The Blue Lagoon is at the top of the list for most visitors to Iceland. This well-instagrammed Iceland lagoon is very busy for good reason – it offers a unique and immersive experience.
There are quite a few options on the Iceland Blue Lagoon website – but how do you decide which of the Blue Lagoon Iceland prices and packages are right for you when visiting for the first time?
I feel well placed to provide one of the Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews as I have actually been there three times. Make sure you read the section on the Blue Lagoon Massage.
All Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews will tell you that it gets VERY busy. So when it comes to when to book the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland do it at least a month in advance.
When you book you need to nominate a time. If you nominate say 1 pm you can then enter anytime between 1 and 2 pm. There are separate queues at reception for pre-book vs on arrival and for the different package types.
1. Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews – Blue Lagoon Restaurants
There are 2 options for lunch at the Iceland Blue Lagoon. There is the Blue Lagoon café and then the Blue Lagoon Lava restaurant.
The café at the Blue Lagoon is like a typical sandwich-type café with pre-prepared sandwiches, sushi, drink etc.
The Lava Restaurant is the more upmarket option. As part of my Blue Lagoon Reviews, I highly recommend having lunch here.
Lava Blue Lagoon is a beautiful restaurant – decorated in a stylish Icelandic fashion. It also has large glass panes so you can see the lagoon.
But most importantly the food at The Lava restaurant is absolutely delicious. This was one of my favourite meals on my trip to Iceland.
The Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon Iceland has a short a la carte menu or a good value (for Iceland) set menu option.
For 6600 ISK you can have 2 courses and a glass of prosecco. 3 courses are 7700 ISK.
We went with the 2-course option and that was more than enough. After ordering the waiter brought out the most delicious and warm bread options – 2 per person.
These are served with this amazing skyr butter which sits on a black pumice stone (which I initially thought was black bread). These rolls and the butter were amazing.
I then enjoyed the langoustine soup which was absolutely delicious. This was followed by the lamb – a lamb fillet and a lamb shoulder served with sunchokes, carrots, pickled red onion and thyme. This was also fantastic. We were all full to bursting.
Due to our schedule, we had lunch first and then visited the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. This can easily be done the other way around.
2. Blue Lagoon Spa Review – the Packages
In my opinion, the Blue Lagoon Premium Package definitely provides the best experience at the Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon gets busy and the premium package provides access to the fast queue. After checking in, I received a plastic wristband to indicate which package I had booked.
This is also linked to the credit card you used to book so you can order more drinks etc once in the Iceland Spa Blue Lagoon. You will then receive a towel, a bathrobe and flip flops (you can keep the flip flops).
These are all things that you will be pleased to have once in the locker room.
The premium package at the Iceland Blue Lagoon Spa also includes a free drink at the in-lagoon bar (this includes alcohol as well as skyr smoothies) and extra algae face mask in the lagoon. The premium package costs 10200 ISK per person.
There are 2 cheaper options – standard and comfort – but they lack the bathrobe and flip flop. When it comes to the Blue Lagoon comfort vs premium packages, in my opinion, the premium offers better value and a better experience.
There is then a mega deluxe luxury option which is for 2 people and includes a private changing room etc. There are quite a few more Blue Lagoon spa reviews online which you may want to read to help you in making a decision.
⇒ Currently Planning your trip to Iceland? Check out this great post on an Iceland Itinerary that helps you plan a trip between 4 days and 2 weeks.
3. Blue Lagoon Premium Package – the Experience
The Blue Lagoon is quite big. The temperature fluctuates quite a bit throughout this lagoon in Iceland – although it is from quite warm to very warm.
On the edges near the rocks, you can pretty much sit down so these are good places for a rest. As you enter the lagoon the Blue Lagoon bar will be ahead of you to your right.
The bar has great skyr smoothies, soft drinks, wine, beer, and prosecco. You are allowed a maximum of 3 alcoholic drinks per wristband. You can also buy the waterproof iPhone cases at the Blue Lagoon bar.
Opposite the bar is the face mask bar. Everyone has access to the standard white mud mask. You put this on for up to 10 minutes and then take it off using the water in the lagoon.
There is also a lady swimming around in the cutest bathing cap you have ever seen who offers up a blue lagoon scrub. If you have bought the premium Blue Lagoon package you can then return to the face mask bar and get your algae mask – another 10 minutes.
The Blue Lagoon massage area is just behind the face mask bar (see further down this post for details). There are also some little bridges nearby. If you go under these bridges there is a hard warm waterfall that is great for the neck and shoulders.
There are also several steam rooms and a sauna (these involve getting out of the lagoon but are very nearby).
It is then nice to wander the entirety of the Blue Lagoon. As you head away from the main entrance to the lagoon you will go under a bridge that has a cold water fountain of a type to help keep you hydrated.
It is hard to say the ideal time to stay in the lagoon as it is very much a personal choice. The first two times I went to the Blue Lagoon I spent maybe an hour in the lagoon.
