Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Why I Did Not Go Into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

At least one better option is available.

Note: This article pertaining to Why I Did Not Go Into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland was originally published on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 9:46 in the evening and has been updated.


I have heard a lot about the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and how it is apparently a destination on the list of anyone who visits Iceland — especially as it is one of the most visited destinations in Iceland — and is located only approximately 12 miles from Keflavik International Airport, which is a drive of 20 minutes or so…

Why I Did Not Go Into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

…but as I was doing my research, my desire to visit the Blue Lagoon waned more and more; so I decided not to purchase a ticket for admission.

Still, the Blue Lagoon was on my way from the Valahnúkamöl Cliffs to the Krýsuvík thermal area — so I thought I would stop by and see exactly on what I was missing out; and perhaps I might somehow still be able to pay for admission if I changed my mind.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The parking lot was filled with cars, vans and buses. Parking is free of charge. I do not like crowds; so I was already thinking that I made the right decision not to purchase a ticket in advance.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

This is the sign which greets visitors at the entrance.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Behind the sign is a paved path which winds amongst the rocks. The walk of several hundred yards or so takes a few minutes from the parking lot to the door.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Visitors must pass through this door of the main entrance of the reception building to gain access to the Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The first thing I noticed is that the lagoon is not blue, but rather a sickly shade of green.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The lagoon is not even fed by a spring or formed naturally; but rather, it is man-made and artificial. When a pool formed at the site from the waste water of the geothermal power plant which had just been built there in 1976, some people considered that an environmental disaster — and some people still feel that way today despite the perceived positive and beneficial aspects of the Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The Blue Lagoon — which was established in 1992 when the bathing facility opened to the public — is situated close to the first renewable methanol plant in the world, which uses a fuel process to convert carbon dioxide to methanol. Because its citizens highly respect the environment in which they live, Iceland is known for using geothermal energy as a source of heat for generations.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

“Since the water is continually streaming into the lagoon, all the water is renewed in 48 hours, making sure it stays clean”, according to this article written by Nanna Gunnarsdóttir for Guide to Iceland. “The first person to bathe in it was a young man called Valur Margeirsson. He had Psoriasis and wanted to try anything to help relieve the skin.” People started bathing in it in 1981 after its purported healing powers were popularized — especially for skin diseases.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Water — at the very hot temperature of 392 degrees Fahrenheit — is vented from the ground near a field where lava once flowed; and it is used to run turbines which generate electricity. The silica in the water formed mud and created a thick layer in the otherwise porous lava so that the water no longer seeped into the lava and disappeared. That layer resulted in the formation of the lagoon because it held the water in place.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

After passing through the turbines, the steam and hot water go through a heat exchanger to provide heat for the municipal water heating system before then being fed into the lagoon in which bathers can enjoy its recreational uses and purported medicinal properties.

While nothing is theoretically wrong with that, it is still not a natural process.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The Blue Lagoon can get quite crowded. In the background are more bathers in the water; and above them are people wearing white robes while standing.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

Bathers line up at the waterside bar to order drinks.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

The white silica deposits are easy to see at the edge of the water.

Final Boarding Call

The reasons why I decided not to purchase a ticket for entrance to use the Blue Lagoon is because it was too expensive for my taste, it would most likely be too crowded for me, and the lagoon itself was not formed naturally.

Even though I returned to Iceland in 2024, I still had no desire to go into the Blue Lagoon.

I was not willing to pay $84.00, which was the typical entrance fee for the Comfort package in 2018 — and I certainly was not willing to pay $98.00 in 2025. Because I was driving around virtually the entire country of Iceland, I found something of a thermal option which was better for me — as well as free of charge. For me, that was the right decision.

If you really must indulge in thermal waters and your time is limited, the Blue Lagoon may be your only option — if you are willing to pay as low as $82.00 for a day visit. Admission fees are discounted for children; and infants younger than two years old are not permitted in the lagoon.

Keep in mind that prices are not set; but rather, they fluctuate based on factors such as availability. $98.00 in United States dollars is the minimum you should expect to pay for the experience in 2025.

Tickets for admission must be purchased in advance. If you want to store your luggage, each bag cost 550 Icelandic krona in 2018, which was approximately $4.75 in United States dollars. Expect that service to be more expensive in 2025.

Blue Lagoon
Nordurljosavegur 9
Grindavík 240
Iceland
+354 420 8800

Opening hours are:

  • Summer opening hours June 1 through August 20: 7:00 in the morning through midnight
  • Winter opening hours August 21 through May 31: 8:00 in the morning through 10:00 in the evening
  • Christmas Eve 8:00 in the morning through 4:00 in the afternoon
  • New Years Eve 8:00 in the morning through 6:00 in the evening

Restaurants and lodging have their own hours.

