Blue Lagoon – a perfect place to relax in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon or Bláa Lónið in Icelandic, is the most popular geothermal spa and the most visited paid attraction in Iceland. It’s famous for the steamy milky blue water and the black rocks of the surrounding lava fields of Iceland.

Geothermal Water

The water of the Blue Lagoon comes from 2.000 meters below the surface where the fresh water and the sea water combine at extreme temperatures. On its way to the surface of the earth, it takes silica and minerals with it. When it appears on the surface, it has 38° C. This temperature is perfect for taking a bath in it. It is fed by runoff water from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant

The water of the Blue Lagoon has a unique composition with basically three ingredients, Silica, Algae and Minerals. So the Silica and the reflects sunlight give the water its light blue color. The algae has the special effect, that it will give to the water a hint of green during the summer months. Actually, the water is white, but all the ingredients makes it look blue.

Here are some useful information about the Blue Lagoon:

  • The water temperature is all year round between 37° – 40° C
  • The whole Blue Lagoon contains 6 million liters of water which comes straight from the depths of the earth.
  • The water renews itself every 40 hours, so it is self-cleansing
  • The deepest point in the Blue Lagoon is 1,6 meters, but mostly it is 0,8 to 1,2 meters deep.

Blue Lagoon

Although a visit of the Blue Lagoon is strongly debated because it is said to be expensive and crowded, it is an absolute must do while being in Iceland. It’s not only a very popular sight, but mostly a relaxing place where you can calm down from your everyday life.

The Blue Lagoon offers a lot of different spa treatments. I had an in-water treatment called Authentic Silica Salt Glow, which is a full body treatment. Your skin will be polished with a combination of Blue Lagoon mineral salts and oils to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation. This treatment was really amazing and my skin felt so soft and glowing afterwards. It’s not like a normal massage, because you’re lying in the water. As I got the treatment in winter, the lady who did the treatment covered me with warm and wet towels. 

There are a number of crates around the Blue Lagoon, where you can make yourself a Silica Mud Mask. You can apply as much as you can on the face and body but you should wash it off after at least 5 minutes. Your skin will feel very soft after the mask. I think most people just want to do it because everyone else does it and it’s for free.

Another highlight s of course the bar in the water. You don’t have to leave the hot water to get something to drink. At the entrance, you’ll get a bracelet and every order you make at the bar will be put on that bracelet and you’ll pay afterwards when you leave the Blue Lagoon.

Lava Restaurant

The Lava Restaurant is built into a stunning lava cliff with a view over the lagoon. Its interior design is very modern, but with a spirit of Icelandic nature. We had the Fun & Food Menu during our stay and it was very delicious. As we were very excited for our Northern Lights Tour, we were almost in a hurry to eat all of our 4-course menu.

Beside this, the ambiance in the restaurant is unique and I can only recommend to have your dinner in that restaurant after your stay in the Blue Lagoon.

In conclusion, I didn’t regret visiting the Blue Lagoon. Have you already been there? Do you think that it is necessary to visit it?

Read next: Banff Gondola & Sulphur Mountain at Banff National Park