The most recent I was with 3 girlfriends and we ended up in there for about 3 hours and ended up with serious prune fingers.
⇒ I love visiting spas! If you’re looking for some more spa inspiration check out my posts on spas: Kamalaya in Thailand, Daylesford Spa in Australia, Czech Republic Spa Towns, Baden Baden Spa options in Germany, Luxury Hotels Yorkshire with spas, African Spa options, Ockenden Manor Spa in Sussex, Spa Hotels South West England, Dhulikhel Resort in Nepal, Blue Lagoon Iceland Reviews, Monart Spa in Ireland, how to take a fantastic Solo Spa Break, the Where to Stay in the Cotswolds for great spas, Spa Breaks Scotland and Solage Spa in California.
4. Blue Lagoon Iceland Premium Package – The Facilities
I will just review the women’s change facilities at the Blue Lagoon. When you come into the changing area there is a long corridor.
Along the corridor are little open areas with lockers and a low seat for changing. If a locker is open and empty it is for you.
The wristband you have been given will lock and open your locker. Store your shoes outside of this area. Put on your bathers and your bathrobe and flipflops as if you were going to any pool.
You are then asked to wash without bathers before getting in the pool. The good news for my more modest readers is that there are individual shower cubicles.
The blue lagoon is not great for your hair. In your pre lagoon shower apply the special conditioner in every stall to your hair. You absolutely can put your hair in the water.
However, make sure you used the conditioner both before and after your time in the Blue lagoon or you will have very dry hair for a couple of days.
It is then possible to enter the Blue Lagoon from the inside (there are loads of hooks for hanging your robe etc) or from the outside (again more hooks).
Each hook is numbered so you can keep track of where you put your towel and robe.
A key question, of course, is how do you take photos in the blue lagoon? Well, you can take your camera and or phone into the lagoon which many people do. Of course, the hand holding it will need to stay above the water.
The other option is to buy a waterproof case for your phone. These are on sale at the in Blue Lagoon bar and were very popular. I chose to take my iPhone in quickly for a few snaps and then leave it with my robe.
The robe does not have pockets so I used one of the plastic bags provided for wet bathers and tied this up with my robe.
It was, of course, the same process in reverse on the way out. There are benches and seats provided with good forceful hairdryers as well as cotton pads etc.
There is a chute next to these where you can put your used towel and bathrobe.
On the way out of the Blue Lagoon, you will go through a security area to exit. Just tap your wristband.
Part of the console will then open up. Place the wristband on the console and then the barriers will open.
5. Something Special – Blue Lagoon Massage
If you are looking for something different for yourself or someone you care about definitely check out the Blue Lagoon massage option.
If you would like to try the Blue Lagoon Massage you must pre-book or you will most likely miss out. There is a special private area behind the face mask bar. This is where you will meet your masseuse at the appointed time.
Now full disclosure that I did not have one of these – but we bought the Blue Lagoon Massage for the girlfriend I was with as a birthday present and she loved it.
And we did try to check her out during the massage as it is all outside. She was placed on a lilo type piece of rubber and then covered in warm wet towels.
The Blue Lagoon massage covered head, hands, feet as well as shoulders etc and she raved about it. Everyone else coming out looked very happy. I’m not sure there is anywhere else in the world that offers an in lagoon massage.
If you’re after some more Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa Review opinions check out the Blue Lagoon TripAdvisor section.
⇒ For another special experience in Iceland read my post on the amazing experience that is Inside the Volcano Iceland.
6. Getting there and away
The Blue Lagoon can easily be reached from Reykjavik or from Keflavik airport.
Many people visit the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport eg on their last day. I have done this option twice.
Bring all your luggage and get on the shuttle bus from your hotel to the blue lagoon. This takes about 30 minutes depending on how many hotel stops.
⇒ Book your transfer from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon
When you arrive at the Blue Lagoon one of the first things that you will see is a luggage storage area. You can then put your big case etc in here.
Once you have visited the Blue Lagoon you can then take a shuttle bus to the airport. This bus takes about 25 minutes.
It is also possible to visit the Blue Lagoon on arrival into Iceland by taking a shuttle bus from the airport, storing your luggage and then heading into Reykjavik.
The Blue Lagoon is also an easy day trip from Reykjavik – back and forth on the shuttle.
Finally, we had stayed in Hella the night before our Blue Lagoon visit on my third trip. It took just under 2 hours to drive to the Blue Lagoon.
We checked into the Northern Light Inn by 1115 and then got the 12 pm shuttle bus to the Lagoon. This is a great Blue Lagoon Iceland hotel option.
⇒ Read my post on the Best Iceland Northern Lights Hotels
We had lunch booked for 12 pm at The Lava Restaurant. This took about 1 ¼ hours for 2 courses.
Next, we checked in at 115pm and got into the Blue Lagoon. We stayed in the Blue Lagoon for quite some time. I got on the 1715 shuttle bus back to the Northern Light Inn.
