The Blue Lagoon is without doubt one of the best-known tourist attractions in Iceland and has become a symbol of relaxation, wellness and closeness to nature. But the question remains: Is a visit to the Blue Lagoon really as worthwhile as it is often portrayed? In this blog article, we take a look behind the scenes of this famous Icelandic thermal spa to find out whether it really is worth a visit and, more especially, the cost.
To be fair, I must first make it clear that we love wellness and saunas very much and have already tried out many different wellness hotels and spas. So on the one hand we are naturally a little biased and on the other hand we have a lot to compare it with.
Unique location and nature
The fact that it is a tourist attraction has been ignored for now: The Blue Lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, in the middle of a breathtaking lava field landscape. Its turquoise blue, mineral-rich waters are created from the overflow water of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. We’ve seen pictures before, but the water really is an incredibly beautiful milky blue-white. Simply incomparable! The unique location of the thermal spa makes it an unforgettable experience, surrounded by a dramatic volcanic landscape.
Tourist highlight
Let’s talk about this point first: The Blue Lagoon is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s tourist highlights and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. However, this also means that the spa can often be overcrowded, especially during peak season. Long waiting times and crowds can spoil the relaxing experience and make for a less enjoyable stay. We cannot confirm this, as there was really very little going on here. However, it must also be said that we were there during the last outbreaks of the pandemic. At that time, the volume of travel in Iceland was generally lower. So I can’t say what it’s like during the high season. However, I was very surprised by the size and vastness of the lagoon and I can well imagine that if you plan wisely and don’t choose the most inconvenient and popular day, you can still have a great time here. Nevertheless, this is one of the main points of criticism.
Relaxation and wellness
A visit to the Blue Lagoon promises pure relaxation and wellness. The warm, mineral-rich waters are said to offer a variety of health benefits, from skin care to relieving muscle pain and reducing stress. Many visitors rave about the feeling of weightlessness in the warm water and enjoy the calming atmosphere of the thermal baths. It cannot be compared to a wellness hotel spa, but is simply an experience in itself.
Price and booking
Another important factor to consider is the price of a visit to the Blue Lagoon. Admission prices can be quite high, especially when you add additional services. You can choose between two different packages for admission.
As it was our honeymoon, we opted for the premium package. In addition to admission, you get the typical silica mud mask, two additional masks, towels, bathrobe and a drink of your choice, which you can redeem directly in the Polar for €76. (Status 2019) There is also a comfort package for €59, without a bathrobe and without the two additional masks. The Premium package was really great, but if you don’t want that, the Comfort package is definitely enough.
In addition, early booking is required as tickets are often sold out in advance, especially in high season. You can easily book your tickets online.
Alternative thermal baths and hot springs in Iceland
Despite its popularity and unique atmosphere, Blue Lagoon is not the only thermal spa or natural pool in Iceland. There are numerous alternative options that are less crowded and possibly cheaper or even more natural and free. Many of them offer similar benefits and an equally impressive natural experience as the Blue Lagoon. I have already written a complete blog article about all the hot springs and thermal baths in Iceland here.
Result: Is the Blue Lagoon worth a visit?
Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on individual preferences, expectations and travel plans. The Blue Lagoon undoubtedly offers a unique and relaxing experience in the midst of Iceland’s spectacular nature. I think the location close to Reykjavik is definitely an advantage and you won’t have to make any major detours on your round trip. Other hot springs are often very hidden and remote and of course spread all over Iceland. For some, however, the high number of tourists and the high price can make a visit less worthwhile. It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons and possibly considering alternative thermal baths and natural pools to enjoy the best possible hot spring experience in Iceland.
Personally, we also thought long and hard about whether we wanted to visit the Blue Lagoon at all and only visited it at the very end of our round trip. But we have said so many times before that it would have been an immense pity to have missed it. We loved it there, had a great day and it was definitely worth the money.
