone

You can buy waterproof bags for your phone on site so you can take photos. Or if you have a phone that is waterproof just try to keep the water off if it so the silica doesn’t damage it. I just ended up keeping my hands above water to take photos.

10. There’s a Mudmask Included with Every Visit

Even with the most basic entry package, a mud mask is included. Just swim up to the building with it and they give you tons of it. I don’t know that it did anything for my skin but it was a lot of fun to do anyway.

11. Blue Lagoon has a Swim Up Bar

Well, more of a float-up as you can’t really swim in the Blue Lagoon. But you can grab a smoothie or drink here to have while you float around the lagoon. The smoothie I grabbed from the bar here doubled as my breakfast so it saved a little bit of money for me.

If you are just looking for water, one of the bridges has a fountain under it that has water you can rinse your hands with or drink from.

12. The Temperature Varies

The general temperature of the Blue Lagoon is quite pleasant. You can definitely find cold and hot spots throughout the area though. I found the hottest spots to be near the swim-up areas, as I think this is where they are pumping the water into the lagoon.

After the Blue Lagoon

After your visit to the Blue Lagoon, I highly recommend a visit to the rest of the Reykjanes Peninsula as you are already there. It’s a really beautiful area and you can check out Gunnuhver and Brimketill for steam vents and beautiful coast.

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