We stayed the night there and then drove to the airport in the morning.
Travel Expert Tip – Best time to Arrive at The Blue Lagoon: As I have noted several times the blue lagoon gets very busy. Reception at The Blue Lagoon is at its peak on the hour as this is the basis of your ticket. If you arrive at say 15 minutes past the hour you will find much shorter queues. This will not impact on how long you have in the lagoon as you can stay for as long as you like.
It is also possible to experience the Blue Lagoon at night. On my fourth trip, I plan on exploring this option as I imagine it will be much emptier and could be more magical in the dark.
There is also, of course, the option of having dinner at the lovely Lava restaurant. If you have done this do comment below on how you found the experience.
⇒ Read my Top 10 Iceland Travel Blog Tips
Another great website site I found for Iceland tips and loads of great tour and self-drive options is Tourism Iceland.
And this great post from Beer and Croissants with loads of fab detail
Tips on Seeing the Northern Lights:
And if you are looking for the Northern Lights – and who isn’t – check out this app and site:
⇒ a fantastic phone app to take photos of the Northern Lights
Boutique Hotels near the Blue Lagoon:
There are two boutique hotels within walking distance of the Blue Lagoon. The first is the Northern Lights Inn. I stayed here and really enjoyed.
The food is good and I saw the Northern Lights. They have a wake-up call system for the Northern Lights which is critical.
⇒ Compare prices & read reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now
The second option is the newly opened The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland. This is a very premium experience and it looks amazing. Drop me a line and tell me what it is like if you stay.
⇒ Compare prices & read reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now
The only other options close by are guesthouses. The next option is to stay in Keflavik which is only about 10km away. Two interesting looking options here are Hotel Keflavik and the Hotel Jazz.
Getting to Iceland and Getting Around:
Keflavik Airport is the main international airport in Iceland. It is located about a one hour drive from Reykjavik (depending on traffic) and is only about half an hour from the Blue Lagoon.
Keflavik Airport is in the southwest of the country. This is why most visitors tend to visit the Blue Lagoon on the first or last day of their trips. I think it is a great way to end a trip.
Without question, the best way to see Iceland is to Hire a Car. Not only will it save you a fortune it is the best way to see most of the sites that Iceland has to offer.
Most of the key sites are free eg the sites on the Golden Circle tour so if you have a car costs drop dramatically – especially if you are with a group. Let’s face it you need a car to see a ring road which is a key feature of Iceland.
⇒ Save Money & Time – Book Your Transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
Tours:
⇒ Great Tours to take once you’re in Iceland
⇒ Adrenaline Heavy Tours in Iceland
Who Paid for What with this Post
I paid for everything incurred with writing this post about blue lagoon iceland reviews. This was completely me travelling and not working with any tourism boards or hotels etc.
However, this post does contain affiliate links. That means that if you click through on them and make a purchase I may well receive a small commission. I just wanted to make sure that you knew.
READ NEXT: MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR ICELAND IN MY ICELAND TRAVEL BLOG
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Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.
Ian
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
You completely forgot to mention the Silica hotel, also part of the Blue Lagoon complex but situated about 600 moeters away. It has its own lagoon, very private. Have visited several times although they now, prior to COVID-19 had just about doubled the price per night. Still if you want the "premium experience" this is worth every penny or ISK
The Boutique Adventurer
Tuesday 3rd of November 2020
Ian thanks so much for adding in that comment - as you can see in my post I have been to the Lava restaurant but wasn't aware that there was a hotel there as well. I will be checking it out on my next visit - whenever that may be! :-)
Stacy
Sunday 5th of August 2018
In my opinion, this is a must read for anyone planning a visit to Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is definitely on my list for next year, and I like having the knowledge from someone who has been there and can give comparisons of the available options. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
The Boutique Adventurer
Monday 6th of August 2018
thanks so much Stacy - I try to be thorough! I love iceland and am sure you will enjoy your visit there next year!
Suze
Sunday 5th of August 2018
The face mask bar sounds like a lot of fun! We haven't yet visited the Blue Lagoon but I'd love to do so. Thanks for all the tips
The Boutique Adventurer
Monday 6th of August 2018
just our kind of thing suze! I definitely want to do the underwater massage next time. You would love it there!
Crystal
Thursday 31st of May 2018
What transportation did you book to get from your hotel on your last day to the blue lagoon and then onward to the airport?
The Boutique Adventurer
Saturday 2nd of June 2018
Hi Crystal. I hired a car and used it to get to the northern lights inn. From the northern lights inn to the blue lagoon they have a shuttle bus. Having said that it is only about a 5 minute walk! To get to the airport from the Northern Lights Inn I drove and returned the hire car. However, the Northern Lights Inn also offers a shuttle service to the airport. And it is often included in the room cost so make sure you ask. Good luck and enjoy amazing icleand!