Guests are requested to exit the water 30 minutes prior to closure.

Admission Fees

All ticket prices are in United States dollars:

Comfort Package
Premium Package
Signature Package
Retreat Spa Package

Between $98.00 and $149.00 per person

  • Access to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar
  • Use of towel
  • First drink of choice at the in-water bar

Between $124.00 and $175.00 per person

  • Access to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar
  • Use of towel
  • First drink of choice at the in-water bar
  • Use of bathrobe
  • Two additional masks of your choice at the mask bar
  • Second drink of your choice

Between $154.00 and $205.00 per person

  • Access to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar
  • Use of towel
  • First drink of choice at the in-water bar
  • Use of bathrobe
  • Two additional masks of your choice at the mask bar
  • Second drink of your choice
  • Skincare products to take home — Silica Mud Mask 30 ml and Mineral Mask 30 ml, valued at $101.00

Priced from $760.00 per changing room for up to a maximum of two guests

  • Eight subterranean spaces, private changing rooms, and access to the secluded Retreat Lagoon as well as the Blue Lagoon.
  • Included:
    • Access to the Retreat Spa of five hours
    • Private changing room, which accommodates two people
    • Access to The Blue Lagoon Ritual
    • Access to the Retreat Lagoon
    • Access to the Blue Lagoon
    • Blue Lagoon Skincare amenities
    • Access to Spa Restaurant

For the purpose of comparison, ticket prices for the following packages in 2018 were as follows:

Comfort Package
Premium Package
Retreat Spa Package

From 6,990 Icelandic krona

  • Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica mud mask
  • Use of towel
  • First drink of your choice

From 9,900 Icelandic krona

  • Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica mud mask
  • Use of towel
  • First drink of your choice
  • Second mask of choice
  • Slippers
  • Use of bathrobe
  • Table reservation at Lava Restaurant
  • Sparkling wine if dining

From 29,500 Icelandic krona

  • Four hour exclusive entry to the Retreat spa and the Blue Lagoon

All photographs ©2018 by Brian Cohen.

  1. I wouldn’t go near there, simply because of the ick factor: people with possibly questionable cleaning habits scrub their skin with the silica, then all those dead skin cells are swimming in that water and onto YOU. No thanks!

    1. Nothing that a shower could not handle, CATHY K; and shower facilities are available there…

      …and aside from the silica, your statement could apply to many bodies of water — such as an ordinary swimming pool.

    2. Actually, not only are there showers, it is required at practically all thermal baths in Iceland that you take a shower before entering the water. This was the hard part for my wife – communal (gender-specific) showers that require full nudity. The rest of the world is amazed at how prudish (modest, ashamed) we Americans are about our bodies. I had a great day at the Blue Lagoon, despite the high cost, and had a fantastic massage while floating in the hot waters. As to the costs, the point of this hobby is to save money on travel by taking advantage of the benefits out there, so splurge!

      1. You are absolutely correct on all counts, Mike D.

        I am not really into the spa experience in general; so just because the Blue Lagoon did not interest me does not mean you should not indulge in it if you really want to do so.

        I am glad to read that you and your wife had a great time at the Blue Lagoon!

  2. When we were in Iceland five years ago—before it became the touristy Insta-good destination, we checked both the Blue Lagoon and Myvatn outside of Akuryeri. I’d say the latter is better—tranquil, cheaper, although not as party-ready as the former, and when the wind comes in the afternoon it’d be quite an experience.

    1. Thank you for relating your experiences, Z.

      Although I had been to both Myvatn and Akuryeri — I intend to write about my experiences in future articles — I did not go to the thermal facilities.

    1. > I hope that did not involve renting a car.

      I don’t know what his secret location is, but it would be challenging to experience much of Iceland without a car.

      1. The location to which I went is no secret, lenin1991. I simply intend to write an article about it in the future — and not everybody will like it.

    2. A number of places exist in Iceland where you can enjoy thermal water free of charge, caveman — but yes, where I went did involve renting a car.

    1. Pretty strong allegation, Allen, as I have no reason or desire to plagiarize since I was actually at the Blue Lagoon — the history of greater than 12 years of articles here at The Gate proves that I provide attributions to sources whenever possible — but that was merely supposed to be a placeholder until I found a more reliable source with more information and details to which I can attribute…

      …and this article fit the bill:

      https://guidetoiceland.is/best-of-iceland/blue-lagoon-the-ultimate-guide

      The information is not exactly considered proprietary, as it is available from other sources; and the text has since been replaced — along with errors corrected and additional details added in other areas of the article.

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