How to get the most out of a trip to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Where is it?

The Blue Lagoon is located on the barren, volcanic Reykjanes peninsula, 12 miles south of Keflavik Airport, and 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik. It’s a stark, peculiar spot, surrounded by black lava fields, mossy boulders and the Svartsengi geothermal power station — the lagoon’s warm waters are actually a by-product of its energy generation process.

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How to get there

Most people drive — it’s about an hour by road from Reykjavik and there is a large car-park directly next door, but it fills up fast, so it’s a good idea to get there early or late, depending on your strategy. Parking is included in admission.

To get there by public transport, Destination Blue Lagoon offers a bus transfer service that runs hourly. You can book at the same time as your ticket and it also provides transfers to the airport. Many local tour operators offer package excursions, such as Reykjavik Excursions, BusTravel and others. These can work out cheaper than buying a bus ticket and admission yourself.

What else is there to do nearby?

Reykjanes is a popular area for hiking and horseriding, and there are a number of trails to explore. The Reykjanesfolkvangur Reserve is well worth a detour, covering 74,000 acres of lava formations, mineral lakes and black sand beaches. Another impressive area is Gunnuhver, where you can watch mud pools bubble and geysers jetting steam. You could also hike to the top of Thorbjorn or Keilir, pyramidal mountains created by geological eruptions, or walk along the shores of Kleifarvatn, the largest natural lake on the Reykjanes peninsula, and the third largest in southern Iceland.

The stark coastline is worth exploring, too. Gardskagi, beyond the village of Gardur, is a fantastic spot for birdwatching with large colonies of seabirds and seals nearby, and a couple of spectacularly lonely lighthouses. The area’s small fishing towns such as Grindavik are quite industrial, but have some decent seafood restaurants and relatively affordable accommodation.

On the way to the airport, stop into Njardvik for the excellent Víkingaheimar, a museum that explores Iceland’s Viking culture; its centrepiece is Islendingur, a replica 23-metre Viking longship that was sailed to New York in the year 2000, exactly 1,000 years after Leif Erikson made the first voyage to North America.

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When is the best time to go?

The lagoon gets extremely busy during the summer months, especially during the peak period of June, July and August. This is not the time to go if you want that perfect, all-to-yourself pool shot, unless you’re prepared to get up very early or stay up very late.

Pre-booking is mandatory: don’t just turn up hoping to get a ticket. There is an hourly cap on admission numbers, so it’s entirely possible there will be no slot available when you want to go, so you might need to be a bit flexible on timings.

Usually, you can avoid the worst of the crowds by timing your dip before 10am or after 7pm — go as early or as late as you can. The lagoon is open from 7am until midnight in summer, and from 8am to 10pm in winter.

Better still, visit in the shoulder seasons — April and October are markedly quieter — or come in midwinter for the ultimate icy Icelandic experience. The pool remains open year round, and there’s something rather delicious about toasting yourself in the lagoon’s bath-warm waters while snow is falling all around.

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Where to stay

There’s really no need to stay near the lagoon itself, but if you’re prepared to pay for the privilege, there are two seriously swanky hotels to choose from, the Silica and the Retreat, both of which offer designer rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon, as well as luxury spa experiences and access to a private section for exclusive bathing. They both also have top-notch Icelandic restaurants.

Read our full review of Retreat at the Blue Lagoon

How much does the Blue Lagoon cost?

Standard Comfort admission costs from £61, but prices vary through the day — it’s dearer around midday and during the afternoon, and a bit cheaper during the evening.

A towel, mud mask and one drink at the swim-up pool bar are included in the admission price.

There are also more expensive tickets: Premium gets you a bathrobe, extra mud masks and a second drink, while Signature includes skincare goodies to take home.

Top tips for the Blue Lagoon

• It’s Icelandic etiquette to shower (nude) before you get into the lagoon, as well as after. The showers all have shampoo and conditioner, but you might want to bring your own — the briny, mineral-rich water does funny things to hair.

• Don’t wear jewellery or watches into the water — the minerals will tarnish many metals, including silver and gold. There are lockers for your belongings, which you can open by scanning your wristband.

• The lagoon varies in depth and it’s about 1.4m at its deepest, which is worth bearing in mind if you have children with you. The water temperature varies, too — it’s warmest near the vents where the water comes out.

• The main pool has a swim-up bar where you can buy drinks, smoothies and even booze. One drink is included with your admission ticket — just show your wristband.

• If you’re heading to the airport, there’s a left luggage kiosk in the car park, very handy if you’re taking public transport.

• The minimum age is two years old, and in the Retreat Spa it’s 12.

• Remember to drink plenty while you bathe — but preferably not the water from the lagoon.

Five of the best holidays that include a trip to the Blue Lagoon1. Northern Lights Hunt Adventure

Bamba Travel’s five-day Iceland Northern Lights Hunt Adventure is a whistle-stop jaunt across Iceland, beginning and ending in Reykjavik, featuring a visit to the Blue Lagoon and sightseeing around the majestic Skaftafell National Park. The trip also takes in the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Geysir Hot Spring area.

2. Northern Lights and the Golden Circle

Iceland’s northern lights and the Golden Circle with G Adventures is a classic itinerary, and good value given that it’s fully guided and includes a vast range of activities: the three Golden Circle sights of Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, plus lava caving, waterfall visits and northern lights hunting.

3. Iceland Fire & Ice

You’ll spend five adventure-packed days exploring the best of Iceland on Contiki’s Iceland Fire & Ice tour, which takes in everything from geothermal springs to black-sand beaches and a traditional Icelandic farm. The trip ends with a day on the Reykjanes peninsula, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy the Blue Lagoon.

4. Iceland Discovery

Intrepid’s eight-day Iceland Discovery group tour is great for solo travellers, and features adventures to fjords, volcanoes and the Namaskard boiling mud pools. An optional visit to the Blue Lagoon can be added at an extra cost on your final day.

5. Iceland Explorer

Alright, it’s a cruise rather than a traditional tour, but we couldn’t leave out Saga Ocean Cruise’s brilliant no-fly Iceland Explorer voyage, which features an optional guided excursion to the Blue Lagoon as well as stops in Reykjavik, Heimaey and more. The 14-night sailing takes in spots many guided tours miss, including colourful Seydisfjordur and the tiny fishing town of Grundarfjordur.

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